Objective: The Dialogue will bring together governors and mayors from the ten ASEAN countries and China to discuss ways of promoting pragmatic cooperation through exchanges at the local level The Dialogue theme is “Local Cooperation: Driving Force to Build a Community of Common Destiny”
First, let me commend the organiser of “Boao Forum for Asia” for gathering the distinguished governors, mayors and leaders from ASEAN and China, bent on creating synergies through mutual partnership and local cooperation.
Penang, often known as “the Pearl of the Orient”, has a long history and relationship to China and the region. Since the British first colonised the island in 1786, Penang had played the role of global trading hub in spices, tin and rubber. The importance of Penang and China is highlighted by 3 historical events.
One, many Chinese migrated to Penang and Penang now has the largest number of ethnic Chinese in Malaysia. Secondly, prominent Chinese considered Penang a natural shelter and center for excellence. Examples of Chinese heroes included Sun Yat Sen who lived two years in Penang and the famous plague fighter, Dr Wu Lien Teh, born in Penang, and saved millions of Chinese lives in Harbin by finding a cure.
Three, the Chinese in Penang adopted an international approach for the cosmopolitan city of Penang. Penang is the melting pot for different communities living in harmony despite the diverse cultures and religion. George Town in Penang is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage City and also famed for having the best street food in the world. We are the top five choice for retires in the world.
Today, Penang is one of the global hubs in the electronics and electrical manufacturing and plays host to over 300 multinational companies. Penang is an industrialised state dependent on manufacturing and services. Penang is a favoured location of choice for foreign investment, contributing about one third of Malaysia’s trade surplus and one quarter of Malaysia’s total imports and exports. Penang is an open economy and China is our top trading partner.
Penang envisages itself as an international and intelligent city that is the location of choice for investors, tourists and businesses. To achieve that, we must have a livable city that is clean, green, safe and healthy; have world class infrastructure; clean and good governance as well as high quality education institutions. One advantage for Penang is that you are only 10 minutes drive away from the beach or the hills.
Penang is a top tourist destination because it is inclusive and friendly to foreigners who enjoy our world class infrastructure. We have an international seaport, airport and broadband internet; and even free wifi in public places. Many people in Penang are multi-lingual. Penang possesses the 3Ts of talent, technology and tolerance of new ideas to establish creative and innovation clusters.
By the end of this year, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will provide immense opportunities with a market of 620 million people and by the end of 2015 will lead to a single market with GDP of more than USD 2 trillion . We hope to make Penang as the gateway for Chinese businesses to expand and reach one part of ASEAN. Penang is at the door step of Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country as well as near to countries like Thailand and Myanmar.
Ladies and gentlemen, Penang believes in convergence of the manufacturing, services and public sector as well as forging public private partnerships to move forward. We welcome you to a mutually beneficial win-win formula as the basis of a most productive partnership. See you in Penang. Thank you.
LIM GUAN ENG
槟城州首席部长林冠英于2015年3月27日在博鳌亚洲论坛2015年年会
“中国—东盟省市长对话”的演讲。
论坛目的: 此次对话会是汇集东盟十国的州长与市长及中国各省与市的省长与市长共聚一堂，共商如何在地方层级领域上推广务实的合作。
对话会的主题是“地方合作—命运共同体的驱动力”
首先，我要感谢主办单位《博鳌亚洲论坛》这次汇集了东盟及中国各省市长聚集于此，透过成为共同伙伴及地方合作，群策群力，集思广益。
槟城，常被人称为是一颗“东方明珠”，历史上与中国及区域内各地方存在悠久的关系。自英国在1786年殖民槟榔屿开始，槟城就扮演了全球香料、锡米及橡胶的交易中心。槟城与中国的重要联系来自于三件历史事迹。
其一，当时许多中国人迁移到槟城，促使槟城成为马来西亚拥有最多华裔人口的一州。
其二，中国历史名人多认为槟城是个天然庇护地及人文荟萃的地方。例如中国革命先行者孙中山先生就曾经在槟城逗留了2年，还有找出鼠疫疫苗，在哈尔滨拯救了数百万中国同胞的中国鼠疫英雄伍连德医生也是槟城土生土长的华裔。
其三，槟城华裔如今采纳国际化的城市制度。槟城是个和谐，不分彼此文化与宗教的族群大熔炉。因此，槟城的乔治市得以获得联合国教科文组织列为世界文化遗产城，同时拥有全世界最好吃的街边小食。我们是全球首五个退休的首选地。
今天，槟城是全球其中一个电子与电气制造中心，聚集了全球300家国际厂商。槟城已经是一个工业化州属，主要依赖制造业与服务业。槟城更是外资热门的投资地点，贡献了马来西亚三份之一的贸易顺差及马来西亚四份之一的出入口分额。槟城是开放经济，而中国是槟城最大的贸易伙伴。
槟城期许成为一个国际智慧型城市，一个投资者、游客及商人青睐的所在地。为了实现目标，我们必须要有一座清洁、安全及健康的宜居城市；拥有世界级的硬体措施；廉洁及良好施政以及高素质教育机构。当然，槟城还有一个绝佳优点就是从山峦到洁白沙滩只需10分钟车程，可谓山明水秀。
槟城是个旅游胜地，因为它对外国游客展现包容及友善的一面，让游客享受我们世界级的硬体措施。我们拥有国际海港、机场及宽频网络，甚至在公众场所提供免费无线上网。槟城人多数是拥有多语能力。槟城采纳人才、科技及包容新点子的方式，以创造各种创意与创新的圈子。
今年年底，东盟经济共同体将提供一个6亿2000万人口的市场，及超过2兆美元的国民生产总值。我们希望槟城能成为中国商家扩充及进军东盟事业的大门。槟城是进军全世界最大穆斯林国家—印尼的台阶，同时，我们与泰国及缅甸的地理距离也非常接近。
各位先生女士，槟城坚信制造业、服务业、公共领域，还有公私营合作计划的大汇整能让槟城继续迈步前进。我们欢迎拥有共同利益的各位，基于双赢的方式，成为我们最有生产力的伙伴。最后，我们望能槟城再见，谢谢。
林冠英