Kota Kinabalu: Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) President Datuk Frankie Liew called on the global Chinese diaspora to seize China’s development opportunities and jointly build a future of openness, mutual benefit and shared success.
He emphasised that the global Chinese community can leverage this platform to expand cooperation with China – particularly Shanghai – in areas including trade, investment, culture, innovation, and technology.
“China can also leverage the extensive overseas Chinese network, cultural affinity, language advantage, and social connectivity to support Chinese enterprises going global, while facilitating the ‘landing’ and mutual prosperity of China-backed initiatives abroad,” he said at a forum titled “Bridging Five Continents, Sharing Opportunities at the CIIE – Advancing with China’s Opportunities”, Monday.
He highlighted that Malaysia is a multicultural nation, where ethnic Chinese make up approximately 22.6pc of the population, or about 6.9 million people. He noted that the Malaysian Chinese community is supported by a strong and well-structured network of clan associations, guilds, chambers of commerce, and community organisations.
“The Sabah China Chamber of Commerce upholds four core missions - strengthening community bonds, promoting trade and economic growth, serving society, and deepening Malaysia-China relations. We strive to be a key economic and cultural bridge between Sabah and China,” he said.
He described the Malaysian Chinese community as “an extension of Chinese civilization overseas,” enriched by a well-established Chinese education system and strong cultural heritage, making it a vital connector between China and Southeast Asia.
Frankie also underscored Malaysia’s longstanding social harmony, mutual respect among different ethnicities, and Malaysia’s deep historical ties with China. He noted that Chinese organisations play an important strategic role in advancing Malaysia-China diplomatic relations, deepening economic cooperation, and facilitating China’s major international initiatives.
“We not only help Chinese projects go global and take root locally, but also promote the integration of Chinese culture, technology, and values into local communities, strengthening mutual trust among all ethnic groups,” he said.
Addressing the topic of community unity, Datuk Frankie Liew attributed the strength of Malaysia’s Chinese organisations to shared core values and collective beliefs, founded upon three key pillars – Chinese education, Chinese community organizations, and Chinese media.
They are all upheld by five fundamental freedoms including the freedom of religion, freedom of politics, freedom of economy, freedom of association and freedom of culture and language.
“These shared principles allow us to unite in times of challenges and achieve great milestones together,” he said.
On community succession, Frankie stressed the importance of youth empowerment, noting that younger generations value innovation and global connectivity. To ensure sustainable progress, diaspora organisations must learn to trust and invest in young leaders.
“Succession is not about control, it is about empowerment. It is not about instructing, but about guiding,” he said.
He shared that the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce has established a Young Entrepreneurs Committee that grants young members full decision-making authority and leadership roles.
These young leaders have excelled in major Malaysia-China business initiatives, proving that youth, when entrusted and resourced, can bring fresh momentum and new heights to the community.
In closing, he called on the global Chinese diaspora to continue serving as bridges to the world.
“The value of the overseas Chinese community is not just connecting one diaspora to another, or one Chinese community to another - it is about connecting people, building trust, and shaping the future together.”
He urged the diaspora to unite through shared heritage and commerce, reinforcing China’s engagement with the world and forging new chapters of mutual prosperity.
One of the key events held alongside the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), the forum was organised by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, hosted by the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and the Shanghai Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.
The event gathered over 200 Chinese community leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from nearly 70 countries and regions, aiming to foster global business linkages and cultural exchange through international Chinese networks.
Amid the ongoing evolution of global economic integration, the role of overseas Chinese as vital bridges linking China and the world has become increasingly important.
The Shanghai Overseas Chinese Federation reaffirmed that diaspora networks play an essential role in advancing China’s high-level opening up and the Belt and Road Initiative.
