His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia (right), welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) at the Istana Negara on April 16. This was President Xi's second state visit to Malaysia since 2013.
As 2026 draws closer, Ambassador Ouyang Yujing and fellow diplomats from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia wish everyone a Happy New Year
2025 has been a pivotal year for China-Malaysia relations.
This year has seen frequent high-level visits between leaders of both countries across various bilateral and multilateral missions, further strengthening China-Malaysia relations and advancing the vision of a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
Now, the partnership between the two nations is embarking on a new chapter, aiming for another “golden fifty years” of collaboration.
Deepening trust
High-level visits have consolidated political mutual trust. In April, Chinese President Xi Jinping made his second state visit to Malaysia since 2013, during which President Xi and top leaders of Malaysia exchanged ideas on deepening cooperation and enriching friendship in various sectors, jointly elevating China-Malaysia relations to a new historic height.
Leaders of both sides have also given each other firm support in hosting major diplomatic events.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited China in August, attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and commemorations marking the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Since taking office, Anwar has visited China four times, demonstrating his strong will to promote China-Malaysia relations.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang also visited Malaysia twice this year, attending the Asean-China-GCC Summit and the Asean Summit and related meetings, showing China’s clear stance on deepening China-Malaysia relations, supporting Malaysia as Asean Chair and upholding Asean centrality.
Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof visited China this year, attending the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) respectively, injecting a strong drive to cooperation in various fields.
Exchanges at various levels increased significantly, yielding impressive achievements to boost the cultivation of a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
In September, Anwar (left) made his fourth visit to China since assuming office, working with President Xi Jinping to expand bilateral cooperation.
Shared benefits
Pragmatic cooperation between the nations has prospered in “win-win” development.
Built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared benefits, the China-Malaysia cooperation has prospered in various fields, laying the foundation for its continued prosperity in the long run.
China and Malaysia worked closely to get the China-Asean Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol officially signed within this year.
From the economic and trade cooperation perspective, Malaysia is China’s largest import source and second largest trading partner within Asean.
The first ten months of the year have seen China-Malaysia trade volume scale to US$159.9bil.
China is also on track to maintain its position as Malaysia’s largest trading partner for the 17th consecutive year. From the industrial cooperation standpoint, China has been a major investment source in Malaysia’s high-end manufacturing sector for many years, with cumulative investment exceeding US$20.8bil.
Now, the two countries are working to accelerate the establishment of regional hubs to drive innovation-led growth and high-tech development.
Ouyang Yujing is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia.
Fruitful results have been achieved in the digital economy, green development, electric vehicles (EVs), data centres and artificial intelligence (AI), contributing to both countries’ industrial transformation.
In terms of aligning development strategies, both countries are making rapid progress in implementing high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.
The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), for example, has achieved 90% completion, while the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” project has undergone an upgrade, and the second 5G network – jointly constructed by Huawei and ZTE – is progressing well with 60% completion.
China’s e-commerce platforms have also provided opportunities for Malaysian SMEs to start up, prosper and go global.
For example, the Gemas-Johor Baru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) upgrade was completed this year, adding new drive to Malaysia’s rail industry modernisation.
By leveraging comparative strengths and aligning development strategies, China and Malaysia will continue to deepen cooperation in various fields and bring more benefits to the people of both nations.
Bridging cultures
Apart from economic and industrial cooperation, people-to-people exchanges have also deepened mutual understanding. With mutual visa exemption policies taking effect this year, there has been a record-high amount of visits between the two countries.
The first ten months recorded over four million Chinese visitors to Malaysia. Currently, flights between the two countries have also surpassed 600 per week.
This year also witnessed numerous events taking place in Malaysia, such as the Islam-Confucianism Civilisational Dialogue, the global launch of the Happy Chinese New Year ceremony and gala, and the screening of Ne Zha 2.
Recently, a new pair of giant pandas even travelled all the way from Sichuan to Malaysia under a 10-year conservation agreement, continuing their role as “friendship ambassadors” and symbolising the longstanding partnership between both nations.
Additionally, 2025 also saw more China Ambassador Scholarships enter Malaysian universities, the establishment of the first Confucius Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Malaysia, and other fruitful collaborations, which enriched cultural and educational cooperation.
As the year draws to a close, we are reminded to embrace the new year with continued trust and cooperation to develop a China-Malaysia community with a shared, prosperous future.
Moving forward, both nations should strengthen coordination, meet challenges bravely and safeguard international fairness and justice.
Together, these efforts could bring greater benefits to the people of Malaysia, China and the broader Asean region, contributing to lasting world peace, stability and common prosperity.
