Anwar invites China's Xi Jinping and Li Qiang to visit Malaysia next year

Photo: Bernama

NANNING: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to visit Malaysia next year to commemorate five decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"The 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations is being planned together, and various activities will be held in Malaysia and China.

"Once again, I extend an invitation to Xi and Li to hold an official visit to Malaysia next year in conjunction with that celebration," he said.

Anwar, who was accompanied by several Cabinet ministers and deputies, attended a bilateral meeting with Li at Li Yuan resort in Nanning on Sunday (Sept 17) morning.

According to Anwar, the bilateral meeting discussed many issues on improving relations between Asean, China and Malaysia.

"The Chinese Premier was very generous and hosted a luncheon for us. I managed to discuss various issues with him.

"I came because they wanted to discuss together issues concerning bilateral relations and Asean, as well as efforts to support Malaysian companies in the China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO)," he said.

He also said that his trip to Nanning was fruitful, although it was only for 13 hours.

"Thank you to the Chinese government for their hospitality," he said.

Anwar arrived at Nanning at 3.15am on Sunday (Sept 17) and, in a packed schedule, attended the 20th CAEXPO and the China-Asean Business and Investment Summit (Cabis) officiating ceremony at 9am.

The bilateral meeting with Li was held at 11.30am, followed by a luncheon at Li Yuan resort.

After that, Anwar returned to the Nanning Marriott Hotel, where he witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding (MOU) worth RM19.84bil.

Anwar subsequently held separate closed-door meetings with Huawei and the Chinese Communications and Construction Company (CCCC), followed by a press conference.

After the press conference, Anwar left for Nanning Wuxu international Airport to fly back to Kuala Lumpur, as he would attend the ongoing Parliament session on Monday (Sept 17).