Clouds over massive Chinese infrastructure projects but China and Malaysia ‘can weather change’
Beijing seeks greater belt and road cooperation as Mahathir envoy visits the Chinese capital to pave the way for Malaysian prime minister’s trip next month
Beijing’s ties with Kuala Lumpur can withstand change and uncertainty, China said on Wednesday, despite massive infrastructure projects hanging in the balance in Malaysia.
“The friendship between China and Malaysia has accumulated over a long time. China and Malaysia are not only comprehensive strategic partners, but also pragmatic cooperation partners. Their relationship can weather the wind of change,” the foreign ministry quoted Wang as saying.
Daim, chairman of the Malaysian Council of Eminent Persons, is in Beijing to pave the way for Mahathir’s trip to China planned for next month. He also met Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday and delivered a letter to him from Mahathir.
Daim’s trip comes just two months after Mahathir was returned to power in a general election.
Since then, the Malaysian prime minister has suspended several Chinese investment projects, including the US$20 billion East Coast Rail Link, designed to connect the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia with strategic shipping routes in the west.
The Malaysian authorities are also looking into possible links between two China-backed gas pipeline projects and a Malaysian businessman named Jho Low who is believed to be responsible for the theft of billions of US dollars from the scandal-ridden state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.