Sino-Malaysian political relations

(fmprc.gov.cn)
Updated: 2009-06-01 15:16

On May 31, 1974, China and Malaysia officially established diplomatic relations. Since then, they have witnessed sound development in the political, economic and cultural fields. Starting from 1985, the Malaysian Government made gradual readjustment of its policy toward China, contacts at different levels have been continuously increasing between the two countries. Since the 1990s, as Sine-Malaysian relations reached a new stage for development, friendly contacts and cooperation have developed in various fields.

Frequent exchanges of visits have been going on strong between the leaders of the two countries. Following are the Chinese leaders who have visited Malaysia: Vice-premier Deng Xiaoping (in 1978), State Councilor cum Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian (in 1984), Vice-premier Tian Jiyun (in 1986), President Yang Shangkun (in 1990 and 1992), Premier Li Peng (in 1990 and 1997), State Councilor cum Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (in 1991), Vice-Premier Yao Yilin (in 1992), Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Qiao Shi (in 1993), State Councilor cum Secretary-General of the State Council Luo Gan ( in 1995), Chairman of the CPPCC Li Ruihuan (in 1995), Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of NPC Wang Hanbing (in 1997), Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan (in 1998) and Premier Zhu Rongji (in 1999). In 1994, President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Malaysia and went there again respectively in 1997 and 1998 to attend the first informal meeting between the leaders of ASEAN countries China, Japan and ROK.

In April 2002, Vice-President Hu Jintao paid an official visit to Malaysia. In May and July the same year, Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC cum President of Chinese Enterprise Federation Chen Qinghua and Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Jiang Chunyan visited Malaysia successively. In January 2003, Vice-Premier Li Lanqing visited Malaysia.

Following are the Malaysian leaders who have visited China: Sultan Azlan Shah, (in 1990 and 1991), Tuanku Ja'afar (in 1997), Sultan Salahuddin(in 2001), Prime Minister Mahathir (in 1985, 1993, 1994, 1996,19999 and 2001), Vice Prime Minister Ghafar (in 1987), Vice Prime Minister Anwar (in 1994), Foreign Minister Badawi (in 1992 and 1997), Foreign Minister Syed (in 1999) and Senate Chairman Tan Sri Michael Chen Wing Sum (in 2002). In February and October 2001, Prime Minister Mahathir came to China to Asia Forum in Boao and APEC's informal summit in Shanghai.

Consultation system was launched in April 1991 between the foreign ministers of the two countries and 9 rounds of consultations have been held. Apart form its embassy established in the other country, China has established its consulate-general in Kuching and Malaysia has set up its consulates-general in Shanghai, Canton and Hong Kong.