New chapter for relationship eyed as trade, people-to-people bonds grow

Relations between China and Malaysia have reached one of their highest points since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, and the two sides are ushering in a new era of cooperation in community building, according to Ouyang Yujing, Chinese ambassador to Malaysia.

“Malaysia and China are good neighbors, close friends, trustworthy partners and weal-and-woe sharing brothers, whose friendship dates back thousands of years,” Ouyang said in an interview with China Daily recently.

The envoy noted that after the establishment of the new Malaysian government in 2022, high-ranking officials from both China and Malaysia have frequently visited each other’s countries.

“Particularly in 2023, when Prime Minister Anwar (Ibrahim) visited Beijing, President Xi Jinping and Anwar reached an important consensus on jointly building the China-Malaysia community with a shared future, and drew up a new blueprint for the two countries’ future development,” said Ouyang.

He added that economic and trade cooperation between China and Malaysia has seen remarkable progress, achieving many successful outcomes in recent years. In 2022, bilateral trade between the two countries reached a record high of more than $200 billion, he said.

China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and Malaysia remains China’s second-largest trading partner and largest source of im-ports within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Malaysia is also an important Maritime Silk Road country and was one of the first nations to join the Belt and Road Initiative.

Ouyang said that people-to-people bonds between the people of the two countries have enabled deeper and closer relations to develop between China and Malaysia. The Chinese and Malaysian people started to enjoy friendly exchanges as far back as 2,000 years ago, and stories of Chinese Admiral Zheng He’s voyages to Malacca in the early 15th century are well-known in both countries.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Chinese students pursuing studies in Malaysia has continued to grow. According to statistics from Malaysia, over 40,000 Chinese students are currently enrolled at Malaysian universities. Meanwhile, Chinese universities are also hosting an increasing number of Malaysian students, whose numbers now exceed 10,000.

From Dec 1, 2023, Malaysia has granted 30-day visa-free travel to Chinese citizens, and China has also implemented a visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Malaysia. “The mutual visa-free entry policy enables people from both countries to visit each other whenever they like, which is great news for both,” Ouyang said.

The number of Chinese tourists traveling to Malaysia has grown to over 270,000 per month. “All these figures are good (indicators) of the ever-growing closeness between both peoples and countries,” Ouyang said.

The envoy added that he is confident about the future of China-Malaysia relations. He said the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations presents an opportunity for the two countries to elevate their cooperation in science, technology, culture, education, tourism, and other areas.

Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, China and Malaysia can usher in a new chapter of friendship and collaboration, Ouyang added.

Contact the writers at wanying@chinadailyhk.com