Experts on Further Upgrading China Malaysia Relations: Setting a Model for Regional Countries through Equal Cooperation

The two heads of state announced the upgrade of China Malaysia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.
Why did the President of Maldives choose China as the first stop of his state visit after taking office? Where did his trip to China go? How will the relationship between China and Malaysia deepen from a new starting point?
Chinanews.com invited Liu Zongyi, a researcher of the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, director of the South Asia Research Center of the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, and Lu Yang, a researcher of the the Belt and Road Strategic Research Institute of Tsinghua University, to interpret China Malaysia relations.
"First place" and "First time"
  Mr. President has visited China many times, committed to promoting China Malaysia friendship and vigorously promoting China Malaysia cooperation on the "the Belt and Road". He is an old friend of ours. You are the first foreign head of state I have received this year, and this visit to China is also your first state visit to a foreign country since assuming the presidency. This fully reflects the high importance that China and Malaysia attach to the development of bilateral relations.
Muiz stated that I am honored to conduct my first state visit to China with several important cabinet ministers, becoming the first foreign head of state received by China this year. This fully reflects the high importance that both sides attach to the development of Malaysia China relations.
It is worth noting that the capitals of the two countries mentioned "first" and "first".
Lu Yang pointed out that China and Malaysia have very close cooperation both in tourism and in the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road". After taking office as president, Muiz made his first state visit to a foreign country and came to China, "This transformation reflects Muiz's desire to strengthen relations with China."
Liu Zongyi believes that Muiz has served as the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure in Maldives and participated in economic cooperation between China and Malaysia. He "places more emphasis on economic and social development and hopes for more balanced diplomacy.".
"I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous achievements of China's development"
According to the official website of the Maldives Presidential Office, Muiz's first stop on his trip to China was in Fujian. He led a delegation to visit the Xiamen Free Trade Zone and participated in the 2024 "Investment in Maldives" Business Forum held in Fuzhou.
The Office of the President of Maldives stated, "When it comes to the long-term relationship between Maldives and China, Muiz stated that the relationship between the two countries can be traced back to the ancient Maritime Silk Road. China remains one of Maldives' closest allies and development partners."

Muiz said that China has provided a lot of valuable help for Malaysia's economic and social development. Malaysia China cooperation, especially the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", has benefited the people of Maldives. The Malaysia China Friendship Bridge has become a symbol of friendship between the two peoples.

As Muiz said, with the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" initiative bearing fruit, the Maldives, the country of thousands of islands in the Indian Ocean, has the first sea crossing bridge. The islands across the sea were once connected. The history that the capital Male and the second largest island Hulumale can only pass by ferry has ended. In the past five years since the bridge was put into operation, the traffic volume has exceeded 100 million people.
Under the framework of the "the Belt and Road" initiative, the achievements of China Malaysia cooperation are not only reflected in hard infrastructure and large projects of connectivity, but also in projects that benefit people's livelihood and bring real warmth to people.
In 2020, a group of Chinese medical experts in foreign aid went to Maldives with a complete set of ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment equipment. In addition to providing ophthalmic diagnosis and surgery for local residents, they also established a modern and standardized ophthalmic center in the capital Male, striving to bring light to more patients.
"In the future development of the 'the Belt and Road' initiative, landmark projects and 'small and beautiful, benefit people's livelihood' projects should go hand in hand, which is well reflected in Maldives." Lu Yang pointed out.
Mutual benefit and win-win situation, continuous exchanges and cooperation in various fields
In recent years, the trade relationship between China and Maldives has steadily developed. According to data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, in 2022, the trade volume between China and Malaysia reached 451 million US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 10.1%. China mainly imports aquatic products from Maldives, and exports to Malaysia mainly include building materials, machinery and equipment, transportation vehicles, etc.
The exchange between China and Maldives is also reflected in the tourism industry, which is one of the economic pillars of Maldives. Before the COVID-19, China was the largest source country of foreign tourists to Malaysia for many years in a row. With the rapid rise of Chinese outbound tourism, Maldives is also full of confidence in revitalizing the tourism industry.
Lu Yang also pointed out that as an island country, Maldives is significantly affected by global climate change. Cooperation between the two countries in addressing climate change can not only benefit Maldives, but also tap into the potential of international cooperation.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 52 years ago, in exchanges and cooperation, China and Malaysia have always respected and supported each other, setting an example of equal treatment, mutual assistance, and mutual benefit among countries of all sizes.
Enhancing relationships and providing impetus for the development of countries in the region
Under the new situation, China Malaysia relations are facing a historical opportunity to connect the past and open up the future. The two heads of state announced the upgrade of China Malaysia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.
  China is willing to work with Malaysia to continuously expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and work together to build a community with a shared future between China and Malaysia.
Muiz said that Malaysia looks forward to taking the opportunity of building a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to further expand new channels of bilateral cooperation, increase new connotations of bilateral relations, promote high-quality joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", promote more new development of Malaysia China relations, and create more benefits for the two peoples.
Standing at a new historical starting point, the traditional friendship between China and Malaysia continues to deepen. Liu Zongyi pointed out that with Muiz's visit, the cooperation between the two countries can be further expanded. This cooperation can not only help Malaysia's development, but also provide impetus for the economic and social development of countries in the region, and provide more convenience for regional connectivity.
"Many South Asian and Indian Ocean countries hope to cooperate with economically prosperous countries like China to promote their own economic and social development. The equal cooperation between China and Maldives has set an example for countries in the region." Liu Zongyi said. (End)