The Fifth World Presidents’ Conference and Economic Forum, as well as the “Celebrating 50 Years of Malaysia-China Diplomatic Relations” Gala Dinner, were held grandly in Kuala Lumpur on December 2, 2024. The event was jointly organized by the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Malaysia-China Friendship Association, and Malaysia Chinese Enterprises Association. The conference, themed “Promoting Trade Liberalization and Advancing Economic Globalization,” gathered over 500 presidents and entrepreneurs from around the world. It also celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, further deepening cooperation under the “Belt and Road Initiative.”
Image 1: Opening ceremony of the 5th (2024) World Presidents’ Conference
This conference, which was previously hosted four times in Hangzhou, China, marked the first time the event was held overseas, with Malaysia chosen as the venue. This signifies a strong recognition of the development of Malaysia-China relations and Malaysia’s important position in regional cooperation.
Image 2: Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia II, Dato Sri Haji Fadillah Yusof, Presides Over the Opening Ceremony
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Dato Sri Haji Fadillah Yusof, presided over the opening ceremony, emphasizing that 50 years of economic and trade cooperation between Malaysia and China had established a solid foundation. Moving forward, there is a need to strengthen cooperation in areas such as free trade and sustainable development to inject new vitality into the regional economy.
In the morning, the forum focused on economic globalization under the “Belt and Road” initiative, with participants discussing key topics such as free trade, international cooperation, and sustainable development. Several business leaders shared insights on the opportunities and challenges brought by the “Belt and Road” initiative, stressing the importance of regional cooperation and multilateral trade in the current global economic landscape.
Image 3: Dr. Wee Ka Siong, President of the Malaysian Chinese Association and Conference Chairman, delivers the opening speech
Dr. Wee Ka Siong, President of the MCA, who also served as the conference chairman, emphasized the role of the World Presidents’ Conference as a platform for exchanging experiences and promoting international cooperation. He highlighted that this event, at the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic ties, aimed to take bilateral relations to new heights.
The evening gala dinner, attended by Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Ahmad Zahid and other distinguished guests, commemorated the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations and featured a speech reflecting on the historic journey of their bilateral friendship.
Among the distinguished guests was Mr. Sun Jianwei, President of the Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association, who has been committed to fostering economic and cultural exchanges between Malaysia and China. His presence added valuable insights into the private sector’s role in promoting economic cooperation. Mr. Sun also had in-depth discussions with fellow participants about how to support Jiangsu enterprises in expanding their operations in Malaysia and emphasized the significance of cross-regional collaboration for bilateral prosperity.
Image 4: Mr. Sun Jianwei, President of the Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association, attends the event
Image 5: President Mr. Sun Jianwei with Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and Dr. Wee Ka Siong, President of the Malaysian Chinese Association, posing for a photo
The event successfully showcased the deep friendship between Malaysia and China and laid a strong foundation for future cooperation across trade, culture, and other sectors, offering a platform for businesses to access international markets and explore broader prospects for collaboration.
