PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping today at Seri Perdana in Putrajaya, marking a significant moment in Malaysia–China relations as the two nations look to further solidify diplomatic and economic ties.
President Xi, accompanied by a high-level delegation, arrived at the Prime Minister’s official residence at 505pm and was warmly received by Anwar.
The reception included a traditional cultural performance by Malaysia’s National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA), reflecting the spirit of friendship between the two nations.
A group of schoolchildren from Sekolah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 16(2) welcomed the Chinese leader with a greeting in Mandarin: “Selamat Datang ke Malaysia”.
President Xi signed the official guestbook before entering closed-door discussions with Anwar.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, alongside a number of senior Malaysian Cabinet members including Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, and Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir.
The leaders are expected to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern.
This visit marks Xi’s second to Malaysia in over a decade—his last being in 2013—taking place against the backdrop of complex geopolitical and geo-economic shifts.
President Xi described the trip as a move to “further deepen traditional friendship and strengthen political trust between the two countries”.
The meeting is set to culminate in the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), official notes, and agreements between Malaysia and China. The exchange of documents will be followed by a state dinner hosted by Anwar in Xi’s honour.
Earlier in the day, President Xi received an official welcome at Istana Negara, where he paid a courtesy call on Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim. His Majesty also hosted a state banquet for the Chinese delegation.
Xi’s three-day state visit to Malaysia—undertaken at the invitation of Sultan Ibrahim—is part of his first series of international engagements in 2025, which also includes visits to Vietnam and Cambodia.
As current ASEAN Chair and Country Coordinator for ASEAN–China Dialogue Relations, Malaysia has reiterated its commitment to advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and China through mutual trust, people-oriented initiatives, and sustained dialogue.
Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China were formally established on 31 May 1974, with the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of ties last year.
China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years since 2009. In 2024, bilateral trade reached RM484.12 billion, accounting for 16.8 percent of Malaysia’s total global trade, which stood at RM2.88 trillion. - April 16, 2025
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