He said China and Malaysia co-promoted the “Belt and Road” construction, and steadily advanced cooperation on major projects such as “Two Countries, Twin Parks” and the East Coast Rail Link which have brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries last year.

“China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years. China and Malaysia are good neighbours who have enjoyed a thousand-year-old friendship. We are good friends who understand and trust each other.

“We are also good partners who benefit from the win-win cooperation. China-Malaysia relations are one of the best among those of China-Asean countries,” he said in his speech during the China Ambassador Scholarship award presentation ceremony at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in Kampar today.

He noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of both the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, while next year will see the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Malaysia diplomatic relations.

“These are great years to further promote educational cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries,” he said.

Ouyang also said the education sector is a strong uniting factor that enhanced closer interactions and exchanges between the young people of both countries.

That is why he said the Chinese embassy established the China Ambassador Scholarship in Malaysia. A total of 259 youths from UTAR have been awarded the scholarship since it was set up in 2016.