Last year marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia. This week, the two nations have taken their partnership to new heights.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday, proposing a vision to jointly build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future. This ambitious plan aims to benefit both peoples and contribute to regional prosperity.
A Three-Point Proposal
During their meeting, President Xi outlined a three-point proposal:
Strategic Independence: Emphasizing the importance of making independent decisions that reflect their national interests.
Development Synergy: Encouraging cooperation in areas like the digital economy, green technology, blue economy, and artificial intelligence.
Cultural Exchange: Deepening civilizational exchange and mutual learning to strengthen people-to-people connections.
Opposing Tariffs and Promoting Openness
Both leaders voiced opposition to indiscriminate tariffs and urged joint efforts to resist decoupling and supply chain disruptions. President Xi advocated for responding to global uncertainties with Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness.
Prime Minister Anwar echoed these sentiments, stating that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will not endorse any unilaterally imposed tariffs.
Enhancing High-Quality Cooperation
China expressed its willingness to enhance high-quality bilateral cooperation. The two countries agreed to strengthen partnerships in cutting-edge fields and integrate their industrial, supply, value, data, and talent chains.
In 2024, China-Malaysia trade reached $212 billion, nearly 1,000 times the level at the start of their diplomatic relations. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, while Malaysia remains China’s second-largest trading partner within ASEAN.
Belt and Road Collaboration
Malaysia was one of the earliest supporters of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The two nations signed a BRI memorandum of understanding in 2017, leading to significant projects like the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” program and the East Coast Rail Link.
Following their meeting, Xi and Anwar witnessed the signing of over 30 bilateral cooperation deals spanning artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and agriculture, showcasing their commitment to high-quality cooperation.
Cultural Exchanges Flourish
Beyond trade, China and Malaysia have seen flourishing cultural exchanges and tourism. In 2024, nearly 6 million mutual visits exceeded pre-pandemic levels, bolstered by a mutual visa exemption policy initiated on December 1, 2023.
President Xi emphasized the importance of this agreement as an opportunity to promote tourism, youth engagement, and local exchanges. The two countries are also collaborating on cultural projects, including a joint application to UNESCO for the “Lion Dance” to be included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Recently, the Chinese movie “Ne Zha 2” premiered in Malaysia, breaking box office records for Chinese films in the market.
Positive Sentiments
A recent CGTN poll revealed that 83.6% of Malaysian respondents hold positive views about China, with 83.8% expressing interest in visiting or studying in the country.
