China’s Xi, Malaysia’s Anwar meet for closed-door talks as Beijing courts neighbours

According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Xi told Sultan Ibrahim that China and Malaysia “are good neighbours, good friends and good partners”, and that relations between the two countries have been remarkable but were “entering an even brighter future”.

China was willing to work with Malaysia to promote unity of the Global South and provide greater certainty to the region and world, Xi said.

The Chinese leader, who is on a five-day Southeast Asia tour, arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday evening after a stopover in Vietnam. The trip ends in Cambodia on Friday.

According to Malaysia’s foreign ministry, Xi and Anwar were set to discuss bilateral cooperation between the two countries and exchange views on regional and international issues. The two leaders would also witness the signing of agreements, the ministry said.