Speech for Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai （拿督斯里廖中莱）, Minister of Transport Malaysia, at the 6th World Chinese Economic Forum Dinner, 4th December 2014 H.E. Huang Qifan (黄奇帆), Mayor of Chongqing, H.E. Alex Chernov, Governor of Victoria, H.E. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mr. Chen Yu (陈渝), Chairman of Chongqing Sub-Council, CCPIT, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew （丹斯里李金友）, Founder and Patron of World Chinese Economic Forum, and Tan Sri Michael Yeoh （丹斯里杨元庆）, Chairman of World Chinese Economic Forum and CEO of Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute, ASLI. Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen. I would like to thank ASLI for inviting me to speak at the 6th World Chinese Economic Forum here at Chongqing (重庆), China. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 1. Since 1978, China has been the world’s most successful economy, growing at an average per capita rate of almost 8% per year. At that rate, the average income of an ordinary person in China will be higher by almost ten-fold today compared with 40 years ago. 2. The reduction of extreme poverty in China is even more astonishing. In just twenty years’ time, from 1981 to 2001, China was able to eliminate extreme poverty by 50% or some 600 million people – the total size of ASEAN combined! 3. Not only was that the biggest elimination of poverty by a single government in human history, it has also generated significant implications for the livelihood of the Chinese population, and the opportunity it creates for them to fulfil their hopes and dreams. Developing countries in ASEAN and also the world should take a closer look at the Chinese experience, and to really emulate its success in eradicating poverty. 4. The Chinese dream is also possible for Malaysia and the rest of Asia. Malaysia is very willing to strengthen investment links with China, and we are ready to take a lead in ASEAN as catalyst of growth. As you may know by now, Malaysia is a Chair of ASEAN next year, and the Malaysian government’s vision to create a “people-centred ASEAN” that would not only boost intra-ASEAN trade, but to also deepen China-ASEAN relations, therefore making it our collective goals to promote peace, stability, prosperity in the region. We are also ready to have more intimate partnership with China to help China penetrate into the ASEAN market, as well as paving way for it to build meaningful and long-lasting economic relationships in the region. Malaysia is a gateway for China to penetrate ASEAN and world market. 5. Malaysia is poised to become a leading hub for the Asian economic activities. In fact, we are probably the only country in this world where you can find significant cultural influences of the Chinese, Indians, Arabic, Islamic and the Western world all integrated into one. 6. There is hardly any signs of conflict in civilisations as the Malaysian government strongly believes in the spirit of moderation, and that all cultural or religious differences can be accepted and are treated the same under the law. 7. The diversity in Malaysia means that businesses from China can take advantage of our working population, who are not only well-versed in English, Mandarin, and Malay, but are able to fully understand and appreciate the history, culture, and traditions of the Chinese people. I as President of MCA had launched one Malaysia civilization forum to promote integration of multicultural religion and civilization. As a strength of our nation, we believe it is not only serving as an ideal platform for Malaysian to connect to the rest of the world, but the world can share and benefited from this platform. 8. We at Malaysia also wish to extend our relationships with China and all other countries to include good people-to-people ties. To me, it is the people-to-people connectivity that serves the backbone of a truly sustainable economic partnership. 9. Malaysia is the melting pot of the global culture, and students from China will definitely enjoy their experience studying here. Not only will they have the right environment to strengthen their language skills, Malaysia provides also the perfect stepping stone for very bright Chinese students to further their study or work in other Western countries. 10. Finally, I wish to reaffirm our government’s commitment to support China’s initiatives to reinvigorate the corridor of trade and cultural exchange between peoples of this region. 11. I am very optimistic at the prospect of a closer regional partnership, and I cannot emphasise more the need to woo greater interest from China to invest in Malaysia. 12. We will go the extra mile to convince the Chinese investors just like how we all gather at Chongqing here today. On that note, I wish all of you a stimulating and fruitful discussion tomorrow at the conference. Thank you
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 12:41:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015