China's investment into Malaysia goes beyond exports. These investments go into projects like port maintenance, roads and bridges, and ultimately making Malaysia’s infrastructure stronger.
Knowing where China’s investments with Malaysia lie, it is inevitable that Malaysia will become a strong competitor to Singapore— APAC’s current hub for international companies to base their headquarters. Will Malaysia’s uprising encourage organizations to turn to Malaysia over Singapore?
China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009, displacing Singapore, with two-way trade last year valued at $83.4 billion. China is Malaysia’s biggest export market. Malaysia, like Singapore, has strong historical links to China. About a quarter of its population is ethnically Chinese, and traders for centuries stopped at ports in Malacca and Penang to sell silk, tea and porcelain while buying cinnamon and nutmeg. There is even a fusion cuisine based on Chinese and Malay ingredients, called Peranakan or Nyonya.
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