The visit by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Malaysia on Tuesday is a good sign that the Asian giant remains committed to maintaining a healthy relationship with the country.
Malaysia China Chamber of Commerce president Tan Yew Sing said despite some uncertainties that China might have regarding Malaysia which now had a new government, both countries clearly needed each other.
“Both are trying to adapt to each other but the aspiration seems clear that both Malaysia and China want to build a healthy relationship and move forward,” he said.
Yesterday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Wang would be visiting Malaysia and Singapore from July 31 to Aug 5 on the invitations of the Foreign Ministers of both nations.
Speaking at his ministry’s daily briefing to the media in Beijing, Geng said China had always put Asean as a top priority, with the main focus on the Belt and Road Initiative.
“This is a very meaningful year for China and Asean countries because it is the 15th anniversary of our strategic partnership,” said Geng.
South China Morning Post had reported on Thursday that Wang would be making a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
Wang would also have dinner with members of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP), the report said.
On July 18, Daim, who is the chairman of the CEP, met Wang in the Chinese capital ahead of a planned visit by Dr Mahathir next month.
Daim’s visit to Beijing was in his capacity as Special Envoy to the Prime Minister.
Tan said Wang’s visit to Malaysia showed that both sides felt there were issues they needed to discuss further.
He said his association members were keen to know if there would be any change in policy that could affect economic and business ties.
“To see our bilateral ties with China remaining strong will give our businessmen further confidence,” said Tan.
Malaysia-China Friendship Association president Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan said Malaysians should welcome the visit by such a senior Chinese official.
“The fact that Wang will be making a detour to visit Malaysia ahead of his meetings in Singapore reflects the importance of Malaysia to China,” said Abdul Majid.
“It demonstrates that our relations with China are healthy and that we want to continue to have good cooperation and relations,” he added.
An online portal had reported that a high-level delegation from China is in Malaysia to discuss the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project as well as the gas pipeline projects under the Finance Ministry unit Suria Strategic Energy Resources Sdn Bhd (SSER). – The Star