Embassy Events

First of all, I would like to thank tonight’s guest of honor Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. We are honored by your presence and greatly encouraged by your warm remarks.

And on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, I would like to welcome all the friends present today.

We are gathering here in Shangri-la to mark this historic occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations.

40 years ago, Prime Minister Tun Razak paid his ice-breaking visit to China. It was indeed a “journey of good-will” and the most important step for lasting friendship between our two countries. During this historic visit, Tun Razak met with Chairman Mao Tse-tung and Premier Zhou En-lai. Both leaders strongly committed themselves to trust and help each other. Upon the signature of the Joint Communiqué, China and Malaysia officially established diplomatic relations, and sowed seeds of strong bilateral ties.

The past 4 decades have witnessed a growing relationship of mutual understanding, close cooperation and true friendship.

Our political relations are of mutual trust. We launched Strategic Cooperation in 2004 and upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during President Xi Jinping’s visit last year.

Our economic relations are of mutual benefit. In 1974, our bilateral trade volume was less than 200 million US Dollars. This figurer soared to 106 billion in 2013. That’s a rise of more than 500 times. Qingzhou and Kuantan Industrial parks create a new cooperation model between China and ASEAN countries.

Our people to people contacts are of mutual learning. We exchange 3 million personnel within a year and 100 flights within a week. There are about ten thousand Chinese students in Malaysia and over six thousand Malaysian students in China. A Confucius Institute was established in Malaya University. Xiamen University’s Malaysian Campus is expected to open next year. A pair of giant pandas has just arrived in KL yesterday.

These facts speak loudly for close and strong China-Malaysia relations. Today, our relationship is standing at a new starting point and facing vast opportunities of further development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we look back, our friendship is just as President Xi Jinping put in a traditional Malay proverb “Air dicincang tidak akan putus.” (切水不断) From Admiral Zhen He to Malaysian Ping Pong Delegation, from Tun Razak to Dato’ Sri Najib, from Chairman Mao to President Xi Jinping, they have left us with so many touching stories and great legacy to carry on. Soon Dato’ Sri Najib is going to follow his father Tun Razak’s footsteps to visit China and further strengthen our ties.

History of our past 40 years of relations has proven that a friend in need is a friend indeed. From China’s Wenchuan Earthquake to the Floods in Malaysia’s East Coast, the two peoples shed their love and support beyond borders.

And from the Asia financial crisis to the incident of MH370, the two countries would not let each other face the challenges alone. Recently Tan Sri Muhyiddin met with President Xi in Hague and reaffirmed the world that China and Malaysia still stand firmly together.

As a Chinese proverb says, when we drink the water, we should not forget those who dug the well. While celebrating the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to all the people who have made tremendous efforts and contributions in building up an everlasting friendship and sustainable cooperation between our two great nations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Confucius said “At the age of forty, one no longer has doubts and misgivings.” When we look forward, I have no doubts that the 40-year-old China-Malaysia relations will grow even stronger.

We are confident because we share the common dreams and goals for the well-being of the people.

We are confident because of the huge potential for our cooperation in all fields.

We are confident because our economies are highly complementary.

We are further confident because we have a common mission to promote peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

We all share pride for the Golden 40 years of our past, and we shall all pour in our efforts for the diamond 40 years ahead. Finally, let me conclude with a Malaysian poem,

Pohon kemboja di tanah lembap,

Pohon keladi subur di taman，

Persahabatan China-Malaysia terjalin akrab，

Semoga abadi sepanjang zaman.

如同kemboja和keladi树，中马友谊根深叶茂，万古常青！

Thank you!