BEIJING: Malaysia is looking to deepen cooperation with China in key sectors, including technical and vocational education and training (TVET), digital technology and trade, as Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi begins a five-day working visit to the country.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, will lead the Malaysian delegation to the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference (WVTEDC) 2026 in Tianjin, where he is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the opening ceremony.
“This marks his first visit to the PRC in 2026 and reaffirms Malaysia’s continued commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors,” Wisma Putra said in a statement on Monday (Oct 12).
The visit also builds on the momentum generated by the joint statement issued in 2025 on building a high-level strategic Malaysia-China community with a shared future, said the Foreign Ministry.
Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to meet senior Chinese leaders, including its Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang and Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong, in Beijing.
Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad said Ahmad Zahid would hold a series of meetings with Chinese leaders in Beijing before travelling to Tianjin for the conference.
The meeting with Ding is scheduled for Oct 15 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with both sides expected to discuss ways to strengthen existing cooperation and explore new opportunities in investment, technology, human capital and TVET, he said.
In Tianjin, Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to attend a dinner hosted by Chinese Education Minister Huai Jinpeng before delivering his keynote address at the opening session of WVTEDC 2026 on Oct 16.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also National TVET Council chairman, is expected to be the highest-ranking foreign government representative at the conference, which will bring together 21 ministers and deputy ministers from other countries, with participation from more than 100 countries.
The visit will also include one-to-one business meetings with leading Chinese companies and visits to major firms, providing opportunities to exchange knowledge and best practices in TVET, digital technology, the green economy and renewable energy.
This is Ahmad Zahid’s third visit to China since he became Deputy Prime Minister in December 2022.
Malaysia-China trade rose 35.1% to RM456.68bil in the January-to-August period this year compared with the corresponding period last year.
