Setting sights on future growth

FIFTY years to the day, the milestone that heralded a strong and lasting bond between Malaysia and China was remembered with much warmth, pride and gratitude by the leaders of both nations.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi met Chinese Premier Li Qiang here, where they reminisced about May 29, 1974, – the day the then Malaysia prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein made a historic trip to China to establish diplomatic relations between both countries.

Just as significantly, Malaysia was the first Asean country to do so.

Hailing it as a momentous “ice breaker” at a time when not many countries were keen to be a friend of China, Li said Abdul Razak’s presence made it a special day that is “worth remembering” until today.

“It was 50 years ago today, our country’s founding leader Mao Zedong had a historically significant ice-breaking meeting with Tun Abdul Razak.

“It was that meeting that had laid an important foundation for China-Malaysia bilateral relations.

“Now, 50 years later, China and Malaysia have become comprehensive strategic partners, striving towards mutual development and growth.

“We have also achieved many great results in cooperation in various fields, benefitting the people of both nations,” said Li, who had received Ahmad Zahid warmly at the prominent Diaoyutai State Guesthouse here yesterday.

It was Ahmad Zahid’s first official visit to China since assuming the deputy premiership in December 2022.

Thanking Ahmad Zahid for making a trip to the Middle Kingdom right in the middle of the 50th anniversary celebration, Li noted that much is happening leading up to the occasion.

“May 31 will be the very day of our 50th anniversary, and both nations are holding high-level events to commemorate the day.

“Remembering the past takes us forward to the future.

“Let’s make these 50 years the base of many more great years ahead.

“With the strategic leadership by our president Xi Jinping together with Malaysian Prime Minister (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim, we will continue to build on our mutual cooperation, further benefitting the people as well as contributing to the prosperity of the world,” Li said.

In 1974, after meeting China’s top leader Mao Zedong here on May 29, Abdul Razak went on to create history by signing a joint communique with then premier Zhou En-lai on May 31, making Malaysia the first country in Asean to establish diplomatic ties with China.

In his remarks, Ahmad Zahid said Abdul Razak’s vision has borne meaningful results.

“The actions taken by our leaders 50 years ago have made it meaningful today.

“Not many countries were brave enough to come here 50 years ago.

“But our second prime minister was indeed a visionary.

“And today, here I am representing the Prime Minister and our country, to discuss our way forward and to strengthen our bilateral relations, not only in terms of government-to-government and business-to-business but also people-to-people interactions.”

Ahmad Zahid also thanked the Chinese government for its timely help and support when Malaysia was battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

“In recent years, the lives and well-being of millions of Malaysians have been challenged by both the pandemic and also the economic slowdown.

“Your beloved president Xi Jinping has rendered significant help and gracious support to Malaysians during our most critical moments, which we will always remember,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also said the time-honoured friendship between the two nations cannot be broken by any external forces.

“Malaysia fully pursues the One China policy (and is) opposed to external forces creating trouble, especially in the South China Sea. And we believe in the Code of Conduct,” he said.