The deepening exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Malaysian youths will further inject new life into the social and economic development of the two countries, said senior officials and youth representatives.
China organized a youth exchange activity in Beijing on Thursday, under which youths from China and Malaysia shared their stories of working and living in the two countries. The activity held a simultaneous online session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The activity was organized to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, also the "Year of China-Malaysia Friendship" this year. It was organized by the China Communications Construction Group and China Harbour Engineering Company, which also got support from the All-China Youth Federation and Malaysian Youth Council.
Azril Hakim, 25, from Malaysia, who is working for the East Coast Rail Link project in the country, said his learning and working experience at the project got him a strong sense of achievement. The 600-km project, contracted to China, will connect several east and west coast regions of Malaysia.
"I gained my bachelor's degree in civil engineering from University Malaysia Pahang in 2022. I became a new recruit to the rail link project under China Communications Construction Group after joining a youth exchange event that year," he said.
He said that he has received a two-month systematic training theoretically and practically from Chinese experts before taking a job at the project around late 2022. He said that he got a reward for his good performance at work last year and the prize encouraged him to improve himself.
Dang Yayun, from China Harbour Engineering Company and now a manager of the East Coast Rail Link project, said that the China Harbor has operated over 60 infrastructure projects in Malaysia from 1993, and the company has hired over 300 local staff members and trained them into skilled talent in railway engineering.
"My little daughter visited Kuala Lumpur last year and took the subway we built. She was very proud, saying 'that's the subway my father built,'" he said, adding that after working for nine years in Malaysia has made the country another "hometown" to him, and he, together with other youths, will continue to devote to the infrastructure construction and communications between China and Malaysia.
Xu Xiao, president of the All-China Youth Federation, said that China and Malaysia have deepened communications and cooperation in sectors including economy, education, culture and youth exchanges, with all reaching fruitful results.
He said that the cooperation between the two countries is closely related to livelihood and benefits of the people from the two sides, also the regional prosperity and the Global South development. "Youths are energetic and vigorous, who play an important role in advancing the bilateral ties between China and Malaysia."
The Malaysian Youth Council's president Mohd Izzat Afifi Bin Hj. Abdul Hamid stressed via video conference that strengthening bilateral relations between Malaysia and China through youth cooperation can create dynamic opportunities for both nations.
"The enduring friendship between Malaysia and China serves as a vital foundation for regional and global cooperation. By continuing to invest in youth development and fostering collaboration in areas such as technology, entrepreneurship, and green development, both nations are prepared for shared success," he added.
