Malaysia to highlight on public health and eradicating COVID-19 under belt and road initiative

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will emphasize the importance of balancing public health considerations and intensification of the global efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra), Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein is expected to highlight on this during the Asia and Pacific High-Level Video Conference on Belt and Road Cooperation today.

He will be participating in the video conference at the invitation of his counterpart in China, Wang Yi. The conference will focus on open, fair and non-discriminatory international cooperation on vaccines as well as, promotion of green development for sustainable and inclusive growth.

The statement said Hishammuddin would also focus on the current challenges afflicting the global vaccine equity as well as, ways to build and strengthen national resilience against the more virulent pandemics in the future.

In line with the theme of the conference, the minister will also share his reflection on the 'green development' along the peripheries of the BRI and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"The pandemic has seen a protracted and difficult struggle for the world, but Malaysia believes that the throw of innovative ideas and forward-looking green strategies will enable countries in the Asia Pacific region to better emerge from the pandemic, and position them on the road towards sustainable growth," he said.

Malaysia and China signed the 'Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Mutual Economic Development through the PRC's Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative on 13 May 2017.

In 2020, Malaysia's total trade with China expanded by 4.2%, reaching RM329.77 billion in value. The surge was mainly contributed by a 12.5% increase in value of export to China amounting to RM158.6 billion. China stood as Malaysia's largest export destination for 12 consecutive years since 2008.

-- BERNAMA