TRADE between Malaysia and China remains on an upward trend this year, reaching RM355.16bil between January and September, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
For the same period in 2023, it was worth RM325.83bil, he said.
“In the first half of 2024, a total of 46 projects with an investment of RM5.9bil were approved.
“This is expected to create some 5,038 jobs,” he said in a written reply to Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) who asked on the economic outcome from the visits of Malaysia’s leaders to China, specifically in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China this year.
China, Mohamad said, has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years since 2009.
“China is also one of Malaysia’s largest investors, with a total investment of RM74.2bil from 1980 to 2023,” he said.
The Foreign Minister said the visit of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, to China in September held significant meaning for both countries as it marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary, both countries had successfully carried out programmes and activities, including high-level exchange visits, adding that as of December, a total of 32 high-level visits had been conducted.
Mohamad also informed the Dewan Rakyat that China has agreed to enhance existing cooperation while exploring new opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“China has also agreed to offer a quota of 5,125 places for Malaysian students to undergo TVET-related training. China is a highly advanced country in TVET, particularly in automotive-related education,” he said.
Other outcomes from these visits include the export of fresh durian to China starting on Aug 24, 2024, and the increase in direct flights between the two countries, Mohamad said.
