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NEW YORK Thursday, November 5, 2026

Asia

Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Facilitate Asia-Pacific Business Links

APEC-focused event highlights role of overseas Chinese in regional economic ties.

New York Editorial News Desk November 2, 2026 1 min read

The Brief

  • Malaysia-Shamchun Chamber of Commerce held APEC Invitational Competition briefing in Malaysia.
  • Entrepreneurs emphasize people-to-people connections in fostering regional trade.
  • Overseas Chinese entrepreneurs bridge understanding between China and host countries.

An in-person briefing for the APEC Invitational Competition of the China (Shenzhen) Innovation & Entrepreneurship International Competition was held at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) in Malaysia in late August 2026.

Lee Jin Xian, president of the Malaysia-Shamchun Chamber of Commerce (MSCC), described how generations of Chinese migrants had crossed the seas and overcome hardship to build businesses in Malaysia, while forging close people-to-people links between the country and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Lee emphasized the importance of trust and people-to-people exchanges in maintaining regional cooperation amid challenges to globalization.

Ali Johnsen, a Chinese Indonesian entrepreneur who heads the Chinese-language daily Xun Bao, recalled his first visit to China in 1970, describing the country's early development and his personal connection to the nation.

Sugeng Prananto, chairman of the Indonesian Hakka Association, shared challenges faced by early Indonesian companies trading with China, including information gaps and policy uncertainties.

Both entrepreneurs emphasized their unique position in bridging China and their host countries, with Sugeng noting the value of understanding both sides in business and policy.

Lee, with roots in Shenzhen, founded the Malaysia-Shamchun Chamber of Commerce in 2018 to help Shenzhen companies navigate Malaysia's regulatory environment.

The chamber facilitated the signing of eight agreements worth more than 2 billion yuan (US$300 million) between partners in Shenzhen and Malaysia in July this year.

APEC's role extends beyond economic cooperation to include cultural and educational exchanges, as seen in efforts by Ali Johnsen and Sugeng Prananto to support local communities and education.

Sugeng called for creating opportunities for younger generations to engage with the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing their role as future bridges for regional cooperation.

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