As part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Malaysia, Astro Awani hosted an insight-sharing session with CGTN, featuring Farhana Sheikh in conversation with CGTN anchor Li Qiuyuan.
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00:00Now, as part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Malaysia,
00:04Esra Awani hosted an insight-sharing session with CGTN.
00:09Here's Farhana Sheeh in conversation with CGTN anchor Li Choyan.
00:15Hello, I'm delighted to have with us Li Choyan from CGTN to share with us her insights and anecdotes of the growing Malaysia-China relations.
00:24Thank you so much for being with us here today.
00:27Thank you so much for having me, Farhana.
00:28Right. Choyan, looking back at 50 years of ties, what do you think are some of the untold or underappreciated moments in China-Malaysia relations?
00:37Well, one of my favorite moments was back in the 1970s and 1980s when we had those early cultural exchanges.
00:45And these exchanges included traditional Chinese art troops visiting Malaysia and Malaysian folk artists coming to China,
00:52fostering mutual understanding and respect.
00:55For example, the Po Senteng Temple in Malaysia, which honors the famous Chinese navigator Zheng He,
01:00is a symbol of our long-standing historical connections.
01:03And another aspect that I think is often overlooked is the role of Malaysian students here in China.
01:09You know, in recent years, students like those from Tianjin University have written letters to Chinese leaders
01:15expressing their commitment to promoting China-Malaysia friendship.
01:18I mean, these young people, they are the future ambassadors of our bilateral ties.
01:23And their efforts in sharing their experiences and fostering people-to-people bonds are really crucial for the long-term development of our ties.
01:30And, of course, the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024, that was a big deal.
01:35There were a series of commemorative events that really highlighted the depth of our cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
01:41For instance, the China-Malaysia Campus Cultural Day out at Weinan Primary School of Xi'an Jiao Tong University was really amazing.
01:49It featured activities like Bahasa, Malayu teaching by Malaysian students, a badminton coaching session by professional Malaysian coaches,
01:57a Malaysian movie screening, and an introduction to Malaysian cuisine.
02:01So, these events not only celebrate our historical ties, but also lay the foundation for future cooperation and friendship.
02:10And I think these relations and cultural exchanges will just keep on happening and grow even stronger year by year.
02:16I really feel that way.
02:18Right. So, how does Chinese media actually view Malaysia's role within ASEAN,
02:22especially now that we are chairing ASEAN for the year 2025, when it comes to regional stability and economic integration?
02:29Right. Chinese media sees Malaysia as a cornerstone of ASEAN, crucial for regional stability and economic integration.
02:37With its prime location, a solid infrastructure, and booming digital economy, it's really the perfect bridge between ASEAN and China.
02:46Economically, Malaysia has been a real powerhouse.
02:48It's been at the forefront of ASEAN's integration efforts, pushing for free trade and investment.
02:53Take the East Coast Rail Link Project, for example.
02:55Once it's done, it'll not only boost Malaysia's own growth, but also connect with China-Laos and China-Thailand rail networks,
03:02making the whole region more integrated.
03:05And Malaysia is also a key player in China's Belt and Road Initiative.
03:08So, projects like the Malaysia-China-Quantan Industrial Park are already creating jobs, improving logistics, and attracting investment.
03:16And this is not just good for Malaysia.
03:18It helps the whole ASEAN region grow together.
03:21And when it comes to regional stability, Malaysia is doing a great job, we think, strengthening people-to-people bonds and cultural exchanges.
03:28The China-ASEAN media and think tank forum in Kuala Lumpur really highlighted how important it is to bring different perspectives together and promote harmony.
03:37I mean, I think with partnerships with our neighbors like China, for example, this, you know, we can amplify our role and help strengthen ASEAN's position even more.
03:48So, thank you for your assessment of that.
03:51Now, you know, we talk about politics and trade a lot, but Chinese soft power is also expanding.
03:57So, how is CGTN, you know, as a key media there, adapting its storytelling to resonate with younger South Asian audiences?
04:04That's a very good question, Farhana.
04:06At CGTN, we are all about reaching out to the next generation, especially the tech-savvy, socially conscious young folks in Southeast Asia.
04:15So, we're diving headfirst into cutting-edge tech to create content that really speaks to them.
04:21Take our series Beyond the Fabbles, for example.
04:24This was launched in 2024.
04:26It's an AI-powered micro-drama that blends ancient Chinese myths with modern tech.
04:31It's not just a show.
04:32It's an experience that brings China's rich cultural heritage and technological progress to life, and it's super engaging for younger viewers.
04:39And we also get that Southeast Asia's youth are all about digital trends and pop culture.
04:45So, we are making content that's diverse and relatable, touching on shared cultural values, youth empowerment, and social issues.
04:53We're focusing on what matters to them, you know, aiming to build a real connection here.
04:58And social media is huge among young Southeast Asians.
05:01We're aware of that.
05:02So, we're leveraging platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
05:07We're creating short, engaging videos and teaming up with influencers to really grab their attention.
05:13And don't forget, sustainability and social responsibility, they are also big deals for this generation.
05:19So, we are weaving these themes into our storytelling, highlighting China's efforts in environmental protection, renewable energy, and social development.
05:27So, this aligns with their values and could help us build a positive image among this generation.
05:33And now, lastly, we also care a lot about localization.
05:37We're adapting our content to fit local tastes and preferences, collaborating with local talents sometimes, and incorporating regional elements.
05:45So, by telling stories that reflect the shared experiences of the young people in the region, we're hoping to make our content more relatable and appealing.
05:54Right.
05:54I mean, very much exciting thing to come, and we're looking forward to it on our side.
05:58Thank you so much, Cheyenne, for your time and for your insights.
06:02Thank you so much for having me.
06:03Good to talk to you, Farhana.