Malaysia will be China’s friend at all times, 31 MOUs inked in ‘new golden era’

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will remain an unwavering and principled friend to China during “moments of triumph and times of trial”, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

The Prime Minister said Malaysia and China have long stood shoulder to shoulder – not merely as comprehensive strategic partners, but as steadfast friends.

“Malaysia values this consistency. Malaysia will remain an unwavering and principled friend to China, guided by the wisdom of history and the promise of the future,” he said in a speech during the official dinner in honour of President Xi Jinping last night.

At a time when multilateralism is under tremendous strain, as certain nations abandon the principle of shared responsibility and others question long-standing commitments, Anwar said China’s global initiatives seem to offer a new lease on hope. 

“What we are witnessing today is not an honest reckoning with the imperfections of globalisation, but a retreat into economic tribalism. 

“Market access is being wea­ponised. What was once a multilateral covenant for shared growth now buckles under the weight of arbitrary disruption and unilateral whim.

“Amid this turbulence, China has been a rational, strong and reliable partner,” he said

Anwar said Malaysia’s foreign policy was shaped by a “clear-eyed” vision of its interest and the principle of Asean centrality.

“We do not simply favour coope­ration over confrontation (but) we embrace it. We do not merely prefer respect over rivalry, we uphold it.

“And we choose dialogue, not simply because it chose us, but as a cornerstone of lasting peace and prosperity,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that during these trying times, the world yearns for steadiness, reliability and purpose.

“We see this in China’s conduct. Malaysia acknowledges such steadiness with quiet recognition and remains conscious not only of the calm it has brought, but of the hope it may continue to offer,” said Anwar.

He said under the leadership of Xi, China has outlined a series of global initiatives that reflect a distinctive worldview.

He said the Belt and Road Initiative reimagines connectivity not as a network of roads and rails, but as a framework for cooperation.

“The Global Development Initiative underscores the importance of inclusive progress.

“The Global Security Initiative calls for peace through dialogue,” he said.

“Each of these ideas reflects a broader aspiration of what President Xi has described as a community with a shared future for mankind. 

“This brings to mind the famous saying of Confucius, that ‘within the four seas, all men are brothers’,” added Anwar, who said the phrase in Chinese.

He said he also hoped that Malaysia and China would endure a long-lasting relationship.

• 31 MOUs inked in ‘new golden era’

Malaysia and China deepen partnership with major deals on trade, tech and tourism

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and China have signed 31 memoranda of understanding (MOUs), notes and cooperation agreements with the highlight being a mutual visa exemption for travellers between the two countries.

Currently, Malaysians can tra­vel to China visa-free until Dec 31 this year, while Chinese nationals enjoy visa-free travel to Malaysia until Dec 31 next year.

The exemption was in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.

Other strategic areas of coope­ration include security, development, trade, transport, agriculture, education and digital technology.

The exchange of documents, which took place at the Seri Perdana Complex yesterday, was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Among the key agreements signed with ministries and agencies is one concerning giant pandas, comprising an MOU on the Cooperative Research Agreement for the International Conservation of Giant Pandas.

Strategic talks: Anwar and Xi with their delegates during a bilateral meeting at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

Additionally, under the Invest­ment, Trade and Industry Minis­try, three MOUs were signed, including one aimed at upgrading the China-Malaysia “Two Coun­tries, Twin Parks” initiative.

Also, three MOUs were inked under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, including tourism and media cooperation between Xinhua News Agency from China and Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board.

There was also an exchange of notes between China and Malay­sia on the establishment of a joint foreign and defence dialogue.

Under the Transport Ministry, Malaysia and China signed an MOU between the National Railway Administration of China and the Transport Ministry to strengthen cooperation in the railway sector.

Meanwhile, the Digital Ministry and China’s National Develop­ment and Reform Commission inked an MOU on the digital economy, while the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of intellectual property.

Several MOUs were also signed with media groups and universities, including one on bilateral cooperation between China’s People’s Daily and Star Media Group Bhd.

At the start of a bilateral mee­ting, Anwar remarked that Malaysia remains committed to working together with China in various areas, including economy, trade, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The Prime Minister stated that China is not only a close neighbour but also an important partner through the comprehensive strategic partnership, which reflects the deep trust and long-­standing cooperation between the two nations.

