On the afternoon of January 18, 2024, China International Engineering Consulting Corporation (CIECC) formalized an agreement with Cyberview Sdn Bhd, Skymind Holdings Berhad, and Skyvast, three Malaysian enterprises, by signing a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) in Beijing. This collaboration aims to foster the development of the Malaysian Innovation Economy Corridor and Cyberjaya City Center. CIECC Chairman Gou Husheng, and H.E Dato’ Norman Muhamad, the Malaysian Ambassador to China graced the signing ceremony and engaged in discussions. Dou Hao, Executive Director of CIECC Academy of Strategic Studies, presided over the session.

Gou Husheng welcomed H.E Dato’ Norman Muhamad’s delegation, sharing insights into CIECC’s history, achievements and strategic plans. He referenced the meeting in March 2023 between China’s President Xi Jinping and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, which set the stage for a strengthened partnership and a new era in Sino-Malaysian relations. As China’s top trading partner within ASEAN and a key node in the Belt and Road Initiative, Malaysia’s deeper collaboration with China promises mutual growth opportunities. Since engineering consultation represents an important platform for international cooperation, the MoC signifies a milestone in Sino-Malaysian relations and launches a new phase for collaboration between CIECC and Malaysian government and businesses.

Gou recognized Cyberjaya as a pivotal innovation and digital economy hub in Malaysia, which has seen considerable progress over two decades. As China and Malaysia commemorate 50 years of diplomatic ties, CIECC’s involvement in Cyberjaya’s development is a point of pride. The corporation aims to utilize its national consulting expertise and think tank resources to contribute to the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” initiative (China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park [CMQIP] and Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park [MCKIP]). Guided by the consensus between the countries’ national leaders, CIECC plans to coordinate with the Malaysian government and companies on infrastructure, intelligent manufacturing, digital economy and green energy projects. By leveraging the Malaysian Innovation Economy Corridor, it seeks to establish new cooperative frameworks between the CMQIP and the MCKIP and ensure the MoC’s objectives are realized, thereby energizing the bilateral prosperity and development.

H.E Dato’ Norman Muhamad stated that the friendship between Malaysia and China is longstanding and their cooperative foundation is increasingly firm. China holds the position of Malaysia’s largest trading partner, with bilateral cooperation enriching various industries across both nations. Cyberjaya stands as a critical high-tech hub in Malaysia. The deep collaboration with CIECC in fields like high-tech and artificial intelligence marks a significant step in realizing President Xi Jinping’s vision for a high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in “promoting technological innovation”in “the Eight Actions”, and also represents a new milestone in China-Malaysia cooperation.

He observed that the memorandum’s signing is a key outcome in the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China. He expressed hope that it would serve to deepen economic exchange and collaboration between the nations. Malaysia intends to utilize its platform resources to draw more Chinese enterprises to invest in Cyberjaya, to share developmental opportunities and achieve mutual benefits under the Belt and Road framework.

Niqman Rafaee M. Sahar, the Malaysian Minister Counselor and Commercial Commissioner in China, mentioned the significant potential for cooperation in green energy, sustainable development, steel, industrial materials, artificial intelligence and robotics between the two countries. Malaysia seeks to engage actively in cooperative ventures in line with China’s 14th Five-Year Plan. He anticipates that CIECC will use its extensive experience in science and technology parks and digital economies to support Malaysia in planning major projects, aiding the growth of Malaysia’s nascent industries.

During the meeting, Du Zhenli, the Chief Consultant of CIECC, briefed on the company’s role in consulting on the Belt and Road Initiative. Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad, CEO of Cyberview, and Eow Wan Lin, APAC General Manager of Skymind, outlined Cyberjaya’s prospects, their company profiles and visions for cooperation.

Participants also included Chairman Dato' Romli Ishak and Deputy General Manager Auni Alias from Cyberview, Skymind Director and Skyvast CEO Shawn Tan Ying Xiang, Skymind’s APAC Vice President Rafe Azsnal and Raja Ahmad Shahrir Iskandar Bin Raja Salim, CEO of Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB), along with officials from relevant departments of both sides, who engaged in productive discussions.