2020 World Chinese Economic Summit (WCES) POST EVENT

Published on 25 Dec 2020

2020 World Chinese Economic Summit (WCES)

KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, in partnership with our strategic partners and co-organizers, have successfully organized the 2020 World Chinese Economic Summit on December 21, 2020, at the Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

The WCES provides an opportunity to connect the global Chinese Diaspora and to promote closer cooperation between China, ASEAN and countries of Asia Pacific. WCES aims to enhance the relations between China and Europe, as well as being a platform for global strategic thinkers, business leaders and future leaders to exchange views and ideas.

This year’s theme “Connecting Business, Promoting Shared Prosperity and Sustainability in the Post COVID New Economy”, also marked the WCES’s first hybrid event – held physically and virtually. Amidst the coronavirus pandemic,  the event manager & co-organizer had ensure strict compliance of the COVID-19 SOPs by everyone present on-site.  WCES had more than 150 delegates attended the event physically, and some 320 participated via the virtual platform.  We thank you for your participation. To the various speakers, panelists and moderators, our gratitude for taking time off your busy schedule to speak at this summit.

This year, WCES came back to Malaysia. We are proud to have the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin delivering his opening keynote address virtually  and thereafter, officiated the opening of the summit.

“Without making COVID-19 as an excuse for insularity and inward-looking policies, the government would also pursue policies favourable market conditions for Malaysian exports. Indeed, China’s vocal views that we should not use COVID-19 as an excuse for insularity and inward-looking policies had resonated strongly with Malaysia,” said Muhyiddin Yassin.

This year’s theme was indeed apt and timely. Leveraging on this moment of crisis, bold steps taken can steer the world back on track towards an inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Well-being, sustainability and economic prosperity – we need to connect the dots and address these issues collectively rather than pitting them against one another is key for creating a better future, a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Indeed, this was reiterated by the Transport Minister, YB Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong in his Special Address at the WCES.

“Treat Malaysia as a window to penetrate the ASEAN market, the Middle East, as well as India. We have so many ethnicities and most of us are trilingual. We can communicate with 67% of the world’s population,” he said.

With President Xi Jinping’s promise that China will continue to open up and be “the market of the world”, and with China’s speedy economic recovery after overcoming the coronavirus pandemic, many see China as providing opportunities for virus-hit international corporations.

This indeed was what the Deputy Minister of Education II, YB Senator Dato’ Dr. Mah Hang Soon said in his closing address that the coronavirus pandemic is a global shock and has brought volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity to the world (VUCA), and unprecedented and severe challenges to the world economy.

“However, VUCA can now be reconstructed into vision, understanding, courage and adaptability. The improved version of VUCA or VUCA 2.0 is what companies of all sizes need to keep alive and flourish in difficult times,” said Mah.

Although WCES faced huge challenges in this pandemic era, we were able to overcome the obstacles and successfully held the event. It is indeed a team effort. We would like to extend our appreciation for the amazing work done by the WCES team. The long hours that you have spent working on this project, and the professionalism

that you have shown has impressed the organising committee immensely.

We would also like to express our appreciation for the cooperation and support given by our strategic partners, co-organizers and media partners.  Without your assistance, it would not have been successful.  We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the Lifetime Achievement Awards recipients.  Kudos!

Last but not the least, we would like to congratulate and welcome the arrival of HE Ouyang Yujing, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia.

Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, Founder & Patron, WCES
Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, Organizing Chairman, WCES