KUCHING, April 21: Newly minted Prime Minister’s Special Trade Envoy to the People’s Republic of China Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing hopes to cement greater trade and bilateral ties between the two countries.
He also hopes to channel more investment and business opportunities to Sarawak and Sabah.
“With greater mutual cooperation between our government agencies, civil society and other groups, we will launch the warm relations between Malaysia and China towards new milestones, working together to create innovative symbiosis, and create a collective force greater than its sum to benefit both peoples.
“At the same time, we will strive to create more opportunities in the future, particularly in investment and business for East Malaysia, especially Sarawak,” Tiong revealed in a statement here today.
He noted that Malaysia is China’s largest trading partner in Asean whereby trade hit US$124 billion last year.
“However, with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the global economy will certainly be greatly affected and Malaysia will not be spared.
“I hope that after we are successfully rid of the pandemic, we will focus fully on the economic development of both countries and undo the damage from Covid-19 to restore our peoples’ lives,” he added.
The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president also urged his friends and supporters who have expressed their intention to congratulate him to instead channel their hard-earned resources into funding the country’s efforts to fight Covid-19 pandemic.
“More vulnerable groups would need this kindness more and I thank you for your kind support in either case,” he stressed.
The Bintulu MP also expressed optimism that the exchange and cooperation between Malaysia and China in culture and arts will undoubtedly bring both countries to another level of economic growth.
“My biggest wish is that China and Malaysia will together create a brilliant future. Lastly, it is my fervent hope that both China and Malaysia will quickly recover after winning the battle with the Covid-19 outbreak, putting back on track inter-governmental friendship, and people-to-people exchange to promote economic and trade development cooperation,” added Tiong.
Prior to this, Tiong was the Prime Minister’s special ambassador to East Asia from 2014-2018. — DayakDaily
