A. SPECIAL ASEAN-CHINA FOREIGN MINISTERS’ MEETING

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein will be leading the Malaysian delegation to the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Chongqing, the People’s Republic of China on 7 June 2021.

The meeting is at the invitation of His Excellency Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. All ASEAN Foreign Ministers and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as well as the Secretary-General of ASEAN are expected to attend the Meeting.

During the Special Meeting, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and China will exchange views and explore collaborative ways and means in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, in addition to regional and international matters of common concern.

YB Minister of Foreign Affairs will hold a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sideline of the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The two Ministers are expected to explore new initiatives for a more substantive and dynamic partnership between Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China. The focus areas include COVID-19 vaccines cooperation, infrastructure development, finance, digital economy, food production and high-tech agriculture.

Both Ministers will also be exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, in addition to addressing the situation in the South China Sea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has on 3 June 2021 summoned the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, and handed over Malaysia’s protest note in response to the recent incident in Malaysia’s airspace off the coast of Sarawak. The two Ministers will discuss the best way forward in ensuring such incident will not recur in the interest of maintaining peace and stability, and avoiding any miscalculation or unintended consequences.

 

B. ANTALYA DIPLOMACY FORUM

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein will be leading the Malaysian delegation to the inaugural Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey which will be officiated by the President of the Republic of Turkey, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum will explore the horizons of diplomacy across a range of key regional, global and thematic issues under the theme of “Innovative Diplomacy: New Era, New Approaches”. The Forum will be attended by leaders from more than 37 countries, including policy-makers, diplomats and academics from all over the world.

 

C. WORKING VISITS OF YB DATO’ SERI HISHAMMUDDIN TUN HUSSEIN, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF MALAYSIA TO EGYPT, KUWAIT AND QATAR

In between the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the Foreign Minister will undertake working visits to Egypt, Kuwait and Qatar. These visits underscore the great importance Malaysia attaches to our relations and partnerships with like-minded countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

 

D. SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE VISITS

These working visits will provide an opportunity for Malaysia to reinvigorate and further strengthen our relations with Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, and Turkey. The Foreign Minister will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts and is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on the respective Heads of State and/or Governments in these countries.

These countries are Malaysia’s long-standing partners, with substantial multi-faceted cooperation and strong people to people ties. Special focus will be given to exploring new collaborative initiatives that will solidify the on-going efforts by Malaysia and our partners to address the current pandemic and its impacts and facilitate post-pandemic recovery.

Malaysia will also highlight our unwavering support for the people of Palestine and consistent position with regard to the Israel-Palestine conflict. As like-minded countries, and members of international organisations like the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Malaysia stands ready to work closely with all our partners in finding a viable and constructive platform to discuss joint efforts in supporting the Palestinian cause, especially in providing immediate and unimpeded humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

As Malaysia’s priority remains on the efforts to bring to an immediate end to the prolonged suffering of the Palestinian people and the illegal Israeli occupation of their lands – these visits are significant for Malaysia, together with all our partners to work towards finding a long-lasting and peaceful solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The Foreign Minister will be accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

D. COVID-19 PREVENTATIVE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP)

The working visits will be subjected to strict Covid-19 preventative standard operating procedure (SOP) as agreed upon by the Ministry of Health (MOH), National Security Council (NSC) as well as the relevant health authorities in China, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey.

 

PUTRAJAYA

5 JUNE 2021