Kuala Lumpur: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia has underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral ties between the two nations. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz emphasized the significance of the visit, highlighting Malaysia’s crucial role within ASEAN and its bilateral relationship with China.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state visit facilitated the signing of multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at boosting investment and trade between China and Malaysia. The MoUs focus on cooperation in new technology and artificial intelligence (AI), with the goal of easing trade concerns and enabling more Malaysian companies to export to China.

The exchange included 31 MoUs and documents covering various sectors, with three key agreements involving the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). These agreements pertain to cooperation in trade and services, upgrading the China-Malaysia ‘Two Countries, Twin Parks’ project, and cooperation standardisation. The MoUs also aim to encourage Chinese investment in Malaysia’s technology sectors, particularly in AI and semiconductors.

Malaysia and China last year celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, established on May 31, 1974. Tengku Zafrul noted that China has been Malaysia’s main trading partner for over 16 years and is one of the largest investors in the country, particularly over the past decade.

Xi Jinping’s current visit marks his second official trip to Malaysia in 12 years, following his previous visit in 2013. As part of the visit, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will host an official dinner at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya in Xi’s honor. Earlier, Anwar and Xi discussed bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

China has maintained its position as Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009. In 2024, the total trade between the two nations was valued at RM484.12 billion, accounting for 16.8 percent of Malaysia’s total global trade of RM2.88 trillion. As the Chair of ASEAN and Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Malaysia remains committed to advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and China.