Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged his full support for accelerating Malaysia’s full membership in the BRICS bloc. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced this development after meeting Xi at the Great Hall of the People during his four-day working visit to China.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Xi expressed his full support for Malaysia’s participation as a full member of BRICS, a bloc established in 2009 and currently consisting of 11 countries, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Egypt. Malaysia became a partner country of the bloc in early 2025. The announcement marks a significant step for Malaysia on the world stage, as described by Anwar to the Malaysian media.
The Prime Minister made a courtesy call on Xi, and both leaders discussed efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Anwar remarked that their meeting reinforced ties since Xi’s state visit to Malaysia last April, during which 31 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed. Anwar emphasized the importance of implementing the agreed matters promptly to enhance the relationship between the two countries.
Anwar expressed gratitude for the friendship and respect shown by Xi, emphasizing the mutual desire to strengthen ties based on trust, respect, and sincerity. He highlighted that despite Malaysia being a smaller country, the shared determination with China could lead to a more peaceful and prosperous future.
Anwar also reiterated Malaysia’s support for Xi’s proposals, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) introduced during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. He congratulated Xi on the successful organization of the historic SCO Summit.
China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching US$106 billion last year, highlighting the closeness of their relationship. Anwar stated Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening high-value exports such as electronics and electrical products, aerospace, medical and pharmaceutical products, and oil and gas.