This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on October 4, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Thought leaders in politics, business and academia will gather at South China Morning Post’s (SCMP) China Conference to share ideas on the paths ahead on Oct 10 and 11.

The event, themed “China in Southeast Asia: Building cooperation, managing conflict”, will be held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur and will cover topics spanning the infrastructure, finance and technology sectors.

The Edge Malaysia is the media partner of the conference.

According to SCMP, China has become a key partner of Southeast Asia in trade, investment and infrastructure development.

“Southeast Asian economies have gained tremendously from China’s strong economic growth over the past two decades, which has seen solid Chinese demand boost commodity prices and foster a thriving regional production network.

“Relations are poised to grow even stronger in the coming decade. The Asian Development Bank estimates emerging economies across Asia will need to invest as much as US$26 trillion (US$107.64 trillion) in building transport and smart city networks, eradicating poverty and tackling climate change,” it said in a statement.

SCMP said China’s game-changing Belt and Road Initiative will also have major implications for the region.

“However, Southeast Asia’s growing economic linkages with China present not just development opportunities, but also the risk that countries in the region will become dependent on their larger neighbour.

“How can both sides cooperate better for win-win outcomes that ensure regional growth and peace?” SCMP said, noting that these will be among the issues to be discussed at the conference,” it said.

On the first day, Gary Liu, chief executive officer of SCMP, will give welcoming remarks, while C.Y. Leung, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian are expected to deliver their keynote addresses on “Economic future: Integration or tension?” and “China’s approach to overseas investment into Malaysia” respectively.

Panel subjects, such as Disruption in Southeast Asia: How China can lead – and learn?; Politics: Economic cooperation amid political tensions; and, Can Southeast Asia startups become world-leading tech champions? will be discussed.

Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s newly-appointed managing director Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan is also scheduled to speak on “Malaysian investments into China”.

On the second and final day, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming is slated to deliver his closing keynote address on “Strategic economic engagement with China: options for Malaysia”.