Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim landed in Shanghai on Tuesday for a three-day visit aimed at bolstering trade and technology cooperation with China. This visit underscores the longstanding economic ties between the two nations, with China being Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years.
During his stay, Anwar, who also serves as Malaysia’s finance minister, will engage in several high-level meetings and events across Shanghai and Hangzhou. A key highlight of the trip will be his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Hangzhou on Thursday. This meeting is expected to further discuss avenues for collaboration in emerging technologies and digital trade.
In Shanghai, Anwar will participate in the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 event, where he is set to deliver a keynote address at the WorldSkills Conference. His itinerary also includes attending the Fifth Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou, where Malaysia is recognized as a Guest Country of Honour. These events will serve as platforms for the Prime Minister to emphasize the importance of artificial intelligence, digital trade, and international cooperation.
Anwar’s visit will also focus on encouraging Chinese investment in Malaysia. He will meet with leaders from China’s business and technology sectors to discuss potential investments and partnerships. This initiative comes as bilateral trade between the countries reached a robust US$113.82 billion from January to August this year, highlighting the significant economic relationship they share.