Confucious Institute from SEGi University has organised the 3rd Belt And Road (BRI) Public Forum to commemorate the 45 years of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations on the 18th of July. The event was jointly launched with Mr Yu Jun, Political Affairs Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

(from left) SEGi University Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Patrick Kee, AirAsia X Bhd Senior Independent Non-Executive Chairman and Director, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Embassy of the Peop

Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Former Minister of International Trade and Industry, gave a keynote address sharing her personal experience working with the Chinese government, how she has personally witnessed the transformation of the entire nation, and her thoughts on how Malaysia should proceed moving forward.

“In the current global political uncertainties, you have the policy (BRI) that binds and bring people together. If the initiative is successfully and properly implemented, it will leave positive impacts on other sectors as well. It is a virtuous circle – the opposite of a vicious cycle, ” said Rafidah.

According to Confucious Institute, the bilateral ties between Malaysia and China has played a primary role in improving Malaysia’s social and economic growth since 1974 in terms of tourism, infrastructure, property, retail, finance and many more.

“The volume of bilateral trade has reached US$100 billion, with China being the biggest trading partner for Malaysia for ten consecutive years. Chinese foreign direct investments (FDI) in the manufacturing sector in Malaysia has grown more than four times, from US$0.92 billion in 2013 to US$4.75 billion in 2018,” said Professor Dr Patrick Kee, Vice-Chancellor of SEGi University.

“Chinese companies had also invested in 422 projects in the manufacturing sector, creating about 73,000 jobs in Malaysia,” Professor Kee further added.