KUALA LUMPUR: China's President Xi Jinping has expressed his interest in visiting Malaysia next year, says the Foreign Ministry.
According to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, the president last visited Malaysia in 2013.
"President Xi has expressed his desire to visit Malaysia in 2025, depending on the suitable timing for both parties," he said in a Parliamentary response to Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) on Wednesday (Dec 4).
Wong had asked the ministry to state the outcomes of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia’s recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.
Mohamad said that various cooperation opportunities between the two countries were discussed during the visit, including trade, investment, education, and tourism.
"China agreed to enhance existing cooperation while also exploring new opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)," he added.
"Other collaborations include the sharing of experts and technology in agriculture, eradicating extreme poverty, renewable energy, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy," he said.
Mohamad said that the grand reception of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim in China demonstrated the closeness of the relationship between the two countries, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
"The close relationship based on mutual respect and trust was evident during His Majesty's meeting with President Xi and Prime Minister Li Qiang recently," he said.
"China is very open and sincere in every issue discussed and also intends to share urban planning expertise as well as encourage private sector investment in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and high-speed rail development projects," he added.
