(July 18, 2022) 

Mr. Lee Kah Choon, Special Advisor to the Chief Minister of Penang,

Madam Li Xiang, Assistant Manager of China Construction Bank International Business Department,

Mr. Wang Qijie, General Manager of China Construction Bank (Malaysia) Berhad,

Heads of China Construction Bank branches in China,

Distinguished guests, entrepreneurs, and friends,

Good afternoon! I am very glad to be invited to attend the “Into Penang - 2022 China-Malaysia Green Development Forum” cross-border matching event, which is jointly organized by China Construction Bank (CCB) (Malaysia) Berhad, Ernst & Young (EY) Malaysia, and 10 CCB branches in China. CCB proactively conforms to the trend of green development, pursues the vision of environment, society, and governance (ESG), carries out green financial practices and services, and ensures close links between the CCB branches in China and foreign countries by mobilizing the resources of all social sectors, so as to create more opportunities of green investment and development for Penang. On behalf of the Consulate General of China in Penang, I would like to extend congratulations to the organizers for hosting this event!

In June 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for building a Green Silk Road and has also actively advocated jointly promoting green development on many important international occasions - “build a closer partnership for green development”, “make green a defining feature of Belt and Road cooperation”, and “make ecological cooperation a key part of Belt and Road cooperation”. Over the past six years, the green development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has made positive progress, the concept of Green Silk Road has been recognized and endorsed by more and more countries, and practical cooperation in green infrastructure, green energy, green finance, and other fields have been effectively promoted. China has become an important participant, contributor, and leader in the construction of global ecological civilization.

Malaysia has decided to achieve the vision of “green development” and has actively formulated actions for implementation. In 2017, the Green Technology Master Plan was formulated to actively promote green technology projects, urban afforestation, and the development of a low-carbon and resource efficient society. The Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) emphasizes sustainable development, is committed to developing green energy and reducing carbon emissions, encourages investment in green industries, and continues to promote the construction of green cities. 

Penang, dubbed as the Silicon Valley of the East, is an important economic and trade center in Northern Malaysia. The manufacturing industry, especially the electrical and electronic (E&E) industry, is well developed. In 2021, the total approved manufacturing investment in Penang accounted for nearly 40 percent of the total investment in Malaysia, ranking first in the country. The Penang State Government balances economic, social and environmental sustainability, and is actively transitioning to a green economy, promoting the development of circular economy, and striving to build a green international city. In 2021, the Penang Green Agenda (PGA) was launched to promote green industries, build a green economy, and assist Penang in becoming the greenest state in Malaysia by 2030.  

China encourages Chinese enterprises to strengthen cooperation on green energy, and to make overseas investment in green and low-carbon projects. Chinese enterprises also pay more and more attention to reduce the impact on resources and the environment by using more environmental-friendly and efficient technologies in their overseas projects. In recent years, Chinese enterprises have actively participated in the development of Malaysia’s green economy, and increased their investment in clean energy and green industries, including solar photovoltaic panels, electric vehicles, solar power generation, etc. In the meantime, Chinese enterprises has adopted advanced technology and craft in traditional industries to pioneer the local technology update. There are more than 80 Chinese enterprises in the four states in the consular district of the Consulate General of China in Penang, and more than half of them are based in Penang. Their business scope mainly includes the service and manufacturing industries, such as finance, construction, logistics, solar photovoltaic panels, medical, communications, etc. Chinese enterprises are welcome to make inspection to this place, and to invest, explore cooperation opportunities, as well as seize development opportunities.

This year marks the 48th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, and the bilateral relations of both countries have continued to deepen and emerged stronger through pragmatic cooperation and common development. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Malaysia, and the year after next will be the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to Malaysia was a complete success. The visit sets new goals and clarifies new priorities for bilateral relations, so as to push bilateral cooperation to scale new heights. The series of consensus reached by the two sides include advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and particularly pointed out that it is necessary to foster new growth drivers for cooperation such as digital economy and green development, and jointly enhance competitiveness and development level.

This event focuses on green development, which is the perfect starting point in the direction of promoting the pragmatic cooperation between China and Malaysia. Ushering in investment in green industry will help to realize the synergy between the Belt and Road cooperation and Malaysia’s development strategy. The Consulate General of China in Penang will, as always, carry out the duties of communication and coordination for enterprises and friends from all walks of life in both countries, promote the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Malaysia, and advance the pragmatic cooperation between China and Malaysia to enter a higher stage no matter in national or local levels.

Last but not least, I wish this event a great success! I wish all guests and friends good health, success in your work, and all the best!

Thank you！