On the afternoon of April 16, President Xi Jinping held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Seri Perdana, the prime minister’s residence, in Putrajaya.
Upon arriving at Seri Perdana by car, President Xi was warmly greeted by Prime Minister Anwar. Malaysian youth waved the flags of both countries, played lively drum music, and performed energetic traditional dances to welcome their esteemed guest from afar.
President Xi noted that China and Malaysia share a millennium-old friendship, one that has taken shape in the long course of history, grown stronger through cultural exchanges, taken deeper root through mutually beneficial cooperation, and gained greater significance as the two countries stand together through thick and thin. This speaks volumes about our common values and pursuit of sincerity, integrity, justice and harmony, reflects the wisdom and courage our peoples have gained from history, and represents a valuable asset shared by both countries. Last year, the two sides celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Over the past 50 years, China-Malaysia relations have yielded bountiful results. In the next 50 years, the two countries must continue to seize the initiative, stay ahead of the times, and build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, so as to deliver more benefits for the two peoples and make a greater contribution to regional prosperity and stability.
President Xi made a three-point proposal on building a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
First, upholding strategic independence and carrying out high-level strategic coordination. Both China and Malaysia are self-reliant nations that oppose external interference. Both countries should continue on the development paths suited to their respective national conditions, resolutely support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and hold their future and destiny firmly in their own hands. A “2+2” diplomatic and defense dialogue mechanism will be established to deepen exchanges and cooperation on national security, defense and law enforcement.
Second, combining forces for development and setting a benchmark for high-quality development cooperation. China is committed to advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development. This is highly compatible with Malaysia’s Ekonomi MADANI initiative. The two sides should work together to cultivate and expand cooperation in the digital economy, green economy, blue economy, artificial intelligence and other frontier areas, and strengthen the integrated development of industrial chains, supply chains, value chains, data chains, and talent chains. It is important to push for the transformation and upgrade of cooperation in traditional fields, and promote two-way investment. The two countries should promote rail-sea intermodal transport, upgrade “Two Countries, Twin Parks,” and turn Malaysia’s major ports into important hubs of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.
Third, carrying forward the friendship forged through generations, and deepening inter-civilizational exchanges and mutual learning. The two sides should jointly advance Confucianism-Islam dialogue, and build platforms of civilizational exchanges for both countries and the region. Having signed a mutual visa exemption agreement, the two sides should seize the opportunity to scale up tourism, youth and subnational exchanges, and deepen cooperation in culture, education, sports, film, media, etc., so as to foster closer people-to-people connection and renew their traditional friendship. China is ready to continue joint research on giant panda conservation with Malaysia.
President Xi noted that Malaysia’s choice of ASEAN theme this year, “inclusivity and sustainability,” reflects its deep insight into the current international landscape. China supports Malaysia in playing its role as ASEAN Chair, and stands ready to sign the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Upgrade Protocol with regional countries as early as possible. Together, they will reject decoupling, supply disruption, “small yard, high fence” and tariff abuse with openness, inclusiveness, solidarity and cooperation, counter the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak with the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, and address instability and uncertainty in the world with the stability and certainty of Asia.
Prime Minister Anwar extended a warm welcome to President Xi. Throughout the years, China has sincerely helped Malaysia and stood together with Malaysia through thick and thin, and is a trusted friend of Malaysia. He noted that President Xi, who has steered China toward remarkable development achievements, led the Chinese people out of extreme poverty, and advocated common prosperity and mutual learning between civilizations, is an excellent leader in today’s world. The Malaysian people respect China and President Xi. President Xi’s visit this time has set a record in the number of deliverables achieved, and is very meaningful and encouraging to the Malaysian side. Malaysia is firmly committed to the one-China policy, and does not support any act of “Taiwan independence.” Malaysia is ready to work with China to deepen strategic communication and cement political mutual trust; to expand bilateral trade, welcome Chinese companies to invest in Malaysia and work with Malaysian counterparts in the fields of digital economy, green economy and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and contribute to greater development of both countries; to advance people-to-people exchanges in culture, education and tourism, and foster understanding and friendship between the two peoples; and to carry out civilizational dialogue between Islam and Confucianism for the sake of human progress. Facing the rise of unilateralism, Malaysia will work closer with China to jointly tackle risks and challenges. ASEAN will not concede to any unilaterally imposed tariffs, and will seek greater strength and maintain economic growth through unity and cooperation. Malaysia highly appreciates China’s positive role in international and regional issues. As ASEAN Chair and the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Malaysia will actively promote ASEAN-China cooperation for the benefit of regional peace, stability and prosperity.
After the talks, the two leaders jointly witnessed the exchange of more than 30 bilateral cooperation documents, covering areas such as cooperation on the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, Confucianism-Islam dialogue, the digital economy, trade in services, upgrading of “Two Countries, Twin Parks,” joint laboratories, artificial intelligence, railway, intellectual property rights, export of agricultural products to China, mutual visa exemption, and giant panda conservation.
The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and Malaysia on Building a High-level Strategic China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future.
On the evening of the same day, Prime Minister Anwar hosted a welcoming dinner in honor of President Xi.
Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and Wang Xiaohong attended the above activities.