Page 4 - IDFR-Diplomatic Voice Vol 2 2014

FORUM Speech by Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia at the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Malaysia and China on 31 May 2014 It should not have been a surprise, grateful for the support of the Chinese therefore, that Malaysia was the first government, which has spared no South East Asian country to establish expense in the search effort. We will relations with China. Yet some allies not rest until the plane is found. advised my father, Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak, against the decision. I believe that, with time, we will grow even closer together. Good relations Alone amongst the members of are easy when times are good; but true ASEAN, he held firm, and extended a friendship is forged in difficulty. In his hand of friendship to the People’s speech four decades ago, my father Republic of China. As a university stressed that “this goodwill that exists student in 1974, I asked my father between us must be carefully why; why did you make that journey nurtured.” and establish diplomatic relations? He His Excellency Li Keqiang replied, and I quote, “because Zhou It is in this spirit that I come here to Premier of the People’s Republic of Enlai is a man I can trust”. At a time of China. And I would like to express my China, upheaval and uncertainty, Malaysia sincere appreciation to the Govern- and China laid the foundations of trust ment of the People’s Republic of Honourable Ministers, for a relationship which has advanced China for the hospitality and warmth and flourished. extended to us on this visit, and Distinguished Guests, Ladies and particularly to Premier Li Keqiang for Gentlemen, Over the past four decades, as our attending today. nations have developed, we have Da-Jia-Hao grown closer together. China is Malay- The joint communiqué we have signed sia’s largest trading partner; and further broadens and deepens coop- Forty years ago, my father set out on Malaysia is China’s largest trading eration in all areas of mutual benefit – what he called a ‘journey of goodwill, partner in ASEAN. We formed a Com- economic, tourism, financial services, to sow the seeds of mutual under- prehensive Strategic Partnership for political, cultural and military. We have standing and trust’. prosperity and growth. And last year, agreed to increase our level of trade we signed a Five Year Development and investment, enhance people to That journey led him here, to Beijing, Programme for Economic and Trade people relations, and to preserve and to this very hall. It was here that he Cooperation. peace and stability in the region. signed an agreement with Premier Zhou Enlai formally establishing diplo- As our economies grow, so too do the Today, we renew the bonds of friend- matic ties between our countries. It bonds between our people. Thou- ship that were established four was here that we began a new chapter sands of our students have made the decades ago. And as Asia assumes a in our relations. And it is here today journey to learn in a different culture, greater role in the world, we look that I feel not just the responsibility of my own son included. The ties of forward to greater co-operation in the government, but the responsibility to family and language which were service of common goals. my father – to continue his legacy and forged in the fifteenth century grow ensure the deepening of Malasia-Chi- deeper with time. There is perhaps no In years to come, we will remain na ties. better symbol of our friendship than partners for prosperity; connected by the recent arrival from China of two history and firm in our commitment to Our nations are joined by a history that giant pandas, who have become an peace. The ties that bind us will bring spans a thousand years. The friend- instant hit with the Malaysian people. stability for our region, and opportuni- ship that began during the Song dy- ty for our citizens. For as the Chinese nasty flourished under the Ming, as a Like all friendships, ours is sometimes proverb says: “If people are of one relationship built on trade was streng- tested. Malaysia was deeply sadde- heart, even the yellow earth can thened by blood – as Chinese families ned by the tragic disappearance of become gold.” made the Straits of Malacca their Flight MH370, with 50 Malaysian home. From Zheng He and the Pera- passengers and crew and 154 Chi- Thank you. nakans to Sun Yat Sen in Penang, our nese passengers on board. Facing a nations’ stories share the same cast. mystery without precedent, we were 4 bulletin@idfr.gov.my