Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will undertake an Official Visit to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from 22 May to 1 June 2024 at the invitation of Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. This marks his first official visit to China since assuming the post of Deputy Prime Minister in December 2022.

The Deputy Prime Minister will be accompanied by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Mohamad bin Alamin.

During his visit, the Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Premier Li Qiang. In order to further intensify bilateral relations, the Deputy Prime Minister is expected to explore opportunities of cooperation, particularly in the field of education, with a focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), halal industry development as well as people-to-people exchanges. Both sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and interest.

While in Beijing, the Deputy Prime Minister will also hold discussions with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong.

To mark the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-PRC diplomatic ties, the Deputy Prime Minister will host a Gala Reception and grace the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Establishment of Malaysia-China Diplomatic Relations, jointly organised by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of Malaysia in Beijing.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also witness the signing of a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between Malaysian and Chinese companies in the fields of high technology and education, as well as engage with the Malaysian community in China as part of the Malaysia MADANI government initiative.

In Hong Kong, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

This official visit is part of the exchange of high-level visits lined up for the year to commemorate the 50th year of diplomatic ties. Malaysia's second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak bin Hussein, made history by being the first ASEAN leader to establish formal diplomatic relations with China by signing a Joint Communiqué with Premier Chou En-lai on 31 May 1974. This bold step laid the foundation for a strong partnership, which was later elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2013, that has served both countries well.

For fifteen consecutive years since 2009, China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner globally. In 2023, total trade with China was valued at RM450.84 billion (USD98.80 billion), contributing 17.1% percent of Malaysia’s global trade. In 2023, a total of 64 manufacturing projects were approved, with investments totalling RM12 billion (USD2.6 billion). China ranked as the fifth largest investor and these projects are expected to create 9,305 jobs.

 

PUTRAJAYA

21 May 2024