Malaysia-China relations ‘like a railway’ for a bright future
KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang today reiterated Malaysia’s stance as a close neighbor and important partner, emphasizing his commitment to strengthen cooperation and advance joint development.
Reported by Bernama, Li said that the meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese President Xi Jinping last year, reached an important consensus on building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future, outlining a new action plan for Malaysia-China bilateral relations.
“Standing at the starting point of a new history, the China-Malaysia friendship is like a continuous railway, spanning mountains and oceans, with a bright future.
“Let us seize this historic opportunity, implement existing projects well, continue to develop new areas of cooperation, further strengthen communication policies, connectivity facilities, trade flows, financial integration and relations between the people of the two countries, and provide better benefits to the people two countries,” he said.
Li said this at the ground-breaking ceremony for Gombak Integrated Terminal ECRL Station here yesterday, which was also attended by Anwar.
Speaking about the 665km East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) which costs RM50.2 billion, Li said China is willing to work closely with Malaysia to ensure that the project becomes a path to prosperity that truly benefits Malaysians.
Emphasizing that transport is the lifeline of the economy, he said the ECRL project not only serves as the heart of transport, but also plays an important role in driving development, creating jobs and improving living standards.
“China is willing to assist Malaysia in focusing on further operations, development and planning along the rail route, and drive development in sectors such as trade, logistics and tourism, achieving greater economic and social benefits.
“At the same time, the ECRL project will also have long-term and widespread spillover effects.
“Malaysia, located in the heart of Southeast Asia with unique regional advantages, has the potential to connect the ECRL with the Laos – China and Thailand – China railways, thereby turning the Pan Asian Railway Network from a concept to a reality and advancing the construction of sea trade routes and new international land, increasing regional connectivity and deepening ASEAN community building,” he said.
With the aim of increasing connectivity and stimulating economic development, the ECRL project which crosses Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor, is poised to be a game-changer in the economic situation especially improving Malaysia’s transport network.
It is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
A massive infrastructure project connecting the East and West Coasts of Malaysia with 20 stations, is proof of the strong bilateral relationship between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.
Li started his official visit to Malaysia yesterday, which will end today.
This visit is first maiden visit to the country since assuming the position in March 2023.
It is also in conjunction with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia – China diplomatic relations, following the signing of a Joint Statement between the second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and the Prime Minister of China at the time, Chou En Lai on 31 May 1974.