There is huge potential for cooperation between China and Malaysia
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative and the establishment of China-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership. Recently, Malaysian Transport Minister Luk Siu-fook, who came to China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, said in an exclusive interview with People's Daily Online that China and Malaysia still have great potential for cooperation.
Malaysia's East Coast Railway Project (hereinafter referred to as the East Rail Project) is a landmark project of the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Malaysia, and one of the largest single transport infrastructure projects undertaken by Chinese enterprises overseas. In an interview, Mr Luk revealed that the East Rail project is now more than halfway through its progress and will be completed in 2027.
He said the East Rail project started with a new concept of cooperation, through which the two countries have gained a lot of experience in how to strengthen cooperation over the past decade. "Although the East Rail project has gone through several rounds of consultations and encountered some challenges during the implementation phase, they have all been properly addressed. This shows that both sides have adopted an open attitude and pushed for the issue to be resolved through consultation and seeking common ground."
Compared with the benefits brought by the railway itself, Malaysia is looking forward to its positive effect on the economic development of the regions along the line. After the completion of the East Rail project, Malaysia looks forward to carrying out broader cooperation with China, which is not limited to railway passenger and freight services, but to fully tap the potential of the railway and drive the industrialization development of the regions along the line. "We look forward to expanding cooperation in trade and investment, and bringing factories to industrial parks along the route," he said.
It is reported that after the completion of the East Rail project will pass through the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park in the "Two Countries and two parks" between China and Malaysia, connecting the east and west coasts of Malaysia, Kota Baru on the border of Malaysia and Malaysia's largest port port Klang located in the northeast of the Strait of Malacca.
"We are seeking further economic integration between the ASEAN region and China, and infrastructure development is a key element in achieving this. Railways and ports are undoubtedly important infrastructure to facilitate the flow of trade and bring more opportunities to Malaysia's economic growth. Malaysia is also seeking to expand foreign exchanges and cooperation, especially with China."
As for cooperation in the field of transport, Lu Zhaofu also said that China and Malaysia still have great potential. "Especially in Sabah and Sarawak, adjacent to East Kalimantan, where Indonesia's new capital is located, the potential for cooperation has not been fully tapped and the opportunities ahead are limitless."
Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia, and Lu Zhaofu said that the current China-Malaysia relations have achieved fruitful results, but there is still much room for cooperation: "In the process of jointly building the Belt and Road, China and Malaysia have achieved many examples of cooperation in the field of infrastructure connectivity. In addition to infrastructure development, China and Malaysia can expand cooperation in more areas, including but not limited to economy and trade, education, sports and people-to-people exchanges. China and Malaysia enjoy a long history of friendship, and we should cherish our common historical memory. Most importantly, the two countries should continue to uphold the spirit of mutual respect and carry forward and develop historical friendly relations. There is still huge potential for future China-Malaysia relations."