Moving forward together: Dr Wee and Yong receiving a souvenir from Yu (fourth from right) at the Kuala Lumpur Dialogue 2025 event. With them are (from left) Tan, Chong, Zhu, Hu and Chen. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia and China economic partnership is a stabilising force in the face of geopolitical fragmentation and rising protectionism, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
“In these uncertain times, the Malaysia-China relationship offers rare clarity and predictability,” Dr Wee said as he emphasised the economic synergy between the two nations.
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“China leads globally in innovation and manufacturing while Malaysia holds a pivotal position in regional supply chains.
“We are seeing more and more local SMEs benefiting from collaboration in areas such as e-commerce, green technology, logistics and digital trade,” he said, noting that this synergy is creating new growth opportunities for both nations.
He added that China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aligns closely with Malaysia’s national development priorities.
“We are confident that both sides can work together to become anchors of peace and progress in the region,” he said in his opening speech at the “Kuala Lumpur Dialogue 2025: Envisioning the Future” event here yesterday.
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The event was organised by the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap), the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS), and supported by the Fusion Institute, Malaysia China Welfare Advisory Society and Bait Al-Amanah.
The event began with a moment of silence in memory of Malaysia’s fifth prime minister, the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who passed away on Monday at 85.
Insap chairman Datuk Dr Pamela Yong highlighted the importance of embracing diversity and strengthening regional partnerships.
Yong highlighted the longstanding partnership between Malaysia and China, noting the potential for deeper collaboration in areas such as digitalisation, the green economy and regional connectivity.
“China’s expertise in technology and infrastructure complements Asean’s dynamic innovation ecosystems,” she said.
During the closing remark, MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the dialogue was described as more than just a platform for intellectual exchange – it was a celebration of friendship, mutual understanding and shared purpose.
“The spirit that defined every session – one of openness, respect and trust – was said to reflect the very foundation of the Malaysia-China relationship over the past five decades.”
ACCWS president Yu Yunquan highlighted the role of think tanks as “leaders of thought”, “shapers of public opinion” and promoters of exchange.
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“Through international forums, knowledge-sharing platforms and academic dialogues, think tanks can become practical vehicles for multilateralism,” Yu said.
“With the rise of the Global South now an undeniable trend, we propose that Malaysian and Chinese think tanks intensify collaboration within Asean and broader multilateral frameworks across Asia and the South-South sphere,” Yu added.
Also present were Insap deputy chairman Tan Gim Tuan, China’s former vice minister of finance Zhu Guangyao, China’s former assistant minister of foreign affairs Hu Zhengyue and ACCWS special researcher Chen Wenling.
