KUALA LUMPUR: A documentary project backed by Chinese media organisations is underway, aiming to present the Asean-China relationship through a development-focused lens.
The film, The Story of Synergy (Asean edition), will follow stories of collaboration across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei.
China International Publishing Centre and Hunan TV International are jointly producing it.
The project will focus on shared development efforts, including infrastructure, trade and community-level outcomes.
Filming is expected to capture how these initiatives have shaped economic links and everyday life across the region.
A ceremony to kick-start the project was held at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Integrated Transport Terminal Gombak on Wednesday.
China International Communications Group president Chang Bo said the documentary would, through real-life stories, present the enduring friendship between China and Asean, as well as the outcomes of close cooperation in infrastructure, trade and other fields.
He expressed hope that the relationship would continue to strengthen and benefit the people.
Malaysia-China Friendship Association president Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan said the documentary is important for documenting the shared progress and collective achievements of both sides.
“This storytelling is crucial in shaping the understanding between nations and peoples.
“This documentary goes beyond technical narratives of development; it will capture the human dimension of cooperation, the aspirations, the partnerships and the real impact on lives and communities,” he said.
He added that the documentary also serves as a reminder that development is not merely about infrastructure, but about relationships, trust and shared journeys.
The film is expected to be released in November in conjunction with the fifth anniversary of the Asean-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Among the projects to be featured is the ECRL, a 665km railway linking Kota Baru in Kelantan and Port Klang in Selangor, with China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) as the contractor.
CCCECRL deputy general manager Ye Xiaoyang said the project had reached 93% completion as of March.
“Construction is in full swing to complete the Kota Baru-Gombak alignment to ensure operations can begin as scheduled in January next year,” he said.
Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific chairman Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat said the ECRL is more than just a major transportation link.
“For too long, the Titiwangsa mountain range has symbolised an economic divide. The logistical connectivity now being forged between the west and east coasts of Peninsular Malaysia is poised to rebalance this long-standing disparity, integrating our shores into a singular, vibrant economic heartland,” said the former transport minister.
Also present were Malaysia Rail Link chief executive officer Datuk Darwin Abdul Razak, Chinese Embassy Minister-Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs Sun Shuqiang, Han Culture Centre Malaysia president Datuk Goh Hin San, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Malaysia managing director Ge Meng, Mango Media Malaysia general manager Jiang Zhongqi and China Southern Power Grid’s Asean Representative Office chief representative Cui Daming.
