Missing flight may challenge China-Malaysia economic ties

(ECNS) -- A member of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce has raised concerns about relations between the two countries in the wake of the controversy surrounding Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which remains missing after losing contact for six days, the Guangdong-based 21st Century Business Herald said.[Special coverage: Searching for missing MH370]

During an interview, Zheng Shuixing said the incident will hurt Malaysia's image and have a negative impact on the bilateral relationship with China.

The Malaysian government has been criticized by Chinese-Malaysians for a slow response and lack of communication, Zheng said.

"We sense that the government has done a lot, but common people don't know the specifics," he added.

Malaysia's airport security is lax compared to Western countries and China, as the country is considered a safe tourist destination, he said, but "We all hope security will be tightened."

Zheng also said that Malaysia's tourism will be influenced in the short run. Many Chinese cities have already seen increasing cancelled trips to Malaysia, according to Chinese reports.

Zheng said he hoped that in the following months, China and Malaysia would make more efforts to strengthen ties, including economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.

Two-way trade volume between China and Malaysia in 2013 reached 106 billion US dollars, making Malaysia China's third largest trade partner in Asia, just next to Japan and South Korea. Malaysia continues to be the largest trade partner of China among ASEAN countries for the sixth consecutive year.

Trade between the two countries is expected to hit 160 billion US dollars by 2017, according to a five-year agreement signed last year aiming to boost economic cooperation.

Large Chinese enterprises have opened branches in Malaysia and the country is also luring individual investors.