Beyond Trade Agreements : President Xi’s Visit Sets the Stage for Malaysia’s Highway Mobility Revolution
- Levn admin
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Updated: May 16
Image Credit: Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia
The state visit of President Xi Jinping to Malaysia in April 2025 marked a new chapter in the long-standing relationship between the two nations —opening powerful new channels of collaboration across trade, energy transition, tourism, and infrastructure development. As economic and human connectivity between China and Malaysia deepens, two accelerating trends are reshaping Malaysia’s highways:the rise of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and the surge in Chinese tourist arrivals — both demanding a rethinking of how Malaysia builds the next generation of Rest and Service Areas (R&Rs).
Chinese EV Expansion in Malaysia: A New Era of Mobility
Malaysia is witnessing a major influx of Chinese automotive innovation:
BYD, Geely, Chery, and GWM Ora have aggressively expanded their presence, offering high-quality, affordable EV models targeted at mass adoption.
Proton’s e.MAS EV brand, developed in partnership with Geely, is set to launch a broader range of models across different price segments, aiming to accelerate EV ownership among Malaysians.
The result is clear : Malaysia is rapidly moving towards becoming an EV-centric market, with Chinese brands and joint ventures leading the charge. This transition is already evident in surging EV registrations, demand for ultra-fast chargers, and the urgent need for modernized highway infrastructure to support long-range EV travel across the peninsula.
Surge in Chinese Tourism and Local Travel
At the same time, Malaysia’s tourism sector is experiencing a robust revival, especially from China. Following President Xi’s visit, new bilateral tourism initiatives were launched — aiming to bring over 5 million Chinese visitors to Malaysia over the next few years.
Tourist travel patterns show a strong preference for:
Kuala Lumpur for urban tourism and shopping,
Melaka for its cultural heritage attractions,
Johor Bahru as a gateway to Singapore and premium leisure destinations.
This trend, combined with Malaysia’s vibrant domestic tourism market, is driving a major surge in local expressway travel, particularly along the Kuala Lumpur–Melaka–Johor Bahru corridor.
More travelers — both international and domestic — mean growing expectations for higher quality highway amenities, modern services, and sustainable travel infrastructure.
EVCC™ Pedas RSA: Positioned at the Crossroads of Growth
Amid these changes, EVCC™ Pedas RSA, strategically located at KM241 (Southbound) on the PLUS North-South Expressway, is designed to meet the evolving needs of the highway economy.
Scheduled for completion in Q1 2026, EVCC™ Pedas RSA will feature:
Tesla Superchargers, offering ultra-fast charging for Tesla vehicles,
High Power Chargers (HPC) by Gentari, compatible with all major EV brands including BYD, Proton e.MAS etc.
GreenRE Platinum-certified design, ensuring environmental responsibility,
Lifestyle-driven amenities, combining retail, dining, and traveler comfort.
EVCC™ Pedas RSA will redefine what an R&R can offer —not just a place to stop, but a destination supporting green mobility, tourism growth, and future-ready infrastructure.
Malaysia’s Highways: Building for the Next Wave
President Xi’s April 2025 visit has reshaped Malaysia’s strategic outlook:
Electric mobility is no longer a trend, it is the future.
Tourism flows are shifting, and infrastructure must adapt.
Highways must transition from passive conduits to active enablers of sustainable travel and commerce.
Projects like EVCC™ Pedas RSA represent Malaysia’s readiness to embrace this future —blending innovation, energy, and lifestyle into the core of its mobility corridors.
The convergence of Chinese EV expansion, surging Chinese tourism, and local travel growth is creating unprecedented momentum. The highways of tomorrow must be smarter, greener, and traveler-centric — and the future is already being built.
EVCC™ : Powering the Mobility Economy of Tomorrow
As Malaysia accelerates into a new era of travel and infrastructure, EVCC™ Pedas RSA stands at the forefront —where mobility, sustainability, and growth converge.
For more information about EVCC™ and the Pedas RSA development, visit:🔗 www.evcc.my
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