Bai Tian
MALAYSIA is hosting the 27th Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) today. Due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, this year's meeting will be held in a virtual way, which is the first time in its history.
China President, Xi Jinping, together with other heads of states and governments, will attend this meeting on the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
2020 is a year of historical significance to Apec (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation). With 1994 Bogor Goals reaching its deadline by the end of this year, Asia-Pacific economic cooperation is at a crossroads. Countries of this region are now focusing their efforts on combating the pandemic and recovering their economies.
2020 Apec meetings, with the theme of "Optimising Human Potential Towards a Resilient Future of Shared Prosperity: Pivot, Prioritise, Progress" will actively promote cooperation in this region in various fields of trade and investment, digital economy, sustainable growth, inclusiveness and inter-connectivity, etc.
This year, Apec will see the formulation of an ambitious Post-2020 Vision that will chart its strategic development for the next 20 years. With innovation, inclusiveness and sustainability being its core values, this vision will focus on promoting economic integration and openness so as to achieve common prosperity of the Asia-Pacific community.
With political landscape being drastically reshaped and uncertainties being built up, today's world is far from being peaceful or tranquil. The international community is confronted with an important task of making its choices: multilateralism vs unilateralism; economic liberalization vs protection; cooperation vs confrontation. Though undergoing turbulent changes these decades, the major trend of the international development remains unchanged: openness and cooperation is still the defining feature of the world.
China and Malaysia held the similar opinions on a myriad of regional and global issues. We have worked closely with each other in many multilateral frameworks, such as the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO), Apec, East Asian regional cooperation, jointly opposing unilateralism & trade protectionism, and promoting trade investment facilitation and economic integration.
Our co-efforts have made great contributions to maintaining peace, development, stability and prosperity of both the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
Malaysian government and people have made remarkable and tremendous efforts to make sure this year's Apec meetings a big success despite difficulties and challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Virtual meetings and cloud diplomacy have been used which is a highlight of this year's meeting.
As a comprehensive strategic partner and an important member of Apec, China has given full and all-round support to Malaysia in facilitating its hosting of 2020 Apec meetings.
Upholding the objectives and principles of Apec, China will take pragmatic actions and continue to work with Malaysia and other countries in making contributions to the next 20 years blueprint and ensure the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.
Apart from close cooperation in the multilateral framework, China and Malaysia have also set a good example of bilateral cooperation to other countries in the world. Malaysia and China are close neighbours, intimate friends and sincere partners.
Last year, China and Malaysia both held grand ceremonies to celebrate the 45th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries. This year, China-Malaysia friendship, dating back to General Cheng Ho's voyages, has scaled to even greater heights in our jointly combating the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite international and domestic changes in both China and Malaysia these years, friendship and cooperation between the two countries remain unaffected and become even closer, which is witnessed with deepened strategic trust, broadened cooperation areas and strengthened friendship.
Against the backdrop of the pandemic, China's State Councilor & Defense Minister, Wei Fenghe and China's State Councilor & Foreign Minister, Wang Yi made successive visits to Malaysia in October, which again shows to the world the special friendship and tight bond between top leaderships of the two countries.
China-Malaysia bilateral trade and China's investments in Malaysia have enjoyed a rise despite the adverse impact of the pandemic. The first three quarters of this year have witnessed a trade volume of US$92.57 billion, a 3.2 per cent rise compared to that of last year.
China's investment input reached US$4.03 billion in Malaysia's manufacturing sector, an increase of 147.2 per cent compared to that of last year.
The flagship projects of "Two Countries, Twin Parks" and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) have become remarkable landmarks in China-Malaysia win-win cooperation model.
China-Malaysia friendship is tested and becomes more consolidated in our joint efforts of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, which is a vivid case in point of "A friend in need is a friend indeed".
During the most demanding period of China's Covid-19 crisis, the Malaysian government and people have provided valuable help to China by giving essential goods and financial support. When Malaysia was hit by Covid-19, China also came to instant and timely help.
The Chinese government, associations and individuals have provided assistance in various forms to Malaysia as donating masks, personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and other medical supplies. China has also sent a team of medical experts to Malaysia to share their experience in fighting against Covid-19. Hand in hand, China and Malaysia weathered through hardships and adversities.
The ties between the two countries and peoples have become even stronger. The Malay proverb "Bukit sama didaki, lurah sama diturni" is the best summary of China-Malaysia relation at present.
All countries live on the same Earth the only one global village for us all. Now, our livelihood, safety, happiness are closely inter-related and connected. No one can live on an isolated island.
The trend of peace, development and cooperation is what history has taught and endowed to mankind. It is irresistible and irreversible. At such a critical time of globally fighting the pandemic and recovering the economy, I believe this year's Apec meetings will surely be a success, and will be of great significance to the world.
It will chart a new journey for Asia-Pacific cooperation in the post-pandemic era, add new momentum to global economy recovery and the fight against the pandemic. I also firmly believe Apec meetings will open a new chapter for China-Malaysia cooperation and friendship in the post-pandemic era.
China and Malaysia will continue with the win-win cooperation model and expect for a even brighter future!
The writer is Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Malaysia