On May 31, on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, Chinese Consul General in Penang Mr. Zhou Youbin published a signed article titled “Renew the Commitment to the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and Jointly Write a New Chapter of Friendship” on Malaysian media The Star Online and Nanyang Siang Pau. The full text is as follows:
Fifty-two years ago, with extraordinary strategic courage and foresight, breaking through the gloom of the Cold War, the leaders of China and Malaysia made the historic decision to formally establish diplomatic relations, pioneering a groundbreaking new chapter in relations between China and ASEAN countries, and opened a new era of joint development between the two countries. Over the past 52 years, China and Malaysia have since respected each other's development paths, provided mutual support on issues vital to our respective core interests and on our major concerns, closely worked on regional and international affairs, to continuously elevate China-Malaysia relations to new heights.
Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Malaysia bilateral relations have entered their best period in history. In 2025, President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to Malaysia. The two sides have reached important consensus on jointly building a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, and ushered in a new "Golden 50 Years for bilateral relations. This year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan as well as Malaysia’s 13th Malaysia Plan. "Chinese-style modernization" and the vision of "Malaysia MADANI" resonate with each other, further strengthening the foundation and enriching the substance of the high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
Amid the fluid and turbulent international landscape, China-Malaysia relations show the unwavering and increasingly stable solid foundation. Against the backdrop of sluggish global economic recovery and slowing global trade growth, in 2025, China-Malaysia bilateral trade reached US$191.67 billion. China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years. This year, the economies of the two countries have continued to grow against the headwinds. In the first quarter, the economic growth rates of China and Malaysia reached 5.0% and 5.4% respectively， displaying enduring resilience, and the sustained momentum of cooperation. Malaysia has become an investment hotspot for China in digital economy, green development, new energy and other emerging industries, not only bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, but also injecting strong impetus into the steady and long-term development of China-Malaysia relations.
Amid the changing and volatile international situation, China and Malaysia have worked together to safeguard peace and stability in Asia. The two countries have worked together to mediate the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict and help stabilize the regional situation. The ASEAN-China-GCC Summit,whichwas held in Malaysia, have promoted solidarity and self-strengthening among countries of the Global South. China put forward a four-point proposal on maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, contributing China’s approach to advancing a ceasefire, ending hostilities, and pursuing a political settlement of the crisis, which has been recognized and supported by Malaysia. Recently, President Xi Jinping held talks with U.S. President Donald J. Trump where they agreed onbuilding a “constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability”. China has consistently acted as a responsible major country, bringing greater stability and certainty to the world.
As the Malay proverb goes, “Bulat air kerana pembetung, bulat manusia kerana muafakat” (“Water converges through channels; people unite through consensus.”) Over the past 52 years, China and Malaysia have built more new understandings with stronger political mutual trust, more connected development visions, and closer people-to-people ties. Standing at a new starting point, both sides should carry forward the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, deepen strategic cooperation, continue to make new progress in building a high-level strategic China–Malaysia community with shared future, and jointly usher in a brighter next “Golden 50 Years”.