Toasting ties: Anwar and Xi attending the official dinner in honour of the Chinese President at the Seri Perdana Complex. — Bernama

Recalling his previous visit to China, Anwar said: “As I have said to you when we met in China, President Xi exemplifies a new type of persona, a leader who talks about growth and investment and economic advancement.

“He also talks about eliminating poverty and has proven his success, more importantly about shared prosperity and civilisation, which is hardly expressed by any modern leader in this world.

“We admire your tenacity and for that Malaysians welcome you, President Xi, not only as president of a great country, the President of China, but as a true friend.”

In his remarks, Xi announced a bold and shared vision for the future of China-Malaysia relations, pledging to elevate the partnership to unprecedented strategic heights.

He said both countries are committed to forging an even stronger bond, promising mutual benefits and enhanced regional prosperity.

“This marks my return to Malaysia after 12 years, during which the nation has achieved remarkable progress in its develop­ment.

“Your Madani government is steadily becoming a promising reality, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations,” he said.

Xi recalled the pivotal establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia over five decades ago, which defied the tensions of the Cold War.

He also highlighted the solida­rity exhibited by both nations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Today, our two countries are working in unity to jointly build a community with a shared future. China-Malaysia relations are now entering a new golden era,” he said

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May the Ship of China-Malaysia Friendship Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future

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May the Ship of China-Malaysia Friendship Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future

China's president Xi Jinping arrives in Malaysia for state visit

Malay Mail

President Xi Jinping arrives in Malaysia for three-day state visit

President Xi Jinping Leading China's big changes

At the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, I will soon pay a state visit to Malaysia. This will be my second visit to your beautiful country in 12 years. I look forward to experiencing Malaysia's remarkable progress and transformation in person, and meeting with Malaysian friends to celebrate our friendship and plan for future cooperation.

China and Malaysia are friendly neighbors across the sea. The maritime Silk Road stood witness to the millenium-old friendly exchanges between our countries. As a Malay proverb puts it, air dicincang tidak akan putus, or "water can't be cut apart." Through the ages, such strong bonds of friendship between our peoples have grown from strength to strength. Over 1,300 years ago, Chinese Buddhist monk Yijing (636-713) of the Tang Dynasty travelled to the Malay Peninsula on his pilgrimage voyage and produced the earliest known written account of the ancient kingdom of Kedah. More than 600 years ago, Chinese navigator and explorer Zheng He (1371-1433) of the Ming Dynasty and his fleet called at Malacca during five of his seven historic expeditions. His visits planted seeds of peace and friendship. To this day, the Sam Po Kong Temple, Bukit Cina, and Princess Hang Li Poh's Well endure as a living testament to the local community's everlasting veneration of the legendary Chinese navigator. Some 80 years ago, when the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression reached a critical juncture, the Nanyang Volunteer Drivers and Mechanics from Malaysia braved immense dangers to reach China's Yunnan Province, and helped keep the Burma Road operational, as it was a vital lifeline of China's wartime supplies. Today this remarkable story of courage still echoes in the hearts of both peoples. As we honor our shared past and embrace the future, our two countries must work together to give fresh momentum to our ship of friendship that has sailed through the long river of history, and ensure that it forges ahead steadily toward brighter

We must keep a firm grip on the strategic helm that guides our ship of friendship. Fifty-one years ago, breaking through the gloom of the Cold War, leaders of China and Malaysia made the decision to establish diplomatic relations, pioneering a groundbreaking new chapter in relations between China and ASEAN countries. China and Malaysia have since respected each other's development paths while maintaining strategic independence. We have provided mutual support on issues vital to our respective core interests and on our major concerns, setting an exemplary model for two countries to prosper together through mutually beneficial cooperation. In 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and I agreed on building the China-Malaysia community with a shared future. The decision marked a new milestone in the bilateral relations. China and Malaysia must enhance strategic communication, increase mutual political trust, follow through on the Belt and Road cooperation plan between the two governments, strengthen synergy between our development strategies, expand experience sharing on national governance, and promote our bilateral relations through high-standard strategic cooperation.

We must expand results-oriented cooperation which serves as the ballast that steadies our ship of friendship. In 2024, China-Malaysia trade reached US$212 billion, up by nearly 1,000 times the level at the inception of our diplomatic relations. China has been Malaysia's No.1 trading partner for 16 consecutive years. Malaysian durians can now be delivered directly from orchards to Chinese supermarkets within 24 hours, and they are immensely popular among Chinese consumers. To date, the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park has received a total investment of over RMB11 billion yuan, and will create many long-term jobs when all its planned projects are completed with production reaching their designed capacity. Our bilateral cooperation potential is being progressively realized in the digital economy, green development, industrial investment, and transport infrastructure construction. We must deepen mutually beneficial collaboration, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and strengthen cooperation on industrial and supply chains, with a focus on the digital economy, green economy, blue economy and tourism economy, so as to advance modernization of both countries.

