Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s trade with China has reached RM161.98 billion (US$36.47 billion) in the first four months of 2025, maintaining China’s status as Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, largely due to the export of electrical and electronics (E and E) products.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) highlighted that the bilateral trade relationship received a boost following President Xi Jinping’s recent visit, which emphasized strategic cooperation in green development, the digital economy, and regional infrastructure.
MATRADE noted that bilateral trade between Malaysia and China increased by 7.5 percent in 2024, representing 16.8 percent of Malaysia’s total trade. The organization is set to lead Malaysia’s participation at the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (Caexpo) in Nanning, China, from September 17-21, 2025. The expo is expected to feature more than 100 promising Malaysian companies across various sectors, including food and beverage, healthcare, lifestyle, digital solutions, clean energy, and innovation, aligning with global trends and the demands of the Chinese market.
As Malaysia holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year, MATRADE emphasized that its involvement in the expo is crucial for reinforcing regional economic leadership, promoting inclusive growth, and strengthening its comprehensive strategic partnership with China. MATRADE plans to organize various strategic activities such as business matching sessions, product selection meetings, influencer-led livestream promotions, and hybrid engagement initiatives in collaboration with the Caexpo Secretariat and other Chinese counterparts to boost engagement outcomes.
Datuk Mohammad Medan Abdullah, a MATRADE board member, stated that Caexpo is a key platform for Malaysian businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs from Sarawak, to access markets across China and ASEAN. He urged Sarawak-based businesses to utilize MATRADE’s facilitation services to expand their reach in China’s extensive market, capitalizing on Sarawak’s strengths in renewable and green energy, high-value manufacturing, and downstream resource-based industries.
Since Malaysia’s debut at Caexpo in 2004, over 2,000 Malaysian companies have participated through MATRADE, generating a cumulative export value of RM6.69 billion, demonstrating the expo’s role in facilitating access to the Chinese market. MATRADE also stated that Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, aims to leverage its presence at Caexpo to promote key regional priorities, including trade resilience, digitalisation, and equitable growth across the region.
Interested companies seeking participation and further information can reach out to MATRADE’s team or visit their website at https://www.matrade.gov.my/en/events-promotion/international-trade-event-list.