The friendship between China and Malaysia has deep historical roots, dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties. It flourished especially during the Ming dynasty, when the legendary Chinese navigator Zheng He undertook seven maritime expeditions. He stayed in Melaka five times, forging strong ties between the Ming dynasty and the Malacca Sultanate, which ushered in over a century of peace and prosperity.
On May 31, 1974, Malaysia made a historic move by becoming the first ASEAN country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, breaking through the Cold War barriers. In 2013, during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia, both countries agreed to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Malaysia has since become a key hub in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), playing a pioneering role in promoting mutual cooperation and reaping early benefits from this global initiative.
The year 2024 marks a milestone—the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. Over the decades, the two countries have enjoyed frequent high-level exchanges and practical cooperation across politics, economy, culture, and education. People-to-people connections have also grown significantly, exemplifying the BRI’s core spirit: a shared destiny built on mutual benefit and deep understanding between the Chinese and Malaysian people.
“Our Story”: The Belt and Road National Sharing Tour aims to showcase real-life stories and achievements through the voices of those who have participated in or benefited from China-Malaysia collaboration. These personal accounts offer Malaysians a fresh, in-depth perspective on the evolving relationship between the two nations. Through lectures, workshops, and cultural fairs, the tour highlights Malaysia’s unique strengths in business, history, culture, arts, tourism, and creative industries. The initiative helps bring local talent and stories to the forefront, creating new cultural and commercial opportunities for Malaysia’s tourism and creative sectors to shine on the international stage—especially in the Greater China market.
Guest of Honour at the Opening Ceremony:
YB Senator Tengku Zafrul, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia
H.E. Ouyang Yujing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia
Keynote Speeches:
H.E. Ouyang Yujing stated that, the joint Belt and Road journey shared by China and Malaysia is heartwarming and inspiring. He firmly believes that this cooperation holds great promise and will bring even more benefits to the people of both countries and the broader region.
YB Senator Tengku Zafrul emphasized that Malaysia, as one of the first ASEAN countries to respond to the Belt and Road Initiative, is committed to deepening its economic partnership with China. He highlighted Malaysia’s dedication to advancing transformative projects that enhance connectivity and drive economic growth.
“Our Story” Belt and Road National Sharing Tour & Workshop – Perak Stop
The Perak stop of the “Our Story” Belt and Road National Sharing Tour and Workshop was held on the afternoon of August 20, 2024, at the Ipoh Swimming Club in Perak.
This event spotlighted stories of cooperation between Malaysia and China, with a focus on the development of the tourism, cultural tourism, wellness, and tourism education industries. The workshop provided participants with deeper insights into cross-cultural exchange experiences, emerging trends in wellness and cultural tourism, and opportunities for educational collaboration. It aimed to inject fresh momentum into strengthening China-Malaysia relations and future cooperation.
The event was co-organized by the Southeast Asia Research Center for Humanities (SEARCH) and the Perak Branch of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce.
“Our Story” Belt and Road National Sharing Tour & Workshop – Penang Stop
The Penang stop of the “Our Story” Belt and Road National Sharing Tour and Workshop was held on August 22, 2024, at Han Chiang University College of Communication.
This event aimed to combine Han Chiang’s rich cultural resources with the influence of the sharing tour to explore local cultural tourism business opportunities and to tell compelling stories about Malaysia’s unique culture and high-quality tourism offerings. Through a series of talks and workshops, the event sought to uncover local talents across Malaysia in business, history, arts, culture, and creative tourism, with the goal of building cultural tourism brands for the Greater China market.
As the only higher education institution in Northern Malaysia offering Chinese-language programs from diploma to master’s level, Han Chiang University College of Communication is not only well-known in the education sector but also houses the Han Chiang Chinese Heritage Centre, which documents the history of the Chinese community in Penang and reflects the broader story of Chinese migration to Malaysia.
The event was co-organized by the Southeast Asia Research Center for Humanities (SEARCH) and Han Chiang University College of Communication.
“Our Story” China-Malaysia Belt and Road Cooperation National Sharing Tour – Muar Stop
The Muar stop of the “Our Story” China-Malaysia Belt and Road Cooperation National Sharing Tour was held on November 26, 2024, in Muar, Johor. As part of the event, distinguished guests were invited to visit the Muar Teochew-Hokkien Association to learn about its rich history, unique architectural features, and touching stories from the wartime era. Through cultural relics and exhibits, participants experienced the deep cultural exchange between China and Malaysia.
The event was co-organized by the Southeast Asia Research Center for Humanities (SEARCH) and the MaYi Tourism Information Hub, and jointly hosted by the Muar Teochew-Hokkien Association, the Malaysia Toh Clan Association, and the Muar Chinese Organizations Association. It was also supported by the Muar Chinese School Teachers’ Association and the Muar Chinese Primary School Principals’ Friendship Association.
“Our Story” Belt and Road National Sharing Tour & Workshop – Kluang Stop
The “Our Story” Belt and Road National Sharing Tour and Workshop arrived in Kluang, Johor—also known as the “Bat Town”—on November 27, 2024, and was held at the Merdeka Hotel, Kluang.
The event focused on sharing insights into Kluang’s tourism, economic, and historical development. By highlighting the richness of its multicultural heritage, the program aimed to inject new momentum into China-Malaysia cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The event was organized by the Southeast Asia Research Centre for Humanities (SEARCH).
“Our Story” Belt and Road National Sharing Tour – Sabah Stop & Closing Ceremony
The Sabah stop and closing ceremony of the “Our Story” Belt and Road National Sharing Tour successfully concluded on January 15, 2025, in Kota Kinabalu.
The event highlighted how Sabah, known to Chinese tourists for Mount Kinabalu and its unique natural landscapes, is also actively undergoing economic transformation and deepening trade and investment cooperation with China. This includes initiatives such as exporting durians and bird’s nests to Jilin, China, and leveraging Chinese herbal processing technology to develop health supplements—enhancing the value chain of local industries.
Through stories shared by beneficiaries of China-Malaysia cooperation, the event aimed to shed light on the evolving relationship and opportunities between Sabah and China, showcasing the strong ties and promising prospects ahead.
The event was jointly organized by the Southeast Asia Research Centre for Humanities (SEARCH) and the Sabah Branch of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce.
