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PRESIDENT Xi Jinping of China arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday for a three-day state visit at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The visit marks President Xi’s second official trip to Malaysia in twelve years, following his previous visit in 2013.
A special aircraft carrying the Chinese leader touched down at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s Kompleks Bunga Raya at 6.30 p.m.
President Xi was warmly received by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.
Soon after dismbaking the plane, President Xi reviewed a guard of honour mounted by 28 personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment (Ceremonial), led by Lieutenant Mohamad Nafis Norshid.
The welcoming ceremony also featured a cultural performance blending traditional Malay, Chinese, and Indian drum rhythms, presented by the Arjunasukma Academy from Gombak.
In addition, a 32-member school band from Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Yu Hua in Kajang performed the popular folk tune "Lenggang Kangkung".
In a written statement issued upon his arrival, President Xi expressed his hopes for strengthened ties between China and Malaysia.
“With the joint efforts of China and Malaysia, I hope this visit will yield fruitful outcomes, ushering in a new ‘Golden 50 Years’ for bilateral relations,” Bernama quoted Xi saying by China’s state news agency, Xinhua.
He further remarked that the trip would “open a new historic chapter of good-neighbourly friendship and mutual benefit between the two countries”.
During the visit, President Xi is scheduled to be accorded a full state welcome and will be granted an audience with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim at the Istana Negara. His Majesty is also expected to host a state banquet in honour of President Xi and his delegation.
Bernama reporte today that Xi, who is accompanied by senior government officials and cabinet ministers, is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Anwar. The meeting will focus on enhancing Malaysia-China cooperation and exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Later, Anwar will host an official dinner at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya to honour the Chinese leader.
This trip is part of President Xi’s first round of state visits for the year, which also includes scheduled visits to Vietnam and Cambodia.
President Xi last visited Malaysia in 2013, during which the two countries elevated their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Malaysia and China first established diplomatic relations on 31 May 1974 and celebrated the 50th anniversary of that relationship last year.
Since 2009, China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two nations was valued at RM484.12 billion, accounting for 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s total global trade volume of RM2.88 trillion.
As the current Chair of ASEAN and Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and China.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this commitment will be pursued through dialogue, mutual trust, and initiatives that bring tangible benefits to the peoples of both ASEAN and China. – April 15, 2025