Following his highly successful visit to Vietnam, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kuala Lumpur on the evening of April 15 for a state visit to Malaysia at the invitation of the King of Malaysia His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim.
In a written statement on his arrival, Xi Jinping said that, since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than half a century ago, the two countries have adhered to mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, setting a model for state-to-state relations. In 2023, the two sides reached an important consensus on building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
As major developing countries and members of the Global South, deepening high-level strategic cooperation between China and Malaysia serves the common interests of both countries and is conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large.
Xi Jinping met with Sultan Ibrahim on the morning of April 16.
The Chinese leader pointed out that China and Malaysia are good neighbours, good friends and good partners who visit each other as often as family. China and Malaysia should continue to deepen political mutual trust and support each other on issues related to their respective core interests and major concerns. The two sides should deepen the synergy of development strategies, draw on each other’s strengths for mutual benefit and win-win results, and jointly pursue modernisation. He called on the two sides to ensure good implementation of major projects such as “Two Countries, Twin Parks” and the East Coast Rail Link, and to speed up efforts to foster cooperation in future industries such as artificial intelligence, digital economy and green economy. China supports Malaysia in its role as the current ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) rotating chair and is ready to work with Malaysia to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative, and to promote the Global South’s pursuit of unity-driven collective strength and common development, so as to contribute more certainty and positive energy to the region and the world.
Sultan Ibrahim said that President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia is a major event in bilateral relations, which fully demonstrates the high level of Malaysia-China relations, adding that his successful visit to China last September is still fresh in his memory. China’s impressive development achievements are attributable to the foresight of President Xi Jinping and the hard work of the Chinese people. Malaysia attaches great importance to its relations with China and will join hands to forge ahead for win-win cooperation and promote the building of a high-level strategic community with a shared future no matter how the international landscape evolves. Malaysia attaches importance to regional economic integration, firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and is willing to strengthen trade and investment cooperation with China, jointly stabilise industrial and supply chains, enhance connectivity and boost educational, people-to-people and cultural exchanges. As the rotating chair of ASEAN and country coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Malaysia is committed to promoting greater development of ASEAN-China relations and jointly building a peaceful and prosperous future.
President Xi Jinping held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the afternoon.
He made a three-point proposal on building a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
- First, upholding strategic independence and carrying out high-level strategic coordination. Both China and Malaysia are self-reliant nations that oppose external interference. Both countries should continue on the development paths suited to their respective national conditions, resolutely support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and hold their future and destiny firmly in their own hands.
- Second, combining forces for development and setting a benchmark for high-quality development cooperation. China is committed to advancing Chinese modernisation on all fronts through high-quality development. This is highly compatible with Malaysia’s Ekonomi MADANI initiative. The two sides should work together to cultivate and expand cooperation in the digital economy, green economy, blue economy, artificial intelligence and other frontier areas, and strengthen the integrated development of industrial chains, supply chains, value chains, data chains, and talent chains.
- Third, carrying forward the friendship forged through generations, and deepening inter-civilisational exchanges and mutual learning. The two sides should jointly advance Confucian-Islamic dialogue, and build platforms of civilisational exchanges for both countries and the region. Having signed a mutual visa exemption agreement, the two sides should seize the opportunity to scale up tourism, youth and subnational exchanges, and deepen cooperation in culture, education, sports, film, media, and so on, so as to foster closer people-to-people connection and renew their traditional friendship. China is ready to continue joint research on giant panda conservation with Malaysia.
China supports Malaysia in playing its role as ASEAN Chair and stands ready to sign the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Upgrade Protocol with regional countries as early as possible. Together, they will reject decoupling, supply disruption, “small yard, high fence” and tariff abuse with openness, inclusiveness, solidarity and cooperation, counter the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak with the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, and address instability and uncertainty in the world with the stability and certainty of Asia.
