Strengthening Ties and Ushering in a "Golden 50 Years" of Cooperation

On April 15, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a state visit. He was greeted by Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

In a written statement, President Xi expressed his desire to deepen the traditional friendship between the two nations and strengthen political trust. He emphasized the importance of cooperation in modernization efforts and promoting cultural exchange. He hoped the visit would lead to fruitful outcomes, marking a new era of friendship and mutual benefit, and ushering in a "Golden 50 Years" for bilateral relations.

The warm welcome for the Chinese President was evident throughout Kuala Lumpur. Giant electronic screens displayed images of President Xi, the national flags of both countries, and welcoming messages along the route from the airport to the city center. Similar displays were also present on other streets in the capital. The Chinese and Malaysian flags were displayed together on major roads.

Local residents expressed their anticipation for the state visit. One local driver noted the unprecedented scale of the arrangements for a foreign leader and highlighted the importance of China's projects in Malaysia, hoping for more such collaborations.

The expectation for increased cooperation was also apparent in ongoing projects. Construction was underway at the Gombak station of the East Coast Railway Link (ECRL), a key project of the Belt and Road Initiative. A Malaysian engineer working on the ECRL project highlighted the employment opportunities and future convenience the project would bring, expressing hope for long-term cooperation between China and Malaysia, citing the benefits for both countries.