Malaysian Prime Minister to Visit China for 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE)
Background
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a working visit to China from November 4 to 7, 2024, at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, to attend the 7th China International Import Expo (7th CIIE) in Shanghai.
Malaysia’s Honored as Country of Honour
Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry announced on November 3, 2024, that Malaysia has been honored as the Country of Honour at the 7th CIIE. This is a testament to the country’s strong economic ties with China.
Delegation Accompanying the Prime Minister
The prime minister will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; and Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim Chee Keong.
Meetings and Events
During his visit, the prime minister is scheduled to meet Premier Li Qiang to deliberate on bilateral matters following their meeting in Putrajaya on June 19, 2024. They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and interest.
The CIIE is an initiative by the Government of China to provide a platform for countries involved in its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to promote and export products and services to the country. The prime minister will deliver a speech and officiate the Malaysia Pavilion and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) Pavilion during the opening ceremony of the 7th CIIE in Shanghai.
Additional Activities
The prime minister will also participate in various one-on-one business meetings and hold a roundtable session with captains of industry from China. He will also visit Beijing for two days, where he is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Xi Jinping.
Talk and Visit
The prime minister will deliver a talk entitled "Bridging Futures: Strengthening Malaysia-China Relations and ASEAN Centrality in a Shifting Global Order" at Peking University, and visit the Huawei Executive Briefing Centre.
Bilateral Ties and Trade
This visit will enhance the strong bilateral ties between Malaysia and China, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. For 15 consecutive years since 2009, China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner globally.
In 2023, total trade with China was valued at RM450.84 billion (US$98.80 billion), contributing 17.1% of Malaysia’s global trade. As of September 2024, the recorded total trade was RM355.15 billion (US$76.72 billion). In the first half of 2024, a total of 15 manufacturing projects were implemented with investment totaling RM1.2 billion (US$252.5 million).
Conclusion
The prime minister’s visit to China is expected to further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries, and promote economic cooperation and trade between Malaysia and China.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the prime minister’s visit to China?
A: The prime minister will attend the 7th China International Import Expo (7th CIIE) in Shanghai and hold various meetings with Chinese officials to promote bilateral economic ties and trade.
Q: What is the significance of Malaysia being honored as the Country of Honour at the 7th CIIE?
A: It is a testament to Malaysia’s strong economic ties with China and its commitment to promoting bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.
Q: What are the key highlights of the prime minister’s visit?
A: The prime minister will deliver a speech, officiate the Malaysia Pavilion and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) Pavilion, and participate in various one-on-one business meetings and a roundtable session with captains of industry from China.