TIANJIN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here for a four-day working visit to China yesterday evening after attending the National Day celebrations at Dataran Putrajaya.
The aircraft carrying the Prime Minister and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail landed at the Tianjin Binhai International Airport.
They were accorded a red carpet welcome with a 36-member static guard-of-honour salute, Bernama reported.
The couple were welcomed on arrival by Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad, Chinese Agriculture Minister Han Jun, the chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Tianjin, Wang Chang Song and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.
Anwar is in China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
From the airport, Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah headed directly to the Summit’s gala dinner hosted by Xi, who is the current SCO Chair, at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Centre.
With Malaysia being Asean Chair, Anwar will deliver remarks at the SCO Plus Summit today, underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to positioning both the country and Asean as a dynamic hub for trade and investment.
Malaysia’s participation in the SCO Summit demonstrates its efforts to deepen Asean-SCO relations and promote its role as a bridge between Asean and SCO member states in advancing cooperation in trade, economy and other areas of mutual benefit.
During the visit, Anwar will deliver a public lecture entitled “Sovereign Interdependence: Building a Shared Future in Asia” at Tianjin University, the oldest modern university in China.
In Beijing, the Prime Minister’s engagements will feature a courtesy call on Xi at the Great Hall of People, followed by a bilateral meeting with Premier Li Qiang on Sept 2.
Li will host a dinner reception in honour of Anwar at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Anwar is also scheduled to attend the Victory Day Parade to mark 80 years after the end of World War II in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, on Sept 3.
He will hold a series of business engagements with top Chinese investors and founders of numerous Chinese multinational companies in both cities during the visit.
This visit is Anwar’s fourth to China since assuming office in November 2022, reflecting the strong bilateral ties both nations have enjoyed since diplomatic relations were established on May 31, 1974.
China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years since 2009, with two-way trade valued at RM484.12bil in 2024, representing 16.8% of Malaysia’s total global trade (RM2.879 trillion).
The Prime Minister’s delegation includes Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
