Participants of the inaugural round-table discussion on BRI initiatives.
(From left): Mr Hng Gaik Hong, Mr Yap Hoon Lun, Dr Foo Lee Peng, Dr Chin Mui Yin, Assoc Prof Wong Hwa Kiong, Prof Lei Xinjun, Assoc Prof Dr Ng Swee Chin, Prof Shen Kaiyen, Mr Lee Yoon Heng, Prof Wang Hongxia and Dr Goh Hong Lip.

Prof Ir Dr Lee chairing the discussion.

 Participants of the round-table discussion actively exchanging their views.

The Inaugural Round-table Discussion on Belt & Road Initiative (‘BRI’), co-organised by Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (‘TAR UC’) and Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (‘SASS’), was held on 27 August 2019 at TAR UC Kuala Lumpur Main Campus.

“Malaysia and China have a long-standing relationship as partners in the development of BRI over the years,” said Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UC in his welcome speech. “This close relation is further enhanced by language and cultural similarities between both countries.”

Engaging speakers from diverse backgrounds, the discussion touched on topics relating to the BRI, namely the Bilateral Trade and FDI Relationship between Malaysia and China; the Intra-ASEAN Community and its Development, as well as Environmental Protection Issues in the Development of Urbanisation in Malaysia. The discussion was chaired by Assoc Prof Dr Ng Swee Chin, Vice President of TAR UC.

Speakers included Prof Shen Kaiyan, Director of Institute of Economics at SASS, who spoke on the analysis of e-commerce development in BRI member countries, Prof Wang Hongxia, Research Professor from the Institute of Economics at SASS, and Prof Lei Xinjun, Associate Research Professor from the Institute of Economics at SASS.

Representing TAR UC were Assoc Prof Wong Hwa Kiong, Dean of TAR UC’s Faculty of Accountancy, Finance and Business (‘FAFB’), Dr Chin Mui Yin, Associate Dean of FAFB’s Department of Economics and Corporate Administration, Dr Foo Lee Peng, Senior Lecturer from FAFB’s Department of Economics and Corporate Administration, and Ir Ts Dr Wang Hong Kok, Principal Lecturer from TAR UC’s Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment (‘FOBE’).

Mr Yap Hoon Lun and Mr Hng Gaik Hong from the Institute of Social Economics and Research, Dr Goh Hong Lip, Assistant Professor from the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman’s (‘UTAR’) Department of Building and Property Management, Faculty of Accountancy and Management (‘FAM’), and Mr Lee Yoon Heng, Lecturer from UTAR’s Department of International Business, FAM also participated in the discussion.

A joint research collaboration opportunity between TAR UC and SASS titled The Belt & Road Initiative and Shanghai Free Trade Zones Strategy: Opportunities, Challenged and Prospects for Malaysia was also proposed at the discussion by Dr Chin Mui Yin. This will focus on the market interaction between China and Malaysia.