Prime Minister Anwar extended a warm welcome to President Xi. Throughout the years, China has sincerely helped Malaysia and stood together with Malaysia through thick and thin and is a trusted friend of Malaysia. He noted that President Xi, who has steered China toward remarkable development achievements, led the Chinese people out of extreme poverty, and advocated common prosperity and mutual learning between civilisations, is an excellent leader in today’s world. The Malaysian people respect China and President Xi.
Malaysia is ready to work with China to deepen strategic communication and cement political mutual trust; to expand bilateral trade, welcome Chinese companies to invest in Malaysia and work with Malaysian counterparts in the fields of digital economy, green economy and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and contribute to greater development of both countries; to advance people-to-people exchanges in culture, education and tourism, and foster understanding and friendship between the two peoples; and to carry out civilisational dialogue between Islam and Confucianism for the sake of human progress. Facing the rise of unilateralism, Malaysia will work closer with China to jointly tackle risks and challenges. ASEAN will not concede to any unilaterally imposed tariffs and will seek greater strength and maintain economic growth through unity and cooperation.
After the talks, the two leaders jointly witnessed the exchange of more than 30 bilateral cooperation documents, covering areas such as cooperation on the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative, Confucian-Islamic dialogue, the digital economy, trade in services, upgrading of “Two Countries, Twin Parks,” joint laboratories, artificial intelligence, railway, intellectual property rights, export of agricultural products to China, mutual visa exemption, and giant panda conservation.
The two sides also issued the Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and Malaysia on Building a High-level Strategic China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future.
On the morning of April 17, 2025, President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to Malaysia and proceeded to Cambodia, his final destination before returning home. He was seen off at the airport by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Foreign Minister Mohamad bin Haji Hasan and other government leaders.
The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Xi Jinping Arrives in Kuala Lumpur for a State Visit to Malaysia
April 15 (MFA) — On the evening of April 15, 2025 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Kuala Lumpur by special plane for a state visit to Malaysia at the invitation of King of Malaysia His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim.
When he arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport by special plane, Xi Jinping was warmly greeted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Foreign Minister Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, accompanying minister and Minister of Transport Loke Siew Fook and other senior officials. Malaysian children presented flowers to Xi Jinping, while Malaysian teenagers performed dances rich in local traditions, waving the national flags of both China and Malaysia to warmly welcome Xi Jinping’s visit.
Xi Jinping delivered a written statement and on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the Malaysian government and the Malaysian people.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Malaysia are friendly neighbors facing each other across the sea, with a traditional friendship spanning over a thousand years. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than half a century ago, the two countries have adhered to mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, setting a model for state-to-state relations. In 2023, the two sides reached an important consensus on building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future. Last year, the two countries grandly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. As major developing countries and members of the Global South, deepening high-level strategic cooperation between China and Malaysia serves the common interests of both countries and is conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large. Xi Jinping looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to further deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries, strengthen political mutual trust between both sides, promote cooperation in modernization endeavors, jointly enhance exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, and continuously elevate the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future to new heights, ushering in a new “Golden 50 Years” for China-Malaysia relations.
Cai Qi, Wang Yi, Wang Xiaohong, and other members of the entourage arrived on the same plane.
Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing also greeted Xi Jinping at the airport.
When Xi Jinping’s motorcade drove from the airport to the hotel, personnel of local Chinese-funded enterprises and overseas Chinese students waved the national flags of China and Malaysia on both sides of the road, and held high red banners reading “Warmly Welcome President Xi Jinping’s Visit to Malaysia” and “Long Live China-Malaysia Friendship”. Overseas Chinese performed lively and festive lion dances to welcome Xi Jinping’s visit.
Xi Jinping Meets with King of Malaysia His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim
April 16 (MFA) — On the morning of April 16, 2025 local time, King of Malaysia His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim met with President of China Xi Jinping at the National Palace of Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur in April is bathed in bright sunshine, with lush greenery everywhere.
Sultan Ibrahim held a grand welcome ceremony for Xi Jinping at the square of the National Palace.
When Xi Jinping arrived by limo, Sultan Ibrahim and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warmly greeted him at the alighting point of his limo. As the two heads of state stepped onto the stand, the military band played the national anthems of China and Malaysia, and a 21-gun salute was fired. Xi Jinping reviewed the honor guard. The two heads of state entered the National Palace hall and shook hands and exchanged greetings with each other’s accompanying officials.
