KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim welcomed Liu Jianchao, Chinese Communist Party International Department Minister, for a courtesy visit at Perdana Putra, Putrajaya, on Friday (March 29).
Anwar revealed that discussions revolved around the upcoming official visit from Premier Li Qiang in honor of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China bilateral relations this year. The leaders also agreed to enhance economic cooperation, specifically focusing on investments from China, improving connectivity, and continuing collaboration in education and youth sectors.
“Liu and I expressed similar viewpoints on the importance of strengthening inter-party relations and our unwavering stance on humanitarian issues, such as the conflict involving Palestine.
“The ties between Malaysia and China will be further fortified for the mutual benefit of our citizens,” Anwar highlighted on his Facebook page on Friday.
Issuing a statement earlier, the Foreign Ministry disclosed Liu’s two-day official visit to Malaysia, which commenced on Thursday.
The visit aimed to foster closer ties between political parties of both nations and engage in discussions concerning regional and international matters of shared interest.
During his visit, Liu also paid courtesy visits to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Wisma Putra emphasized that Liu’s visit held significance in light of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations since their elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2013.
The diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China were initially established through a Joint Communique between Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak and Prime Minister Zhou Enlai on May 31, 1974.
China has stood as Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, boasting a total trade value of RM450.84 billion (US$98.80 billion) in 2023. – Bernama
