Potential boost for BRI project as China, Malaysia mark 50 years of ties

Chinese Premier’s visit symbolic of Beijing’s backing for rail deal amid extension pitch

- Shannon Teoh

Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s arrival in Kuala Lumpur on June 18 for a visit marks half a century of bilateral ties that has seen China dominate as Malaysia’s top trading partner for the past 15 years.

Most observers are expecting predictable outcomes from Mr Li’s working schedule from June 19 to 20, which will include meetings with both Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Malaysia’s King, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.

These outcomes will likely comprise more economic diplomacy in the form of memorandums of understanding across various industries, as well as fanfare to commemorate five decades since then Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein took the bold step of establishing formal ties between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing on May 31, 1974.

Yet, one event on the agenda could prove a bright spark.

What appears to be a run-of-the-mill photo opportunity on June 19 could mark a potential boost for a signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project.

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said Premier Li will attend a “ground-breaking ceremony” at the Gombak construction site of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), which is being built by a Chinese firm with funds from a Chinese bank.

This is despite the 665km cross-country line being already two-thirds complete.