[ad_1]
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has been listed as one of the countries that will be given priority to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from China, which will be distributed soon, according to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
In a Facebook post on Thursday (November 26), the prime minister said that the guarantee was conveyed to him by China’s outgoing ambassador to Malaysia, Bai Tian, during a farewell visit to the parliament building on Wednesday.
Mr. Muhyiddin said that Malaysia had also expressed its appreciation for the Chinese government’s commitment in this regard.
“His Excellency Bai Tian also expressed his appreciation to the Government of Malaysia for providing continued support in various aspects to the republic, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic struck Wuhan earlier this year,” Muhyiddin wrote.
“He regards Malaysia as a very close friend country that is always ready to help when China needs it,” he added.
READ: Malaysia’s Top Glove Says COVID-19 Outbreak May Drive Prices Up After Factory Closures
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin also expressed his government’s appreciation for Bai Tian’s contribution to taking Malaysia-China bilateral relations to new heights since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1974.
“China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years, with last year’s trade value recorded at RM315.19 billion (US $ 77.3 billion). China’s investment in Malaysia last year was RM18.25 billion, making the country the 10th largest source of foreign direct investment in Malaysia, “the prime minister wrote.
“Malaysia always welcomes more companies from China to make Malaysia a preferred destination for investment, especially in the high-tech industry sector.”
LEE: Malaysia reaches a record of 2,188 new cases of COVID-19; most infections from the Selangor task force
Muhyiddin also noted that the Chinese government had congratulated Malaysia as the host of the 2020 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which saw the issuance of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration and the launch of Putrajaya Vision 2040.
The prime minister said that the Kuala Lumpur Declaration and the launch of Putrajaya Vision 2040 would encourage the APEC community to ensure regional economic growth for the next 20 years.
“I wish all the best to His Excellency Bai Tian, who will finish his term tomorrow and return to Beijing after three years in the country,” Muhyiddin added.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
