BEIJING: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed confidence that Malaysia’s relations with China will continue on an upward trajectory.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia values its strong ties with China, reaffirming the country’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations.
“We want to make sure that what was agreed upon will be implemented on the fast track, because I want this special strategic, comprehensive relations to really work,” he told Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Anwar said this during a courtesy call on Xi at the Great Hall of the People here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Also present was Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Prime Minister thanked Xi for the invitation to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Plus Summit in Tianjin on Monday.
“For me personally, of course, it is a great honour to be given the opportunity to participate in the deliberations of the SCO, which is important to us,” he said.
Anwar also held a bilateral meeting with Premier Li Qiang. Li later hosted a dinner for Anwar at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Malaysia and China established diplomatic relations on May 31, 1974. In 2013, the ties were elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has continued in strength over all areas including politics, trade, education, social and culture.
China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 years since 2009. Total trade between the two countries was valued at RM484.12bil last year, representing 16.8% of Malaysia’s total global trade (RM2.879 trillion).
Yesterday, Anwar led a series of strategic discussions with top Chinese industry titans to boost investment and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
In the morning, he met with JD.com’s top management led by JD Logistics chief executive officer and member of strategy executive Hu Wei.
JD.com, a key player in the logistics industry, was interested in expanding its business.
This company is a Nasdaq 100 and Fortune Global 500 company, making itself the largest e-commerce retailer in China, serving over 580 million shoppers across China.
The technology-driven company operates the largest fulfilment infrastructure in China, which enables 90% of orders to be delivered within the same or next day.
“I welcomed this move, considering Malaysia’s strategic position and its potential to emerge as a regional logistics hub, which in turn will create more job opportunities for locals,” said Anwar in a social media post.
“At the same time, JD.com expressed its interest in purchasing more Malaysian products to be marketed in China.”
Additionally, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, met with the leadership team from China Semiconductor Industry Association (CSIA) led by its chairman Chen Nanxiang, who is also Yangtze Memory Technologies chairman.
The CSIA delegation included Naura Technology chairman Zhao Jinrong, Beijing Empyrean Technology chairman Liu Weiping, Tongfu Microelectronics chairman Shi Lei, CSIA IC Design Branch chairman Wei Shaojun and CSIA executive Wang Junjie.
“During that meeting, I reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to becoming a key player in the global semiconductor industry, as outlined in the National Semiconductor Strategy,” said Anwar.
CSIA is an umbrella body comprising companies, experts and institutions involved in manufacturing, design and development related to the semiconductor industry.
Anwar said that Malaysia’s strengths lie in its political stability and clear economic policies, from the National Semiconductor Strategy and the National AI Roadmap to the energy transition agenda, including the Asean Power Grid.
“China has created many opportunities in Malaysia, from agriculture to semiconductors, data centres, artificial intelligence (AI) and telecommunications,” he added.
Joining the business meetings were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Anwar is in the Chinese capital on a four-day working visit.
