MALAYSIA intends to enhance its diplomatic engagement with China, to ensure that the two countries forge a strong strategic partnership in the future, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar said China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Malaysia is significant and reflects the strong bond between the two nations.

“Our position is to ensure the relationship with China remains strong, and is further enhanced from the normal diplomatic engagement, to become a strong strategic partnership,” he told reporters, after the courtesy call by Wang and Chinese delegates in George Town today.

Anwar also thanked Wang for facilitating many major Chinese investments in Malaysia.

Earlier Wang had a four-eyed meeting with Anwar for about 25 minutes at a hotel, before they were joined by Transport Minister Anthony Loke; Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang and also caretaker Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for further discussions.

The finance minister said the visit will also further strengthen the strategic ties between the two countries.

He said during the discussion, both nations also planned to explore increasing collaboration in research and education.

“We mainly discussed trade and investment but we also touched on education, where we (Malaysia) have a significant number of Chinese students, about 60,000 here, and they also intend to increase the number of Malaysian students in China,” he said.

The meeting signifies the importance of bilateral trade relations between the two countries, where China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009, with a trade volume of US$110.6 billion (RM488 billion) recorded last year.

In terms of investment, China was the largest foreign direct investor in Malaysia last year, with investments amounting to US$12.5 billion.

Malaysia’s total exports to China increased by 9.4% to RM210.62 billion in 2022, while imports from China saw a 20.7% increase to RM276.50 billion in the same year.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Malaysia and China, and both countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year, signifying the long-standing friendship and robust cooperation in various sectors. – Bernama, August 11, 2023.