Launching of the Center of Chinese Products for Asean Region, (from left) China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce President Ni Qingjiu; World Association Presidents' Conference organising committee chairman and Hangzhou Public Relations Association executive president Liu Jiang; MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong; Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Chinese Embassy in Malaysia Charge d'Affaires Zhang Xuefang; and Malaysia China Friendship Association president Datuk Abdul Majid Khan, during the 5th World Association Presidents' Conference (WAPC).
KUALA LUMPUR: The hosting of The World Presidents’ Conference (WAPC) outside China for the first time will strengthen the friendship and cooperation between China and Malaysia, says organising committee chairman Liu Jiang.
He said Malaysia is a central hub in Southeast Asia and a crucial partner in the "Belt and Road" initiative, as well as a key member of Asean.
"Here, the advantages are evident, with abundant opportunities, a strategic geographical location, a convenient transportation network, robust development momentum, diverse regional cultures, and a vibrant business environment," he said in his speech at the WAPC opening ceremony on Monday (Dec 2).
"This conference brings together leaders and pivotal figures from various fields, and I hope attendees will leave with significant gains," he added.
Liu said that the conference serves as a frontier outpost for global development interests and a broad stage for industry transformation and new pathways.
He added that it offers an excellent opportunity for participants to collaborate, share insights, and foster cooperation.
"Let us combine our wisdom and strength around this conference to better address challenges such as trade disputes and economic fluctuations, promote the integration of traditional industries with emerging technologies, and innovate systems. We should take a proactive stance in fulfilling social responsibilities," he said.
"While pursuing economic benefits, we should also focus on world peace, environmental protection, social citizenship, and the welfare of people, leveraging our influence to involve more forces in the great cause of building a community with a shared future for humanity," added Liu.
In his address, Zheng Xuefang, the Chargé d'Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, affirmed China’s commitment to offering more development opportunities to Malaysia and the global community, aiming for shared prosperity.
He highlighted China’s advocacy for the liberalisation and facilitation of trade and investment, alongside economic globalisation rooted in inclusivity and universal benefits.
"China is driving global development through innovation and reform. Innovation propels human progress; hence, we must seize the opportunities of the ongoing scientific and technological revolution.
We must maintain momentum in digital and green development, and enhance cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy, green growth, artificial intelligence, and new energy," he said.
"Openness is essential for prosperity and development. We must actively counter unilateralism and protectionism, improve infrastructure connectivity, enhance the resilience of industrial and supply chains, and advance the liberalisation and facilitation of trade and investment.
Together, we can achieve robust, sustainable, and balanced global economic growth," he added.
He quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping, who asserted that "prosperity and stability cannot thrive in a world where the rich become richer while the poor become poorer."
Zheng emphasised the need for global collaboration to fairly and equitably distribute the benefits of development, reducing economic inequality and imbalance worldwide.
"We must ensure all nations and peoples benefit from development gains, regardless of nationality, race, social class, or other differences," he added.
He said China will continue to open up, even more so to the least developed countries, and expand its network of high-standard free trade areas globally.
"We will broaden the range of industries encouraged for foreign investment, reduce restrictions on foreign investment, and remove all restrictions in the manufacturing sector. China will continue to provide more development opportunities to Malaysia and the rest of the world to achieve common prosperity," he added.
This conference is co-hosted by MCA, the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, and the China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia.
These sessions are expected to provide targeted networking opportunities for approximately 700 entrepreneurs from Malaysia and China.
