Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim embarked on a three-day working visit to China on Tuesday, aiming to bolster bilateral relations and enhance cooperation in emerging technologies. Anwar’s itinerary includes stops in Shanghai and Hangzhou, where he will engage in key discussions with Chinese officials and business leaders.
During his time in China, Anwar, who also serves as Malaysia’s finance minister, will meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Hangzhou on Thursday. The dialogue is expected to focus on strengthening economic ties and exploring new areas of collaboration. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 17 years, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $113.82 billion between January and August this year.
In Shanghai, the Prime Minister is scheduled to attend the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 event, where he will deliver a keynote address at the WorldSkills Conference. This platform will provide Anwar the opportunity to discuss vital issues such as artificial intelligence and digital trade, as well as international cooperation in these sectors.
Anwar’s visit will also take him to the Fifth Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou, where Malaysia is recognized as one of the Guest Countries of Honour. This event is set to highlight Malaysia’s commitment to expanding its digital trade footprint and attracting foreign investment, with Anwar meeting with Chinese business and technology leaders to promote Malaysia as a viable investment destination.
The visit underscores the importance of Malaysia-China economic relations, particularly as both nations seek to deepen their cooperation in technology and trade. As Anwar engages with Chinese leaders and industry representatives, the focus will remain on sustaining and expanding the robust trade partnership that continues to benefit both countries.
