Envoy: China firms here to complement SMEs, not compete with them
KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese companies are not here to compete with the local small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) but to complement their strengths, says Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang.
He said that Chinese firms – government or privately-owned – were investing in areas and projects where Malaysians lacked capability, such as building skyscrapers and dams.
“There is no such thing as Chinese companies competing with Malaysians,” he said in a joint media interview at the embassy here yesterday.
Dr Huang was commenting on local SMEs’ concerns that Chinese companies would affect their competitiveness.
He said Chinese companies had always come on a joint-venture business model with their Malaysian partners, stressing on localisation and technology transfer and employing Malaysians.
Citing Edra Global Energy, Dr Huang said local workers were retained after it was acquired by China General Nuclear Power Corp last November.
“The Chinese are here for mutual benefit and to complement the Malaysians’ strengths, not to crush them,” he assured.
On territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Dr Huang refuted speculation that China would use bilateral trade to force Malaysia to give up its sovereignty claims.
He said China believed in the principle of peaceful coexistence and had no intention of conquering any nation.
Dr Huang noted that China treasured its decades-long relationship with Malaysia, which was built on fair treatment, mutual trust, respect and benefits.
“Prime Minister (Datuk Seri) Najib (Tun Razak) was given the highest reception by the Chinese and was officially welcomed by both President Xi Jingping and Premier Li Keqiang.
“This is a very rare occasion in our history,” he added.
Dr Huang also said China responded positively to Malaysia’s requests for the country to buy more palm oil and allowed the import of raw birds nests.
The Chinese are heree for mutual benefit and to complement the Malaysians’ strengths, n not to crush them. Dr Huang Huikang