The Malaysia-China Business Council (MCBC) hosted Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) secretary-general Zhang Jun during his courtesy visit to the council’s office at Menara Matrade, in Kuala Lumpur.
This was followed by a networking dinner in his honour attended by leading figures of Malaysia’s corporate and industrial community.
The secretary-general’s engagement with the council took place on the sidelines of his visit to Kuala Lumpur for the 39th Asia-Pacific Roundtable, where he served as a featured speaker at a fireside dialogue on the future of the Asian economy.
During the courtesy call, Zhang Jun was received by MCBC chairman Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan and executive director and chief executive Datuk Tan Tian Meng.
Discussions centred on building more resilient regional supply chains and deepening Asia’s economic integration at a time of heightened protectionism and geopolitical uncertainty.
Both sides underscored that regionalisation, localisation and diversification had become vital to safeguarding the stability of supply chains and regional economic security.
The exchange of views encompassed accelerating the implementation and scope of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), while better integrating it with ACFTA 3.0 and the CPTPP to create a stronger collective force.
It also touched on strengthening regional connectivity and supply-chain resilience, including the New International Land–Sea Trade Corridor linking maritime Asia with the Eurasian continent.
The discussion also highlighted advancing cross-border payment mechanisms and driving digital and green transition as engines of high-quality, sustainable growth.
The importance of deepening cooperation between MCBC and the BFA was also brought up, building on Malaysia’s longstanding and active engagement with the forum.
The two sides exchanged views too on the Asean-China-GCC Business Council − co-established through a memorandum of understanding between MCBC and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) − and looked ahead to Apec 2026 in Shenzhen this November and the BFA Annual Conference 2027 in Boao, China.
“The council is honoured to welcome the secretary-general and to hear his perspective on the road ahead for Asia,” said Low.
“In an increasingly uncertain world, a united, open and well-integrated Asia is in every nation’s interest.
“MCBC stands ready to work closely with the Boao Forum for Asia to translate these shared aspirations into concrete business cooperation between Malaysia, China and the wider region.”
The day concluded with a networking dinner which brought together some of Malaysia’s most prominent corporate and industry leaders.
Distinguished guests included Lion Group group executive chairman Tan Sri William Cheng Heng Jem, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd founder, group managing director and CEO Tan Sri Lim Kuang Sia, Top Glove Corporation Bhd founder and executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai and K3 Ventures founder and CEO Datuk Kuok Meng Xiong, who is also MCBC director.
The dinner offered an informal platform for local business leaders to exchange perspectives with the BFA secretary-general on regional economic trends, the realignment of global supply chains, and opportunities for closer Malaysia-China and Asean-China business collaboration.
