Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim departed for China this morning to begin a four-day working visit aimed at strengthening inter-country relations.

The visit, from Aug 31 to Sept 3, is at the invitation of President Xi Jinping and will see Anwar attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

He is also set to attend the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Anwar’s programmes will take him to several locations across China, with the highlight being the Victory Day military parade in Beijing on Sept 3.

“The prime minister departed at about 11am this morning for several programmes in different locations in China. The culmination will be on Sept 3 in Beijing.

“He has visited China several times before, but this is a particularly important moment as we want to strengthen bilateral relations, especially following our Merdeka celebrations and in conjunction with China’s National Day celebrations,” he told reporters after attending the National Day parade in Putrajaya today.

National Day parade in Putrajaya today

Fahmi, who is also chairperson of the National Day and Malaysia Day 2025 Celebrations main committee, said the visit underscores Malaysia’s commitment to deepening ties with its largest trading partner.

Anwar is accompanied by his wife, former deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, as well as Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Showcasing regional role at Shanghai summit

On Monday, the prime minister will attend the SCO Summit, an honour that reflects Malaysia’s leadership and role as a regional power in promoting cooperation and global stability.

He will be the first Malaysian leader invited to the high-level gathering, where he is scheduled to deliver remarks at the SCO Plus Summit on Sept 1.

As Asean Chair, Malaysia’s participation demonstrates its commitment to strengthening Asean–SCO relations and promoting its role as a bridge between Asean and SCO member states to explore cooperation in sectors such as economy and trade.

Malaysia is neither an observer state nor a dialogue partner of the SCO.

In Beijing, Anwar is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Xi and hold a bilateral meeting with Premier Li Qiang to discuss bilateral cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Premier Li will also host a dinner in honour of the prime minister and delegation at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

At the sidelines of the SCO Summit, Anwar will also engage in discussions with the business communities of Malaysia and China.

China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years since 2009.

Total trade between the two countries stood at RM484.12 billion in 2024, representing 16.8 percent of Malaysia’s total global trade of RM2.879 trillion.

- Bernama

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