KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 — Chinese President Xi Jinping was given a state welcome at Istana Negara today in conjunction with a three-day state visit starting yesterday at the invitation of His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia. This visit marks Xi’s second official visit to Malaysia in 12 years, after the last visit in 2013 which saw the two countries upgrade diplomatic relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“China will work with Malaysia … to combat the undercurrents of geopolitical and camp-based confrontation, as well as the countercurrents of unilateralism and protectionism,” Xi wrote in an article for Malaysia’s The Star newspaper.
Xi urges China, Vietnam to jointly march toward modernization
China’s president visited Hanoi on Monday, where he met the leader of Vietman’s Communist party, Tô Lâm, called for stronger trade ties and signed dozens of cooperation agreements, including on enhancing supply chains, before heading to Malaysia.
Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, both Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof as well as Cabinet ministers.
The welcome ceremony at the Istana Negara Parade Ground began with the playing of the national anthems of both countries by the Royal Malay Regiment Central Band followed by a 21-gun salute by the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment.
The Chinese President then inspected the Main Guard of Honour involving four officers and 103 personnel of other ranks from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) of Sungai Besi Camp, led by Major Mohamad Waqiyudin Abd Rahman.
After the event, Xi was then presented with a welcoming dance performance by the National Department of Culture and Arts as a symbolic respect to the Chinese President’s presence at Istana Negara.
“We stand with the Chinese government, for the well-being of our people and for our national economic interests, as well as the overall development and stability of our country,” Anwar told state-run Chinese broadcaster CGTN on Wednesday.
His visit comes as China dangles its trade leadership credentials before a region desperate to sell more to the world’s second largest economy amid US tariff threats.
Later, the countries are expected to sign deals aimed at opening up more trade for key Malaysian exports such as palm oil and durian, increasing the influx of Chinese tourists and students to Southeast Asia and sharing Chinese know-how in sectors such as renewable energy.
In return, analysts warn that China is likely to expect Malaysia and its Southeast Asian neighbours to back it as the region’s leading power – an alignment that could provoke a reaction from Washington, leading to unpredictable consequences.
Xi had planned to travel to the region before Trump’s tariff announcement, but the visit was fortuitously timed, with the Chinese leader positing China as a stable trading partner, in contrast to the chaotic policy backflips coming out of Washington.
Malaysia and China established diplomatic relations on May 31, 1974. The two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year. For 16 consecutive years since 2009, China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner.
Total trade between the two countries is worth RM484.12 billion in 2024, representing 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s total global trade (RM2.88 trillion). — Bernama
