KUALA LUMPUR, : The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) has hoped that the government through its close bilateral ties and strategic partnership with China, could quickly bring in more China-produced Covid-19 vaccine, so as to expedite flattening of the Covid-19 curves.
Its President, Tan Sri T.C Goh said while he realised that China has recently agreed to assist Malaysia with the Covid-19 vaccine production through the ‘fill and finish’ method in Malaysia, nonetheless, in view of the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country, it is urgent that the government must step up effort to bring in more China vaccine, in order to better fight the pandemic.
Goh who is also a director of the Malaysia China Business Council (MCBC) cum chairman of its Bilateral Policies Committee, said this while commenting on the positive and encouraging outcome of the discussion held between Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his China counterpart, Li Keqiang, which was held via video conference on Friday.
He was especially delighted to note both leaders’ pledge to further strengthen the existing bilateral ties, and to boost cooperation and collaborations in various aspects, which include trade and economy, e-commerce, digital economy, advanced technology, agriculture and food production, food safety and production of Covid-19 vaccine.
“As acknowledged by our prime minister that China was the first country to extend aid to Malaysia in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, we hope Malaysia could step up efforts to bring in more China vaccines to expedite our national immunization program,” said Goh.
Meanwhile, Li too acknowledged that Malaysia was the first country to sign the agreement to collaborate with China in Covid-19 vaccine production.
Goh who is also President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) also opined that Chinese nationals currently living and working in Malaysia too should be given free vaccination by Malaysian government, in reciprocation of the free vaccination given by Chinese government to Malaysians who are currently working and living in China.
He was also delighted to note the fruitful outcome of the recent meeting held between Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and his Chinese counterpart — state councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Fujian, China, in early last month, which include the establishment of a high-level committee to promote greater cooperation, between Malaysia and China, in the post-Covid-19 era. Among the cooperation discussed include trade and investment, commodity, food security, science, technology and innovation, travel facilitation and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, besides containment of Covid-19.-pr/BNN
