[UPDATED] China rolls out red carpet for Anwar in official welcoming ceremony

BEIJING – China has rolled out the red carpet for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the official welcoming ceremony here at the Great Hall of the People this afternoon.

Anwar is scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who was on hand to personally greet the Malaysian leader.

Anwar also inspected the guard of honour, which comprised more than 100 military personnel. The national anthems of both China and Malaysia were also played.

Anwar also inspected the Guard of Honour, which comprised more than 100 military personnel. The national anthems of both China and Malaysia were also played. pic.twitter.com/WSJfObIc3r

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) April 1, 2023

The highlight of Anwar’s meeting with Li, to be held in the East Hall, will be the signing of three government-to-government memorandums of understanding (MoUs) that will affect bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The meeting, which began at 5.15pm, started with opening remarks by Li, who affirmed China and Malaysia’s continuing relationship after 10 years of a mutual comprehensive strategic partnership and 50 years of diplomatic relations. 

“The relationship between the two countries stands at a new historical starting point, (with) China embarking on a new journey to build a modern, socialist country, and Malaysia also moving towards building a new Malaysia envisioned by the prime minister,” said Li.

Anwar, meanwhile, in his opening remarks stressed that China was an important neighbour to Malaysia, and that Malaysian governments in the past had always been friendly towards Beijing despite being represented by different political parties.

Anwar also said that more than 250 members of the Malaysian business community had accompanied him on his official visit to China, and this reflected the country’s importance in economy and trade for Malaysia.

Anwar added that the new government led by him was clear in its position on China, recognising and accepting its One-China policy and single-party leadership.

He also touched on the “lengthy discussion” he held with President Xi Jinping yesterday, where he was “impressed by his (Xi’s) humility and passion for some issues, notwithstanding China being a major economic power”.

“That’s why we choose to openly and publicly support China and China’s leadership,” said Anwar.

Anwar and Li’s meeting, which lasted about an hour, then ended with the leaders witnessing the signing of three government-to-government 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 on Quarantine and Health Requirements for the Import of Aquaculture Feed from Malaysia to China.

iii. 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.

PM @anwaribrahin and Chinese Premier Li Qiang witnessed the signing of the MOUs pic.twitter.com/8AYn2RBOoD

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) April 1, 2023

The first MoU was signed by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz on behalf of Malaysia, while the second and third agreements were signed by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.

Signing on behalf of China for the first MoU was Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Chinese Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Tang Renjian for the second agreement, and General Administration of Customs of China Minister Yu Jianhua for the third document.

Anwar will attend a state banquet hosted by Li tonight and will be joined by other Chinese leaders.

Besides Tengku Zafrul and Zambry, other Malaysian officials who are with Anwar on his maiden official visit to China are Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, and Malaysian ambassador to China, Raja Datuk Nushirwan Zainal Abidin.

The prime minister’s visit has resulted in a commitment of RM170 billion in investments to Malaysia – the largest yet from China. – The Vibes, April 1, 2023