HANDSHAKE OF '74 LEADS TO FIRM GRIP IN MALAYSIA-CHINA RELATIONS

From Yong Soo Heong

BEIJING, June 2 (Bernama) -- It all started with a handshake in 1974 and
since then both Malaysia and China have had a firm grip on their bilateral
relations as they grow from strength to strength.

For Malaysia's ambassador to China, Syed Norulzaman Syed Kamarulzaman,
both countries "started out shaking hands and we will continue shaking
hands."

"Although the past 35 years have been good, more can be done between both
countries to uplift the relationship," he said.

Syed Norulzaman believes that Najib Tun Razak's first official
visit to China as prime minister will further cement the friendship laid down by
his father, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.

The country's second prime minister was among the few leaders at that time
who were visionary enough to warm up to China during the era of the Cold War of
the 1960s and 1970s.

As a result of Tun Razak's far-sightedness, Malaysia went against the grain
and became the first Asean country to establish diplomatic ties with China.

This has certainly brought immense benefits over the years in terms of
improving trade and facilitating people-to-people contact.

"Our trade with China reached US$54 billion last year and we achieved this
much earlier than the target of US$50 billion by 2010 that we have set. We are
ahead of schedule and this is a pretty good sign," said Syed Norulazman.

Tourism was another area of promise as some 989,000 Chinese tourists visited
Malaysia last year and this was more than the 689,000 in 2007, he added. On the
other hand, about one million Malaysians visited China last year.

"Air connections are on the increase for both countries and we are now
connected to 12 cities," said Syed Norulazman.


As for investments, he said, Malaysia was looking for more Chinese
investments and Malaysia's special economic corridors and infrastructure
development projects could be a top draw.

In the field of education, Malaysia had remained as one of the top education
centres for Chinese students for quality education, he added.

"I see a good future and a lot more that we can do and we are showing that
we want to do it and are committed to doing it," he said.

On Najib's visit, Syed Norulazman felt that it was "very meaningful" as it
more or less coincided with Tun Abdul Razak's historic visit 35 years ago.

Najib will lead a 35-member delegation, including six ministers and four
Members of Parliament, for a four-day official visit beginning Tuesday.


After the official welcome at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday,
Najib will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Both leaders will also witness the signing of three agreements to be
announced later at the Great Hall of the People's West Hall where a joint
communique was signed by Tun Abdul Razak and then Chinese Premier, the late Zhou
Enlai, in 1974.

Premier Wen will also host a welcome banquet for Najib at the Great Hall of
the People's Fujian Hall.

On Thursday, Najib will call on Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Great
Hall of the People after attending the Malaysia-China Business Forum at the
China World Hotel.

More than a dozen MoUs covering various sectors are expected to be signed at
the forum.


There will also be a gala dinner, jointly organised by the Malaysia China
Business Council (MCBC) and China People's Association for Friendship with
Friendly Countries (CPAFFC), to celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic
ties between the two countries.

Before leaving for home on Friday, Najib will attend the launch of a 1.2
billion yuan (about RM600 million) joint-venture plant between Malaysia's UMW
Holdings and China National Petroleum Corporation in Qinhuangdao to produce gas
pipes for China's giant West-East Gas Pipeline project.

-- BERNAMA