KL committed to strengthening Malaysia-China ties

THE new Malaysian government that came to power in May last year is committed to strengthening Malaysia-China relations wit h even closer a nd more mea n i ng f u l coop e r a t i on , s a y s Tu n Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The trade a nd investment g row t h bet ween t he t wo countries in recent years had been meteoric and this trend would cont inue to generate more oppor t u n it ies i n t he areas of tourism, science and technolog y as well as cultural exchanges, the prime minister sa id in a message in t he souvenir book published by t he Malaysia-China Fr iends h i p A s s o c i a t i on , b e t t e r known as PPMC, to mark the 45t h a n n iversa r y of d iplomatic t ies bet ween t he t wo countries.

Dr Mahathir sa id if in t he initia l stages, it was more of gover nment-to-gover nment relations, the partnership had sca led numerous levels a nd cha l ked up milestones t hat today made China Malaysia’s biggest trade partner.

“China’s astonishing growth in the last few decades that catapulted it to become the world’s second biggest economy had contributed much to its extensive presence not only in Malaysia but in other parts of the world.

“Our co-operation has grown at various levels and sectors. I believe apart from the roles played by government and political leaders, the various associations and non-governmental organisations from both nations, including PPMC, have contributed much to the strong and positive state of affairs enjoyed by both our countries,” he said.

The prime minister said it was in June 1993 when he witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding between PPMC and the China-Malaysia Friendship Association in Beijing during one of his many of f icia l v isits to China.

“I wish to congratulate PPMC for being able to sustain the friendship through all these years and, in fact, taking it to a higher level,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said despite changes of leadership in both countries, the partnership had remained constant through the years, thanks to their adherence to the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and striving to be good neighbours.

“I have always believed in the principle of ‘prosper thy neighbour’ and as China prospered, it has in turn prospered Malaysia as well,” he added.

On China’s Belt a nd Road Init iat ive, Dr Mahathir sa id Malaysia had ta ken the posit ion of suppor t i ng it as t he benefits were mutually shared a nd d i s t r i but e d a nd, f or Malaysia, it was a continuation of t he ancient trade t hat s t a r t e d way back du r i ng the Malacca empire and trading bet ween bot h countries had never d i mi n i shed for centuries.

PPMC was formed in 1992 wit h act ive members comprising entrepreneurs, investors, academicia ns, a r t ist s, educationists, politicians and professiona ls, as well as gover n ment of f ic i a l s s ha r i ng mutual interest in wanting to see a st rong a nd susta i ned f r iendsh ip, u nder st a nd i ng a nd pa r t ner sh ip bet ween Malaysia and China.

In April 2005, veteran diplomat and former Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Abdu l Majid A h mad K ha n was elected PPMC president and he still holds the office till today.