Beijing: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit here on Monday, an important honour that reflects the country’s leadership and role as a regional power in advocating cooperation and global stability.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia’s Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad stated that Anwar will be the first Malaysian leader invited to the high-level Summit, where he will deliver remarks at the SCO Plus Summit on September 1. Although Malaysia is neither an observer state nor a dialogue partner to the SCO, the invitation by the Chinese government underscores the close and strategic relations between Malaysia and China. It also highlights Malaysia’s vital role as the current ASEAN Chair, following its successful hosting of the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur in May.
‘Malaysia does not have formal ties with the SCO, yet we are invited. This is a very special invitation,’ Norman told the Malaysian media. He emphasized that China views Malaysia and ASEAN as key players in strengthening multilateral relations, especially amid current global political uncertainties. The Prime Minister’s address at the SCO Plus Summit is expected to further Malaysia’s perspectives on regional and international issues, reinforcing its commitment to regional peace, neutrality, and stability within a broader multilateral framework.
The Prime Minister will undertake a four-day working visit to China beginning tomorrow, his fourth since assuming office in November 2022. He will be accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The delegation also includes Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Apart from the SCO Summit, Anwar will attend the Victory Day Parade marking 80 years since the end of World War II at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, on September 3. Another highlight of the visit will be his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, followed by a special dinner reception hosted by Premier Li Qiang at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Norman noted that this dinner, hosted on behalf of Xi, is the only exclusive event arranged by the Chinese government for visiting leaders during this period.
During meetings with Chinese leaders, Anwar is expected to reaffirm and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and explore new opportunities for cooperation, including building stronger people-to-people ties. In Tianjin, the Prime Minister will deliver a public lecture titled ‘Sovereign Interdependence: Building a Shared Future in Asia’ at Tianjin University on September 1.
The Ambassador also mentioned that the Prime Minister will hold a series of business engagements with top Chinese investors and founders of numerous Chinese multinational companies during the visit. China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009, with total trade valued at RM484.12 billion in 2024, representing 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s total global trade of RM2.879 trillion.