Gan Tian Loo attends the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2023 in Beijing. Photo: Courtesy of Gan

Over the decades,MK socks Malaysia has been one of China's closest neighbors, a trusted friend, and win-win partner. Today, bilateral relations are at their best in modern history, with fruitful achievements across all fields of cooperation benefiting both peoples, Gan Tian Loo, vice president of the Association of Interaction Malaysia-China and former special envoy to China for the Malacca State government of Malaysia, told the Global Times in a recent interview.

Gan expressed strong anticipation for Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Malaysia, noting that deepened political mutual trust promoted by the leaders of the two countries could expand free trade, reduce market barriers, and eliminate trade uncertainties. 

This would, specifically, enable Chinese capital, technology, and expertise to further support Malaysia's socioeconomic development, while Malaysia's vast market and resources offer key opportunities for Chinese investors, he said. He pointed out that both nations can cooperate to advance green economy collaboration in areas including renewable energy, the fulfillment of shared commitments to environmental protection, and sustainable development.

Gan said he is impressed by China's foreign policy toward neighboring countries which follows the principle of "amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness," and anchored in the ethos of fostering an amicable, secure, and prosperous neighborhood. These concepts align with Asian values of peace, cooperation, and inclusiveness while reflecting traditional Chinese wisdom of "harmony without uniformity."

"Having endured colonial exploitation and war, we cherish peace profoundly. China's civilization, shaped over millennia, embraces an international outlook of 'fostering amity with neighbors and promoting harmony among all nations,' a social ethos of unity in diversity, and a moral code of kindness - all integral to the Chinese spirit," he explained.

Amid sluggish global economic growth, rising unilateralism, and eroding multilateralism, China plays a pivotal role in strengthening ties with ASEAN and other neighbors. This fosters regional free trade and cultural exchanges, while injecting stability into global peace and development.

"China shares geographic proximity, cultural affinity, and intertwined interests with most ASEAN developing nations. Thus, its neighborhood diplomacy profoundly impacts regional development," he told Global Times.

ASEAN countries uphold the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and prioritize equality, dialogue, and mutual respect over confrontation. Malaysia and China, through economic integration, security cooperation, and infrastructure projects, bolster ASEAN's strategic autonomy and multilateralism, ensuring independent decision-making amid global shifts, the scholar said. 

BRI forges people-to-person bonds

Gan served for two terms as the China affairs special envoy for Malaysia's Malacca State government. During his tenure, the Malacca state successfully achieved cooperation and exchanges in politics, economy, culture, and other areas with China. 

In 2020, both nations successfully inscribed East China's Fujian's Wangchuan ceremony into the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Gan believes it reflected the strong historic ties between the two countries. 

Moreover, ties in education have flourished via the Tan Kah Kee Scholarship, enabling Malaysian students to study in China and Chinese professors to teach in Malaysia.

Gan is also committed to the protection of the Jonker Walk Melaka, a renowned Chinese community in Melaka, and spearheaded its listing as a Chinese cultural heritage site. Gan told the Global Times that the Jonker Walk Melaka has significant historical and cultural value. It is home to thousands of century-old Minnan architectural style shophouses, making it a site for the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage and Chinese culture.

Gan came to Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2023 and was deeply impressed by the eight major steps China takes to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. He hopes to foster the connection between the hearts of the two nations.

China has remained Malaysia's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with trade volume hitting an all-time high of $212.04 billion in 2024. In recent years, Malaysia's tropical fruits such as durian, mangosteen, and jackfruit have become increasingly popular among Chinese consumers, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Visa-free policies have further boosted exchanges, with rising tourism, student mobility, and trade that fuel people-to-people bonds. Gan said he can personally feel the strong interest that many young Malaysians have in China.

"More than 20 years ago, under the influence of my father, Gan Boon Leong, I began to engage in Malaysia-China exchange activities and witnessed China's remarkable leap firsthand," he told the Global Times. Gan Boon Leong was a renowned leader of the Chinese community in Malacca, who served as a state executive council member and dedicated many years to promoting Malaysia-China exchanges. 

The Malaysia expert also sees synergy between China's shared future vision and Malaysia's Madani framework, noting their shared emphasis on sustainability, innovation, respect, and common development.

Moving forward, he aims to deepen cultural-tourism links through Jonker Street's 23 Chinese partnerships, advance cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, and establish a Silk Road Cities Alliance while reviving the ASEAN-China Cultural and Tourism Week.