Working Visit of The Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim To Shanghai And Beijing, The People’s Republic of China

Malaysia continues to solidify its reputation as a strategic investment destination in ASEAN, leveraging strong bilateral ties with its largest trading partner, The People’s Republic of China. The recent working visit of the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Shanghai and Beijing from 4 to 7 November 2024 marked a pivotal step towards enhancing trade, attracting high-value investments and fostering innovation-led growth.

Held in conjunction with the 7^th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, the visit featured high-level engagements, including a bilateral meeting with the President of China, one-on-one meetings with prominent Chinese investors, and a Roundtable Meeting (RTM) with industry leaders hosted by MIDA and the Malaysia-China Business Forum.

● Jiangsu Longda Superalloy Co. Ltd., a renowned manufacturer from Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, specialising in high-performance superalloys for aerospace, gas turbine, and petrochemical industries, will expand its operations to Malaysia. This investment strengthens Malaysia’s aerospace ecosystem, enhances the local supply chain, and is expected to create high-skilled employment opportunities.

● SICC Co., Ltd., a leading semiconductor materials manufacturer, aims to leverage Malaysia’s established semiconductor ecosystem to expand its production of silicon carbide (SiC) substrates, critical for next-generation semiconductor applications.

● SEMCORP Co., Ltd., the world’s largest producer of lithium-ion separator films, is exploring Malaysia as a strategic hub to support its Southeast Asia expansion plans.

A key highlight of the visit was the high-level Roundtable Meeting in Shanghai, organised by MIDA. The event brought together 24 captains of industry from leading Chinese companies to discuss Malaysia’s strategic role as a gateway to ASEAN and beyond, with its potential in sectors such as advanced materials, high-end automotive and aerospace components, medical devices, machinery, health and functional foods, and telecommunications innovation centres.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasised Malaysia’s business-friendly policies, strategic location and skilled workforce, reassuring industry leaders of the Government’s commitment to facilitating their investments.

At the Malaysia-China Business Forum in Shanghai, Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of MIDA, delivered a keynote address highlighting Malaysia’s strength in semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), and renewable energy, supported by transformative roadmaps like the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).

MIDA CEO lauded key Chinese investors such as Geely and EVE Energy for their pivotal role in enhancing Malaysia’s supply chains and global competitiveness. He also emphasised major infrastructure projects like the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), which drives regional development and connectivity, positioning Malaysia as a preferred partner for Chinese businesses expanding into ASEAN markets.

With Malaysia set to chair ASEAN in 2025, he encouraged Chinese investors to leverage Malaysia’s strategic location, skilled workforce, and pro-business environment to expand their operations and tap into the growing opportunities in Southeast Asia.

As part of the delegation, MIDA CEO also visited ZTE Corporation’s 5G Intelligent Manufacturing Base in Nanjing, China — a state-of-the-art facility that is transforming the manufacturing industry with advanced 5G technology. The base utilises 5G Network for fast, reliable communication and Automation Technologies like Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) for efficient production. Other key features include Machine Vision Systems and 5G-enabled Inspection Robots for better quality control, and Digital Twin Technology for real-time monitoring. Additionally, the base features Autonomous Production Capabilities for a “lights-off factory” that operates with minimal human intervention. This visit underlines Malaysia’s aspiration to integrate such advanced technologies into its manufacturing ecosystem.

The Prime Minister’s working visit to China reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to attracting high-quality investments through strategic partnerships. Amid global economic shifts and the ongoing US-China trade tensions, Malaysia continues to position itself as a stable, competitive destination for Chinese investors seeking to diversify and strengthen their supply chains.