Q&A: Malaysia’s New Trade Minister Explains Why China Matters to Southeast Asia

With platters of fried shrimp crisps and sticky rice cakes in front of him, Malaysia’s new Minister of International Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Aziz, shared his plans for an upcoming trip to China, as well as his thoughts on regional and global trade.

During an interview with Caixin on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, in January, Tengku Zafrul said his primary goal at the event was to reengage with the world on behalf of Malaysia and make sure the country can maintain its post-Covid economic recovery momentum.