On December 18, 2021, Chinese Consul General in Penang Mr. Lu Shiwei attended the Seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation and the Synergy of Malaysia-China Development Strategies, which was organized by China-ASEAN Business Association, Malaysia (CABA Malaysia) and Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Penang branch, and delivered a speech. Chief Minister of Penang Mr. Chow Kon Yeow and President of CABA Malaysia Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lim Gait Tong delivered speeches at the event. Vice President of MCCC Mr. Kerk Loong Sing and Vice President of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Professor Dr. Choong Chee Keong delivered keynote speeches. More than 100 people including heads of MCCC Penang branch, Perak branch, and Kedah-Perlis branch, and representatives of enterprises and media attended the event. The event was held online and offline simultaneously, and was broadcasted live on the official Facebook page of the organizer of the seminar. 

Consul General Mr. Lu Shiwei said in his speech that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has achieved fruitful results since its proposal more than eight years ago. China has close cooperation with Malaysia and ASEAN. The two sides have kept making rapid development of the economic and trade relations and improving the connectivity between China and ASEAN countries. Both China and Malaysia have entered a new development stage, and both countries attach great importance to high-quality development and international cooperation. The two countries enjoy broad prospects in the synergy of their respective development strategies and BRI cooperation.

Consul General Mr. Lu Shiwei said that not long ago, the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) convened its sixth plenary session, and has adopted the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century. We need to ground our efforts in this new stage of development, apply the new development philosophy, foster a new pattern of development, promote high-quality development, comprehensive deepen reform and opening-up, promote common prosperity for all, and build up our country’s strength in science and technology. President Xi Jinping delivered important remarks at the third symposium on Belt and Road development and pointed out that upholding the cooperation principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, so as to advance the high-quality development of the BRI cooperation. Malaysia’s economic and social development and industrial structure are in a period of transformation and upgrading. The economies and industries of China and Malaysia are mutually complementary, and the two countries have better prospects for creating synergy the development strategies. These will expand new areas and provide opportunities for BRI cooperation and the synergy of development strategies between China and Malaysia. China and Malaysia can also participate in regional cooperation under the cooperation framework and platforms of China-ASEAN cooperation, RCEP, etc, take advantage of the geographical proximity and cultural connections of the two countries and the broad consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries to promote the BRI cooperation to grow in depth and substance, further realize the synergy of development strategies of the two countries, and build a more solid China-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership. 

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lim Gait Tong said that although there are still many risks and challenges in the year 2022, we still need to pay attention to major positive factors in the regional market, such as China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, Version 3.0 China–ASEAN Free Trade Area, RCEP’s entering into force, etc., and jointly promote China-Malaysia and China-ASEAN friendly cooperation.

Mr. Chow Kon Yeow said that Malaysia-China BRI cooperation will provide new opportunities for Penang to realize the transformation and upgrading of its economic and industrial structure. He hoped that more Chinese enterprises will continue to increase investments in Penang. Penang State Government will also actively build a conducive business environment.

Mr. Kerk Loong Sing and Professor Dr. Choong Chee Keong delivered keynote speeches on the themes of “Deepening Malaysia-China Relations with BRI Cooperation” and “The Impact of BRI Cooperation on the Manufacturing Industry in Malaysia”. They introduced the BRI cooperation in detail and provided suggestions for the participation of enterprises and all sectors of society.