Dr. M-Xi talks about going beyond troubled projects – Nation



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When Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will visit Beijing next month to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two leaders should resolve most of the contentious issues that threaten to undermine bilateral cooperation.

The same goal to rid their countries of corruption, should spark political wisdom and pragmatism when holding talks on bilateral and regional issues, according to observers from China and Asia.

million. Xiang should warmly welcome Dr. Mahathir. had described in 2013 as "the old friend of the Chinese people" for his contributions to strengthening Sino-Malaysian ties when he was Malaysian Prime Minister for the first time in 1981-2003.

The Chinese President paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Mahathir on October 5, 2013, during his official visit to Malaysia to meet with former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Although Dr. Mahathir was then a former prime minister, Xi's visit was reported. y CCTV of China. During his previous reign, the Malaysian leader had supported Beijing on many international issues. "Mahathir's plan to visit China shows that he is thinking highly of China and would like to deepen his cooperation with Beijing," said Gu Xiaosong Asean Studies at the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, said at China Global Times last weekend.

"Tun Mahathir has good personal relations with President Xi and he understands the importance of guanxi, but if some issues can be settled by the two leaders, others will have to go through diplomatic channels." , says a source close to Dr. Mahathir

economist Lee Heng Guie, executive director of the Socio-Economic Research Center (SERC), sees the urgency of resolving outstanding issues regarding megaprojects related to China.

"The two leaders will focus on local projects involving China and, if necessary, renegotiate the terms.In the end, Malaysia hopes to reach a fair and mutually beneficial deal with Beijing without forcing relations," he said. declared Lee Sunday Star

Datuk Keith Li, president of the China Entrepreneurs Association in Malaysia, believes that the bilateral meeting will be cordial despite the problems encountered by Chinese projects.

He states: "At During this visit, Mahathir could show the political wisdom to erase his "anti-China" image by hosting Chinese investments while seeking Xi's help on examining Chinese projects in Malaysia. The two leaders will shake hands with each other as they need the support of each other on the international level.

Dr. Mahathir, once the idol of Chinese nationals for his rhetoric against the West, gave the impression of being "anti-China". the general election of 9 May.

He had spoken of his concerns about China's high borrowing to build rails and other infrastructure, and had threatened to cancel or revise Chinese projects in Malaysia as he arrived. in power.

But he also said that he was supporting China's Belt and Road Initiative and revealed that he had already written to Xi "about the need for the land link with Europe" .

And after he became prime minister for the second time on May 10, he toned down his rhetoric On China

Without a doubt, both leaders will have to address critical issues about Chinese projects in Malaysia – especially the East Coast Rail Link RM55bil (ECRL), which was released a work stoppage last week. 19659002] The other two projects that experienced the same fate were the Multi-Product Pipeline (MPP) and Trans-Sabah Pipeline Projects (TSGP), which cost about RM 9.4 billion for their construction.

related projects, approved by the previous government, are now under scrutiny. In the case of ECRL, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng revealed last Monday that the final cost of building the ECRL would total RM81bil rather than RM55bil indicated by

In addition, the mode of payment for construction ECRL, business by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), defies customary practice because the payment is made on the basis of the schedule, no progress of work. It is also suspected that some payments for the construction of the ECRL would be used to pay off debts of 1MDB, which is the most explosive corruption scandal responsible for the Najib government's collapse in the May 9 elections.

Analysts believe that Beijing will be ready to renegotiate the terms of this government-to-government project [en chinois]

. , would allow China to bypass Singapore when transporting its exports and imports from Port Klang to Kuantan port, and vice versa.

Adjacent to the port is the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park, another G-to-G project "Since President Xi has taken a strong anti-corruption stance, he should be happy to meet Dr. M who had won the elections on promises to rid Malaysia of kleptocracy

. "President Xi could take the opportunity to show the world and its citizens that Beijing does not support tainted transactions, especially those conducted in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative, "said a Chinese observer in Kuala Lumpur, Ngeow Chow Bing, deputy director of the Department of Chinese Studies at Malaya University, said the megaproject issues would not hurt Promoting Malaysia and China

China regards Malaysia as a trusted friend and has made this small but important neighbor its "global strategic partner." Malaysia has benefited special treatment.

