BEIJING, May 29 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called on Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse today.
Zahid, who was accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin and Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad, arrived at 4pm.
This visit is his first official trip to China since assuming office in December 2022, and is made at the invitation of China’s Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang.
During the welcoming remarks, both parties expressed their readiness to continue strengthening the bilateral relations between Malaysia and China, which were first established on May 31, 1974.
“I am here to represent Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and our country to discuss the way forward to strengthen our relationship through government-to-government (G2G), business-to-business (B2B), and people-to-people (P2P),” said Zahid.
He added that Malaysia-China diplomatic relations should not be disrupted or damaged by external influences, ensuring that the ties between the people and administrations of both countries are always safeguarded for future generations.
Meanwhile, Li Qiang said China will continue to build and strengthen China-Malaysia cooperation, which will benefit the people of both countries and contribute to the prosperity of the world community.
“Let us make this 50-year (anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations) the best for greater years to come through the strategic leadership by our President Xi Jinping together with Prime Minister Anwar,” he said.
The visit is part of the exchange of high-level visits lined up for the year to commemorate the 50th year of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.
During his stay in Beijing, Zahid is also scheduled to hold discussions with Ding Xuexiang and State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong.
The Deputy Prime Minister will also host a gala reception and attend the 50th-anniversary celebration of the establishment of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations, co-organised by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing.
In a statement today, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said the official visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations. It will focus on exploring cooperation opportunities in education, particularly TVET, the development of the halal industry, and people-to-people exchanges.
In 2023, trade between Malaysia and China reached RM450.84 billion (US$98.80billion), accounting for 17.1 per cent of Malaysia’s global trade.
China ranks as the fifth largest investor in Malaysia, with these projects expected to create 9,305 job opportunities.
— Bernama
