From Malaysia to China: Raymond Hong’s journey to fostering diplomatic and economic ties between Malaysia and China
For some, being a people person allows them to easily make new acquaintances and appreciate social settings. For Raymond Hong, it became a lifelong calling. Now having lived in China for 16 years, he takes his ambassadorial-like role for Malaysia seriously via his company, RecruitPlus, a recruitment firm specialising in linking companies from China and ASEAN to deserving talents, as well as his services for the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce China – Shanghai (MAYCHAM Shanghai).
Money isn’t everything
Raymond’s initial decision to move to China was simple – he wanted to learn Mandarin, a language he didn’t get a chance to learn during his formative years in Sekolah Kebangsaan.
When it comes to his efforts as then Vice Chairman and now as Secretary General in MayCham Shanghai, Raymond simply does it out of his love for connecting with people; he even admits that there is no monetary value for him in the endeavour.
The Malaysian Chamber of Commerce China – Shanghai or MayCham Shanghai for short, serves as a diplomatic and economic facilitator between Malaysia and China. It hosts between 2-3 events monthly to further strengthen ties between Malaysia and China, be it for ministers and dignitaries through government-related events or between companies from either country to promote investment, trade and information sharing. One of these events includes a Merdeka Gala dinner which he has been hosting annually, with around 700 participants, being the largest national celebration by a foreign chamber in Shanghai. Raymond estimates that he would have spent at least 30% of his time on his efforts with MayCham Shanghai as he truly enjoys meeting people and promoting Malaysia to the Chinese community.
The importance of resilience
While Raymond is all in favour of developing and strengthening professional networks, he does not overlook the importance of hard work, staying innovative and working smart to achieve your goals. The ability to be resilient to overcome setbacks and failures is something he knows all too well, having competed in a market made up of 1.4 billion in its population. The key to thriving in his opinion is to take everything one step at a time and continuously believe in whatever you set out to accomplish.
This is why he believes that all Malaysians abroad have a role to play for the betterment of the nation. No matter how big or small their contribution, every little bit will help in the long run.
Patriots come from all walks of life
Like Raymond, MyHeart also believes in the ability of Malaysians abroad to share their expertise and unique perspectives with fellow Malaysians, allowing those still at home to implement new ideas and be inspired to create a brighter tomorrow.
Join other like-minded Malaysians abroad by registering on the MyHeart portal and explore what else is in store for you!
