KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 — The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will stand as a symbol of enduring friendship between Malaysia and China while delivering tangible benefits to both countries, China's Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said.
“We look forward to seeing the ECRL become a shining symbol of the fruitful cooperation between China and Malaysia, a landmark project that delivers tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries,” he said, adding that it would be a lasting testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Ouyang told a media briefing here today that track-laying works are done for the ECRL, a flagship Belt and Road Initiative project between China and Malaysia, with overall construction progress at 94 per cent.
He said Phase I of the project will be delivered by year end, marking a transition in bilateral cooperation from quality construction to high-standard operations.
Ouyang said the ECRL, the largest single transport infrastructure project being built overseas by Chinese enterprises, demonstrates the depth of Malaysia-China cooperation in project management, workforce training and technical standards.
He said the two countries signed a joint railway operation and maintenance agreement in 2024, and that China has helped train more than 1,000 Malaysian railway professionals.
Ouyang said the construction phase alone has created more than 20,000 jobs and benefited thousands of Malaysian businesses through subcontracting arrangements.
Once completed, he said, the ECRL would serve as a land bridge linking the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia, reducing travel time by about half and making transport more convenient for local communities.
Ouyang said the railway would further integrate industrial and supply chains, improve logistics efficiency nationwide, enhance Malaysia’s attractiveness to investors and support the growth of tourism, mining, shipping and related industries.
The project also has the potential to connect with the broader Pan-Asian Railway Network, injecting new momentum into regional economic growth, he said.
“With joint efforts from both sides, the project is expected to become a model and benchmark for Belt and Road cooperation, significantly enhancing regional cooperation and connectivity,” Ouyang said.
