CHINESE ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian said China-Malaysia ties have entered a new era, as Malaysia welcomes a “New Malaysia” with the Pakatan Harapan government.

Bai said the two countries have been closely cooperating with each other, with many opportunities for development.

He said both countries could take advantage of China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative to revitalise Asian economies, and the world’s by extension.

“A single flower does not a garden make. Even if said flower is beautiful, it cannot continue alone. China is rapidly developing, but we cannot and do not want to rely on ourselves.

“Thus, we came up with the ‘One Belt One Road; initiative, hoping that through development and the consolidation of the capabilities of various nations, each country can prosper together,” Bai said.

The ambassador’s remarks were made today at the opening of the “Building a Better Future” photo exhibition.

The exhibition was hosted by the Chinese embassy in Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysia-China Culture and Arts Association, and features 200 photographs commemorating the 40th anniversary of the reformation and opening of China, the fifth anniversary of the “One Belt One Road” initiative, and 44 years of China-Malaysia bilateral relations.

The photographs show how economic development has changed life in China in the past 40 years and the 44 years since Malaysia and China established bilateral ties.

Bai said more and more countries involved in the “One Belt One Road” initiative are already starting to reap its benefits, including Malaysia, which was one of the first countries to support the policy.

He said friendly bilateral relations between the two countries have also brought development to both Malaysia and China, improving the lives of both Chinese and Malaysian citizens.

“China is now working hard to make its ‘dual hundred-year goals’ a reality, using history as its best teacher.

“I believe we all can see from the exhibition that Malaysia and China have weathered storms and prospered together, and we can draw inspiration from these photos to work towards even greater relations between the two countries for a better future for both Malaysians and the Chinese,” Bai said.

He added that the exhibition can also help Malaysian people gain insight into China, improving bilateral ties in the process. – September 28, 2018.