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BEIJING – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official four-day visit to China this week marks one of the most comprehensive yet for the Malaysian prime minister since taking the helm last November.
It is expected that Anwar and his counterpart, China’s Premier Li Qiang, will witness on Saturday the signing of at least three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the two governments and, separately, 11 MoUs between Malaysian and Chinese companies.
Another highlight of the prime minister’s time here is the courtesy visit on Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they will be discussing partnerships on trade and political cooperation as well as exchanging views on the current international landscape.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir shared that this visit is especially meaningful as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Malaysia-China comprehensive strategic partnership, and ushers in the 50th anniversary next year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Anwar is also among the first few foreign leaders visiting Beijing after Xi was re-elected for a precedent-breaking third term and the appointment of Li as premier earlier this month.
“The main aim of the visit is to enhance the bilateral relationship between China and Malaysia. China remains Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009,” Zambry told reporters here last night.
“We will be able to witness the announcement of a significant investment from China to Malaysia, in addition to the presence of a large number of corporate figures from both countries.
“Clearly, the prime minister’s Malaysia Madani concept resonates with President Xi’s ‘Community of Shared Future for Mankind’. Both leaders are also determined to combat graft, malfeasance and abuse of power.”
Anwar is expected to arrive here on Thursday afternoon and be received by China’s vice-foreign minister Sun Weidong. Later that day, he will be breaking fast with more than 200 Malaysians based in China as well as the Malaysian delegates.
On Friday, the prime minister is scheduled to speak at the prestigious Tsinghua University, which is ranked 16th in the world by Times Higher Education.
After his courtesy visit with Xi, Anwar will be meeting Zhao Leji, the new head of China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress. Discussions will be focused on cooperation among parliamentarians of the two countries.
He will end his day with an iftar event sponsored by the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce, which will be attended by corporate figures and leaders of the Muslim community in China.
Bilateral meeting on trade, economic matters
On Saturday, the prime minister will be giving his keynote address at a business forum involving 1,000 participants from both countries after a roundtable with high-profile Chinese investors.
Here, Anwar will witness the signing of at least 11 MoUs between Malaysian and Chinese companies.
Later, he will be received by Li at the Great Hall of the People here to kickstart the bilateral meeting, focusing on economy, commerce and investments, as well as the signing of the three MoUs.
They are:
i. First Protocol to Amend the Agreement on Expanding and Deepening Economic and Trade Cooperation between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. This involves the International Trade and Industry Ministry and its Chinese counterpart.
ii. Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirement for the Exportation of Jackfruit to China between the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and China’s General Administration of Customs.
iii. Protocol on Quarantine and Health Requirements for the Import of Aquaculture Feed from Malaysia to China.
Apart from Zambry, Anwar is accompanied by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
Anwar is scheduled to arrive in Hainan – China’s southernmost province – this afternoon ahead of his speech tomorrow at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2023.
Other world leaders in attendance there are Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Ivory Coast Prime Minister Patrick Achi and Kazakhstan Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov. Also attending is International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva.
Anwar will also attend a meeting with the top leadership of China Communications Construction Company, which is the contractor of the East Coast Rail Link – Malaysia’s mega rail project. – The Vibes, March 29, 2023
