"In recent years, Malaysia and China have had frequent high-level exchanges and close personnel ties, maintaining close cooperation in areas such as trade, culture and education," Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said in a recent interview with our reporter.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, and Loke described bilateral relations in recent years as "very good." In his view, the two countries share similar development philosophies and broad common interests. "China's development experience is worth learning from, especially in improving people's living standards."

Last October, Loke traveled to China to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. He said that under the Belt and Road cooperation framework, China provides technical assistance and financing support to partner countries, helping local infrastructure development. "This offers opportunities for partner countries to achieve economic transformation and development."

Loke said: "Belt and Road cooperation helps build a transport connectivity network, promotes unimpeded trade between China and partner countries, and expands markets for all participants." Citing the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor as an example, he said that goods from Malaysia can now be shipped from Kuantan Port on the east coast to Qinzhou Port in Guangxi, China, and then transferred to freight trains to reach western China and other regions. "With the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, the time it takes for Malaysian goods to reach China has been greatly shortened, and it has also opened up more inland markets in China for us."

"For many years, many large-scale projects in Malaysia have involved Chinese companies. The East Coast Rail Link project under construction in Malaysia has become a flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries," Loke said. "We look forward to Belt and Road cooperation helping Malaysia's development reach a new level."

At the end of last year, China implemented a unilateral visa-free entry policy for six countries, including Malaysia. Malaysia subsequently announced visa-free facilitation measures for Chinese citizens for stays of up to 30 days. "The visa-free policy has had a positive impact on the development and prosperity of tourism in both countries," Loke said. Since the policy took effect, Chinese tourists have averaged more than 270,000 arrivals per month, giving strong impetus to the potential of Malaysia's consumption, accommodation, catering and other sectors.

Loke believes that the growing number of Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia will boost Malaysia's transport industry, especially aviation. He said the number of passenger flights between the two countries is increasing, with Chinese cities such as Chengdu and Xi'an opening new direct routes to Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur. "This helps expand Malaysia's tourism market and provides more Chinese people with a way to learn about Malaysia directly."

Over the past more than 20 years, Loke has visited China many times and has been deeply impressed by China's development and changes. He said China has the world's largest high-speed rail network and expressway network, among others, and Malaysia and China have enormous room for cooperation in these areas. In the face of the current turbulent international situation, both countries are committed to maintaining peace and stability. "We hope the two countries can further strengthen cooperation and jointly safeguard regional security."