BEIJING — “China’s continuation of opening up would definitely create better opportunities for other countries including Malaysia,” said Malaysian Ambassador to China Dato’ Zainuddin Yahya during a recent interview with Xinhuanet.

The ambassador spoke about China’s economic development, bilateral relations and other topics in the interview conducted ahead of China’s annual two sessions.

The ambassador said he is particularly interested in China’s commitment to further opening up, including facilitating its foreign trade and steadily advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, because it would provide the much-needed lift for the economies of many other countries, he explained.

According to the ambassador, the initiative has brought Malaysia and China closer in terms of economic cooperation.

He listed a number of ongoing and long-term cooperation projects between Malaysia and China, such as the twin industrial parks, namely the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park and the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park, as well as the Xiamen University Malaysia, the first overseas campus set up by a renowned Chinese university.

The promotion of people-to-people exchange through such concerted efforts between Malaysia and China will further solidify the robust bilateral relations that both countries enjoy, he said.

The ambassador praised China’s major accomplishments since the launch of reform and opening up four decades ago.

“Over the past 40 years, China has risen to become the world’s second largest economy; lifted more than 700 million Chinese people out of poverty; became a leader in technological advancement; contributed significantly to the United Nations’ endeavors; promoted social mobility and introduced global economic initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, just to name but a few,” the ambassador elaborated.

“China’s growth has presented more opportunities for other countries to forge closer economic relations and explore cooperation in wider and non-traditional areas with the world’s second largest economy,” he added.