We must fuel the engines of people-to-people exchanges to propel our ship of friendship forward. China and Malaysia have mutually granted visa exemption to each other's nationals. The year 2024 saw nearly 6 million mutual visits between the two countries, which exceeded the pre-COVID level. "Malaysia, truly Asia," the tourism promotional ad that highlights the unique charm of Malaysia's culture, history and landscape, has inspired numerous Chinese tourists to visit Malaysia for leisure vacations or sightseeing. More and more Malaysian tourists are travelling to China to appreciate its historical legacy and experience its contemporary vibe. I hope our peoples will visit each other as often as family. Our two countries must promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges so as to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples, especially the younger generation.

We must harness the momentum of collaboration at the multilateral level. China and Malaysia are both major developing countries in the Asia-Pacific. We are also emerging market economies and members of the Global South. We have similar positions on safeguarding international fairness and justice and on advancing open and inclusive development. We have maintained close collaboration within multilateral mechanisms, including East Asia cooperation, APEC, and the United Nations. China welcomes Malaysia as a BRICS partner country. Its inclusion in the organization aligns with the historic trend of the Global South's pursuit of solidarity-driven collective advancement and serves the common interests of developing countries. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the U.N., and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. As we honor these milestones, our two countries must strengthen mutual cooperation in international and regional affairs, and champion the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit. We must uphold the U.N.-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, and promote fairer and more equitable global governance. We must uphold the multilateral trading system, keep global industrial and supply chains stable, and maintain an international environment of openness and cooperation.

As a community with a shared future, China and Malaysia share the smooth times and the rough, stand united in peace and crisis, and thrive and endure together. "Share weal and woe," a popular proverb in both countries, defines the very essence of such a relationship. We must stay ahead of the times, surge forward with unyielding resolve, and jointly build a brighter future of development, growth, and prosperity.

Having weathered storms of the times, the friendly relations and cooperation between China and ASEAN countries have emerged stronger and more resilient. China was the first ASEAN dialogue partner to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and the first to establish a free trade area and a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN. China-ASEAN cooperation is the most results-oriented and productive in the region. China and ASEAN pulled together in solidarity in response to multiple challenges, such as the Asian financial crisis, the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing headwinds against economic globalization. Our bilateral cooperation is more robust than ever. In 2024, China-ASEAN trade exceeded US$980 billion, making us each other's largest trading partner for five consecutive years. The China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations have substantially concluded. More and more premium specialty products from ASEAN countries are now finding their way into millions of Chinese families, while Chinese literary works, animations, films, and TV productions are increasingly captivating audiences in ASEAN countries with the rich tapestry of Chinese culture and the warm pulse of contemporary life in China.

China firmly supports ASEAN unity and community-building, and supports ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture. China fully supports Malaysia in its role as the ASEAN Chair for 2025 and looks forward to Malaysia serving as a stronger bridge between the two sides as the Country Coordinator for China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations. Through its modernization, China is striving to build itself into a great modern socialist country in all respects, and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts. Chinese modernization follows a path of peaceful development. China will promote global peace, development and shared prosperity with other countries through mutually beneficial cooperation. The Chinese economy is built on a solid foundation, with multiple strengths, high resilience, and vast potential for growth. The core conditions supporting its long-term positive growth remain firmly in place, with the underlying upward trend unchanged. China has set its target for economic growth at around five percent for 2025. We will continue to pursue high-quality development, expand high-standard opening up, share development opportunities with other countries, and bring greater stability and certainty to the regional and global economy.

Unity brings strength, and cooperation leads to mutual success. China will work with Malaysia and other ASEAN countries to combat the undercurrents of geopolitical and camp-based confrontation, as well as the countercurrents of unilateralism and protectionism, in keeping with the historical trend of peace and development. We must brave the waves ahead and advance the high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, and jointly build a stronger China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

 - By H.E. Xi Jinping President Of The People's Republic Of China

Telcos ordered to resolve Internet issues

Deepseekw https://www.deepseek.com/./深度求索

 TAPAH: Communic ations Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has given all telecommunication companies until 5 pm on Sunday to submit solutions to the problem of poor Internet access nationwide, or face stern action.