Chinese investment started to flow in Malaysia after this improvement. Total annual bilateral trade has reached $ 100 billion (RM4.04bil). Foreign investment from mainland China now occupies an important place among foreign investment.

On the basis of close ties, more Chinese tourists have invaded Malaysia for durian, beaches, culture and food. The importance of close bilateral relations … The renegotiation of the terms of the agreements of some megaprojects will be a difficult question, but I do not think the two sides will want to stop it and would like to go from there. before. "

Dr. Oh Ei Sun, another Chinese observer, said that Malaysia could seize this opportunity to tell China that its concept of building railways to stimulate economic activity might not be fully applicable to Malaysia

Chinese FDI, its current priority is to reduce Malaysia's national debt estimated at RM 1 trillion.

What Malaysia needs is direct investment, especially from China's high tech sector, to observe and stimulate the real economy.Therefore, Dr. Mahathir is pleased to see the entrance of Alibaba Malaysia

. Academic says: "I expect the two leaders to be open and candid about their expectations and preferences as they enter the next stage of development of bilateral relations. While in Beijing, Dr. Mahathir will likely reiterate Malaysia's position to support the Belt and Road initiative to boost international trade and the economy through rail and port connectivity.

The new Prime Minister, Mr. Mahathir, should reaffirm China's commitments to Najib to buy "limitless" palm oil, encourage its tourists to visit Kuala Lumpur, support the Malaysian economy and buy State bonds (MSG). [19659002CommuneChinaisheprincipalmarketingpartnerandinvestingprincipalofMalaysianMalaysianMinaisielneabesinPinin

The new commodities minister, Teresa Kwok, has asked Beijing to turn to Malay palm oil.

Palm oil exports and prices have fallen in recent weeks due to weak demand and nervousness caused by the trade war. This has affected the livelihoods of more than one million Malaysians.

China is the third largest importer of palm oil products and palm oil in Malaysia, importing 1.92 million tons. As tourism can have an immediate impact on Malaysia's earnings, analysts believe that a quick withdrawal of the visa requirement for Chinese nationals will excite the local tourism sector.

If Xi shows good will in advising his client. For tourists on holiday in Malaysia, Chinese tourists could easily grow to six million a year, compared with less than three million last year. This is because the Chinese have a great respect for their leader.

The potential for Malaysia to attract more outbound Chinese tourists is high because only 10% of the 13 billion Chinese people own passports. The first outgoing traveler is heading normally to the countries of Southeast Asia.

Although Malaysia is only a small nation, it is strategically located in Southeast Asia and China can expect that country to confirm its international support. This expectation on Dr. Mahathir is realistic, given that he is still considered retaining his pro-Asian stance.

But in the South China Sea, Beijing may have to adjust its expectations in Kuala Lumpur.

New Malaysia has declared its position opposite to the presence of foreign warships in the South China Sea.

Defense Minister Mohamad Sabu said the presence of various warships could lead to military conflict in resource-rich waters.

It is clear that US warships are "foreign", but it is not known whether Chinese warships are considered "foreign".

The Chinese Navy conducted exercises in the South China Sea to simulate an air attack. This followed the operation of the US Navy's navigation freedom in January near Scarborough Shoal that China claims to be its territorial seas.

Although under the previous administration, Malaysia remained silent about Chinese military construction in the South China Sea. can not be shared by the new regime.

In dealing with China on the South China Sea, the whole of Asean was divided. In previous meetings, the group had not managed to express a common position in its communiqué.

"The meeting of Tun M and President Xi could be a historic opportunity for China to promote a lasting order that is not needed China Overall, I am cautiously optimistic about this issue ", Says Dr. Ngeow

but he thinks that the affairs of Asean will not be an obstacle for both countries to deepen their relations.

Global Times it is a Views shared by analysts in China: Sino-Malaysian relations will not be affected by differences over issues relating to the South China Sea.

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