马来西亚交通部部长YB陆兆福受邀出席马来西亚中资企业总商会20周年年会并致辞
我很荣幸能受邀出席马来西亚中资企业总商会二十周年年会，刚刚听了欧阳玉靖大使和张会长的精彩发言感触颇深，正如大使阁下所说，马中经贸繁荣离不开中资企业的积极参与和付出，也离不开总商会多年的努力组织和沟通，这点我非常认同。在中国“一带一路”政策的影响下，大量高、精、尖的中资企业进入马来西亚，为我国繁荣发展注入活力与希望。而总商会在其中充当桥梁与纽带的作用，搭建了我们与中企高效地沟通与交流平台，为马中友谊和经贸发展等做出了杰出贡献。
在此，我代表马来西亚交通部对中国驻马大使馆、马来西亚中资企业总商会以及所有中企多年来对马来西亚经贸发展所做出的贡献表示衷心感谢，同时也对总商会成立二十周年表示热烈祝贺。
马来西亚一直以来都是中国一衣带水的友好邻邦，两国地缘相近、人文相亲、文化相通,马来西亚也是最早响应“一带一路”倡议的国家之一，在合力打造21世纪海上丝绸之路上拥有独一无二的优势。最新数据显示，截至2022年8月，中国与马来西亚双边贸易额达1312亿美元，同比增长21.2%。中国已连续13年蝉联马来西亚最大的贸易伙伴。中国企业在马来西亚投资合作正从以往的日用品、纺织等传统领域向数字经济、绿色能源、物联网、生物科技、高端制造等高新技术领域拓展。
马来西亚的交通行业也因为中企的加入而焕发活力，马来西亚东铁和吉隆坡地铁二号线等重要项目都由中企建设，在施工速度、科技建造、工程形象上都表现得非常完美。
我国一直以来坚持多边主义和贸易自由，坚持深化马中“一带一路”交流与合作，重视东亚合作，而我们的国策一直以来都是鼓励和欢迎更多高新科技、节能环保的中资企业到马来西亚，帮助我国实现经济转型和产业升级，尽早实现工业化4.0计划。未来，马来西亚将提升公共交通系统，发展智能交通，届时也期待更多中资企业加入，同时期待大使馆和总商会的强力支持。
展望2023年，世界经济复苏的曙光初现，但仍面临诸多风险与挑战。在马中双方共同抗疫、两国人民守望相助的基础上，两国领导人为双边关系的下一步发展做出了规划、明确了方向。我相信，马中多领域交流与务实合作将不断深化，经贸合作亦将克服疫情影响保持稳定发展的势头，马中关系也会进入稳步发展轨道。面对新发展、新机遇，我建议双方应重点落实以下几个方面：
一、升级电子化服务
未来马来西亚与中国经贸合作机遇与挑战并存，随着疫情的缓解，向好因素增强，包括电子化柜台服务、改善公共交通服务和道路安全等合作项目发展前景比较乐观。
随着时代变迁和科技发展，交通部需要走向全面电子化，旗下机构可以逐步提供更多电子化服务。例如马来西亚人民在政府机构排队处理事务时往往需要花费较多时间，这也引起了多方不满，因此我的目标是进一步要求所有对外的交通部服务窗口单位进行业务升级，向人民提供不需要面对面的电子化线上服务。
二、改善公共交通服务
交通部首要议程就是加强公共交通服务，以及鼓励更多人使用公共交通工具。目前，公共交通服务仍面临对各种挑战和问题，比如列车破损、延时到站等问题，这也是我上任后专注解决的问题之一。在此，我希望与各界合作，特别是中资总商会的会员们，请大家多多交换意见或建议，为陆地交通、航空、海事和物流领域献计献策。
三、保障道路安全
步入后疫情时代，人民群众出行需求持续旺盛，但也因此增加了道路交通安全的风险。据我所知，中国应用智能交通系统，对于减少道路交通伤亡事故的确有效。由于道路安全发展是-个涉及多部门、多学科的问题，因此所有相关机构的行动协调则显得至关重要。
虽然目前疫情仍然存在，但是无损两国彼此的友谊和关系，双边事务仍保持密切协调，我对马中两国日后的合作有诸多期待。1974年，马来西亚在东盟国家中率先与中国建交。48年来，两国坚持患难与共、携手并进，双边关系始终走在中国与东盟国家关系的前列。
马来西亚的大选刚刚谢幕，执政名单也已出炉，首相拿督斯里安华在媒体见面会上着重强调了马中关系在经济、政治、文化上的重要性，甚至直接点明，在其的任期内，两国关系不仅仅会维持当前的友好状态，还会更进一步。所以，我们有理由相信，今后两国将深入交流，不断开拓加强两国互利合作的新方式、新领域，为两国经贸合作描绘更加美好的蓝图。马来西亚愿意与中国在国际地区事务中保持密切协调和配合，维护互相尊重和支持的关系。
接下来，两国有望进一步加强发展战略对接，提升互利合作的广度和深度，在各领域取得更多成果。我期待2023年会有更多中国企业来马投资，进一步深化友好互利合作。我也期待中企在技术转移、创造就业等方面为马来西亚经济发展作出更多贡献，培养更多优秀的人才，为马来西亚人民带来更多便利。
中马友好历史源远流长，两国的人民的友谊在患难与共、相互支持中不断升华。有赖于中资企业总商会不断的努力和支持，中马友谊之树才能绽放出旺盛的生命力。总商会已成为促进中马人员往来，加强两国在各领域的有效交流的平台，为彼此构建更坚实的民意基础。我非常期待与大家交流和合作，在互利共赢的基础上，推动中马关系不断向前发展，为两国各自发展注入强劲动力。相信中马两国人民将继续互相扶持、携手共进，缔造更辉煌灿烂的新篇章！
张敏会长代表总商会赠予陆部长骏马图
再次感谢马来西亚中资企业总商会的盛情邀请，祝福总商会在未来会有更大的作为，促进中马两国经贸发展再创高峰。
谢谢大家。
The 20th Anniversary Dinner of CECCM (Year 2022)
Speech by YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook
Minister of Transport of Malaysia
A very good evening to all of you.
