Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing recently stated in a written interview with Xinhua News Agency that the construction of a community with a shared future between China and Malaysia is steadily advancing. Under the leadership and guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China and Malaysia should continue to be close neighbors of intergenerational friendship, sincere partners for joint development, close friends of brotherly love, and important forces for promoting peace, and build a more brilliant tomorrow for China Malaysia relations.
Ouyang Yujing said that after more than half a century of ups and downs, the relationship between China and Malaysia has remained fresh and strong. At the beginning of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the leaders of Malaysia used the metaphor of a “newborn little tree” to describe the relationship between the two countries. Nowadays, China Malaysia relations have grown into a towering tree with deep roots, lush leaves, and abundant flowers and fruits.
He said that the two countries adhere to pragmatic cooperation as the starting point to build a mutually beneficial and win-win China Malaysia community with a shared future. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, and Malaysia remains China’s second largest trading partner and the largest source of imports in ASEAN. Last year, the bilateral trade volume was about 212.04 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 11.4%, reaching a historic high. Malaysian products are widely popular in China, especially since last year when Malaysian fresh durians were successfully exported to China, providing Chinese diners with a feast.
Ouyang Yujing pointed out that Malaysia is one of China’s important destinations for direct investment in the world, and the two sides are rapidly developing cooperation in new quality productivity. Chinese new energy vehicles have been widely praised in Malaysia, and automobile companies such as Geely and Chery have invested and established factories in Malaysia, promoting the deep integration of the two countries’ production and supply chains. The data centers built by companies such as Wanguo Data and Qinhuai Data have sprung up, helping Malaysia achieve its digital transformation goals.
Ouyang Yujing also mentioned that the friendship between China and Malaysia insists on using cultural exchanges as a link to build a China Malaysia community with a shared future that connects people. The mutual understanding between China and Malaysia is rooted in history, and the story of Zheng He’s seven voyages to the West and five garrisons in Malacca is well-known in Malaysia. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two peoples have worked together to cope with the Indian Ocean tsunami, the Wenchuan earthquake and the COVID-19, and their friendship has become stronger.
He said that by the end of 2023, China and Malaysia will begin implementing mutual visa exemption policies. In 2024, nearly 3.8 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia, with over 500 flights between the two countries per week. Last month, the movie “Ne Zha: The Demonic Children Roar in the Sea” was released in Malaysia, breaking the record for the highest box office of Chinese films in Malaysia at the fastest speed.
In 2025, Malaysia will assume the rotating presidency of ASEAN. Ouyang Yujing stated that China and ASEAN are inseparable and inseparable good neighbors, brothers, and partners. ASEAN has long practiced multilateralism and an open policy, working hand in hand with China to embark on a correct path of good neighborliness, friendship, and common prosperity.
He emphasized that China will firmly support Malaysia in fulfilling its role as the rotating chair of ASEAN, adhere to walking shoulder to shoulder with ASEAN, build a closer China ASEAN community with a shared future, and jointly build a peaceful, peaceful, prosperous, beautiful, and friendly home. I believe that with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN, friendly cooperation between the two sides will be stable and far-reaching, making greater contributions to creating a more prosperous and beautiful region and world.