China-Malaysia win-win cooperation under Belt and Road Initiative

Editor's note: Dato' Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan is a former ambassador of Malaysia to the People's Republic of China. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), now in its 12th year, has crystallized from vision to realty and gained global recognition. When it was first announced by China in 2013, the response was rather lukewarm as countries thought then that the international infrastructure cooperation framework was over-ambitious and lacked clarity. Over the years such doubts have gradually disappeared as it became evident to many countries that BRI represents China's seamless strength that fits into their own infrastructure needs.

Today, 150 countries and 30 international organizations are participants, reflecting the huge appeal of the BRI as a strategic platform providing infrastructure and economic connectivity to countries along the revised old Silk Road with China. To date some USD 1.2 trillion has been invested by China, boosting its image as a reliable partner in infrastructure construction among low- and middle-income developing countries. Indeed, BRI has contributed to China's rise and positive international image.

Malaysia, realizing the strategic importance that the BRI could contribute to its economic growth and development needs, was among the first countries to express its support. Its strategic location along the old maritime Silk Road has laid the foundation of Malaysia-China ties over the centuries. The legendary voyages of the 15th century Chinese seafarer, Admiral Zheng He to Melaka and neighboring countries has left an impactful footprint that remains till today. Being an open economy with strong dependence on international trade, Malaysia views the BRI as a strategic opportunity to plug the nation deeper into the global supply chain.

Malaysia-China trade and economic ties have seen phenomenal growth following the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974. The value and volume of bilateral trade have soared to a new height with flow of investment and tourism reaching new records. The Malaysian business community through the various chambers of commerce sees China as an important market and investment destination as well as a destination for sourcing of products. China on the other hand views Malaysia as a politically stable country and friendly to China.

With the advent of partnership through BRI, beginning from 2013, the scale, quality and value of Chinese investment and trade have jumped to another level. China has made significant and qualitative investment to Malaysia in such sectors as infrastructure including ports, railway and industrial parks, thus pushing economic growth and regional connectivity. These projects have contributed to further strengthening the supply chain to China and the region, while further deepening the existing economic ties for mutual benefit.

The signature BRI projects in Malaysia are the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MKCIP) and the Malaysia East Coast Rail Link (ECRL). These two projects have been aligned to Malaysia's national plan to revitalize the industrial hub in the East Coast Economic Corridor and narrow the gap between the poorer states in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the states in the West Coast through a more efficient freight and passenger railway system.

The MKCIP, a decade since its inception, has now emerged as a leading cross-border industrial hub in the Malaysian East Coast Region. It has attracted significant amount of foreign investment, established high-end manufacturing, created employment opportunities and local entrepreneurship. Its spillover effects has vitalized surrounding industries that include oil and gas, agriculture and tourism. The MKCIP project has been described as a success story of the BRI.

The Malaysia East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, when completed in 2027, will be a game changer in integrating the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia to the states in the west and Port Klang. The new corridor alongside the railway system will provide opportunities for industrial development, contribute to national growth and the local economy. The ECRL will ultimately emerge as the land bridge between Port Klang and Kuantan Port and henceforth connect to ports in southern China, enhancing its strategic proposition.

The BRI is also anchored in other southeast Asian countries, with largescale infrastructure projects, highways, industry parks, ports, railways, and energy projects. The landmark project in Indonesia, the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, has successfully been completed. The project has brought greater transportation mobility, efficiency and an advanced transportation system between the two cities.

In Laos, the China-Laos Railway has emerged as a key trade and travel corridor, enhancing trade exchanges with China. The ECRL in Malaysia, when completed in 2027, will be a game changer in the development and connectivity of Malaysia East Coast states.

In addition, the BRI-ASEAN cooperation has contributed towards stronger cultural exchanges, tourism, people-to-people exchanges between the two regions. These infrastructure projects have also led to growth in GDP, facilitated trade, and strengthened domestic and regional connectivity. It is also expected to positively impact other BRI projects in fields including digitalization, green energy, public health and human resources development.

The BRI is not without its critics. It has been labelled as only promoting China's economic and strategic interests. The Malaysian experience and that of many countries too, however, depict a different narrative. In both the projects (MKCIP and ECRL), Malaysia has played a major role in moving the direction and contents through consultations and coordination with China. Both parties have strived to ensure that the outcome is mutually beneficial. Results of public opinion surveys have always been positive on the two projects. MKCIP and ECRL have enabled Malaysian and Chinese personnel to work together, forging better understanding of each other's working culture and establishing friendship. Both parties, through the collaboration, have strived to understand each other's national priorities and the overall objectives.

The BRI is still a work-in-progress and over the years, has evolved taking account of the changing environment, aspirations, and development needs of participating countries. It is a global cooperation framework, implemented for a win-win result for the prosperity of individual nations as well as humanity.