Malaysia-China Ties More Vibrant Now Than Ever - Anwar

By Voon Miaw Ping

TIANJIN (China), Sept 1 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the long-standing relations between Malaysia and China, rooted in trust and mutual respect, has now become more solid and vibrant.

“Half a century on, that confidence has matured into a habit of trust – steady, sometimes quiet, but always real.

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“What gives this relationship its weight is the assurance that even in uncertain times both countries keep faith with one another. And it is precisely in moments of turbulence that such steadiness matters most,” he said in his public lecture at the Tianjin University here, Monday.

The lecture titled “Sovereign Interdependence: Building A Shared Future in Asia” was attended by 500 people including university students and academics.

Anwar said the three meetings that he had had with Chinese President Xi Jinping so far, including Xi’s state visit to Kuala Lumpur last April, were continuations of that long journey. 

“Each encounter carried forward the understanding that our two countries, different in size yet equal in respect, can speak with candour and act with consistency.

The trust, he said, has made practical cooperation not only possible, but solid and vibrant.

“We see it in the high-quality infrastructure that’s supercharging our commercial links, our growing collaboration in green energy and the digital economy, and in smaller but meaningful steps that touch daily life, such as the introduction of mutual visa-free travel,” he added.

China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 years since 2009.

Total trade between the two countries is valued at RM484.12 billion in 2024, representing 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s total global trade of RM2.879 trillion.

The prime minister is here to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025. China, the current Chair, had invited Anwar to deliver remarks at the SCO Plus Summit this evening.

His presence at the summit, despite Malaysia not being an observer state or a dialogue partner to the SCO, reflects the close and strategic trust between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.

His four-day working visit in China also covers Beijing, where he will pay a courtesy call on Xi at the Great Hall of People, followed by a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang tomorrow. 

Li will also host a dinner reception in honour of Anwar at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

On Sept 3, Anwar will attend the Victory Day Parade to mark 80 years after the end of World War II in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.

This visit marks Anwar’s fourth to China since assuming office in November 2022. It reflects the strong bilateral ties between both nations since diplomatic relations were established on May 31, 1974.

-- BERNAMA