MALAYSIA is stepping up its strategic partnership with China through a suite of new bilateral agreements spanning trade, investment, industrial development and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
The strengthened ties were marked during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s high-profile state visit to Malaysia, his first in over a decade.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hosted Xi at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya, where the two leaders held closed-door talks and presided over a signing ceremony involving key memoranda of understanding aimed at expanding economic and technological cooperation.
“Malaysia is committed to working together with China in various fields of endeavour — economy, trade, investment and new technology, including AI initiatives and all related methods that we have discussed for many years now,” Anwar said, expressing his strong support for China’s development vision.
He also paid tribute to Xi’s leadership and influence on global development policy.
“When we met in China last year, President Xi exemplified a new style of leadership, one that focuses on growth, investment, economic advancement and the eradication of poverty — and he has delivered,” said Anwar.
“We admire your tenacity and, for that, Malaysians welcome you not just as the President of a great country, but as a true friend. Xie xie (thank you) for your leadership and friendship.”
Xi and his delegation were greeted on arrival with a cultural performance by the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA) before signing the official guest book and entering bilateral discussions.
The event was attended by Malaysia’s two Deputy Prime Ministers, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, along with senior ministers covering portfolios including trade, transport, science, education and housing.
The visit comes in the wake of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia–China diplomatic relations, first established on 31 May 1974. Since then, the relationship has grown significantly, with China serving as Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.
In 2024, total trade between the two countries reached RM484.12 billion, accounting for 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s overall global trade. The figures reflect not only strong commercial ties, but also a sustained push towards economic interdependence and regional development.
Meanwhile, the visit also saw the signing of several memoranda of understanding aimed at boosting cooperation in services trade, industrial innovation, standardisation, AI, and the digital economy.
A highlight among them was the renewal of the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” initiative — pairing the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) with the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park in Guangxi. This initiative has been widely regarded as a model for international industrial collaboration.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Zheng Shanjie, chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), formalised agreements on artificial intelligence and the digital economy.
Another MoU on standardisation was signed between the Department of Standards Malaysia and China’s State Administration for Market Regulation.
The signing ceremony, which took place this afternoon, was witnessed by both leaders and formed part of Xi’s three-day state visit, which is being conducted at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.
The trip underscores Malaysia’s increasingly pivotal role in ASEAN–China engagement and its ambition to play a central role in the region’s technological and economic future. - April 16, 2025
