Malaysia and China continue to solidify their long-standing economic partnership, as evidenced by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visit to China. Arriving in Shanghai on Tuesday, Anwar embarked on a three-day working visit aimed at enhancing bilateral ties, boosting trade, and exploring collaborations in emerging technologies.
During his visit, Anwar, who also serves as Malaysia’s finance minister, is set to engage with key Chinese officials and business leaders. His itinerary includes stops in Shanghai and Hangzhou, with significant engagements scheduled in both cities. A high-level meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang is planned for Thursday in Hangzhou, underscoring the diplomatic and economic importance of the visit.
In Shanghai, Anwar will participate in the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 event, where he is expected to deliver a keynote address at the WorldSkills Conference. His visit will also include meetings with leaders from the business and technology sectors, aimed at encouraging increased foreign investment in Malaysia. The focus will be on fostering cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence and digital trade.
The prime minister’s trip coincides with Malaysia’s role as one of the Guest Countries of Honour at the Fifth Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou. This event presents a platform for Malaysia to showcase its digital trade capabilities and strengthen international partnerships in the digital economy.
Malaysia has maintained a robust economic relationship with China, its largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years. From January to August this year, bilateral trade between the two nations reached an impressive US$113.82 billion. This visit is expected to further cement the economic ties between Malaysia and China, with both countries looking to capitalize on emerging technological opportunities.