Shanghai (TDI): Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim embarks on a working visit to China on Monday, marking his third trip to the country within two years.
The visit, running from Monday to Thursday, underscores a commitment to deepening China-Malaysia ties as both nations celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, analysts say.
Anwar is among several global leaders, including Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, attending the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, taking place from November 5 to 10, according to Global Times.
His attendance at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to catalyze further collaboration between China and Malaysia, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
This milestone visit follows Anwar’s two prior trips to China in March and September 2023.
Analysts view it as part of a strategic effort by Malaysia to advance practical cooperation while exercising a policy of autonomy in a turbulent geopolitical landscape.
Also Read: Malaysia’s King to Visit China
Ge Hongliang, Vice Dean of the ASEAN College at Guangxi Minzu University, highlighted the significance of high-level exchanges, including recent visits by Premier Li to Malaysia in June and Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar to China in September.
“Anwar’s presence reflects a commitment to advancing a China-Malaysia community with a shared future, and the visit is likely to yield concrete plans,” Ge said.
China-Malaysia Trade
As Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, China accounted for 17.1 percent of Malaysia’s total trade in 2023, with bilateral trade reaching 680 billion yuan ($95.47 billion), according to Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Analysts predict that trade and investment will dominate Anwar’s agenda, with particular focus on expanding cooperation in sectors such as electric vehicles, semiconductors, and supply chain stability.
China and Malaysia’s robust cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) includes key projects like the East Coast Rail Link and Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail.
Gu Xiaosong, Dean of the ASEAN Research Institute at Hainan Tropical Ocean University, expressed optimism about the two countries’ partnership, describing Malaysia as a pivotal BRI collaborator.
Also Read: Prime Minister Anwar commends robust Malaysia-China Friendship
Regarding potential tensions in the South China Sea, experts do not foresee it hindering the bilateral relationship.
“It doesn’t dictate the overall direction of ties, as both countries have mature mechanisms to manage and communicate on such issues,” Ge added.
Anwar’s approach reflects Malaysia’s pursuit of “strategic autonomy” amidst global challenges like the Russia-Ukraine war, Middle East tensions, and pressures on global supply chains.
