From 17 to 20 December 2024, the Yingke Malaysia team attended the 2024 Malaysia–China Summit by invitation and hosted the China–Malaysia Legal Forum, then visited Censuria Capital Sdn Bhd and met with the Malaysia-China Restaurant Association. Here is a look at each activity.

From 17 to 19 December, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of China–Malaysia diplomatic relations, Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) hosted the 2024 Malaysia–China Summit. The Yingke Malaysia Office was invited to attend and hosted the China–Malaysia Legal Forum.

Ambassador Ouyang Yujing attended the summit and delivered remarks. Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul were among more than 600 attendees, who also included representatives of government departments and the business community from both countries, as well as several diplomats based in Malaysia.

Ambassador Ouyang said that in the 50 years since China and Malaysia established diplomatic relations, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has been strong and fruitful. He hoped that businesses on both sides will continue to cultivate the market and seize opportunities, make the most of the openings created by new quality productive forces such as the digital economy, green development and artificial intelligence, and make full use of existing cooperation platforms to inject new momentum into the shared development of both countries.

Anthony Loke said that Malaysia has distinctive leading strengths in areas such as the digital economy, green energy and advanced manufacturing, and hopes to deepen cooperation with China and become a global economic leader.

Tengku Zafrul said that Malaysia–China cooperation has deepened across sectors in recent years. According to Malaysian statistics, Chinese companies have undertaken 531 manufacturing investment projects in Malaysia, with investment of about US$19.8 billion, creating more than 88,800 jobs locally. Malaysia–China friendship, he said, has gone beyond an ordinary bilateral partnership and become a cornerstone of regional stability and cooperation.

Malaysia will hold the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, and hopes to keep strengthening cooperation with China and, together with the ASEAN “family”, move towards a better tomorrow.

Yingke Malaysia Hosts the China–Malaysia Legal Forum

During the summit, the China–Malaysia Legal Forum hosted by Yingke Malaysia drew nearly 100 political and business representatives from China and Malaysia.

At the forum, legal experts from China and Malaysia discussed approaches and methods in commercial arbitration between the two countries, and how to work together to advance the enforcement of arbitration awards in both. The forum was well received by the entrepreneurs present, and showcased Yingke’s vision and strength as an international law firm!

Ms. Yao Yanfei (Maggie)i, Executive Director of Yingke Malaysia, gave the welcome remarks at the forum. She said that, through an international platform and a professional team, Yingke will work with multiple parties to find win-win ways of cooperating under different legal systems, resolve disputes and advance commercial success!

The forum’s guest speakers were Ms. Yu Jinghua, Vice President of the Asian International Arbitration Centre; Director Chen Shaojun of the National Compliance Legal Center at Yingke Beijing; and lawyers Tian Huiyin and Xiao Zongwei of Y Kong Wong & Partners, a Yingke Malaysia member firm. They gave insightful presentations and took part in the discussion.

On 19 December 2024, Ms. Yao Yanfei (Maggie), Executive Director of the Yingke Malaysia Office; Mr. Huang Kangxian, Managing Partner of the Yingke Malaysia member firm; Chen Fang, Partner at Yingke Chengdu Law Firm; and Director Chen Shaojun of the Yingke Global Restaurant Overseas Expansion Legal Service Center visited Censuria Capital Sdn Bhd, with a focus on routes to listing for Malaysian companies.

In the meeting, the Yingke team and Censuria Capital representatives had an in-depth exchange on the current state and outlook of Malaysia’s capital market, and analysed the advantages and challenges for companies seeking a listing in Malaysia.

Ms. Maggie Yao said that Malaysia, as an important financial centre in Southeast Asia, offers a range of listing options that can meet the needs of different companies. As Yingke’s directly operated office in Malaysia, the Yingke Malaysia Office will make full use of Yingke’s professional strengths and platform resources, with lawyers from both China and Malaysia working together to provide professional assurance.

Mr. Huang introduced the success of Y Kong Wong & Partners, as a Yingke Malaysia member firm, in helping companies in Malaysia’s capital market and listing field.

Chen Fang and Director Chen Shaojun each shared their professional insights on cross-border legal services and on restaurant businesses going global, along with the extensive experience of Chinese lawyers in legal services. They said that Yingke will continue to provide clients with comprehensive support to help companies grow in Malaysia and other international markets.

Censuria Capital’s representatives warmly welcomed the Yingke team’s visit and said they look forward to future cooperation between the two sides.

On 20 December 2024, Ms. Yao Yanfei (Maggie), Executive Director of the Yingke Malaysia Office; Mr. Huang Kangxian, Managing Partner of the Yingke Malaysia member firm; Chen Fang, Partner at Yingke Chengdu Law Firm; and Director Chen Shaojun of the Yingke Global Restaurant Overseas Expansion Legal Service Center visited the Malaysia-China Restaurant Association for an in-depth exchange on strengthening China–Malaysia cooperation in the restaurant industry and on legal service support.

During the visit, the Yingke team and representatives of the association discussed current market dynamics and development trends in the China–Malaysia restaurant industry, as well as the legal issues businesses face in their operations.

Ms. Maggie Yao said that the Malaysia-China Restaurant Association has played an important role in promoting culinary and cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Malaysia. The Yingke international team is ready to provide restaurant businesses with comprehensive professional support, helping them develop steadily in the Malaysian market and globally.

Mr. Huang gave a detailed introduction to the legal service experience and success stories of the Yingke Malaysia member firm in the restaurant industry, stressing that Yingke has professional strengths in areas such as intellectual property protection and commercial contract drafting, and can also offer restaurant businesses comprehensive services covering cross-border investment, market access and more.

Chen Fang and Director Chen Shaojun also shared their experience and advice on helping restaurant businesses go global and expand across borders.

The president of the Malaysia-China Restaurant Association said that in April 2025, an exhibition of Chinese restaurant franchise brands and seasonings will be held in Malaysia, further promoting cooperation and exchange between China and Malaysia in the restaurant industry and providing an important platform for Chinese restaurant brands and seasoning companies to open up international markets.

The visit has laid a solid foundation for strengthening China–Malaysia cooperation in the restaurant industry, improving the quality of legal services and promoting bilateral trade.

※Disclaimer: This article is an event news report, provided for exchange and information-sharing purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or a commitment to provide services. Statements attributed to individuals, event arrangements and information about the organisations mentioned are as they stood at the time of the events.