Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has arrived in Shanghai for a three-day visit aimed at bolstering ties with China. The visit, which began on Tuesday, is focused on enhancing trade and cooperation in emerging technologies between the two nations.
During his stay, Anwar, who also serves as Malaysia’s finance minister, is scheduled to visit Shanghai and Hangzhou. A significant aspect of his itinerary includes a high-level meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Hangzhou on Thursday. This meeting is expected to further solidify the long-standing economic relationship between Malaysia and China.
In Shanghai, Anwar will participate in WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, where he is set to deliver a keynote address at the WorldSkills Conference. The prime minister will then travel to Hangzhou to engage in the Fifth Global Digital Trade Expo, an event where Malaysia is recognized as one of the Guest Countries of Honour. His engagements will underscore themes such as artificial intelligence, digital trade, and international cooperation.
Anwar’s visit also includes discussions with Chinese business and technology leaders, aiming to attract more foreign investment into Malaysia. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen economic ties, as China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years. Bilateral trade between the nations reached US$113.82 billion from January to August this year, underscoring the robust economic link between the two countries.