AEA founder Feng Jun signs a memorandum of understanding with Malaysian Country Heights Group CEO Michele Lee at the Malaysian Embassy to China in Beijing on December 6 (YU LINTAO)

Chinese entrepreneurs from the Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance (AEA), a group of about 100 privately owned enterprises, recently decided to choose Malaysia as their preferred trade and investment destination in Southeast Asia.

On December 6, the Malaysian Embassy to China in Beijing hosted a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding between AEA and Malaysian Country Heights Group announcing the establishment of a strategic cooperative partnership.

Malaysia was voted the AEA's top investment destination after AEA representatives visited five countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN), including Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia earlier this year.

Feng Jun, Chairman of the consumer electronics maker Aigo Digital Co. Ltd. and founder of the AEA, said after they visited five ASEAN nations for a business survey, most entrepreneurs thought Malaysia could provide the most favorable and lucrative investment environment.

"Country Heights Group is a creditworthy corporation; I hope we can together establish a good cooperative partnership," said Feng.

China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner since 2009, according to Malaysian Ambassador to China H.E. Datuk Iskandar Sarudin. He hopes AEA investment in Malaysia could further stimulate economic growth in the ASEAN nation, meanwhile promoting bilateral relations.

Feng established the AEA with about 20 Chinese entrepreneurs including Pony Ma, CEO of the Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Dong Mingzhu, CEO of Gree Electric Appliances Inc., a manufacturer of air conditioners.

The alliance also plans to send two delegations to Latin America and the United States later this year for further business opportunities.