SHANGHAI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will receive a great honour since Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to host a dinner for him at The Great Hall of People in Beijing on Nov 7. “This is a great honour for Malaysia because these two leaders are not on the same level…not equal,” Malaysian Ambassador to Beijing Datuk Norman Muhamad said in a press conference in conjunction with the prime minister’s visit to the country. Anwar is expected to arrive in Shanghai tonight, his first stop before going to Beijing, to begin a four-day working visit to China.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this visit marks a significant moment as Anwar is expected to meet President Xi, emphasizing the diplomatic goodwill between Malaysia and China. Anwar’s visit to Shanghai is part of a larger itinerary that includes attending the seventh China International Import Expo (7th CIIE), where Malaysia will be the “Country of Honour.” Anwar has been given the privilege to speak immediately after his counterpart Li Qi
ang, followed by representatives from five other countries.

The visit is seen as a culmination of the 50th-anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China. Anwar’s agenda includes a bilateral meeting with Li Qiang, where they will discuss enhancing bilateral ties and exchanging views on regional and international matters.

Anwar will be accompanied by key ministers, including Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim Chee Keong. This trip marks Anwar’s third visit to China since assuming office, with previous visits in March and September 2023. However, this will be his first official visit to Shanghai.