M’sia expects trade boost from sea route to China

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to enhance cooperation and the setting up of a port alliance between Kuantan Port Authority and Huizhou Port Affairs Administration Bureau here on Saturday.
Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai, who witnessed the event at the ninth Hui Zhou World Convention at Wisma Huazong here, said the cooperation was one of the initiatives to boost trade and economy between Malaysia and China under the One Belt, One Road strategy.
“We are also strengthening our partnership in human capacity training programmes,” he told a press conference.
The first vessel was expected to ply the new route soon.
Besides working with the port authorities, Malaysia was also engaging ship liners and operators to explore more opportunities, he added.
Some 1,500 guests of the Hui Zhou clan from more than 10 countries including Canada, the United States, Holland, New Zealand, Brazil, Thailand and Britain attended the convention.
Also present were Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang, Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia president Pheng Yin Huah, Federation of Fui Chiu Association Malaysia president Lee Jin Xian and Kuantan Port Authority chairman Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar.
In his speech, Lee, who is also Kuantan Port Authority director, praised Prime Minister Najib Razak for bringing the Malaysia-China relationship to a new height.
Under his leadership, he said, investments from China had shown a tremendous increase over the past three years.
To his clansmen from overseas, he introduced Najib as a liberal leader, who leads the country with moderate and practical policies.
“He fights against extremism and terrorism while advocating power-sharing concepts by all races in the common efforts of bringing peace, development and prosperity to the country and its people,” he said.
He also urged his clansmen to set up a Hui Zhou overseas Chinese park and museum to preserve the more than 2,000-year history of the clan and its cultural heritage.
At the event, another MoU was signed to develop 18 parcels of mining concessions in Pahang to become eco-friendly parks for green technology industries and tourism attractions among Mekar Unggul, Supreme Broadway, Vibrant Holding and Angang Machinery Development.