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The five-day visit to various ASEAN nations by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week has brought good news for Malaysia and its neighbors as they fight the resurgence of the Covid-breakout. 19.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, Wang Yi’s trip to Southeast Asian countries on October 11-15 will further strengthen China-ASEAN ties and anti-virus cooperation, as well as contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability. .
Cambodia was the first leg of Wang’s Asean tour, which later took him to Malaysia, Laos and Thailand. The trip also saw him make a transit stop in Singapore to meet his counterpart.
In Phnom Pehn, Wang met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and witnessed the signing of the China-Cambodia free trade agreement and other documents on bilateral cooperation.
Cambodia’s Trade Minister Pan Sorasak, who has received a lot of help from Beijing to combat Covid-19 since the beginning of the epidemic, said this was Cambodia’s “first bilateral free trade agreement”.
“The signing of this agreement marks another key historical milestone for the Cambodia-China relationship … It would provide a stronger economic partnership through a higher degree of market access and the liberalization of goods, services and investments,” said Sorasak.
In Kuala Lumpur, Wang announced Beijing’s commitment to purchase 1.7 million tons of palm oil by 2023 while meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
Putrajaya was also told that Beijing would encourage its private companies to buy palm oil from Malaysia and invest in the country.
These promises are important to Malaysia as they come at a time when the government is struggling to revive its virus-hit economy.
Wang also promised that Malaysia, which is now experiencing an increase in Covid-19 cases and deaths, would receive “priority recipient status” for Covid-19 vaccines produced in China, once they are proven safe.
According to Xinhua News, Wang Yi also made this promise of vaccine cooperation with other ASEAN nations on October 16 in Yunnan after he held talks with Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, special envoy of the Indonesian President and the Foreign Minister. from the Philippines, Teodoro Locsin Jr.
In a joint press conference with Wang on October 13, Hishammuddin said that both nations agreed to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding that will provide the comprehensive framework for pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.
China has been Malaysia’s largest foreign investor in the manufacturing sector for four years since 2016. Last year, Malaysia approved 79 investments worth US $ 3.74 billion.
For the past 10 years, China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner. In 2019, total bilateral trade reached a record high of $ 123.96 billion.
Both nations also agreed to continue discussions on the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) to facilitate cross-border movements for business and official travel.
On October 14 in Vientiane, Wang and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, economic ties and coordination on regional affairs.
Wang said China
join hands with Laos in the BRI, implement Chinese-assisted welfare projects in Laos, provide a duty-free treatment for Laotian products and import more Laotian agricultural products.
Wang said China is willing to carry out the consensus reached at the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) leaders’ meeting, support the New Land-Sea Corridor to promote the development of six countries in the region.
Calling China “comrades in arms” of Laos, Saleumxay thanked China for its long-term financial assistance and strong support in fighting the epidemic in Laos.
China is financing and building the China-Laos railway, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2021.
The $ 6 billion project linking Vientiane with Kunming is expected to boost trade and economic activities in Laos and the surrounding region.
“Laos is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China, further deepen cooperation in areas such as fighting the epidemic, economy, trade and finance,” said the Laos Foreign Minister.
Meeting with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on October 15, Wang also offered China’s commitment on the vaccine.
He supported the establishment of a “fast track” for the movement of personnel and a “green channel” for goods.
For the economic development of Thailand, Wang expressed support for the development of the East Thailand Economic Corridor.
Don said that Thailand is pushing for the construction of the Thailand-China high-speed railway and supports the link between the China-Laos railway and the Thailand-China high-speed railway.
Thailand hopes that China will enhance cooperation in innovation and sustainable development.
China’s achievements
According to CGTN, Wang has achieved his goal of strengthening Beijing’s diplomatic and economic ties with the Asean nations.
As for President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), most ASEAN countries support it as they see huge economic opportunities for their countries by participating in these projects.
As Asean has overtaken the United States and the European Union to become China’s largest trading partner, they will benefit greatly from China-led regional economic projects.
The reaffirmation of support for BRI can be seen when Hishammuddin declared on October 13: “Malaysia reaffirmed its unwavering support for BRI based on the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefits and shared prosperity.” Neutral position
On the conflict between the United States and China, Beijing should be relieved that ASEAN has taken a neutral position, refusing to take sides with any major power.
Despite provocations by the United States over territorial problems in the South China Sea and complaints about Chinese military outposts in contentious waters, Asean has generally adopted a non-confrontational attitude towards Beijing.
Hishammuddin’s statement on dispute resolution can be interpreted as representing Asean’s current view: “Disputes should be addressed by peaceful means, including through regional dialogues and discussions between stakeholders, without resorting to threats or the use of the strength”.
Due to the strong economic and trade ties between China and Asean, it will be difficult for outsiders to replace China’s position and status in Asean.
For Wang Yi, he has also used his trip to send an important, if not new, message to players in the region, the United States and India.
He urged Asian countries to remain vigilant about the risk that the US strategy will fuel geopolitical competition in the region, and said Beijing and Asean must work together to eliminate “external disruption” in the South China Sea problems.
“China and Asean have full capacity and wisdom as well as the responsibility to maintain peace and tranquility in the South China Sea,” he noted.
Wang also described Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy expanding the US military presence in the region as a “security risk” for East Asia.
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