21-9-2024 (BEIJING) Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar held high-level talks in Beijing on Friday, signalling a new chapter in the long-standing relationship between the two nations. The meeting, which took place in the Chinese capital, saw both leaders express their commitment to elevating the China-Malaysia partnership to unprecedented heights.
President Xi emphasised the historical significance of the occasion, noting that 2024 marks the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. He described the current year as pivotal for bilateral ties, presenting an opportunity to build upon past achievements and chart a course for future cooperation.
The Chinese leader highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries, describing them as “neighbors across the sea” with a rich shared history. Xi praised the mutual support and friendly relations that have characterised China-Malaysia interactions since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974, holding up their partnership as an exemplar of successful international cooperation.
Looking to the future, President Xi expressed China’s readiness to work closely with Malaysia in various spheres. He spoke of deepening strategic cooperation in each other’s modernisation efforts and pushing the concept of a “China-Malaysia community with a shared future” to new heights. Xi also pointed out that China’s ongoing reforms and high-standard opening-up policies would bring fresh impetus and opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
The visit by King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, his first to a non-ASEAN country since ascending to the throne, has been hailed by experts as a significant diplomatic gesture. Dr Ge Hongliang, vice dean of the ASEAN College at Guangxi Minzu University, told reporters that the royal visit would “open up new prospects for further development of the relationship between the two countries.”
Dr Ge further emphasised the exemplary nature of China-Malaysia relations within the regional context. “In the current regional and international climate, the development of China-Malaysia ties is both commendable and holds significant guiding value,” he stated.
Analysts also noted Malaysia’s nuanced stance on regional issues, particularly regarding the South China Sea. The Southeast Asian nation has consistently advocated for stability and opposes actions that could exacerbate tensions. Malaysia’s approach emphasises ASEAN’s role in managing the South China Sea issue through dialogue and consultation, while also maintaining a degree of strategic autonomy by resisting external intervention.
