Malaysia's open trade policy, partnership with China key to long-term value creation, official says

Source: Xinhua| 2026-01-26 19:58:00|Editor: huaxia

Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook delivers a speech during a forum on building a high-level strategic Malaysia-China community with a shared future in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Jan. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's openness to trade and investment and its close economic partnership with China will enable long-term value creation, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said here on Monday.

Noting the adjustments facing the current international landscape, Loke said such partnerships will enable Malaysia to strengthen supply chain resilience while ensuring long-term interests are sustained and protected. He made the remarks at the forum on building a high-level strategic Malaysia-China community with a shared future.

"Malaysia's openness to trade and investment is deeply rooted in our history as a trading nation. We welcome businesses. A sustainable partnership is one where economic growth strengthens local ecosystems, creates quality employment, and builds long-term confidence on both sides," said the minister.

"I am confident that through pragmatic cooperation, mutual respect and a shared vision, the China-Malaysia partnership can continue to deepen in both scale and quality," he said.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said that over the past more than 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Malaysia relations have always been at the forefront among regional countries, setting an example of win-win cooperation between nations.

"Through joint efforts, bilateral ties are now at the best in history," he said, adding that both countries have strong opportunities to cooperate with respect to their national development plans.

The forum aims to translate the outcomes and consensus achieved through recent high-level exchanges between China and Malaysia into concrete initiatives, further strengthening bilateral cooperation and enhancing policy coordination for shared development, and is organized by the Southeast Asia Research Center for Humanities and Malaysia Friends of Silk Road Club. ■

Guests are pictured during a forum on building a high-level strategic Malaysia-China community with a shared future in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Jan. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

Guests pose for a group photo during a forum on building a high-level strategic Malaysia-China community with a shared future in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Jan. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)