BRI REMAINS KEY TO SUSTAINABLE, PEACEFUL DEVELOPMENT IN ASEAN-CHINA TIES

By Norsyafawati Ab Wahab

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Bernama) -- The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will continue to be an important development strategy to ensure sustainability and usher peaceful development in the China-ASEAN region, for mutual benefit.

Malaysia-China Friendship Association president Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan said BRI projects implemented in ASEAN have demonstrated commendable results, fostering economic growth, prosperity, integration and connectivity, as well as mutual understanding.

"Through the new Maritime Silk Road, known as BRI, China has significantly invested in the region’s infrastructure, including ports, railways, and industrial parks, fostering economic growth and regional connectivity,” he said.

He added that the BRI initiative has offered ASEAN vast opportunities and delivered several tangible outcomes, including the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project in Indonesia and the China-Laos Railway.

"The East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project in Malaysia is about 80 per cent completed. With its projected operation in 2027, it will be a game changer in integrating the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia and Port Klang," he said at the plenary session in conjunction with the ASEAN-China Media and Think Tank Forum here today.

Abdul Majid, who is also former Malaysia's ambassador to China, also noted that BRI cooperation has also brought out an increase in cultural exchanges, tourism and people-to-people interactions between ASEAN and China.

In the coming years, he acknowledged that BRI will embark on projects that have direct positive impact on the people, including poverty eradication, human and skill training, digitalisation, and public health.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said this year, China has set an economic growth target of around 5.0 per cent, based on strong confidence in the path of high-quality development.

Following this, he said China will, as always, share development opportunities with countries around the world, including ASEAN nations.

He said China will work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind and create a brighter future for the world.

"Currently, the international landscape is marked by intertwined changes and turbulence, with increasing instability and uncertainty.

"However, we firmly believe that peace and development are the prevailing trends, and win-win cooperation is the right choice," he added.

The one day forum was opened by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof earlier today, with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Xinhua News Agency’s Editor-in-Chief Lyu Yansong among those present.

Also in attendance were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Secretary-General of the Communications Ministry Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Bernama’s Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.

-- BERNAMA