An organisation called the Cheng Ho Multicultural, Friendship and Business Association will be set up for Malaysian and Chinese businessmen to enhance mutual cooperation, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former prime minister announced this after a private meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping at the Shangri-La Hotel here yesterday.
“The association is named in remembrance of the contributions of Admiral Cheng Ho,” he said, referring to the famous Ming Dynasty admiral who docked at Malacca at least five times during his seven voyages and established the first link between China and Malaysia.
Dr Mahathir, who said Xi expressed support for the inception of the association, wanted to see more Chinese investments here as Malaysian investments in China were much higher.
Xi, in his keynote address at the Malaysia-China Economic Forum on Friday, encouraged Chinese companies to actively participate in Malaysian development projects.
Dr Mahathir said he had also discussed the congestion in the Straits of Malacca.
“We need to reduce the number of ships passing through the strait by building a pipeline in the north to take oil and other products across the peninsula without having to go around the peninsula.
“Xi said he would consider this and see how he can support it,” he said.
On territorial disputes in the South China Sea, he said this was not discussed specifically but they agreed that all disputes should be settled through peaceful negotiations and dialogue.
Asli chief executive officer Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, who was at the meeting, said Xi had started off by saying Dr Mahathir was a very highly regarded senior statesman.
“He said he held Dr Mahathir in great respect and esteem. Xi came across as very friendly and knowledgeable,” he said.
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