Collaborating towards greener future


Loke (centre) tossing ‘yee sang’ with (from right) Ni, Ouyang, Tiong and Chan at the CECCM annual dinner in Kuala Lumpur. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

THROUGH cooperation in the fields of sustainability, cross-border connectivity and mobility, Malaysia and China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia (CECCM) can achieve a brighter, greener and more innovative future, Transport Minister Anthony Loke says.

Loke said sustainability was an urgent priority and Malaysia had been working to meet the challenges of climate change, by building a greener and more resilient economy.

“CECCM has already demonstrated leadership in this area by investing in renewable energy, developing eco-friendly technologies and advancing practices that reduce carbon footprints.

“These efforts are not only good for the planet, but are also good for businesses. They can help leverage Malaysia as the regional leader in sustainability and green technology.

“However, more needs to be done, whether it is enhancing energy efficiency in infrastructure or pioneering breakthroughs in clean transport.

“Sustainability is not just a buzzword, but also a cornerstone of our shared future, and CECCM is uniquely positioned to lead this charge,” Loke said during CECCM’s annual dinner.

He also said Malaysia’s role as the bridge connecting cultures, economies and regions has never been more important than it is today, with initiatives like the East Coast Rail Link being economic corridors that boost trade and foster mobility.

“These transformative initiatives can create opportunities for CECCM members involved in rail construction, logistics and technology to play a significant role in shaping Malaysia’s infrastructure future,” he added.

“Such connectivity brings us closer and strengthens the foundation of our shared prosperity.”

As one of the “most exciting frontiers”, Loke said Malaysia was also preparing to embrace the future of mobility by developing a legislative framework for autonomous vehicles.

“Autonomous vehicles are not just a technological advancement but a testament to Malaysia’s forward-thinking approach and a signal that we are ready for the challenges of tomorrow.

“This progressive mindset aligns seamlessly with the qualities we celebrate in the coming year,” he said.

He added that CECCM has been supporting the balanced partnership between Malaysia and China that is rooted in equality and shared respect which are the “essence of true collaboration”.

Also present were CECCM president Ni Qingjiu, Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary Chan Ming Kai.

Ni said CECCM had made substantial achievements in digital economy and green development last year, fostering various innovative trade collaborations between Malaysia and China that had created a lot of opportunities.

“One of the notable achievements was the organisation of the Digital Economy and Green Development Economic Forum in December last year, where we also presented our analysis report titled ‘The Role of Chinese Enterprises in Malaysia’s Economic Development’.

“The forum attracted representatives from the government, businesses and the academic community to exchange opinions on digital economy and green development,” he said.

“CECCM has also demonstrated its commitment to environmental protection and social responsibility by supporting sustainable development initiatives by the Selangor government.”

Ni emphasised that CECCM would continue its collaboration with various parties this year to raise itself and the Malaysia-China trade relationship to new heights.

Meanwhile, Ouyang pledged to expand Malaysia-China trade to focus more on low-carbon and high-added-value products as digital economy and green development have become the “new momentum” that pushed the collaboration forward.

“The bilateral trade between Malaysia and China has been increasing, with it exceeding US$200bil (RM899.4bil) last year. This has also made China Malaysia’s largest trading partner for the 16th consecutive year.

“This is the result of strong collaborations between Chinese and Malaysian enterprises. I hope the enterprises can continue working together to contribute to further empowerment of the Malaysia-China relationship,” said Ouyang.

At the dinner, more than 40 Malaysian and Chinese enterprises received awards as recognition of their 2024 performance.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Metro News

A celebration to bring friends together
Pahang sports facility operational by September
Action plan for KL’s ageing group
Log boom proposed to reduce river debris in Klang
Retailer activates CNY tour
Perak museum highlights role, origin of little-known ‘sundang’
Stirring in luck with nian gao
Stocked up for the love of reading
RM1.5mil needed to help seniors
National fencer gets equipment sponsorship deal

Others Also Read