Golden jubilee

Fifty years of friendship between China and Malaysia

The celebration of the 50th anniversary is often associated with gold, and the Chinese saying "pure gold does not fear the test of fire "describes the relationship between China and Malaysia. This is because, over the past five decades, the relationship between the two countries has experienced various challenges but remains friendly and firm, like pure gold, and it still retains its quality despite the heat of the fire. Malaysia was the first country among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to establish diplomatic relations with China during the official visit to Beijing in 1974 of then Malaysian prime minister Tun Abdul Razak. Bilateral diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China began following the Joint Communique between Malaysia and China in Beijing on May 31,1974. Since then, Malaysia has adhered to the one-China policy.

Although bilateral relations were established in 1974, at the initial stage, there were still some challenges due to the Cold War. Relations were strengthened when the travel ban to China was lifted in 1985.However, bilateral relations really started to improve after 1991, when the Cold War ended. One of the main components of China-Malaysia relations is their economic ties. Trade between Malaysia and China has grown from $388 million in 1985 to $203.6 billion in 2022, an increase of over 500 times in 37 years.

It is noteworthy that China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and Malaysia is China's second-largest trading partner among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Fifty years ago, China-Malaysia trade involved agricultural products. However, nowadays, it involves sophisticated enterprises and industries such as the East Coast Rail Line, the Kuantan Malaysia-China Industrial Park, and cooperation in the digital economy, green development and new energy. For example, Geely plans to invest $10 billion in Malaysia for the development of the Automotive High-Technology Valley. Vehicle companies such as BYD, Chery and Great Wall Motor are also actively expanding into the Malaysian market. Telecommunications companies such as Huawei, ZTE and others are collaborating with local companies to provide better communication network services and make Malaysia a digital economic hub in Southeast Asia.

In terms of people-to-people relations, cooperation between China and Malaysia also includes education. Among them, Tsinghua University has agreed to strengthen cooperation with universities in Malaysia on the exchange of students, academics and researchers and embracing the opportunity to conduct joint research. In addition, Xiamen University already has its campus in Sepang, Selangor. It is interesting to note that Malaysian public and private universities have been the primary target for many Chinese students to further their studies, whether at the undergraduate or doctoral level.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Malaysia, China returned Malaysia's favor by sending equipment such as face masks, ventilators, test kits and sanitizers to help the Malaysian government contain the spread of the virus. Chinese medical and health experts held a video conference with medical experts from 26 hospitals in Malaysia to discuss the treatment and control of viral infections.

China-Malaysia relations also face various challenges and obstacles. Among them is the issue of overlapping claims in the South China Sea and tensions between the United States and China. On the issue of overlapping claims in the South China Sea, Malaysia is consistent with its stance that the way to a solution is through negotiation and peace based on international law and international norms. It is estimated that almost 40 to 50 percent of goods traded in the world passes through the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca, so any military conflict in the waters of the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca will bring losses to all parties.

Neutrality has become the core of Malaysia's foreign policy. Malaysia wants to avoid being dragged into the political arrangement of the big powers. Since its independence in 1957, Malaysia has established friendly relations with all countries. The United States under the Joe Biden administration has become more active in Southeast Asia. However, the US should refrain from continuing the policy of confrontation with China and expecting countries to choose either the US or China. Malaysia hopes the US will show leadership for common interests and prioritize multilateralism.

This year in the Chinese zodiac is a Year of the Dragon, a mystical animal often associated with China. While the tiger is a symbol of Malaysia, this year, we will witness close cooperation between the "dragon and tiger". Although diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China only started in 1974, in terms of history, Malaysia-China relations have been intertwined for hundreds of years. It should be emphasized that the history of Malaysia-China relations is one of friendship and mutual respect. Malaysia-China relations are win-win because both countries need each other. As the Chinese say, "Gold is easy to get, but best friends are harder to find".

The author is an associate professor and deputy executive director of the Asia-Europe Institute at the University of Malaya and a member of the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for the Asia Pacific. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.