I am honored to be invited to attend the 20th Anniversary Annual Dinner of the CECCM. The heartwarming words by Ambassador Ouyang Yujing and President Zhang Min resonates with me. As Ambassador Ouyang Yujing mentioned, which I fully agree with, is that the active participation and contribution of Chinese enterprises, as well as hard work and various dialogues organized by CECCM throughout the years, played a big part in the prosperity of economic and trade between Malaysia and China. Under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a large number of excellent, top and advanced Chinese enterprises have invested in Malaysia, injecting vitality and hope into the prosperity and development of the country. Notably, CECCM has been playing its role as the bridge and linkage, building a platform for efficient communications and exchanges between Malaysian and Chinese enterprises, contributing significantly towards Malaysia-China friendships, economic and trade development.
On behalf of the Ministry of Transport of Malaysia, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, CECCM and all Chinese enterprises for their contributions towards the economic and trade development of Malaysia over the years. Warmest congratulations on the 20th anniversary of establishment of CECCM.
Malaysia and China are close neighbors connected by a strip of water. The two countries are geographically close and share a natural bond of affinity. Malaysia is also one of the pioneer countries to support the Belt and Road Initiative, has unique advantages in jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The latest data shows that as of August 2022, the bilateral trade volume between China and Malaysia has reached US$131.2 billion, a year-on-year increase of 21.2%. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for thirteen (13) consecutive years. The investment and cooperation of Chinese enterprises in Malaysia are expanding beyond the traditional sectors of daily necessities and textiles, to high-tech and new sectors such as digital economy, green energy, Internet of Things, biotechnology, and high-end manufacturing.
Malaysia’s transportation industry has also been rejuvenated by the participation of Chinese enterprises. Key projects in Malaysia such as the East Coast Rail Link and the Mass Rapid Transit Two (2) are constructed by Chinese enterprises, and have delivered great performance in terms of construction speed, technological construction and project image.
Malaysia has always adhered to multilateralism and freedom of trade, continuously deepening exchanges and cooperation between Malaysia and China under the Belt and Road Initiative, paid great attention to East Asian cooperation. Our national policy has always been encouraging and welcoming more high-tech, energy-saving and environmentally-friendly Chinese enterprises to Malaysia, to assist the country in achieving economic transformation and industrial upgrading, and attain Industry 4.0 as soon as possible. In future, Malaysia will upgrade its public transportation system and develop Intelligent Transportation System. We hope more Chinese enterprises will take part in the projects with the strong support of the China Embassy and CECCM.
