Kuala Lumpur: The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) welcomed the appointment of Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing as Malaysia special envoy to China.
Its President Tan Sri T.C. Goh (pic) was convinced that being a seasoned elected representative and a member of the government, Tiong would be able to play a significant role in forging closer cooperation between Malaysia and China in tackling the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as cooperation in various sectors, post Covid-19 crisis.
“We believe Tiong’s appointment would expedite and enhance bilateral trade between Malaysia and China as well as to allow the two countries to catch up on trade which was inevitably affected due to the fight against Covid-19,” he said in a statement.
Huazong also opined that the latest portfolio offered to Tiong is more significant and appropriate compared to the post of deputy National Unity Minister in the Prime Minister's Department offered to him previously, which he declined.
Goh noted that both Malaysia and China are members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) and that bilateral trade volume was maintained at around USD100 billion, in recent years. However, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries has slowed down.
“But, we earnestly believe that, once the pandemic is fully under-controlled, our bilateral trade and cooperation in various sectors would not only see a fast recovery but also will increase and we are confident that Tiong would be able to help accelerate it,” he said.
Noting that Tiong had performed well during his tenure as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to East Asia from 2014 to 2018, Goh believed the former would be able to make good use of his vast experience and outstanding leadership to make a difference in his latest appointment.
“We also believe and hope that Tiong who is from East Malaysia (Sarawak) would be able to help both Sabah and Sarawak receive more tourists and investors from China,” added Goh who is also President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS).
He pledged that Huazong and all its member associations in the country would give Tiong their full support and cooperation in carrying out his tasks.
