Malaysia's Minister of Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Yeo Bee Yin speaks at the South-South Cooperation in the New Asian Era Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 10, 2018. Yeo Bee Yin said on Tuesday that Malaysia can learn a lot of from China, especially on technology. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's Minister of Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Yeo Bee Yin said on Tuesday that Malaysia can learn a lot of from China, especially on technology.

Yeo, who was sworn in as the youngest female minister in the cabinet this month, made the remarks at the South-South Cooperation in the New Asian Era Forum, which also saw the attendance of scholars from China's renowned Peking University.

Citing China's great stride in mobile payment -- from a cash society straight to a cashless society -- Yeo said China has changed a lot, "from a country that people think that it is only an imitator to an innovator."

"China is going to lead in certain ways in technology in days to come," said Yeo, also highlighting China's transformation in artificial intelligence (AI) and renewable energy.

She said Malaysia is also looking forward to Chinese investment to Malaysia, not only on infrastructure, but also about technology that can create high-skilled jobs, high paid jobs for Malaysians and can also help Malaysia to grow its skills in AI as well as in renewable energy.

Yeo also noted that Malaysia needs to replicate the optimism reflected among Chinese young people, to drive the people to work harder, create more jobs and spur economic growth.

She proposed technological commercialization between two countries, academy collaboration as well as mutual investment to create closer bilateral ties.