MCI -Nov 2020

KDN：PP19510/07/2019 (035094) NOVEMBER 2020 RM3 WM RM4 EM WWW.MALAYSIACHINAINSIGHT.COM MALAYSIA-CHINA INSIGHT

MIDA approved Chinese Premier Chinese Premier urges PM Muhyiddin: The EAS Hisham thanks China for
RM65.3 bln manufacturing raises four proposals further cooperation, must prepare to adapt, Covid-19 vaccine
projects in Jan-Sept 2020, to progress ties with sustainable development enhance cooperation ‘priority recipient’
China on the top ranking ASEAN to counter challenges amid COVID-19 status
amid COVID-19 pandemic
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Chinese Premier: Signing of RCEP The signing of the Regional Comprehensive grim international situation, showing that
“victory of multilateralism, free trade” Economic Partnership (RCEP) is “a victory multilateralism and free trade remain the
of multilateralism and free trade,” Chinese correct direction for the world economy
Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday. Li’s and human progress.
remarks were made as he attended the
fourth RCEP Summit, held via video link. The RCEP allows people to choose
solidarity and cooperation when facing
“The signing of the RCEP is not only a challenges, instead of resorting to conflict
landmark achievement of East Asian and confrontation; and to choose mutual
regional cooperation, but also a victory of assistance and support, rather than taking
multilateralism and free trade,” Li said. a “beggar-thy-neighbor” approach or a
“wait-and-see” attitude, he said, adding it
With the largest participating population shows the world that opening up and
in the world, the most diverse membership cooperation are the only way to achieve
and the greatest development potential, mutually beneficial outcomes. The RCEP
the free trade bloc will definitely inject agreement was signed Sunday among its
new impetus into regional development 15 participating countries.
and prosperity, and contribute to global
economic recovery and growth, Li said. ASEAN, established in 1967, comprises
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malay-
Li said that after eight years of negotia- sia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
tions, the signing of the RCEP has brought Thailand, and Vietnam.
light and hope to people amid the current

RCEP encourages re-opening of markets,
serves as economic recovery tool

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Muyhiddin said Free Trade Agreements demonstrate to the world that even with On another note, Muhyiddin said
Partnership (RCEP) will serve as an impor- (FTAs) are the way forward to help sustain varying levels of economic development, Malaysia recognises the difficulties India is
tant instrument for economic recovery, competitiveness through promotion of 15 countries can come together to create a currently facing, and wish to express its
and will encourage the reopening of international trade, encouraging invest- trade pact that will be mutually beneficial, continuous support and welcome India’s
markets while ensuring uninterrupted ments and ensuring supply of talent. not only for the business community, but accession to the RCEP in the future.
supply chains. also for the people’s livelihood.
As such, he said the RCEP will be the main The country had opted out from the
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin vehicle through which regional economic RCEP negotiations in November 2019.
said the RCEP agreement is critical for the integration within ASEAN and its dialogue
region’s response in tackling the COVID-19 partners can be enhanced.
pandemic. “It is indeed significant that this partner-
ship has been negotiated based on the
He said the pandemic has not only costed different levels of economic development
lives, it has also battered economies. of the 15 participating countries, to ensure
a mutually beneficial FTA for all.
“Coupled with the challenges to the
global trading system due to regional “I believe this is the touch stone for the
tensions, it is imperative for ASEAN to future growth and vibrancy of our regional
continue to sustain our competitiveness as economic collaboration,” he said.
a region,” he said in his speech during the
virtual 4th RCEP Summit hosted by He added that Malaysia, together with
Vietnam today. ASEAN and FTA partners, would want to

Outgoing China envoy has done well in Malaysia–China ties

Ambassador Bai Tian, who will be done as China’s ambassador to Malaysia China-Malaysia ties to a higher level,
since late 2017 is to engage with the local hastening economic cooperation and
heading home next month, reportedly to Malay community in building up building closer people-to-people relations.
take up a higher posting in Beijing after people-to-people relations
serving as top Chinese diplomat here for In the past three years, the embassy has
nearly three years, has achieved most of An aspect unfulfilled during the times of sponsored talks on China at Malay-majority
the goals he has set out for himself. his predessasors. seminars and encouraged China’s state
companies in Malaysia to carry out commu-
Indeed, he has notably created a new era The energetic 49-year-old set himself nity work in various Malay villages.
in Malaysia-China relations. three targets in his new job when he first
arrived: working towards elevating (See reports on Pg2.)
One of the most important work he has

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02 NOVEMBER 2020

MIDA approves RM65.3 bln
manufacturing projects in
Jan-Sept 2020, China on the
top ranking