Fahmi said he has contacted Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) executive chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din on Sunday morning and instructed telecommunications companies involved to respond promptly to the weak coverage feedback conveyed.

“Telecommunication companies need to be more proactive in resolving this issue. When it comes to collecting overdue bills, they’re lightning fast, but when we lodge complaints, it takes months.

“So I’ve had enough. If they fail to present swift and concrete solutions by 5 pm today, MCMC will begin enforcement action against them tomorrow,” he told reporters after visiting the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) in Air Kuning on Sunday.

Also present were Perak Communications, Multimedia and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi and Barisan Nasional candidate for the Ayer Kuning state byelection, Dr Mohamad Yusri

Bakir.

Fahmi said based on a drive test conducted by MCMC on March 5, many areas still fail to meet the Mandatory Standards on Quality of Service (MSQoS), which currently requires a minimum speed of 7.5 Mbps, which will be increased to 10 Mbps next year.

“The issue of Internet access is not only limited to Air Kuning, it is also affecting many other areas such as Belaga and Ulu Rajang in Sarawak, the new township of Serenia, the outskirts of Tambun, and even on Pangkor Island. Several Orang Asli villages have also been impacted,” he said.

He added that if the telecommunication companies failed to resolve the Internet access problem, they would face stricter enforcement measures, including hefty fines and penalties that could reach millions of ringgit.

“After we amended the Communications and Multimedia Act, which came into effect on Feb 11, fines and compounds that can be imposed on telcos will be significantly higher than before,” he said.

At the same time, Fahmi reminded netizens to be cautious when making statements or campaigning on social media, especially concerning the 3R issues (race, religion, royalty) during the Ayer Kuning byelection period.

“If there are individuals who upload extreme posts or 3R-related content, and are convicted in court, they may be fined up to RM500,000, compounded up to RM250,000, or face imprisonment. I hope all parties will conduct their campaigns in a responsible manner,” he said.

Fahmi said so far, no complaints have been received, but he expected campaign activities to pick up in the coming week.

When asked about Perikatan Nasional (PN) supporters using caricatures that seemingly mocked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, Fahmi said he was not surprised by the approach.

“If that’s how they want to campaign, so be it. That’s their way. Let us campaign based on facts, ideas, and what we can actually offer, not just insults and ridicule,” he said.- The Borneo Post (Sabah)

How to make a report to MCMC when your telco 

disappoints you 

https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/report-mcmc-telco-disappoints-again-231249225.html

Beijing: We have ‘will and means’ to counter tariffs

ation: Liu Rui/GT -    

DeepSeek | 深度求索

Big buyer: A container ship leaving Qingdao, China. United Nation’s data show US exports to China rose 684% between 2001 and 2024.— AP

BEIJING: China has called on the United States to remove unilateral tariffs as quickly as possible and work with it in the spirit of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, in order to address respective concerns through dialogue and consultations on an equal footing, the Commerce Ministry says.

Chinese officials said on Wednesday that should Washington further intensify tariffs and restrictive measures against China, Beijing has the “firm will and abundant means” to fight until the end.

Their comments came after the State Council Information Office released on Wednesday a white paper titled China’s Position on Some Issues Concerning China-US Economic and Trade Relations, which noted that the recent US move of using tariffs as a coercive tool is a grave mistake and further exposes the typical unilateralist and bullying nature of the US government.

Since US President Donald Trump took office in late January, Washington has repeatedly imposed additional tariffs on China, and the tax rate on Chinese imports has now reached over 120%.

Noting that these actions could have a severe impact on China-US economic and trade relations, the white paper emphasised that the key is to respect each other’s core interests and major concerns and find proper solutions through dialogue and consultation.

The essence of China-US economic and trade relations is one of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, despite the inevitable differences and friction that arise between the two countries due to their different stages of development and distinct economic systems, according to the document.

Trade data from the United Nations shows that the value of US goods exported to China reached US$143.55bil last year, up 648.4% compared with the US$19.18bil recorded in 2001.

The growth in US exports to China has far outpaced the 183.1% increase in overall US exports during the same period.

Detailing the white paper, a Commerce Ministry official said, “With firm will and abundant means, China will resolutely take countermeasures and fight until the end if the United States insists on further escalating economic and trade-restrictive measures.”

