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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Make His Third Visit to China Next Week

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia will visit China next week, marking his third trip since taking office. The four-day visit will include stops in Shanghai and meetings in Beijing with top Chinese leaders. This effort highlights Malaysia’s aim to strengthen ties with China, its largest trading partner, despite ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to undertake a four-day working visit to China commencing on Monday, as announced by the Chinese foreign ministry this past Friday. This upcoming visit marks Anwar’s third trip to China since his appointment two years ago, reflecting Malaysia’s aspirations to enhance diplomatic and trade relations, particularly amidst ongoing disputes over the South China Sea. During his visit, Anwar Ibrahim is anticipated to make a stop in Shanghai before engaging in discussions with China’s senior leadership in Beijing. Under Anwar’s administration, Malaysia has been keen on fostering a constructive partnership with China, which has been its largest trading partner for over 15 years. Anwar previously visited China twice in the last year following his swearing-in ceremony in November 2022. Last year, the volume of bilateral trade reached a significant figure of US$190.24 billion, with Chinese imports constituting nearly 55 percent of this total. This underscores the critical economic interdependence between the two nations and highlights Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening ties notwithstanding the geopolitical challenges in the region.

The context of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to China is entrenched in Malaysia’s strategic foreign policy to cultivate stronger bilateral relationships with its largest trading partner. The significance of this visit is mirrored in Malaysia’s economic dependence on Chinese trade, as well as the delicate dynamics of regional security intertwined with territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Since assuming office, Anwar has emphasized the importance of maintaining collaborative engagement with major powers in light of these complexities.

In summary, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s upcoming visit to China exemplifies Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its economic and diplomatic ties with a key international partner. The planned discussions with leading Chinese officials are expected to further enable cooperation amidst existing regional challenges. This visit not only underscores the growing economic exchanges between Malaysia and China, but also the determined approach of Anwar’s government to navigate bilateral issues effectively.

Original Source: www.scmp.com

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