China’s Xi begins state visit to Malaysia

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday for a three-day state visit to Malaysia, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Xi expressed hope that his visit would lead to positive results, marking the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

The Chinese president will meet Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. According to Malaysian news agency Bernama, it is Xi's second official trip to Malaysia, after his last visit in 2013.

He arrived in the Malaysian capital after his two-day state visit to Vietnam. The two countries signed 45 cooperation agreements including on supply chain, AI, joint maritime patrols and railways.

Xi will conclude his tour on Friday with a state visit to Cambodia, hosted by King Norodom Sihamoni.

The trip comes amid growing regional friction and a raging trade war with the US, with both economic powerhouses engaged in retaliatory tariffs.

While China has strong economic ties with Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia, it also has competing maritime claims with both Vietnam and Malaysia, as well as with other ASEAN member states in the disputed South China Sea, a longstanding flashpoint in regional security.