Ahead of Dr Mahathir Mohamad's first trip to China since assuming the prime ministership for the second time on May 9, Malaysia has reiterated its support for the republic's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"In terms of BRI, I think the prime minister has made it clear that Malaysia continues to support the initiative.

"What is important to me is for us to identify what are the projects that would be beneficial to us. We should not be dictated by the Chinese," Malaysian ambassador to China Zainuddin Yahya (photo above) told Malaysian reporters in Hangzhou, China today.

Zainuddin said the International Trade and Industries Ministry has been tasked with managing and monitoring the initiative and has set up a national secretariat to identify the projects beneficial to Malaysia.

Mahathir's five-day official visit begins today with his arrival in Hangzhou tonight. He will visit the Alibaba headquarters and also the Geely Holdings Group office before heading to Beijing tomorrow.

The prime minister's delegation comprises six cabinet ministers and Perak menteri besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

Zainuddin said the visit will be an important meet between leaders of the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations and also to explore joint ventures in areas such as science, technology and fintech.

He pointed out that it was important for Malaysia to have continuous close relations with China as the country has been its largest trading partner since 2009. Malaysia is also China's second largest trading partner among Asean countries.

Asked about the concerns of Chinese investors as well as the expectations of business operators in China, Zainuddin said that they were excited to receive the Malaysian delegation to their country.

"One of the objectives of the visit is to pacify the concerns of the Chinese government, especially those of investors.

"As I have said, the visit itself is a commitment by the government of Malaysia that we will continue to attach importance to our relationship with China."

Amicable solution

He said among the issues to be raised during the visit are the renegotiations of China-awarded Malaysian megaprojects such as the East Coast Railway Link (ECRL) and the Sabah gas pipelines project under Suria Strategic Energy Resources Sdn Bhd (SSER).

He said that there was no official response from Beijing yet on this and he hoped to see both governments finding a more amicable solution.

On Aug 20, Mahathir will pay courtesy calls on President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and chairperson of the National People's Congress, Li Zhansu in Beijing.

Five memoranda of understanding (MoU) will also be signed on Monday between the two governments as follows:

1. Extension Agreement on Bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement (Bank Negara Malaysia and People's Bank of China)

2. Protocol on Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for the Export of Frozen Durian (Malaysian Agriculture Ministry and China's General Administration of Customs)

3. Development and Promotion of Malaysian Palm Oil Biofuel (Malaysian Palm Oil Board and Tsinghua University)

4. Collaborations in Rubberised Bitumen Road Technology and Rubber Tapping Automation and Mechanisation (Malaysian Rubber Board and Hainan State Farma Bureau and Hainan State Farms Investment Holdings Co. Ltd.)

5. Accounting and Audit Regulatory Cooperation (Securities Commission Malaysia and China's Finance Ministry).

READ MORE

SME M’sia: Previous gov’t only invited linked businesses to the table

Dr M tours office of drone maker in Beijing

Entering the dragon's lair: Dr M's hopes as Proton enters China

Mahathir: US aware of Equanimity takeover but didn't object