SEPANG: Malaysia and China are stepping up cooperation to boost port connectivity and regional trade by building on their long-standing partnership under the China-Malaysia Port Alliance (CMPA).
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said the alliance, which was set up in 2015, had become a model of cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
“This partnership has paved the way for deeper collaboration in technology, logistics and environmental sustainability,” he said at the 6th CMPA annual meeting.
The CMPA network comprises 24 member ports – nine from Malaysia and 15 from China – and serves as a key platform for dialogue, business networking and technical cooperation.
Citing figures from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Hasbi said global seaborne trade reached 12.72 billion tonnes last year, with containerised trade at 170 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).
He said Malaysia’s ports remained resilient, with Port Klang handling 14.64 million TEUs (10th globally), and Port of Tanjung Pelepas 12.25 million TEUs (15th globally).
Meanwhile, Kuantan Port is on track for 50 million tonnes annual throughput, while Sabah and Sarawak ports continue supporting regional industries.
Hasbi said major projects such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will further facilitate freight movement between Port Klang and Kuantan Port.
He urged the CMPA to evolve into a “living laboratory for innovation”, where ports explore smart technologies, automation solutions and green energy initiatives.
He noted that Malaysia’s partnership with China was further strengthened by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit in April.
“The visit reaffirmed both governments’ commitment to enhance trade, infrastructure, logistics and people-to-people exchanges,” Hasbi said.
He also highlighted Premier Li Qiang’s recent visit to Kuala Lumpur during the 47th Asean Summit, when the upgraded Asean-China Free Trade Area 3.0 was signed.
“The agreement, covering a market of over two billion people, opens new opportunities in goods, services, digital economy and green growth.”
Secretary-general of the China Ports and Harbours Association Ding Li meanwhile said Malaysia and China will continue to strengthen their long-standing partnership.
“We look forward to building on friendships developed over the past decade while forging bonds with new partners,” she said.
Deputy director-general of the Water Transport Bureau at China’s Transport Ministry Zhu Zhenyu also highlighted the enduring cooperation between both countries.
“At a time when the world faces challenges, our nations are working together to support regional development and sustainable growth, focusing on port cooperation and logistics infrastructure,” he said.
The CMPA meeting was held ahead of the inaugural Transport Expo Asia (TXA) 2025 which starts today.
The TXA event will showcase innovations across maritime, aviation and land transport.
