Azlimi Zakaria, consul general of Malaysia in Nanning. [Photo by Yang Chen/chinanews.com]

The upcoming 17th China-ASEAN Expo, to take place in Nanning, capital of South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, will help companies in ASEAN to enter the Chinese market.

"We believe the economic and trade cooperation between Malaysia and China will see rapid growth under the Belt and Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement," said Azlimi Zakaria, consul general of Malaysia in Nanning, during a recent interview. 

Zakaria noted that Malaysia and China had achieved remarkable development in economic and trade cooperation -- especially with the establishment of Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park and China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park.

This had paved the way for a new model for industrial cooperation and commerce under the BRI, while becoming a demonstration model for cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.

The two industrial parks, taking eight years of construction, have achieved the bonus of boosting commerce and trade between their two countries, Zakaria added.

"In addition, we also hope to strengthen our cooperation with China in emerging areas spanning high and new technology, the Internet of Things, information and communications technology, artificial intelligence, as well as big data," Zakaria added.

He pointed out that the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor would help break down trade barriers, to extend cooperation between countries along the corridor.

"The upcoming CAEXPO will bring more opportunities for companies from Malaysia and ASEAN, especially small and medium-sized enterprises to enter the Chinese market," Zakaria said.