Malaysia, China sign MoU on 5G, digital economy and cybersecurity

Malaysia and China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on digital telecommunications cooperation in relation to 5G, digital economy and cybersecurity. Inked yesterday at the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 in Romania, the MoU will also explore potential partnerships in other aspects of digital technology.

According to Bernama, other potential cooperation that Malaysia is expected to explore with China includes 5G app technology. Moreover, the MoU will also encourage partnerships in e-commerce, startup innovations, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things, internet applications and other digital technology.

The MoU was signed by Malaysia’s Minister of Communications and Multimedia Tan Sri Annuar Musa and China’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Zhang Yunming. In a statement yesterday, Annuar elaborated that the MoU will also explore other forms of cooperation, namely policy, standards, emergency response, data security technology, training and awareness of cyber security.

The Communications Minister further asserted that the cooperation is expected to add value to Malaysia when China’s rapidly developing information technology industry is considered. Furthermore, both countries will also benefit from sharing knowledge and expertise in the field of 5G, cyber security and digital economy.

China’s assistance in sharing best practices, experience and expertise through joint initiatives will help improve the speed and readiness of Malaysia’s cyber security ecosystem and national digitalisation efforts, especially in preparation for the Industrial Revolution 4.0 era. Annuar added that the cooperation will help strengthen our nation’s digital economy and indirectly spur local digital economic growth and contribute to the national economy in the future, in line with the agenda of turning Malaysia into a high technology industry hub.

Besides that, commitments for knowledge exchange and best practices between both countries would improve competitiveness and stimulate the growth of the national digital economy. Accordingly, It would also attract investment in developing human capital and research.