Zhang Qian

    zhqcindy@163.com

    A COUNCIL member of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, Johnny Tai Teck Hing expressed his hope yesterday at the 17th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) that Malaysian and Chinese corporations could boost cooperation.

    Five Malaysian groups, including the association, are displaying high-end technology and health-care products at this year’s fair. According to Tai, the association aims to explore better connections with Chinese corporations in the food and drink industry, cross-border e-commerce as well as in “Belt and Road” projects.

    “There is a huge space for the two countries to collaborate in terms of trade, investment and especially cultures as we do share a certain level of the same culture, yet differences still exist and we need to know more about each other’s culture,” Tai said yesterday at the Malaysian exhibition stall in Hall 1 of the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center.

    Tai said Sino-Malaysian ties date back to as early as 600 years ago when Zheng He, one of the greatest voyagers and diplomats of ancient China, made seven voyages from China to the Strait of Malacca, opening an epoch of connection between the countries.

    “There are many possible opportunities ahead as Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative in 2013 and the old trade route is about to prosper again,” said Tai.

    Tai sees trade as two-way communication as both countries are interested in importing and investing in each other’s businesses. Many Malaysian corporations expect to enter the Chinese market, especially companies selling Malaysian fruits, beverage companies, and health-care and cosmetic product companies.

    But there is still a lot to do to pave the way for a deeper connection between the countries, according to Tai, who thinks the two sides should work harder to understand cultural differences.

    Tai is a third-generation Chinese immigrant to Malaysia. “Though I know some of the most traditional core values embedded in Chinese culture, I can still sense the cultural differences when I visit China and interact with Chinese people here,” said Tai.

    “The Malay represent the majority of Malaysia’s population, followed by Chinese and Indian, so our association also wants to incorporate these ethnicities into cooperation with Chinese companies and organizations,” said Tai.