PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Premier Li Qiang exchanged views on the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and the need to ensure the technology remains under human control during a visit to the Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) Hangzhou, China.
Anwar said the two leaders toured the exhibition area themed “Discovering the Future of AI at GDTE”, which showcased emerging technologies and innovations.
“We exchanged views on the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and the challenges that come with it. AI technology and products must remain under human control, not humans being controlled by them,” he said in a social media post.
He said they also agreed that the world needed to pool its strengths and deepen cooperation to harness new opportunities while ensuring technological advances were used for the wellbeing and shared progress of all.
Anwar said his visit to the fifth GDTE was among the highlights of the third day of his working visit to China.
Malaysia, as the expo’s Country of Honour, is participating with a Malaysia Pavilion for the first time, organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).
Earlier, China’s AgiBot Innovation has expressed potential plans to invest RM1 billion in Malaysia by 2035, creating 5,000 jobs, following discussions with the Prime Minister during his working visit to China.
Anwar said the potential investment was among the outcomes of meetings he held with senior management of five major Chinese companies — AgiBot Innovation, ZTE Corporation, Alibaba Group, Geely Automobile Holdings and Huawei Technologies.
He said the discussions focused on new investment opportunities and strategic cooperation in high-impact sectors, including humanoid robotics, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicle technology and e-commerce.
ZTE, meanwhile, outlined initiatives and investments worth RM170 million to drive Malaysia’s digital transformation and create more quality employment opportunities for local talent.
Anwar said his discussions with Alibaba also covered efforts to expand market access for Malaysian products, particularly those produced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the country’s halal industry, to China and global markets through Alibaba’s digital ecosystem.
He said the government remained committed to attracting high-quality investments, strengthening local talent and generating skilled employment opportunities to support economic prosperity.
Anwar arrived in Shanghai on Tuesday for a three-day working visit to China. - September 24, 2026
