Signing Ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding between the China Iron and Steel Association and the Malaysian Iron and Steel Industry Federation Held in Shanghai
On September 19, the signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) and the Malaysian Iron and Steel Industry Federation (MISIF) was held in Shanghai. Focusing on major industry‑development trends, common challenges and corresponding solutions, the two sides built broad consensus through pragmatic dialogue, writing a vivid footnote for further deepened cooperation.
Jiang Wei, Secretary‑of‑the‑Party‑Committee, Vice‑President and Secretary‑General of CISA, and Roshan M. Abdullah, President of MISIF, delivered opening remarks and introduced participants respectively. The Chinese delegation included Li Yiren, Vice‑President of CISA; Su Changyong and Wang Bin, Deputy Secretary‑Generals of CISA; representatives from the Department of Science‑Technology and Environmental Protection, Department of International Cooperation, and Department of Planning & Development of CISA; as well as Jianlong Group, Shenglong Metallurgical, and Sinosteel International under China Baowu Group. The Malaysian side was represented by Datuk Tee Choon Hock and Yang Chung‑Kwei, Vice‑Presidents of MISIF; Ooi Ai‑Ru, Chief Executive Officer of MISIF; and delegates from Malaysian companies including Rongda Steel Sdn Bhd, Weida Steel Wire Sdn Bhd and Mycron Steel Berhad. All attended the ceremony.
Jiang Wei stated that China and Malaysia are good neighbours and partners separated by sea, with time‑honoured friendship. Driven by the Belt and Road Initiative and the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” cooperation framework in recent years, China‑Malaysia economic and trade ties have kept deepening, and the steel industry has always served as a vital pillar for bilateral regional cooperation. Notably, the Eastern Steel Project invested and built by Jianlong Group in Malaysia and the Alliance Steel (M) Project backed by Shenglong Metallurgical have become models for China‑Malaysia steel capacity cooperation, laying a solid practical foundation for deeper collaboration between the two national steel sectors. As Malaysia’s national steel industry association, MISIF plays a pivotal role in fostering the growth of Malaysia’s domestic steel industry and lifting its global competitiveness.
According to Jiang Wei, CISA and MISIF have long maintained communication channels. During his visit to ASEAN leading a delegation, he was deeply impressed by Malaysia’s robust steel‑industry momentum and remarkable achievements, alongside steady growth in industrial scale and overall strength. The signing of this MOU marks an important milestone for pragmatic cooperation between the Chinese and Malaysian steel industries, signalling that bilateral exchanges and collaboration have entered a new phase of institutionalised and regular interactions. At present, the global steel industry is undergoing profound transformations featuring green transition, technological innovation and structural optimisation, which highlights the growing importance of coordinated development of industrial and supply chains. China’s steel sector is comprehensively advancing high‑quality development under the 15th Five‑Year Plan, accelerating green‑low‑carbon shift as well as digital and intelligent upgrading. Malaysia has released its Steel Industry Roadmap 2035 to actively push forward industrial structural optimisation and green development. Both sides enjoy broad room for cooperation in industry governance, capacity regulation, green‑low‑carbon transition and standards‑led development. Practice has fully demonstrated that only through joint efforts and complementary strengths among industry peers worldwide can we jointly respond to market shifts and share development opportunities.
Looking ahead, Jiang Wei expressed the expectation that both sides would take this signing as an opportunity, uphold the vision of openness and win‑win outcomes, deepen pragmatic cooperation, inject fresh impetus into high‑quality coordinated development of the steel industry among China‑Malaysia and China‑ASEAN, and empower regional economic and trade cooperation.
Roshan M. Abdullah remarked that Malaysia and China have maintained close industrial links for a long time. The newly‑signed MOU offers a more systematic and solid platform for enhanced exchanges and cooperation between both parties. He looked forward to deeper, more practical collaboration in information exchange, technical cooperation and joint industrial development to explore more mutually‑beneficial opportunities. Against constant changes in the global market landscape and trade environment, the steel industry keeps transforming and upgrading. Malaysia expects further exchanges with China given China’s abundant innovative technologies.
Meanwhile, he hoped that today’s exchanges would enable both sides to better understand opportunities and challenges confronting each other’s industries and build a sound foundation for future communication and cooperation. He also anticipated sustained close ties, deeper links between the two associations, and more meaningful, fruitful joint exchanges and collaboration in the time ahead.
Li Yiren shared his views on follow‑up implementation of the newly‑signed MOU during discussions. He noted that priority should be given to institutional arrangements and focused themes. Working‑level teams from both sides should engage in early docking and finalise annual work plans. Adhering to problem‑orientation, deliverable‑oriented outcomes and transparency plus compliance, both sides shall encourage participation by enterprises, research institutes and standard‑setting & certification bodies to generate tangible results.
Datuk Tee Choon Hock pointed out in his speech that Eastern Steel under Jianlong Group has promoted partnerships with higher‑education institutions. Graduates join steel enterprises, get posted to Malaysia and have grown into key management staff, yielding notable results. He hoped both sides would prioritise cultivating technical and skilled talents, deepen cooperation among vocational‑technical schools and jointly advance talent exchange, training and joint‑building initiatives.
As representatives of their respective sides, Wang Bin and Ooi Ai‑Ru presented updates on steel‑industry development status and long‑term visions for China and Malaysia.
Following the signing ceremony, representatives from both sides stated that they would take this event as a new starting point to build further momentum, deepen cooperation and jointly write a new chapter of mutual benefit and win‑win results.