KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 19 -- As Chinese businesses expand in Malaysia's food and beverage industry, industry voices say it's time to shift focus from seeing them as a threat to recognising how competition can strengthen an already pressured sector.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the rapid rise of Chinese-owned restaurants has reignited debates about competition. Some local operators argue that foreign businesses face few barriers to entry while benefiting from state support, favourable policies and systematic resources.

Calls for state intervention, including targeted support measures and closer anti-monopoly scrutiny, have grown.

For Malaysia Chinese Restaurant Association president Gao Haoyun, protectionism is the wrong response - success ...