Official visit of Malaysia’s deputy prime minister and minister of rural and regional development to China

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, will pay an Official Visit to the People’s Republic of China (RPC) from May 22 to June 1, 2024 at the invitation of Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. This is his first official visit to China since he took office as Deputy Prime Minister in December 2022.

The Deputy Prime Minister will be accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad bin Alamin.

During his visit, the Vice Premier is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Premier Li Qiang. In order to further intensify bilateral relations, the Deputy Prime Minister is expected to explore opportunities for cooperation, particularly in the field of education, focusing on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), industry development halal and interpersonal exchanges. Both sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

During his stay in Beijing, the Vice Premier will also hold talks with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong.

Brazil and China advocate for a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine

To mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and the PRC, the Deputy Prime Minister will host a gala reception and attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, jointly organized by the Chinese People’s Association for the Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also attend the signing of several memorandums of understanding between Malaysian and Chinese companies in the fields of high technology and education, and will maintain contacts with the Malaysian community in China under the government’s Malaysia MADANI initiative.In Hong Kong, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet with the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee Ka-chiu.This official visit is part of the exchange of high-level visits planned for this year to commemorate the 50 anniversary of diplomatic ties.

In order to further intensify bilateral relations, the Deputy Prime Minister is expected to explore opportunities for cooperation, particularly in the field of education

The second Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak bin Hussein, made history by being the first ASEAN leader to establish formal diplomatic relations with China by signing a Joint Communiqué with Prime Minister Chou En-lai on May 31, 1974.This bold step laid the foundation for a strong partnership, which was later elevated to the status of Global Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2013, which has been of great benefit to both countries. For fifteen consecutive years since 2009, China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner globally. In 2023, total trade with China was valued at €1.5 million.

For fifteen consecutive years since 2009, China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner globally. In 2023, total trade with China was valued at RM450.84 billion (US$98.8 billion), contributing 17.1% to Malaysia’s global trade. In 2023, a total of 64 manufacturing projects were approved, with investments totaling RM12 billion (US$2.6 billion). China is the fifth largest investor and these projects are expected to create 9,305 jobs. .