KUALA LUMPUR, 22 SEPT – The pragmatic cooperation between Malaysia and China has yielded encouraging results and the strong momentum in bilateral relations will continue.
China’s ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing assured this as he strongly punched in the point where their comprehensive strategic partnership had led to a bilateral trade of US$106.68 billion (about RM498.942 billion) in the first seven months, this year.
“China continues to be Malaysia’s top trading partner as our investment in Malaysia amounted to US$12.5 billion (about RM55.4 billion), accounting for 33.9% of Malaysia’s total foreign direct investment last year.
Colourful artistes performing at the reception to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, at the Shangri-la Hotel in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. Photo: China Embassy in Malaysia
“Let us wish for the prosperity of both Malaysia and China, as well as the happiness and well-being of both our people, and hope our relations blossom to a bright future ahead,” Ouyang said at a reception to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at the Shangri-la Hotel in Jalan Sultan Ismail.
Present were guest-of-honour Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook; Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad; Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing; Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul; and Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching.
The reception also marked the 10th anniversary of the Malaysia-China comprehensive strategic partnership and was a forerunner to next year’s 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties – an important historical milestone.
Ouyang highlighted the frequent high-level visits between the two countries, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visiting China twice this year.
“It helped reach an important consensus with Chinese President Xi Jinping on jointly building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
Colourful artistes performing at the reception to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, at the Shangri-la Hotel in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.. Photo: China Embassy in Malaysia
“Successive visits that followed have further reinforced the deep political trust between the two countries, including our Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Malaysia in August,” said Ouyang.
Meanwhile, guests were treated to traditional dance performances by a artistes adorned with flower-themed costumes, while the reception hall was decked with two massive giant panda sculptures of Fu Wa and Feng Yi which were loaned to Malaysia by China in 2014 for 10 years.
There were also three smaller panda sculptures of Yi Yi, Sheng Yi and Nuan Nuan climbing a beautiful bamboo centrepiece.
These offspring of Fu Wa and Feng Yi, which were renamed Xing Xing and Liang Liang, have since returned to China.
