China-Malaysia 'Air Silk Road' strengthens regional integration

Efforts to integrate China and countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have received a boost through a strategic air cargo partnership between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in the capital of Malaysia and Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) in central China.

The partnership is designed to expand cargo connectivity across Asia, positioning KLIA and CGO as leading regional hubs while creating new opportunities to accelerate regional economic growth under the Belt and Road Initiative's "Air Silk Road," participants at the Zhengzhou-Kuala Lumpur "Air Silk Road" Forum for International Cooperation said on Thursday.

In his keynote speech at the forum, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook explained that linking Zhengzhou, one of central China's fastest-growing logistics centers, with KLIA, a gateway to ASEAN, will unlock opportunities in high-value sectors such as e-commerce, electronics, pharmaceuticals and fresh produce.

Through this initiative, KLIA is set to strengthen its position as a central cargo hub in Southeast Asia. Investments in infrastructure, digital logistics and streamlined customs will enable faster access to key markets, he said.

Zheng Xuefang, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, said that central China's Henan Province and Malaysia have reached a consensus to launch and increase the frequency of international cargo flights between Zhengzhou and Malaysia, marking a solid step forward in building the "Air Silk Road" pilot project linking Southeast Asia.

The forum also witnessed the signing of several agreements between Chinese and Malaysian industry players, covering areas such as expanded air transport capacity, agricultural exports, cold chain logistics and trade facilitation.