China and Malaysia have renewed their five-year economic and trade cooperation pact, signaling a continuation of bilateral relations as they mark 50 years of diplomatic ties. During Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Kuala Lumpur, discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya led to commitments to review visa-free travel arrangements between the two nations.
The leaders oversaw the signing of several agreements, including one allowing Malaysia to export fresh durians to China, expanding beyond previous limits on durian products and frozen whole fruit. Malaysia, a major durian producer, joins Thailand and Vietnam in accessing China’s lucrative market for the distinctive fruit.
Li’s visit to Malaysia follows stops in New Zealand and Australia as part of China’s efforts to strengthen its presence and investments in the Asia Pacific amid heightened global tensions, particularly with the United States.
During his visit, Li is scheduled to meet Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim and participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a key project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This 665-kilometer railway, expected to cost 50.27 billion ringgit ($10.7 billion), aims to connect Malaysia’s east and west coasts by 2026. Originally proposed in 2017, the project is being carried out by the Malaysian unit of China Communications Construction Co Ltd. Malaysia has also expressed openness to extending the rail link to its border with Thailand, further integrating regional infrastructure under Chinese investment.