COMMENT | Today’s column is neither a history lesson nor a mini-transcript for future editions of Hari Ini Dalam Sejarah (Today in History).

These are important dates that some of our political leaders tend to forget when they selectively choose to use them to attack any form of relations with China.

May 31, 1974: Malaysia establishes diplomatic relations with China.

Dec 2, 1989: The Peace Agreement of Hat Yai was signed to mark the end of the communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–1989). It was signed and ratified by the Malayan Communist Party (MCP), and the Malaysian and Thailand governments.

Feb 22, 2016: The first Chinese university campus in Malaysia, Xiamen University Malaysia, opened for enrolment.

Aug 9, 2017: Then-prime minister, Najib Abdul Razak, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) which forms part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.