Chinese investments welcomed, says Dr Mahathir

BEIJING: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday said the government welcomes investment from China, but it has to be done according to the country’s regulations.

Dr Mahathir said Chinese businessmen, during his meeting with them here, were still keen on increasing their investment in Malaysia.

He said that while the govern- ment welcomed their interest, it had to be in accordance with the true definition of foreign direct investment (FDI).

“When we come to China, we follow their laws.

“The same applies when they come to Malaysia.

“They must follow our laws,” he said on the final day of his fiveday official visit to China.

Dr Mahathir said he had con- vinced Chinese businessmen that he was still as “China-friendly” as when he was during his first tenure as prime minister.

“When I was the prime minister during my first tenure, I was known as being China-friendly. I think I have proven that I have not changed.”

He said there were many things that Malaysia could learn from China based on the country’s rapid pace of development in the agriculture, automotive and drone sectors.

In agriculture, for example, he said the use of technology had enabled China to fulfil the food needs of its 1.4 billion population.

“This is what we have to learn because if we follow China’s ways, we would no longer need to import food.”