In the 15th century, the ancient Chinese navigator Zheng He embarked on voyages that would etch Malaysia into the annals of the Maritime Silk Road. Between 1405 and 1433, Zheng He is said to have visited the historic city of Malacca five times, establishing a legacy of connection between China and Malaysia.
Centuries later, this connection is being revitalized, not through wooden ships, but through steel rails and high-speed trains. As an integral partner in China’s vision for a 21st-century Maritime Silk Road, Malaysia is once again at the crossroads of regional connectivity and economic development.
In 2015, the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC), the Chinese mainland’s largest rolling stock manufacturer, established a state-of-the-art factory in Batu Gajah, a city in Malaysia’s Perak state. Dubbed Malaysia’s “train factory,” this facility was envisioned as a manufacturing hub for the “ASEAN century,” serving not just Malaysia but the wider Southeast Asian region.
Since its inception, the Batu Gajah factory has significantly contributed to the modernization of Malaysia’s transportation network. Producing high-quality train components and assembling complete train sets, the facility has bolstered local employment, transferred technological expertise, and enhanced Malaysia’s capacity to develop its rail infrastructure.
The impact extends beyond national borders. As ASEAN nations seek greater integration, the factory plays a pivotal role in supplying rolling stock that facilitates cross-border connectivity, fostering economic growth, and promoting cultural exchange within the region.
If Zheng He were to traverse Malaysia today, he would likely marvel at the transformation. The journey that once took months by sea can now be traversed in mere hours by high-speed rail. The echoes of his voyages resonate in the modern pursuit of connectivity, where trains, not ships, are the vessels of progress.
Malaysia’s “train factory” in Batu Gajah stands as a testament to the enduring relationship between Malaysia and the Chinese mainland, bridging history with the future, and anchoring the nation’s place in the new Maritime Silk Road.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