After the welcome ceremony, Xi Jinping met with Sultan Ibrahim.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Malaysia are good neighbors, good friends and good partners who visit each other as often as family. Bilateral relations have gone through a magnificent half-century and are embracing an even brighter future. Xi Jinping said he is ready to work with Sultan Ibrahim, the Malaysian supreme head of state, to lead the long-term and stable development of China-Malaysia relations, jointly build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future and write a new chapter in good-neighborliness, friendship, solidarity and cooperation, so as to usher in new “Golden 50 Years” for bilateral relations.
Xi Jinping stressed that China and Malaysia should continue to deepen political mutual trust and support each other on issues related to their respective core interests and major concerns. The two sides should deepen the synergy of development strategies, draw on each other’s strengths for mutual benefit and win-win results, and jointly pursue modernization. He called on the two sides to ensure good implementation of major projects such as “Two Countries, Twin Parks” and the East Coast Rail Link, and to speed up efforts to foster cooperation in future industries such as artificial intelligence, digital economy and green economy. China welcomes more high-quality Malaysian agricultural products to the Chinese market, and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Malaysia. China is ready to promote the dialogue between Confucian culture and the Islamic civilization with Malaysia and carry out further cooperation in culture, tourism and education to bring the two peoples closer. China supports Malaysia in its role as the ASEAN rotating chair and is ready to work with Malaysia to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and promote the Global South’s pursuit of unity-driven collective strength and common development, so as to contribute more certainty and positive energy to the region and the world.
Sultan Ibrahim said that President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia is a major event in bilateral relations, which fully demonstrates the high level of Malaysia-China relations, adding that his successful visit to China last September is still fresh in his memory. Sultan Ibrahim said he believes that President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia will comprehensively upgrade bilateral relations and promote vigorous development of cooperation in various fields. China’s impressive development achievements are attributable to the foresight of President Xi Jinping and the hard work of the Chinese people. Malaysia attaches great importance to its relations with China and will join hands to forge ahead for win-win cooperation and promote the building of a high-level strategic community with a shared future no matter how the international landscape evolves. Malaysia attaches importance to regional economic integration, firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and is willing to strengthen trade and investment cooperation with China, jointly stabilize industrial and supply chains, enhance connectivity and boost educational, people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The Malaysian side speaks highly of China’s Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries held recently and values China’s important role in addressing global and regional challenges. As the rotating chair of ASEAN and country coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Malaysia is committed to promoting greater development of ASEAN-China relations and jointly building a peaceful and prosperous future.
After the meeting, Xi Jinping attended the welcome banquet held by Sultan Ibrahim.
Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and Wang Xiaohong, among others, attended the above events.
President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
April 16 (MFA) — On the afternoon of April 16, President Xi Jinping held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Seri Perdana, the prime minister’s residence, in Putrajaya.
Upon arriving at Seri Perdana by car, President Xi was warmly greeted by Prime Minister Anwar. Malaysian youth waved the flags of both countries, played lively drum music, and performed energetic traditional dances to welcome their esteemed guest from afar.
President Xi noted that China and Malaysia share a millennium-old friendship, one that has taken shape in the long course of history, grown stronger through cultural exchanges, taken deeper root through mutually beneficial cooperation, and gained greater significance as the two countries stand together through thick and thin. This speaks volumes about our common values and pursuit of sincerity, integrity, justice and harmony, reflects the wisdom and courage our peoples have gained from history, and represents a valuable asset shared by both countries. Last year, the two sides celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Over the past 50 years, China-Malaysia relations have yielded bountiful results. In the next 50 years, the two countries must continue to seize the initiative, stay ahead of the times, and build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, so as to deliver more benefits for the two peoples and make a greater contribution to regional prosperity and stability.