by Dato' Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan measuring equipment (RM2.1 billion), Above pic: Mida chairman Dato’ Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan
made up 85 per cent of total approved
Malaysia recorded RM65.3 billion worth of investments for the sector. Singapore, Switzerland, the United States, from RM1.04 million during the same
approved investments in the manufactur- the Netherlands, Thailand, Japan, and period last year.
ing sector for the first nine months of this “Compared with the corresponding South Korea.
year, an increase of 16.6 per cent period last year, domestic direct invest- The agency also said the projects
compared with RM56 billion in the same ment (DDI) in the manufacturing sector These eig ht countries jointly accounted approved would generate 51,172 jobs for
period last year. saw a leap of 45.5 per cent to RM25.9 for 91.4 per cent or RM36.0 billion of the the country, which included 1,040 electri-
billion during this period while the value of total FDI approved in the manufacturing cal and electronic engineers, 963 mechani-
The Malaysian Investment Development approved foreign direct investments (FDI) sector. cal engineers and 331 chemical engineers.
Authority (MIDA) said in a statement today increased by 3.2 per cent to RM39.4
the total investments approved were billion,” MIDA said. MIDA has also been attracting quality “In addition, the approved manufacturing
mainly in petroleum products including investments in capital-intensive, high-val- projects will also require about 5,499
petrochemicals (RM15 billion), basic metal The states that recorded the highest total ue-added and high technology projects. skilled craftsmen such as plant mainte-
products (RM14.5 billion), electrical and approved investments in the manufactur- This was reflected in the increase of capital nance supervisors, tools and die makers,
electronics (RM7.7 billion), machinery and ing sector are Sarawak, Sabah, Penang, investment per employee ratio to RM1.28 machinists, IT personnel, quality control-
equipment (RM5.8 billion), and chemicals Selangor, and Johor, which collectively million in the first nine months of the year lers, electricians and welders,” it said.
and chemical products (RM4.5 billion). contributed RM51.3 billion.
These investments, along with food manu-
facturing (RM3 billion), transport equip- Meanwhile, the leading sources of FDI for
ment (RM3 billion) as well as scientific and the nine-month period were China,

Outgoing China Ambassador bids farewell via online reception

From Pg1. For this, the social media has conferred 2018 suspended the project alleging tion, Malaysia and China have maintained
During the Hari Raya period in 2019, he upon him “awards” that include “the best irregularities. strong relations. Tun Dr Mahathir Moham-
durian salesman” and “Musang King ad, initially very critical of Chinese projects,
surprised many by hosting a Hari Raya ambassador”. This government-to-government rail had made two official visits to Beijing
Open House at the Chinese Embassy. This project, settled with a lower price tag at during his 22 months in office.
was the first such do organised by a Through a 1.5-minute tiktok show, the RM44 bln in April 2019, is a key project of
non-Muslim embassy. The function lured loyal durian fan introduced Musang King to the Belt and Road Inititive set by Chinese “Bai Tian’s mastery and astute skill in
all ethnic groups – mainly Malays. 1.3 billion Chinese nationals as though he President Xi Jinping. diplomacy, his attention to local issues as
was an expert. Telling them in Mandarin well as his regular engagements with the
“He is respected by all races. He mixes that they must come for Musang King, he “It was not an easy time for Bai Tian to Chinese community has helped him forge a
around. A lot of people – including Malays described in detail the unique taste of the deal with the new Malaysian leaders then. strong sense of trust with the business
– want to do farewells for him now,” says flesh inside the King of fruits. But he and his team worked very hard to community and government,” economist
Tan Sri Ter Leong Yap, president of the negotiate with the Malaysian government Lee Heng Guie, a familiar face at Chinese
Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce Indeed, promoting durian is part of his to get the ECRL back to life again,” says Embassy functions, observes.
and Industry of Malaysia. strategy to lure more Chinese tourists into Datuk Keith Li, president of the China
Malaysia. Entrepreneurs’ Association in Malaysia. “The true friendship and strategic
“He is warm, friendly, hardworking and partnership between Malaysia and China
down to earth. When we telephoned him, The target he has set for himself is to In his three years here, Bai Tian has was further cemented during the Covid-19
he would meet to talk – even at an bring in over three million travellers per worked with three governments under pandemic, with Bai Tian facilitating the
ordinary restaurant. No protocol. He gave a year from Beijing, but the Covid-19 three different prime ministers, Li exchange of knowledge and technical
lot of ideas on how to promote our tourism pandemic has undermined his goal. observes. expertise with Malaysia in combating the
to China,” Ter tells Sunday Star. Whatever it is, Malaysian durian has virus,” Lee tells Sunday Star.Indeed, China
definitely become the darling of Chinese “Each time, it involved a lot of adjust- was the first country to deliver face masks
Although China and Malaysia have nationals, who previously knew only about ment and getting to know new policies and and other medical personal protective
struck a comprehensive strategic partner- Thai durian. Bai Tian has also worked hard to the leaders. It was a real daunting task to equipment supplies to Malaysia as soon as
ship, Bai sees it fit to further strengthen persuade Beijing to buy more Malaysian manage bilateral relations.” The revival of the novel coronavirus hit the country.
bilateral economic relations. palm oil and encourage Malaysians to seek Bandar Malaysia, reportedly to have a
business opportunities in China, according gross development value of RM160 billion, Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at the Singapore
Although efforts in bringing in investments to Ter. is another project Bai Tian has played a key Institute of International Affairs, shares his
were hampered by political instability and role in, according to Ter. Being Bai’s good view: “I think Bai Tian and his team have
the change in government twice in Kuala On bilateral projects, Bai Tian is friend, he said: “These mega projects, tried their best to keep bilateral relations
Lumpur, bilateral trade continued to recognised as having played a key role in together with the Kuantan-China Industrial close despite political, pandemic and
breach the US$100bil mark. In 2019, the rescuing the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) in Park, will help Malaysia lure more Chinese economic challenges.” (The Star Ho Wah
amount rose to US$123.9bil. In promoting 2019, after the then Pakatan Harapan investors into the country.” Despite Foon)
durian to China, he is said to have done an government that came into power in May hiccups during the Pakatan administra-
excellent job that no Malaysian can match.

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