The Silk Road initiative, which is aimed at strengthening connectivity between China and ASEAN nations to support economic growth and trade activities within the region, was discussed by Liow with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Chuantang during their bilateral meeting in Beijing, China on Monday.
Liow in a statement made available here today, said the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road would involve the cooperation of all countries along the route.
“In addition, more than 50 countries have expressed support for this initiative,” he noted.
Liow said China had offered to take the lead in the endeavour and would share the final version of the outline with Asian ministers, in particular those from ASEAN countries.
“I am also pleased to note that Malaysia s recommendations, as discussed during our bilateral meeting in Mandalay, have been incorporated into the outline, he added.
The transport minister said the initiative served as a viable opportunity for ASEAN countries to expedite the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) this year.
Liow said the meeting with his Chinese counterpart was a follow-up to the meeting held in Myanmar on the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting.
On the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370, Liow took the opportunity to reiterate that it remained a top priority and Malaysia was fully dedicated to continue the search, along with China and Australia.
To date, four vessels, namely Go Phoenix, Fugro Discovery, Fugro Equator and Fugro Supporter have been deployed for the underwater search.
The governments of China, Australia and Malaysia continue to place great importance on the welfare and wellbeing of the next-of-kin of those on board MH370, he said.
The MAS Boeing 777-200ER aircraft carrying 239 passengers, mostly Chinese, and crew members disappeared enroute to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on March 8, last year.
Its flight path is believed to have ended in the southern Indian Ocean.
— BERNAMA
