On 1 March 2017, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) Secretary-General, met with Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lim Gait Tong, Chairman of China-ASEAN Business Association, Malaysia (CABA Malaysia) and Chairman &Chief Executive of Farlim Group (Malaysia) Bhd, in Kuala Lumpur. Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal Rawther, Deputy Chairman of CABA Malaysia, Mr. Lim Chu Dick, Executive Director of Farlim Group Bhd, Mr. Teh Eng Hin, Chairman of Penang Chinese Town Hall, Mr. Lim Chuan Boon, General Manager of Farlim Group (China) Co. Ltd., Mr. Cheah Eng Aun, personal assistant to Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lim Gait Tong, attended the meeting.

Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lim Gait Tong briefed on the functions of CABA Malaysia, its major activities, and the business it had started in Malaysia and Dezhou City, Shandong Province.

He said that ASEAN countries, as China’s good neighbours and important trade partners, have made extensive responses to the “Belt and Road” Initiative. The series of cooperation projects in economy and trade agreed by the leaders of both sides have brought about tangible benefits to ASEAN enterprises. ASEAN entrepreneurs, who have foreseen the huge potential and broad prospects of the Chinese market, stand ready to make contributions to the sustained development of Malaysia-China and ASEAN-China economic and trade relations. Chairman Lim expressed appreciation for the achievements of ASEAN-China practical cooperation in various fields and looked forward to greater support and assistance from ACC.

Secretary-General Yang set a high value on the positive roles and achievements of CABA Malaysia and Chairman Lim himself in promoting Malaysia-China and ASEAN-China practical cooperation in economy and trade. She outlined ACC’s mandates and recent work, noting that 2017 is the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and the Year of ASEAN-China Tourism Cooperation, which implies new opportunities for the development of ASEAN-China relations. ACC will continue to play its role as a bridge and enhance communication with CABA Malaysia to facilitate cooperation and synergy between the businesses of both sides so as to concert efforts to help ASEAN-China practical cooperation in relevant fields reach a new height.