President Xi made a three-point proposal on building a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
First, upholding strategic independence and carrying out high-level strategic coordination. Both China and Malaysia are self-reliant nations that oppose external interference. Both countries should continue on the development paths suited to their respective national conditions, resolutely support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and hold their future and destiny firmly in their own hands. A “2+2” diplomatic and defense dialogue mechanism will be established to deepen exchanges and cooperation on national security, defense and law enforcement.
Second, combining forces for development and setting a benchmark for high-quality development cooperation. China is committed to advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development. This is highly compatible with Malaysia’s Ekonomi MADANI initiative. The two sides should work together to cultivate and expand cooperation in the digital economy, green economy, blue economy, artificial intelligence and other frontier areas, and strengthen the integrated development of industrial chains, supply chains, value chains, data chains, and talent chains. It is important to push for the transformation and upgrade of cooperation in traditional fields, and promote two-way investment. The two countries should promote rail-sea intermodal transport, upgrade “Two Countries, Twin Parks,” and turn Malaysia’s major ports into important hubs of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.
Third, carrying forward the friendship forged through generations, and deepening inter-civilizational exchanges and mutual learning. The two sides should jointly advance Confucianism-Islam dialogue, and build platforms of civilizational exchanges for both countries and the region. Having signed a mutual visa exemption agreement, the two sides should seize the opportunity to scale up tourism, youth and subnational exchanges, and deepen cooperation in culture, education, sports, film, media, etc., so as to foster closer people-to-people connection and renew their traditional friendship. China is ready to continue joint research on giant panda conservation with Malaysia.
President Xi noted that Malaysia’s choice of ASEAN theme this year, “inclusivity and sustainability,” reflects its deep insight into the current international landscape. China supports Malaysia in playing its role as ASEAN Chair, and stands ready to sign the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Upgrade Protocol with regional countries as early as possible. Together, they will reject decoupling, supply disruption, “small yard, high fence” and tariff abuse with openness, inclusiveness, solidarity and cooperation, counter the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak with the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, and address instability and uncertainty in the world with the stability and certainty of Asia.
Prime Minister Anwar extended a warm welcome to President Xi. Throughout the years, China has sincerely helped Malaysia and stood together with Malaysia through thick and thin, and is a trusted friend of Malaysia. He noted that President Xi, who has steered China toward remarkable development achievements, led the Chinese people out of extreme poverty, and advocated common prosperity and mutual learning between civilizations, is an excellent leader in today’s world. The Malaysian people respect China and President Xi. President Xi’s visit this time has set a record in the number of deliverables achieved, and is very meaningful and encouraging to the Malaysian side. Malaysia is firmly committed to the one-China policy, and does not support any act of “Taiwan independence.” Malaysia is ready to work with China to deepen strategic communication and cement political mutual trust; to expand bilateral trade, welcome Chinese companies to invest in Malaysia and work with Malaysian counterparts in the fields of digital economy, green economy and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and contribute to greater development of both countries; to advance people-to-people exchanges in culture, education and tourism, and foster understanding and friendship between the two peoples; and to carry out civilizational dialogue between Islam and Confucianism for the sake of human progress. Facing the rise of unilateralism, Malaysia will work closer with China to jointly tackle risks and challenges. ASEAN will not concede to any unilaterally imposed tariffs, and will seek greater strength and maintain economic growth through unity and cooperation. Malaysia highly appreciates China’s positive role in international and regional issues. As ASEAN Chair and the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Malaysia will actively promote ASEAN-China cooperation for the benefit of regional peace, stability and prosperity.
After the talks, the two leaders jointly witnessed the exchange of more than 30 bilateral cooperation documents, covering areas such as cooperation on the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, Confucianism-Islam dialogue, the digital economy, trade in services, upgrading of “Two Countries, Twin Parks,” joint laboratories, artificial intelligence, railway, intellectual property rights, export of agricultural products to China, mutual visa exemption, and giant panda conservation.
The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and Malaysia on Building a High-level Strategic China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future.
On the evening of the same day, Prime Minister Anwar hosted a welcoming dinner in honor of President Xi.
Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and Wang Xiaohong attended the above activities.
