China-Malaysia Cooperation Prospects Brighter Than Ever
GEORGE TOWN, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- The prospects for China-Malaysia cooperation and development are brighter than ever as both countries continue to strengthen bilateral ties, said Chinese Consul General in Penang, Zhou Youbin.
Zhou said at a reception here tonight to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China that this year also marks the 52nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, with bilateral relations currently at their best in history.
“China and Malaysia are friendly neighbours across the sea with a millennium-old friendship. Today, we are joining hands to build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future,” he said.
Zhou said economic, trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries continued to yield fruitful results, with bilateral trade exceeding US$104 billion (RM424 billion) in the first half of this year, while visits by Chinese citizens to Malaysia surpassed 2.65 million.
He said the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) construction had also reached more than 95 per cent completion, further strengthening connectivity between the two countries.
On sub-national cooperation, Zhou said northern Malaysian states had actively engaged in exchanges and mutual visits with several Chinese provinces and cities, including Shanghai, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Fujian and Shandong, unlocking significant potential for further cooperation.
“Chinese-funded enterprises have invested in northern Malaysia in sectors such as new energy vehicles, lithium batteries and medical devices, characterised by high levels of automation, advanced technology and environmental friendliness, becoming important partners in the transformation and upgrading of local industries,” he said.
Zhou said connectivity had also improved with the launch of direct flights from Qingdao and Chongqing to Penang, facilitating greater people-to-people exchanges between China and northern Malaysia.
He said various academic and cultural initiatives had also been carried out to promote dialogue, mutual understanding and closer ties between the people of both countries.
-- BERNAMA