Page 9 - IDFR-Diplomatic Voice Vol 2 2014

FORUM NEWS Lee Poh Ping offered a brief review of the Malaysia-China relations since 1974 that touched upon topics like the Chinese revolution, ethnicity, econo- mics and the rise of China. Co- presenter, Professor Dr. Cheong Kee Cheok then discussed the relations between the nations in terms of the economy and politics as well as the changing dynamics in these areas that are impacting upon the relations. He quoted, “even though trade and investment are basically driven by the market, political factors obviously played a very big role.” Abdul Razak bin Hussein Al-Haj to presented factors that led to the struc- China, which paved the way to build turing of the Malaysia-China relation- The next speaker, Professor Dr. Li stronger cooperation between the two ship which has inexplicably strength- Mingjiang, spoke about China’s secu- countries, resulting in a bilateral trade ened and benefitted both countries. rity policy and its implications on volume of USD 106 billion in 2013 and Dato’ Khor Eng Hee quoted, “40 years Malaysia-China relations in the an exchange of 100 million personnel is short in the life of a nation, but 40 coming years. His presentation within a year. He also took the oppor- years is a long time in the life of a touched on four main areas; i.e. ways tunity to thank H.E. Huang Huikang, human being” and shared with the to conceptualise China’s strategic the Ambassador of China to Malaysia, audience his experience in conducting policy in East Asia, cooperation for for playing a pivotal role to help Malaysia-China relations during that competition, non-confrontational as- manage the crisis of the MH370 period. The discussion also took into sertiveness and implications for incident involving the family members account steps that had been formula- regional security. of the passengers. ted and taken to maintain and improve Malaysia-China relations. The last discussion was on Develop- H.E. Huang Huikang then delivered his ment of Malaysia-China Defense Ties: Keynote Address by recalling back the For the second session titled, 1992 to Present presented by Dr. historical ties of the two nations. He The Rise of China and Its Implications Ngeow Chow Bing. He observed that further mentioned that Malaysia and for Malaysia-China Relations: Eco- defence ties was not a priority focus China have actually worked together nomics, Political and Strategic and did not receive much attention. Dr. and collaborated in aspects of politi- Perspectives, the speakers were Ngeow suggested that having defence cal, economic and social nature on Professor Dr. Cheong Kee Cheok ties need not necessarily mean going many occasions. He further reiterated (Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of into alliance but in a sense would that the strong relationship between Economics and Administration, indicate how both countries had China and Malaysia is like ‘a brother in University of Malaya), Professor Dr. Li developed a sense of trust in one a family’ hence the resilience felt in Mingjiang (Coordinator of China another as it involved a very sensitive the bond even during such chal- Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of area of governance that is national lenging times as MH 370 crisis. International Studies, NTU, Singapore) security. He highlighted that the and Dr. Ngeow Chow Bing (Senior subject of defence would be one key In the first session titled, Revisiting 40 Research Fellow, Institute of China area to look into when assessing the Years of Malaysia-China Relations: Studies, University of Malaya). The bilateral ties of the countries. Insights from Diplomacy, the panelists session was moderated by Professor were Dato’ Khor Eng Hee (Honorary Dr. Lee Poh Ping, (Senior Research In attendance were respective Ambas- Governing Council, UNAM), Tan Sri Fellow in the Institute of China Stu- sadors and High Commissioners, Dato’ Michael Chen Wing Sum (For- dies, Universiti Malaya). The panelists government officials, academicians, mer Housing and Local Government discussed on the emerging power and think-tanks, NGOs, foreign partici- Minister) and Dato’ Abdul Majid Khan influence of China in the region and pants from the Malaysia Technical (Former Malaysian Ambassador to the rest of the world and how this has Cooperation Programme (MTCP), China and President of Malaysia- influenced the relationship between ASEAN-China young diplomats and China Friendship Association) with the two countries. members of the media. Ambassador (R) Dr. Azhari Karim mod- erating the session. The panelists As he has conducted extensive deliberated on historical aspects and research in the area, Professor Dr. DIPLOMATIC VOICE 9