HISTORIC MEETING BETWEEN YAB PRIME MINISTER DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM AND HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT XI JINPING 31 MARCH 2023

 

1. YAB Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim held a historic meeting with His Excellency President Xi Jinping on 31 March 2023 at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing.

2. Recalling the historical links between China and Malaysia, dating back to the 15th century, the leaders reaffirmed the two countries’ solid commitment to further strengthen the time-honoured friendship between the two emerging developing countries.

3. President Xi Jinping welcomed Prime Minister Anwar’s inaugural official visit taking place four months after assuming office and during the Holy Month of Ramadhan. This reflected significantly the strong desire of both sides to advance the Malaysia - China partnership to greater heights. Prime Minister assured President Xi that he was visiting China as a true and sincere friend. This visit also coincided with the 10th Anniversary of Malaysia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership this year.

4. The two leaders had comprehensive and fruitful deliberations, setting clear and ambitious strategic directions to deepen and broaden relations moving forward.

5. President Xi acknowledged that Malaysia was the first among ASEAN countries to establish diplomatic relations with China, highlighting the long standing and historical ties. The President noted the high level of strategic trust between both countries.

6. Both leaders agreed to build on these strong foundations by leveraging on the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership this year, and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year.

7. Prime Minister Anwar reaffirmed the strong economic relations between both countries, citing the burgeoning trade figures, flagship projects under the BRI such as the East Coast Rail Link, as well as the Two Countries, Twin Parks in Kuantan and Qinzhou. 

8. He welcomed further Chinese investments and collaboration in new emerging sectors including digital economy, agricultural modernization and agricultural trade, and renewable energy. He encouraged China’s involvement in Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV). In addition, he expressed Malaysia’s willingness to export more to China, including in agro-commodities sector.

9. President Xi emphasized China’s new paradigm of development, with its focus on opening up as well as on high-quality development and cooperation. All these would unlock new opportunities for a much greater collaboration, particularly in trade and investment.

10. As for Chinese investments, President Xi highlighted the importance of building on the already good momentum by exploring new areas such as renewable energy, semiconductors and the digital economy. He hoped for policy support for Chinese investments in Malaysia.

11. Prime Minister Anwar apprised President Xi of his visit Tsinghua University, the President’s alma mater, during which he delivered a lecture and met Malaysian students, who constituted the largest number of international students there. He welcomed Tsinghua University to set up its first branch campus in Malaysia. The Prime Minister also looked forward to concrete cooperation on TVET and increase in the number of students from China in Malaysia.

12. Both Leaders stressed that as Asian countries Malaysia and China share common civilizational values such as mutual respect, inclusiveness, justice, care and compassion. At the same time, both governments are focused on people centred development, including efforts aimed at eradicating poverty and environmental protection, as well as on promoting peace, security and prosperity for all. President Xi shared his efforts on poverty eradication and China’s readiness to share experience in this area.

13. In this vein, President Xi expressed his support for the Malaysian Unity Government’s Malaysia Madani concept. For his own part, Prime Minister Anwar expressed support for the principles and values of President Xi Jinping’s global initiatives and his vision of a Community for a Shared future for Mankind, including the proposal for a Malaysia – China Community for a Shared Future.

14. Prime Minister Anwar and President Xi also exchanged views on regional and international issues. It was agreed that cooperative approaches, particularly dialogue, multilateralism were the best ways of overcoming challenges and chaos, at the regional and global levels. In this regard, the two leaders expressed their unequivocal support for ASEAN Centrality.

15. On Myanmar, Prime Minister Anwar shared his great concern at the situation in Myanmar. While appreciating the principle of non-interference, he emphasized that Malaysia now hosts over 200,000 refugees from Myanmar, majority of whom are the Rohingyas. President Xi expressed China’s support for the ASEAN-led effort to address the Myanmar situation, including its support to alleviate the situation of the Rohingyas in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

16. Prime Minister Anwar reiterated his congratulations on President Xi Jinping’s reelection as the President of the People’s Republic of China, and extended invitation for him to undertake a State Visit to Malaysia.

17. Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim and President Xi Jinping ended their meeting with an understanding to promote even more dialogues and interactions at all levels in enhancing further bilateral relations and addressing common challenges at the regional and international levels.

 

 

PUTRAJAYA

1 April 2023