Call for focus on economic cooperation than transactional trade, investment in Malaysia-China economic relations

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 – Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has called for a shift in perspective on economic relations with China, advocating for a focus on economic cooperation rather than mere transactional trade and investment.

At the China Jiangsu Service Trade EXPO 2024, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong emphasised the importance of viewing Malaysia-China relations through the lens of economic cooperation.

“We urgently need a new paradigm and a new way of looking at trade and investment,” he stated.

Traditionally, discussions around Malaysia-China economic ties have centred on investment and trade.

However, Liew highlighted that these elements should be part of a broader strategy aimed at solving societal problems and building better societies for both nations.

The three-day expo, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is hosted by the Department of Commerce of Jiangsu Province involving 130 exhibitors representing service trade bases, enterprises, universities and colleges from China’s Jiangsu Province.