Guide
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. Over the past half century, the two countries have carried out extensive cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology, and people-to-people relations, and have made remarkable achievements. In particular, in recent years, China and Malaysia have achieved fruitful results in the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" and achieved good economic and social benefits. In the future, the two countries will create new growth points in the fields of digital economy, green development, and new energy, and further promote the development of the two countries' economies and various fields.
By Peter T C Chang, Research Associate, Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has promoted the socio-economic development of Malaysia and Southeast Asia as a whole. As the Belt and Road Initiative enters its second decade, it is expected that it will continue to contribute to the sustainable development of developing countries and enable them to seize the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
In 1974, Chairman Mao Zedong and then Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak announced the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia in Beijing, and this year coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Over the past 50 years, China-Maldives relations have continued to develop and deepen.
In 2023, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited China twice, demonstrating the importance he attaches to promoting the development of relations between the two countries. During the visit, the two countries reached a number of agreements, and the leaders of the two countries agreed to cooperate on the Global Civilization Initiative to promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning in the world.
Economic cooperation has always been the cornerstone of China-Malaysia relations. Over the past decade, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become an important catalyst for economic development, further driving and shaping economic cooperation between the two countries. In 2022, the trade volume between China and Malaysia reached US$203.59 billion, a year-on-year increase of 15.3%. China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years since 2009, accounting for 17.1% of Malaysia's total foreign trade in 2023.
Image source: Xinhua News Agency
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is of unique historical significance to China-Malaysia relations. As early as the 15th century, when Zheng He went to the West, he visited the then Sultanate of Malacca along the Silk Road. It was during this period that the foundations of the first diplomatic and civilizational ties between ancient China and the Malay region were laid. Today, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continues the friendship that was forged 600 years ago.
Over the past decade, China has invested in a number of projects in Malaysia through the Belt and Road Initiative, including the East Coast Railway, the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park and the Sabah Gas Pipeline.
These projects have greatly developed and changed the social and economic landscape of Malaysia. However, the pandemic has had a huge impact on the world and has also disrupted the progress of Malaysia's Belt and Road Initiative.
As great power competition intensifies, geopolitical tensions, trade tariffs and sanctions disrupt supply chains and undermine economic growth, creating challenges for Malaysia. ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, remain committed to an open and free trade policy and actively work with China and all stakeholders to promote the growth of common interests.
Image source: Xinhua News Agency
In fact, since its inception, the Belt and Road Initiative has expanded its focus from the traditional infrastructure sector to various initiatives such as the "Healthy Silk Road", "Green Silk Road" and "Digital Silk Road".
For example, the "Healthy Silk Road" has become an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Malaysia. During the pandemic, vaccine aid from China not only helped Malaysia manage the crisis, but also boosted the development of China's own vaccine capacity. Subsequently, China pledged to support Malaysia's vaccine research and production, a collaboration that is in line with the Health Silk Road's goal of improving global public health.
In recent years, China has become a pioneer in the field of renewable energy and green manufacturing. Under the framework of the Green Silk Road, China has clearly positioned itself as a pioneer of the global green technology revolution, and other developing countries such as Malaysia have also benefited. In addition to solar panels and electric vehicles, Chinese-made hydrogen buses are also playing a pivotal role in Malaysia's renewable energy transition.
Image source: China Daily
China's remarkable transformation into a technological powerhouse has given rise to another new segment, the Digital Silk Road. This initiative is expected to help Malaysia and other countries better embrace the digital age. For example, Huawei is expected to participate in the construction of Malaysia's second 5G network, making a significant contribution to the country's technological advancement. In addition, Alibaba has chosen Malaysia as its regional e-commerce hub, and its first overseas "smart city" project will be located in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.
In 2023, when Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attended the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, Guangxi, China pledged to support Malaysia's new industrial master plan 2030. The plan is expected to use the Digital Silk Road to propel Malaysia into a high-tech nation.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, the two countries are expected to enter a new era of more frequent people-to-people exchanges and closer economic cooperation, driven by the Belt and Road Initiative.
In fact, as the Belt and Road Initiative enters its second decade, it has developed into a technological path with a strong emphasis on innovation and development, pushing developing countries, including Malaysia, into the digital age and ushering in a future defined by technology.
Image source: China Daily
Producer: China Daily, China Watch Think Tank
Editor-in-charge: Song Ping, Luan Ruiying
Editor: Zhang Zhao
Intern Zhu Shiqi also contributed
Pay attention to the WeChat public account "China Daily China Watch Think Tank" to go directly to the previous selections