Pandemic reflects true friends
By Bai Tian - May 31, 2020 @ 12:42am
BUKIT sama didaki, lurah sama dituruni. I have come to know this Malay proverb well since my appointment to Malaysia two years ago, and I have quoted this countless times.
As we observe the 46th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations today, this proverb comes to my mind yet again.
Needless to say, this year is an unusual one in the history of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations. The Covid-19 outbreak has caught the world off guard. It has been threatening every individual in every country, China and Malaysia included. Humanity is facing the trial of the most grievous public health emergency since the end of World War 2.
As President Xi Jinping has rightly put, viruses respect no borders, and epidemics do not distinguish between races. Confronted by the ravaging Covid-19, people all over the world have tackled this challenge head on.
We have looked out for each other, pulled together as one and demonstrated the love and compassion that make us human. China-Malaysia relations have also withstood the test of this pandemic. There is a Chinese saying that goes, "only the toughest grass can withstand the strongest wind, as only a true friend can withstand the test of time".
This pandemic is just like a mirror, reflecting true friends who would stand by us through weal and woe.
China and Malaysia have shown the world that true partners are not only those sharing opportunities during favourable circumstances, but also those sharing burdens in the face of adversity.
We are setting a prime example of good neighbourliness and mutual support. 46 years ago on this exact day, Malaysia was among the first Asean countries to establish diplomatic relations with China, prefacing the overture to a long-lasting friendship.
Through all the ups and downs, China-Malaysia relations have remained robust and stable, eventually becoming an abiding friendship that encompasses all areas and bears fruitful cooperation.
Our strong ties do not come from nowhere. China and Malaysia have always treated each other friendly. It comes from the political mutual trust that we have accumulated throughout the years. It comes from the tight bond between our two peoples that makes us brothers and sisters.
Above all is that the China-Malaysia friendship realises the common aspirations and interests of our people.
In the past 46 years, the world has changed, however, our brotherhood has never wavered even a bit. I have high confidence and high hopes for the future of our friendship.
China-Malaysia relations have strong foundations and I firmly believe that we will overcome all difficulties and scale new heights together.
I look forward to China and Malaysia carrying on the joint co-operation as sincere partners to combat Covid-19. Ever since the outbreak, China and Malaysia have assisted each other.
Moving forward, China and Malaysia could cooperate on formulating national and regional public health cooperation as efforts to jointly build a community of common health for mankind and safeguard the health and wellbeing of people in both countries.
Both countries can forge ahead with flagship projects such as the East Coast Rail Link and "Two Countries, Twin Parks" to optimise trade structure and to expand the scale of trade while enhancing infrastructure development and connectivity, transforming Malaysia into the logistics hub of Southeast Asia.
China is inclined to increase investment in Malaysia to spearhead the digital economy and emerging industries in supporting Malaysia to become a prime industrial nation.
But what I look forward to the most is China and Malaysia emerging as the driving forces of world peace and development.
A new chapter in history is about to open. China and Malaysia will need to play an active role by becoming the model for political and economic stability and regional co-operation in Asia while upholding regional peace, multilateralism and international justice, advocating for effective and fairer global governance, and maintaining peaceful development and the diversity of civilisations.
Malaysia will host the Apec Summit this year. We look forward to working together to enhance regional economic integration and to strengthen the international trade system, leaving a mark in the Apec history.
China and Malaysia can do more together. As long as we work with each other, bukit sama didaki, lurah sama dituruni, there is no mountain so high that we cannot conquer, and there is no trench too deep that we cannot surpass.
Happy 46th birthday, China-Malaysia diplomatic relations!
May you thrive and reach greater heights that will in turn prosper China and Malaysia, and bless the wellbeing of our two peoples.
**The writer is ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Malaysia