PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged China to reinvigorate its Belt and Road Initiative by encouraging collaboration among countries.

Speaking at the Boao Forum for Asia 2023 in Hainan, China today (March 31), Anwar said translating lofty ideals into practical reality, solidarity and cooperation is best exemplified in the realisation of the Belt and Road Initiative.

“With the pandemic behind us, we should try to regain its momentum,” he said.

The prime minister’s call for revival of China’s infrastructure collaboration with developing nations is indicative of Malaysia’s efforts to re-engage with the world’s second-largest economy which emerged from the pandemic towards the tail-end of 2022.

According to Anwar, countries must prevent competition in the technology and semiconductor industries from raising costs and obstructing progress, as nations seek to protect their intellectual property rights and stay ahead of rivals.

“Let me reiterate that unfettered competition must give way to spirited collaboration,” he said.

Anwar is on a four-day official visit to China, which is reported to be the first by a Malaysian leader since former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s trip back in April 2019.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry said earlier that Anwar and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss a wide range of issues when they meet, including the battle against corruption, malpractices and abuse of power.

They are also expected to talk about civilisation issues as the prime minister’s Malaysia Madani and Xi’s Community of Shared Future for Mankind concepts are closely inter-related.

China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009, and total trade between the two nations reached RM487.1 billion in 2022.

China was also the top investor in Malaysia last year, contributing 21% of the RM264.6 bil investments the country approved in 2022. - March 30, 2023

https://focusmalaysia.my/reinvigorate-belt-and-road-initiative-by-urging-collaboration-among-countries-pm-tells-china/