KUALALUMPUR: Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, the King of Malaysia, expressed confidence that Malaysia and China will continue to foster strong cooperation, despite the ongoing global geopolitical challenges. The King made these remarks during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Istana Negara on Wednesday.
Sultan Ibrahim highlighted Malaysia’s commitment to deepening its economic integration, boosting supply chain and industrial collaboration, and enhancing connectivity. He also emphasised the importance of mutual respect and benefit in Malaysia’s engagement with global partners, including China. He praised the potential for Chinese companies and investors to explore opportunities in Malaysia, particularly within the Forest City Special Financial Hub, located in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, which has become a prominent regional investment location.
The King further noted that Malaysia is keen to promote language exchanges between the two nations, with growing student exchanges as a key area of focus. Sultan Ibrahim announced his intention to actively support the establishment of the Sultan Ibrahim Malay Studies Chair at Beijing Foreign Studies University, highlighting the role of language as a vital bridge for strengthening bilateral ties.
President Xi Jinping, who is on a three-day state visit to Malaysia, was also welcomed at Istana Negara with a state ceremony. This marks Xi’s second official visit to Malaysia in 12 years, following the upgrade of the diplomatic relations between the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2013.
Xi’s visit is part of his first state visit series of 2025, which also includes stops in Vietnam and Cambodia. Malaysia and China have maintained strong diplomatic and trade relations since 1974, with China remaining Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two nations reached RM484.12 billion, representing 16.8% of Malaysia’s total global trade.
Sultan Ibrahim’s optimism underscores the ongoing strength of the Malaysia-China partnership and the potential for continued collaboration in the years ahead.
