On November 17, the 7th China-Malaysia International Seminar on “The Belt and Road Initiative: Maritime Silk Road”, co-hosted by Huaqiao University (HQU) and Malaysia Southern University College (SUC), was conducted in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Centered around the theme of “The 10th Anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative: Achievements and Prospects”, experts, academics, and business elites from China and Malaysia engaged in extensive discussions on the notable achievements and profound impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in its first decade. They also crafted a forward looking road map to uncover emerging trends and opportunities for BRI collaboration between the two nations.

At the opening ceremony, Dato’ Vincent Tan Meng Seng, Chairman of the Board of Directors at SUC, highlighted that 2023 signifies not only the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative but also a decade of the Malaysia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The compilation of papers presented in this Seminar spans various domains such as economy, politics, culture, and education. These contributions aim to comprehensively encapsulate the significant milestones and far-reaching impact stemming from the collaborative efforts in constructing the BRI over the past decade, offering valuable recommendations and intellectual backing for fostering continued BRI cooperation between both nations.

Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Xu Peiyuan, Dean of HQU Maritime Silk Road Institute, emphasized Malaysia’s early and proactive engagement in the joint construction of the BRI. Highlighting the progress achieved by China and Malaysia in areas such as “policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds”, Xu envisioned the next decadeas a golden era for the high-quality collaboration under BRI. This phase aims to deepen expand, and enhance cooperation, reaping even greater rewards. The Seminaris expected to significantly contribute to China-Malaysia BRI cooperation, foster the development of a shared future for the China-Malaysia community, and strengthen the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

During the Seminar, Xu Peiyuan, Dato Lai Bingrong, Academician of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), and Zhang Tiancai, Deputy director of the University of Malaya’s Institute of China Studies (ICS), delivered keynote speeches.

Over the past few years, collaboration between HQU and Malaysian universities has experienced consistent and robust growth, yielding substantial outcomes in areas such as talent training, scientific research, cultural exchange and the establishment of think tanks. Commencing in 2016, the joint efforts of HQU and SUC have yielded a series of successful China-Malaysia International Seminars on “The Belt and Road: Maritime Silk Road”. These events have become a regular fixture, wielding considerable influence in both China and Malaysia. They stand as a pivotal platform facilitating profound exchanges and pragmatic collaboration between the respective think tanks of these two nations.

HQU Prof. Xu Peiyuan Delivers a Keynote Speech at the Seminar

Group Photo of the Seminar

（Editor: Wei Linying）