Governance exchanges seen as boosting China-Malaysia cooperation

Officials, political leaders, and scholars from China and Malaysia called for deeper exchanges on governance and public policy on July 10, saying mutual learning will strengthen bilateral cooperation and contribute to regional development amid growing global uncertainties.

The symposium, themed "Promoting Exchanges on Governance and Advancing Common Development between China and Malaysia", was hosted by the Chinese embassy in Malaysia and organized by the Malaysia Friends of Silk Road Club. Representatives from government, political parties, academia, and business attended the event. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

In a keynote speech, Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing pointed out that China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and Malaysia's 13th Malaysia Plan share similar development philosophies and offer broad opportunities for cooperation.

He underscored that China remains committed to respecting every country's independent development path, stressing that it neither seeks to import foreign models nor export its own, but instead advocates mutual respect, exchanges of experience, and shared development.

Malaysia's Senate President Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah stressed that governance dialogue has become increasingly important as countries face rapid technological transformation and geopolitical changes. Strong institutions, respect for the constitution, the rule of law, and public trust are the foundations of effective governance, he said, adding that good governance is never a finished achievement, but a continuous pursuit, enriched through learning and strengthened through cooperation.

Representatives from Malaysia's major political parties also expressed their congratulations on the 105th anniversary of the founding of CPC and highlighted the value of policy exchanges.

Aidi Amin Yazid, deputy secretary-general of the People's Justice Party, noted that the share of bilateral trade settled in local currencies has increased from about 5 percent to between 18 percent and 25 percent, strengthening the two countries' financial resilience. He expressed hope that Malaysia and China will further align their development strategies to accelerate the building of a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future.

Tan Kok Wai, advisor to the Democratic Action Party, proposed expanding cooperation in areas including digital government, artificial intelligence governance, and youth exchanges.

Representing the United Malays National Organization, Mohd Fauzi Shaffie conveyed greetings from UMNO President and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said every country's governance model should reflect its own historical and cultural circumstances, while political stability and effective institutions remain essential for sustainable development.

Speakers from business and academic communities also emphasized the practical significance of governance cooperation.

Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, said that inclusive global governance and sincere international cooperation are growing increasingly vital amid the world's shift toward deeper multipolarity. Malaysia and China share both the opportunity and responsibility to prove that dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation remain the most effective paths to common development.

Tan Tian Meng, executive director of the Malaysia-China Business Council, said stable governance provides the foundation for economic growth. He noted that the high-level state visit to Malaysia resulted in fruitful memorandums of understanding covering areas such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, the green economy, and the East Coast Rail Link.

Ong Tee Keat, president of the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia-Pacific, called for deeper integration between Malaysia and China spanning sectors from trade to governance. He urged aligning China's global initiatives with Malaysia's national vision, stressing that nations should prioritize cooperation over division and integration over fragmentation when tackling shared global challenges.

Peter T.C. Chang, former deputy director at the Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya, echoed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's call for dialogue among civilizations. He said that the strength of Malaysia-China ties rests not only in bilateral trade, but in the mutual learning between the two nations, not only in the shared prosperity they foster, but in the joint future they shape side by side.

Participants agreed that expanding governance and policy exchanges would inject fresh momentum into China-Malaysia cooperation in emerging sectors such as the digital economy, green development, and artificial intelligence, while contributing to regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity.