As global economic dynamics continue to evolve, Malaysia is actively seeking to bolster its international alliances. A key development in this effort is Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s three-day working visit to China, which began on Tuesday. The trip aims to strengthen Malaysia-China relations, enhance trade ties, and expand cooperation in emerging technologies.
Prime Minister Anwar, who also holds the role of Malaysia’s finance minister, is making strategic stops in Shanghai and Hangzhou during his visit. A significant highlight of his itinerary includes a high-level meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang scheduled for Thursday in Hangzhou. The discussions are expected to focus on deepening bilateral ties and exploring new areas of collaboration.
In Shanghai, Anwar is set to participate in the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 event where he will deliver a keynote address at the WorldSkills Conference. The conference is a platform for discussing skills development, which aligns with Malaysia’s interest in advancing its workforce capabilities. Anwar’s visit underscores Malaysia’s commitment to engaging with global partners in the sphere of skills and technology.
The prime minister’s engagements also include participation in the Fifth Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou, where Malaysia is honored as one of the Guest Countries of Honour. This event highlights Malaysia’s strategic interest in digital trade and artificial intelligence, areas that are becoming increasingly vital to the global economy.
Malaysia and China have shared a robust economic relationship, with China being Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 17 years consecutively. Between January and August this year, bilateral trade amounted to an impressive US$113.82 billion. During his visit, Anwar is expected to meet with Chinese business and technology leaders to encourage greater foreign investment in Malaysia, fostering an environment conducive to mutual economic growth.