Anwar reinforces commitment to Malaysia–China partnership during visit to Tianjin, Beijing

PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed his intention to strengthen ties with China during a four-day official visit that includes engagements at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and bilateral discussions with China’s top leadership in Beijing.

The visit, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, marks a significant step in boosting economic cooperation and Malaysia’s regional standing.

“God willing, I shall be paying a courtesy call on President Xi and holding bilateral discussions with Premier Li Qiang, in addition to addressing the SCO Summit,” Anwar said in a Facebook post at the start of his visit.

Upon his arrival in Tianjin, the Prime Minister, accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, attended a gala dinner and cultural performance hosted by President Xi at the Meijiang Convention Centre.

President Xi, in his address during the evening, extended his congratulations to Malaysia on its 68th National Day — a gesture Anwar described as deeply meaningful.

“I deeply appreciate the congratulatory message delivered by President Xi on the occasion of our National Day, which he conveyed during his speech before numerous world leaders,” Anwar said.

Alongside the formalities, Anwar held informal discussions with counterparts from India, Türkiye, Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Maldives and Nepal, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation across a range of areas.

“God willing, tomorrow’s SCO Summit will provide an important platform to reinforce regional cooperation and elevate Malaysia’s voice on the international stage,” he added.

Later this evening, Anwar and his delegation will travel to Beijing to commence the second phase of the working visit, where he is scheduled to meet with senior Chinese officials and major industry figures to further advance trade, investment, and diplomatic collaboration. - Sept 1, 2025