By Zhao Yunfei

In 2012, a bold new chapter in Malaysia-China relations began. That year saw the birth of the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park (CMQIP) in Guangxi, a city humming with ambition and potential.

Just one year later, its twin was unveiled in Malaysia - the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) in the quiet coastal city of Kuantan. Together, they form what has become a model of modern cross-border cooperation: the “Two Countries, Twin Parks.”

From Qinzhou to Kuantan: A Tale of Two Parks

CMQIP, situated in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has flourished over the years into a dynamic hub for sectors like biomedicine, IT, equipment manufacturing, and renewable energy. For Min Bo, general manager of Guangxi FTZ Jianju Technology Company, the park is more than just a place to do business - it’s a launch pad for regional expansion.

“We are now establishing ourselves in the domestic market. We are also having discussions with organizations about promoting our technologies to some ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam and Malaysia,” Min Bo told CGTN.

On the Malaysian side, the MCKIP is situated in Pahang’s East Coast Economic Region and benefits directly from its proximity to the Kuantan Port. As a flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project, MCKIP serves as a base for industrial capacity cooperation.

For more than a decade, the twin parks have made impressive strides: CMQIP has signed 249 projects with total fixed asset investment nearing 29.5 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion US dollars), and industrial output reaching 93.8 billion yuan. MCKIP has signed 13 projects, attracting over 44 billion yuan in investments and generating more than 60 billion yuan in industrial output.

Echoes from the Top: A Vision Shared by Leaders

The model of “Two Countries, Twin Parks” reflects a shared vision backed by the highest levels of leadership. On September 20, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim met in Beijing to reinforce this very vision.

Xi lauded the long-standing friendship between the two nations, emphasising that China and Malaysia are neighbours across the sea with a deep bond and mutual trust.

China is ready to work with Malaysia to carry forward fine traditions and be close neighbours of everlasting friendship, sincere partners in joint development, trusted friends with brotherly relations, and an important force for peace, the president said.

He also reaffirmed China’s commitment to synergising development strategies with Malaysia, strengthening high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and elevating the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” project to new heights. From new energy to education, and from agriculture to digital economy, Xi underlined the vast scope for deepening cooperation.

For his part, Sultan Ibrahim said Malaysia regards China as a reliable partner and is committed to fostering a strong partnership with China, achieving shared progress, and becoming a companion on the path to modernisation.

The King pointed out that Malaysia was not only one of the first ASEAN countries to establish diplomatic ties with China but also the first to elevate that relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Kuantan’s Rise: Infrastructure Meets Opportunity

While much of the Malaysia-China friendship is rooted in shared values and diplomacy, some of its most tangible benefits lie along the Malaysian east coast. Kuantan Port - a port that once stood in the shadow of the country's more established west coast harbors - is now brimming with strategic promise.

The transformation began when China’s Beibu Gulf Port Group became a shareholder in 2013. Since then, the partnership between Chinese and Malaysian stakeholders has brought life back into the port. Today, it serves as a vital pathway connecting Malaysia with East Asian markets, including China, and forms a crucial part of the MCKIP ecosystem.

The port’s integration with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a mega project built by China Communications Construction Company, will soon become part of Malaysia’s regional and global trade strategy. This is more than just steel and logistics; it’s a pivot point in Malaysia’s economic growth.

Malaysia’s Minister of International Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz sees this transformation as a testament to long-term, mutually beneficial engagement.

“We have built over the last 50 years a very strong not just diplomatic relationship, but also a trade and economic relationship. What's important is that we are seeing a growing,” Tengku Zafrul told CGTN.

He pointed to a thriving ecosystem of Chinese companies in Malaysia - from solar companies to tech giants like Huawei - who not only bring investment but also build capacity through local partnerships.

A Relationship Built to Last: Trade, Culture, and People

May 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China - a relationship that has grown more robust with each passing year. Last year was also designated the “Year of China-Malaysia Friendship,” a fitting tribute to decades of trust, cooperation, and mutual respect.

The numbers tell a story of economic interdependence. China has been Malaysia’s top trading partner for 16 consecutive years since 2009. In 2024 alone, bilateral trade reached a record-breaking 212.04 billion US dollars - a figure that reflects not just raw commerce, but decades of shared growth.

But beyond the numbers lies a rich tapestry of cultural and people-to-people exchanges. This isn't merely a transactional relationship; it is one built on shared aspirations. As both nations push forward in their modernisation journeys, they are discovering not just mutual opportunity, but mutual inspiration.

The success of the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” model is not just a win for industrial parks in Qinzhou and Kuantan - it’s a symbol of what can be achieved when diplomacy, infrastructure, and shared values intersect. It has allowed both countries to explore not just economic synergy but also educational, technological, and cultural alignment.

“We must understand also not forget that actually, globalisation is important as it brings prosperity and peace,” said Tengku Zafrul. “Malaysia and China can play a role to encourage more trade through the multilateral agreements… Trade is good for global growth, global prosperity, and global peace.”

As the world faces rising protectionism and global fragmentation, Malaysia and China have chosen a different path - one that embraces multilateralism, regional integration, and long-term planning.

-- BERNAMA

Zhao Yunfei is a journalist for CGTN