CHINESE PRESIDENT XI TO BEGIN THREE-DAY STATE VISIT TO MALAYSIA ON TUESDAY

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) – Chinese President Xi Jinping will undertake a three-day state visit to Malaysia starting Tuesday.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) said the visit from April 15 to 17 is at the invitation of Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

During his visit, Xi will be accorded a state welcoming ceremony, followed by an audience with Sultan Ibrahim at Istana Negara.

Sultan Ibrahim will also graciously host a state banquet in honour of Xi and his delegation.

Accompanied by cabinet ministers and senior government officials, Xi is scheduled to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss bilateral cooperation, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

“Both leaders will then witness the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding, Agreements, and Notes between Malaysia and China,” the statement said.

Anwar will also host an official dinner at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya in honour of Xi.

The visit is part of Xi’s first tour of state visits in 2025, which also includes stops in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Xi’s last state visit to Malaysia was in 2013, during which both countries elevated diplomatic relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Malaysia and China established diplomatic relations on May 31, 1974. Both countries, having marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year, enjoy strong bilateral ties.

For sixteen years since 2009, China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner.

Total trade between the two countries is valued at RM484.12 billion in 2024, representing 16.8  per cent of Malaysia’s total global trade (RM2.879 trillion).

As Chair of ASEAN and the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Malaysia remains committed to advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and China.

The Foreign Ministry stated that this will be pursued through dialogue, mutual trust, and initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of ASEAN and China.

-- BERNAMA