– AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has expressed its commitment to work with China in various areas, including economy, trade and emerging technologies such as AI, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister, who referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a 'true friend', said he and the Cabinet warmly welcome Xi and his delegation to Malaysia.
"We will work together in various fields of endeavour in economy, in trade, in investments, of course in new technology including AI initiatives and all related methods we have discussed for many years now.
"As I said to you when we met in China, President Xi exemplifies a new type persona of leadership, who talks about growth and investment and economic advancement.
"He also talks about eliminating poverty and has proven his success and more importantly, about shared prosperity and civilisation, which is hardly expressed by any modern world leader.
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"We admire your tenacity and for that, Malaysians welcome you, President Xi, not only as president of a great country, the President of China, but as a true friend," he said in his opening remarks before the bilateral meeting with the Chinese delegation on Wednesday (April 16).
Also present were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Other ministers in attendance were Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook; Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli; Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming; Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
Anwar and Xi are expected to discuss ways to invigorate bilateral cooperation as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
This visit marks Xi's second official visit to Malaysia in 12 years, after his last visit in 2013, amidst challenging geopolitical and geoeconomic scenarios.
