Malaysia was quick to see the potential of China's Belt and Road Initiative and to get on board. Since the advent of the BRI, the Southeast Asian country has seen the creation of a joint China-Malaysia industrial park, has joined forces to upgrade an east coast port, seen major investments in manufacturing, the establishment of a train assembly plant equipping several local rail systems and the construction of Malaysia's biggest-ever infrastructure project, the 660-km East Coast Rail Link.

These projects have helped boost bilateral trade and investment, upgrade public transit and other infrastructure, bring new technology, create opportunities for local contracts and skilled jobs for Malaysians.