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Malaysia and China have strengthened their relationship with the historic signing of 31 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across various sectors, following Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the country
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the landmark agreements in a Facebook post last night, 16 April, highlighting their strategic importance to both nations.
The agreements span various fields, from security and trade to culture and technology.
"These signed MoUs elevate the special Malaysia-China relationship to a new level of confidence, ensuring prosperity in various aspects for the wellbeing of both our people and nations," Anwar wrote in the post.
Image via Anwar Ibrahim (Facebook)
Image via @ahmadzahidhamidi (threads)
Here are the MoUs and supplementary notes to provide a clearer understanding of their details:
1. MoU between the governments of China and Malaysia to strengthen cooperation in the Global Security Initiative (GSI)
– GSI was first proposed by Xi in April 2022 as one of the Three Major Initiatives. It serves as a platform for dialogue on global security issues and fostering security ties.
2. Exchange of notes on strengthening cooperation in the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI)
– Established in March 2023, GCI advocates respect for the diversity of civilisations, the common values of humanity, the importance of the inheritance and innovation of civilisations, as well as robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.
3. MoU between the China International Development Cooperation Agency and Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Ministry on strengthening development cooperation and implementing the GCI
4. Agreement between the governments of China and Malaysia on mutual visa exemption for holders of official and ordinary passports
5. Exchange of notes between the governments of China and Malaysia on the establishment of a joint bilateral dialogue on foreign affairs and defence
6. MoU between the governments of China and Malaysia on cooperation in trade in services
– Trade in services refers to the exchange of intangible products, or services, between producers and consumers, whether within the same country or internationally.
7. MoU between the governments of China and Malaysia to strengthen the "Two Countries, Two Parks" China-Malaysia initiative
– The initiative was established in the early 2010s with the establishment of two industrial parks in Guangxi and Kuantan to foster mutual investment and trade.
8. MoU between the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardisation Administration, SAC) of China and the Department of Standards Malaysia on standardisation cooperation
– Standardisation cooperation refers to the collaborative efforts between different entities, such as governments, organisations, and industries, to develop and implement common technical standards.
9. MoU between the National Railway Administration of China and Malaysia's Transport Ministry on strengthening railway sector cooperation
– Malaysia and China have been constructing a 665km railway since 2017, the largest economic cooperation project between the two countries, and is expected to be fully operational by January 2028. The MoU likely pertains to this project and other railway cooperation efforts.
10. Phytosanitary requirements protocol between China's General Administration of Customs and Malaysia's Agriculture and Food Security Ministry for the export of fresh coconuts to China
11. MoU between the governments of China and Malaysia on mutual support in the construction of joint laboratories in emerging technologies
12. MoU on cooperation in the application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS)
– BDS is a satellite-based radio navigation system developed and managed by the China National Space Administration. It offers global users reliable, high-accuracy positioning, navigation, and timing services, functioning seamlessly in all weather conditions and at all times.
13. Collaborative research agreement on international giant panda conservation
14. MoU between Peking University and the University of Malaya on the establishment of a joint laboratory for new AI+ materials
– Peking University is a member of the C9 League, colloquially known as the Chinese Ivy League.
15. MoU on the promotion of discourse between Confucianism and Islam
– Confucianism is an ancient Chinese philosophy that focuses on the importance of personal ethics and morality.
16. MoU on tourism and media cooperation between China's Xinhua News Agency and Malaysia's Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia)
– Xinhua News Agency is one of the largest media organisations in China, a ministry-level institution founded in 1931.
17. MoU on cooperation under the framework of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia (ACHA)
– Founded by China in 2023, ACHA is a platform dedicated to cultural heritage protection, promoting cross-regional international cooperation, dialogue, and intergovernmental support.
18. MoU on tourism and media cooperation between China Media Group (CMG) and Tourism Malaysia
– CMG is one of the largest media conglomerates in the world. It was formally established in 2018 through the merger of China Central Television (incorporating China Global Television Network), China National Radio, and China Radio International.
19. MoU between the government of Malaysia and Xinhua News Agency of China on cooperation in news and information
20. Supplementary MoU to amend the agreement between the Malaysian government and CMG on media cooperation
21. MoU between the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) and CMG
22. Supplementary MoU to amend the agreement between CMG and Malaysia's National News Agency (Bernama)
23. MoU on translation and publishing of classical works
24. MoU between Malaysia's Digital Ministry and China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on AI
– NDRC is a macroeconomic management agency that studies and formulates policies for economic and social development, maintains the balance of economic development, and guides the restructuring of the economic system.
25. MoU between Malaysia's Digital Ministry and China's NDRC on the digital economy
26. MoU on cooperation in intellectual property
27. MoU between Xiamen University and the University of Malaya on the joint establishment of the China-Malaysia International Higher Education Institute
– Xiamen University is a public university in Fujian, China, which also has a campus in Sepang, Selangor.
28. Letter of intent from Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to Zhejiang University on digital transformation, AI, and smart cities
– Zhejiang University is a public research university in Hangzhou, home to 3,941 full-time faculty members, including 50 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
29. MoU on bilateral cooperation between People's Daily China and Star Media Group Berhad
– People's Daily is one of the world's top ten newspapers; it is also one of the largest comprehensive media on the Internet, a leading key news website in China.
30. Agreement on think tank exchange and cooperation between Xinhua News Agency and Malaysia's Centre of Regional Strategic Studies (CROSS)
– Chaired by Petaling member of parliament Lee Chean Chung, CROSS is an independent think tank in Malaysia that conducts research and provides advisory services.
31. MoU between CMG and the Malaysia-China Friendship Association
– Better known as PPMC, the Malaysia-China Friendship Association is an NGO led by Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, a former ambassador to China.
