By Hu Guangyao, Zhao Bochao
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 10 (Xinhua)-- Peace, stability and economic growth in the Asia Pacific region require an active and engaged China, and Malaysia looks forward to working with China in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and beyond, to further this agenda, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has said.
China continues to play a positive and constructive role in the Asia Pacific region, Najib told Xinhua in a recent interview, ahead of his trip to Beijing for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on Nov. 10-11.
Since China joined the WTO and hosted APEC for the first time in 2001, its economy has expanded to become one of the major trading nations and investment destinations in the world, Najib said. "This year, China is hosting APEC for the second time. It has outlined several important priorities that will further strengthen and deepen regional economic integration. These include initiatives to promote global value chain development and cooperation for mutual economic benefits. Malaysia supports these initiatives," he added.
Najib said he fully supports China in holding the APEC Economic Leaders'Meeting and they are very appreciative of China's intensive and tireless efforts to prepare a first class meeting. Referring to the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting as an important forum for exchanging views on trade, investment and common interests, he said that only by exchanging dialogue can they discover shared areas of mutual benefit. "In Beijing, thanks to the Chinese good will and initiative, APEC will continue to be an important conduit for enhancing economic growth and prosperity in the region, and strengthening the Asia-Pacific community,"the prime minister said.
Najib spoke highly of APEC's role in promoting free trade and economic cooperation in the Asia Pacific region, saying it has become an important forum where leaders can meet to discuss the best way forward in terms of regional economic integration.
The Malaysian prime minister said that promoting innovation- driven development with emphasis on science and technology, e- commerce and Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs) is a priority for APEC and its members. "We can do more to develop this sector by creating a more favorable innovation ecosystem, strengthening the role of innovation as a global value and production chain, and promoting entrepreneurial innovation through fiscal and financial policy measures,"he said.
As to the initiatives put forward by the Chinese leadership, such as building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, upgrading China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) and establishing an Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Najib said that these initiatives demonstrate China's strong leadership and commitment to a stronger and more prosperous Asia Pacific region. "As a friend and partner in the pursuit of peace and prosperity in the region, Malaysia welcomes China's views, ideas and engagement,"he said.
As a founding member of AIIB, Malaysia signed the Memorandum of Understanding in Beijing on Oct. 24. Najib said he believes that by helping to invest in infrastructure projects in Asia, the AIIB can play a critical role in raising living standards and developing the region.
The prime minister said that as vocal proponent of free trade, Malaysia is in favor of upgrading the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. "Once negotiations are concluded -- hopefully by the end of 2015- - we seek to achieve 1 trillion U.S. dollars in two-way trade by 2020. I expect these initiatives to bring greater prosperity to the region as a whole, both in the medium and in the long-term,"he said.
As to the initiative of establishing the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Najib said the rejuvenation of the Maritime Silk Road will bring enormous business opportunities for both China and Malaysia, and both countries should seize the opportunity to expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
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