There is no winner in a trade war, and China does not want a trade war, the official emphasised, adding that the Chinese government “will by no means stand idle when the legitimate rights and interests of its people are being hurt and deprived”.

The official said that it is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying for the United States to take tariffs as a weapon of exerting maximum pressure and pursuing self-interest.

Under the guise of pursuing “reciprocity” and “fairness”, the United States is engaging in zero-sum games and, in essence, seeking “America First” and “American exceptionalism”, the official said.

The United States is exploiting tariffs to subvert the existing international economic and trade order, prioritising US interests above the global common good, and sacrificing the legitimate interests of countries worldwide to serve its own hegemonic agenda, he added.

Noting that the United States is also deliberately severing the well-established global industrial and supply chains and breaking market-oriented free trade rules, the official said these practices seriously interrupt the economic development of countries around the globe and affect the long-term stable growth of the world economy.

Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said at a daily news conference on Wednesday that “if the United States disregards the interests of the two countries and the international community and stubbornly persists in the tariff war and trade war, China stands ready to fight to the end”.

Cui Fan, a professor of international trade at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said, “A trade war, for sure, produces no winner, but the United States is destined to suffer greater losses than others.”

On Tuesday, Goldman Sachs raised the odds of a recession in the United States to 45%, just a week after it said the odds were at 35%, as fears of an impending trade war increased.

It also revised its forecast for this year’s gross domestic product growth in the United States to 1.3%, down from 1.5% and cautioned about the possibility of a bear market.

Cui said the US tariff hikes will estrange allies, disrupt market dynamics, and provoke retaliatory actions that will reverberate throughout supply chains and hit US consumers hard.

More importantly, the measures fail to provide a clear path for the United States to regain its competitive edge in key industries, he added.

Navin Girishankar, president of the Economic Security and Technology Department at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said, “You can’t fight a trade war and then expect to win a tech war.”

Highlighting industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and clean energy that largely rely on international collaboration, Girishankar said that tariffs would increase costs and reduce efficiency, eroding the ability of the United States bto compete in such sectors. — China Daily/ANN

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Law must make strata watchdogs act

ation: Liu Rui/GT -    

DeepSeek | 深度求索

 PETALING JAYA: From run-down facilities and dirty walkways to allegations of misused management funds, the issue of poor property and building management continues to plague stratified homes in Malaysia.

With the government now mulling changes to property and building management laws, stakeholders say the focus should be on improving enforcement by the commissioner of buildings (CoB).

The new laws must improve and mandate the CoB to enforce laws under the Strata Management Act (SMA) 2013, said Datuk Theng Book, chairman of the Strata Owners Association Malaysia.

“There’s been a serious lack of enforcement by CoBs. In most cases, they will pass the buck back to management bodies.

“Management corporations (MCs) and joint management committees (JMCs) do not have the authority to enforce the laws,” he said.

This then usually leads to long-drawn-out and expensive civil court cases, he said.

Theng said the new laws must also clarify how MCs or JMCs can use maintenance funds, and standardise maintenance fee rates in the growing trend of mixed development stratified projects.

“The maintenance fee rates for residential and commercial tenants can vary wildly from project to project,” he said.

Michelle Lai, director of property management company Auntie Michelle Resources (M) Sdn Bhd, says the problem is also due to a lack of standardised enforcement and training in the industry.

“There is no consistency as different management offices enforce different rules which leads to confusion, especially for owners and investors who have units in different buildings,” said Lai.

“Many JMCs are not professionally trained and lack the capacity to manage buildings properly.”

She added that new laws should have CoBs demanding greater accountability and professionalism from JMCs and MCs.

“CoBs can perform regular transparent audits of management bodies and set clear enforcement standard operating procedures.

“They should also conduct perio­dic on-site inspections to assess building safety, especially for ageing properties.

“In addition, there must be a mandatory guideline for sche­duled refurbishment and main­tenance of property,” she added.

Malaysian Institute of Property and Facility Managers president Ishak Ismail said any new pro­perty management laws must provide more enforcement mechanisms for management bodies.

On Tuesday, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming announced that new laws may be formulated to overcome the issue of poor management of stratified homes.

He said there was a shortage of licensed property management firms in Malaysia, with only 594 licensed firms serving 26,334 strata schemes or 2.9 million units of Malaysian strata properties.

This has led to a rise in unlicensed and unqualified property managers

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