Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – April 17, 2025 – Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China have agreed to establish a high-level strategic community with a shared future, aimed at accelerating modernization efforts and promoting regional and global prosperity and stability. This landmark decision was reached during the State Visit of H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, to Malaysia from April 15-17, 2025.
President Xi Jinping’s visit, at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, included meetings and talks with Sultan Ibrahim and H.E. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, respectively. The leaders engaged in extensive discussions on regional and international issues of mutual interest, culminating in a broad consensus on the future of their bilateral relationship.
Both nations underscored the enduring nature of their ties, recognizing their long-standing friendship, partnership for development, heartfelt connections, and shared commitment to peace. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on May 31, 1974, Malaysia and China have witnessed significant transformations, with bilateral relations strengthening over the past half-century and gaining renewed momentum, particularly in the new era. The establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013 has further propelled cooperation across various fields, yielding tangible benefits for both peoples. In 2023, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim achieved a key consensus on jointly building a Malaysia-China community with a shared future, marking a historic milestone that guides the development of bilateral relations, expands strategic cooperation, and opens a new chapter in Malaysia-China relations.
The two countries celebrated the successful 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations and the Year of China-Malaysia Friendship, acknowledging the significant progress made in their relationship. Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining independent strategies, pursuing common development, fostering sincerity and mutual trust, and upholding fairness and justice as key elements of their relationship.
Malaysia expressed its admiration for China’s historic achievements and reforms, recognizing its contributions to regional and global peace, stability, and sustainable development. China commended Malaysia’s economic and social achievements and expressed support for the Malaysian government’s “Malaysia MADANI” governance concept.
The leaders affirmed that China and Malaysia, as important developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region and representatives of the Global South, share a crucial interest in building a high-level strategic community with a shared future. This partnership is poised to enhance unity and cooperation within the Global South and address global challenges while upholding mutual respect for each Party’s domestic laws, rules, regulations and policies.
Key Areas of Cooperation and Future Directions:
- Strengthening Strategic Coordination: Maintaining high-level interaction, strengthening strategic communication and mutual trust, and reiterating mutual support on core interests and major concerns.
- Deepening Synergy of Development: Promoting regional cooperation on new quality productive forces, implementing the Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation Plan, and synergizing development strategies, with a focus on digital economy, green economy, blue economy and tourism economy.
- Tightening People-to-People Bonds: Emphasizing civilizational diversity, promoting interfaith understanding and cultural exchange, and facilitating personnel exchanges through visa exemptions and cooperation in education, culture, tourism and sports.
- Maintaining Peace and Stability in the South China Sea: Resolving disputes through peaceful means, exercising self-restraint, and working towards the early conclusion of an effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
- Strengthening Regional Cooperation: Promoting ASEAN-China cooperation, supporting ASEAN centrality, and advancing regional economic integration through initiatives such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement and the ASEANChina Free Trade Area (FTA).
- Conducting Multilateral Cooperation: Upholding the UN Charter, practicing true multilateralism, and enhancing coordination and cooperation within the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
During the visit, both sides signed a series of cooperation documents in areas including AI, digital economy, trade in services, railway, agriculture, culture and tourism, and media.
President Xi Jinping expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality of the Malaysian government and people and extended an invitation for Malaysian leaders to visit China. The Malaysian leaders accepted the invitation with pleasure.
Photo Credit to PM Anwar Ibrahim FB Page
