Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SRI PERDANA, KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 14/01/93
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOUR OF
HIS EXCELLENCY MR KIICHI MIYAZAWA
PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN
May I, on behalf of the people of Malaysia and on my
own behalf, extend a warm welcome to Your Excellency and
distinguished members of your delegation to Malaysia. We
feel deeply honoured by your visit which reflects the close
ties of friendship and cooperation that exist between
Malaysia and Japan. The discussion and exchange of views we
had this morning on bilateral and international issues of
common interest will no doubt enhance our understanding of
each other and contribute to closer relations between our
two countries.
2. We in Malaysia hold Japan in high esteem and admiration
for its success in rebuilding itself from the ashes of the
Second World War and emerging today as the leading economic
power in the world. The achievement of Japan, a country
with few natural resources, is attributable to a number of
factors, not the least of which are the hard work, disci-
pline and the high sense of motivation of the Japanese peo-
ple. Today, Japan is able to share its resources to assist
developing countries. Developing countries in Asia in par-
ticular, including Malaysia, have benefitted greatly from
Japan's economic and technical assistance. The economic
linkages that developed over the years have made Japan
Malaysia's foremost trading partner and investor. May I,
therefore, take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. Prime
Minister, and through you the government and people of Japan
for the support and cooperation that have been extended to
Malaysia.
3. Inspite of the progress we have achieved over the
years, Malaysia today remains a developing country. Our ob-
jective is to work towards becoming a developed country by
the year 2020. In our quest for the fulfilment of this vi-
sion, we will continue to require access to capital, tech-
nology and market in the developed countries.
4. In an increasingly interdependent world, Malaysia had
proposed the formation of the East Asia Economic Caucus.
There is a tendency to think of regional groupings as a
trade bloc. I would like to point out that ASEAN, one of
the most successful regional groupings has been around for
almost a quarter of a century without becoming a trade bloc.
The ASEAN countries individually and collectively have re-
mained opened to trade with the rest of the world. Yet the
ASEAN countries have uniformly prospered. What I wish to
point out is that regional groups need not become trade
blocs in order to benefit from the grouping.
5. The idea of the EAEC was prompted by our ASEAN experi-
ence. It is not a trade bloc. It is to be a mere forum of
countries in close geographical proximity which also happen
to have common economic ambitions. Very often they are
faced with common problems, as for example at the Uruguay
Rounds of the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade. By
acting separately they have not been able to influence the
decision taken at such international trade talks. Quite ob-
viously if they had taken a common stand and spoken with one
voice, it would be difficult for the international community
to ignore their common views. Since all the East Asian
countries are trading nations, much dependent on a free
trading system, they would be able to help preserve free
trade and combat protectionism. A forum consisting of the
countries of East Asia would enable them to come together to
discuss these common problems and to decide on their common
stand. The EAEC can be such a forum.
6. Presently Japan is the only East Asian country to be a
member of the powerful group of seven nations. Japan
recognises that the decisions taken by the Group of Seven
can affect the economic well-being of the countries of East
Asia. Accordingly, Japanese Prime Ministers have made it a
practice to get the views of East Asian countries prior to
attending a meeting of the Group.
7. This is very welcome. But since the views were given
without prior consultation between the East Asian nations,
it is more than likely that conflicting views will be ex-
pressed. The subjects too may differ. As a result Japanese
interventions at the group's meeting would be not as effec-
tive.
8. How much better and how much more representative Japan
would be if prior to attending the G-7 meeting, a meeting of
the East Asian countries is held and the most important com-
mon problem identified and a consensual stand arrived at.
The Japanese Prime Minister would then be able to represent
the East Asian countries more forcefully. This again should
prove the usefulness of the EAEC.
9. Finally, as with the ASEAN countries, the countries be-
longing to the EAEC are bound to learn from each other the
right approach to economic development. More than that they
can help each other through investments and access to each
others' markets. In the end, without ever closing their
markets to trade with the rest of the world, the members of
the EAEC are bound to prosper. Indeed, even now the process
of learning from each other has yielded results. How much
more successful will their development be if they sit around
a table to discuss ways and means to help each other and to
promote intra-regional trade.
10. We fully appreciate Japan's position. I merely want to
explain that the EAEC is not a trade bloc. It is only a re-
gional forum.
11. It is a matter of great pride to us that many ASEAN
countries including Malaysia, are now able to provide as-
sistance to and share their experiences with our other
neighbours in Southeast Asia, now recovering from years of
conflict and economic stagnation. We believe that helping
these countries in their economic reconstruction and devel-
opment and bringing them into the mainstream of Southeast
Asian economic life through closer association with, if not
membership of ASEAN itself, would contribute to the peace
and stability of the entire region. Since assistance from
the ASEAN countries alone would be rather limited, Japan's
participation in the reconstruction of the states of Indo-
China would make a valuable contribution to the peace and
stability of the region.
12. The decision of the Japanese Government to send its
troops on peace-keeping mission to Cambodia under the United
Nations' auspices was indeed historic. Malaysia wholeheart-
edly welcomes the decision and hopes that Japan would par-
ticipate fully in the peace-keeping activities of the United
Nations.
13. During this short visit to our country, you would not
fail to see the goodwill and admiration of the Malaysian
people towards Japan. This is a feeling built over years of
close cooperation and understanding between our two coun-
tries. Let us continue to build on this relationship and
expand our cooperation into a strong and durable partnership
that is mutually enriching.
14. We wish you and members of your delegation a pleasant
and enjoyable stay in this country and hope that you will
bring home with you favourable impressions about Malaysia.
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