Looking forward to 2023, the global economic recovery is on track but still facing various risks and challenges. Further to the COVID-19 cooperation between Malaysia and China governments and people, the countries’ leaders have outlined and set the direction for the next step bilateral relations development. I am confident that Malaysia-China will continue to enhance exchanges and practical cooperation in various sectors, economic and trade cooperation to emerge stronger post-pandemic and sustain the growth momentum, and Malaysia-China relationship will also enter a steady development track. Therefore, I would like to provide three (3) suggestions that both countries should focus on in terms of new developments and new opportunities:
- Upgrading of digital services
The opportunities and challenges coexist in economic and trade cooperation between Malaysia and China in the future. As we enter a post-pandemic phase with increasing positive indicators, which include electronic counter services, public transportation services and road safety improvement, the prospects for these cooperation projects development are relatively optimistic.
With the passing of time and science and technology development, the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) needs to go fully digital, and the agencies under MOT can gradually provide more electronic services. For example, Malaysians often need to spend ample time queuing up at government agencies for services, which has caused dissatisfaction from many parties. Therefore, my next target is to request all external service centers under MOT to enhance and upgrade their services and provide the people with digital online services that do not require face-to-face interactions.
- Improvement of public transport services
Strengthening public transport services and encouraging more people to use public transport are the top priorities of MOT. Currently, public transport services are still facing various challenges and issues, such as damaged trains and train arrival delays. This is also one of the matters I am focusing to solve since I clocked. I hope to engage everyone, especially the members of CECCM, to exchange opinions or suggestions, and offer constructive feedback land transport, aviation, maritime and logistics sectors.
- Ensuring road safety
As we enter the post-pandemic phase, the travel demands continue to surge, but this has also increased the road traffic safety risk. As far as I understand, China’s application of intelligent transportation systems is indeed effective in reducing road accidents and fatalities. As the road safety development is a multi-ministry and multidisciplinary issue, the coordination of actions by all relevant agencies is pivotal.
Although COVID-19 is still around, it will not affect the friendship and relationship between the two countries. Bilateral affairs are still closely coordinated. I have many high expectations for the future cooperations between Malaysia and China. In 1974, Malaysia was the first ASEAN country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Over the past 48 years, the two countries have persevered through thick and thin, and worked hand in hand. Among ASEAN countries, Malaysia and China have always shared a close bilateral relation.
Malaysia’s general election has just concluded, and the new government has been announced. The Honourable Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Anwar bin Ibrahim has emphasized on the economic, political and cultural importance of the Malaysia-China relations at a media briefing, where the Prime Minister informed that he and his government administration will ensure that the relationship between the two countries will not only maintain the current friendship but will further nurture and strengthen the friendship moving forward.
Therefore, we are confident that the two countries will deepen exchanges in the future, continue to explore new opportunities and avenues to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between the Malaysia and China which will enable a development of a better blueprint for the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Malaysia is keen to maintain close relationships and cooperation with China in the international and regional affairs, and whilst maintaining a bond of mutual respect and support.
Next, the two countries are expected to further strengthen the development strategies, enhance the breadth and depth of mutually beneficial cooperation, and achieve more results in various sectors. I look forward to more Chinese companies investing in Malaysia in 2023 and further deepening friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation. I also anticipate Chinese companies to make more contributions to Malaysia’s economic development in terms of technology transfer and creation of employment opportunities, cultivating a more skilled talents and workforce and working together to offer more development to the Malaysian citizens.
The friendship between China and Malaysia has a long history, and the friendship between the two countries has been continuously sublimated through sharing of good and difficult times together and by supporting each other. Thanks to the continuous efforts and support from the Chinese Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (CECCM), the tree of China-Malaysia friendship can bloom with vigorous vitality. CECCM has become a platform to promote the development of personnel exchanges between China and Malaysia, strengthen effective exchanges between the two countries in various fields, and build a more solid public opinion foundation for each other. I am indeed looking forward to communicating and cooperating with you to promote the continuous development of the relationship between China-Malaysia on the basis of mutual benefits and to inject strong impetus into the respective development of the two countries. I believe that the people of China and Malaysia will continue to support each other and work together to create a more brilliant new chapter moving forward!
Once again, I would like to thank CECCM for the kind invitation, and I do hope that CECCM will continue its efforts to enhance and promote the economic and trade development between China and Malaysia so both countries will flourish and can achieve greater height.
Thank you.
