Beijing: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof announced that his seven-day working visit to China has successfully reinforced the commitment of both nations towards closer ties, economic cooperation, and sustainable development.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the visit is expected to yield tangible benefits for Malaysia, China, and the ASEAN region as a whole. ‘This cooperation is being strengthened through trade, investment, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges, which form the pillars of shared prosperity and regional stability,’ Fadillah stated at a press conference after concluding his visit to China.
Fadillah, who also serves as the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, highlighted Malaysia-China cooperation in water, energy, and waste management as a crucial step towards sustainable development. He emphasized that pilot projects and innovations aim to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and safeguard the well-being of citizens, aligning with the Malaysia MADANI agenda.
Expressing gratitude to the Chinese government for their hospitality during the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), Fadillah noted, ‘I would like to express my gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the invitation to CAEXPO and the warm hospitality extended throughout our stay in Nanning, Chongqing, and Beijing.’
The visit commenced in Nanning on September 17, where Fadillah delivered Malaysia’s keynote address at the CAEXPO opening ceremony and held discussions with China’s Vice President, Han Zheng. This was followed by a meeting with Wei Tao, the chairman of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, focusing on renewable energy and water resources management.
During his time in Chongqing, Fadillah toured several leading companies in the water resources sector. He expressed admiration for China’s advancements in flood mitigation, water treatment, and sustainable management systems. The visit concluded in Beijing with a meeting with China’s Vice Premier, Liu Guozhong, and an engagement session with major Chinese energy companies, including the State Grid Corporation of China, China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGNPC), and China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC).
‘The commitment shown by China’s leadership and the spirit of cooperation throughout this engagement session reflect the closeness, trust, and strategic importance of Malaysia-China relations,’ Fadillah noted, adding that the visit had bolstered bilateral ties at the highest level.
Malaysia and China have agreed to explore cooperation in the water sector, covering river basin management, flood mitigation, the “Sponge City” concept, and integrated water systems. China’s leadership in clean energy presents opportunities for collaboration to further strengthen Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
Identified areas of cooperation include solar, hydro, nuclear technology, battery energy storage, and pumped hydro solutions. Under Malaysia’s ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship, the country is advancing the ‘Enhanced MoU’ on the ASEAN Power Grid, a significant step towards multilateral power trade that will benefit the entire region.