KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — China is glad to see the growth of Chinese investment here and Malaysia’s export to the country in the first half of 2020 despite the overall downward pressures in the world economy, said its outgoing ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian.
Stating that this, once again, proves the complementariness and bright prospect of bilateral cooperation between Beijing and Kuala Lumpur, he noted that the bilateral trade volume, Chinese investment in Malaysia as well as the number of Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia keep rising to new heights, year by year.
The ambassador said bilateral economic cooperation between the two nations has been gradually expanded from the lower industry chain of manufacture, trade of primary products, and contract construction to high-end electronics, biomedicine, and green energy.
Bai Tian said cooperation between Beijing-Kuala Lumpur in science, education, culture, defence, and other areas have all borne fruitful results.
The ambassador said he will also remember the high expectations for China-Malaysia cooperation from Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein as well as other Malaysian cabinet ministers.
“The mutual trust between China and Malaysia has become stronger, the prospect of our cooperation has become broader, the quality of our cooperation has become higher, and the resilience of our bilateral ties has become tougher.
“We are now having more friends in Malaysia from all walks of life,” he said at the online reception on the occasion of the 71st Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, which was broadcasted over the embassy’s Facebook page.
The reception, held online for the first time here due to COVID-19, was also to bid farewell to Bai Tian who had served here since Nov 28, 2017.
According to data provided by the embassy, China remained the largest trading partner for the 11th consecutive year for Malaysia in 2019, accounting for 17.2 per cent of Malaysia’s total trade or RM315.19 billion – an increase of 0.2 per cent compared to 2018.
In 2019, Malaysia’s exports to China amounted to RM139.61 billion, with higher exports of broad-based products particularly iron and steel products, Liquefied natural gas (LNG), paper and pulp products, palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products, manufactures of metal, optical and scientific equipment as well as processed food.
Exports of palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products to China also rebounded by 17.8 per cent in 2019 after declining for seven consecutive years.
Meanwhile, imports from China increased by 0.1 per cent in 2019 to RM175.59 billion, aided by higher imports of petroleum products, transport equipment and manufactures of plastics.
Bidding farewell, the ambassador wished Malaysia political stability and social harmony in the coming years and hope Malaysians could accomplish more achievements in nation-building and once again “let the world hear the roar of the Tiger of Asia.”
He also spoke of his memories here in promoting China-Malaysia friendly cooperation even while having to face many challenges due to the changes in Malaysia’s domestic politics and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I will remember Malaysia by its melodic, emotive Malay Pantun full of wisdom; by its ravishing islands with the sun, sand and sea; by its unique charm of different religions, races, and cultures living in harmony.
“I will remember the excitement in my heart when the first cargo of frozen whole-fruit Musang King departed to China. I will remember how the giant Pandas Xingxing and Liangliang in Zoo Negara won the affection from Malaysian Children,” he shared.
