BEIJING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will arrive in China tomorrow to attend the two-day Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The forum, to be opened on May 14 in Beijing, is the highest-level dialogue since the vision for the One Belt, One Road Initiative or OBOR was shared by Xi in September 2013.
The initiative aims to redefine the global economy by integrating the economies of Europe, Asia and Africa through an unprecedentedly powerful network of transport and communications infrastructure.
The prime minister, in his blog post, said the forum was important to ensure Malaysia reaped the benefits of OBOR which could potentially boost the nation's economy through greater connectivity.
"Malaysia's strategic location will enable us to play an important role in this initiative and I am confident the people will be able to enjoy the benefits from more holistic connectivity and economic development."
Najib will have meetings with Xi and Chinese premier Li Keqiang ahead of the forum. He will also
visit the home base of China e-commerce giant Alibaba Group in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. He will call on its founder Jack Ma, who is also the digital economy adviser to the Malaysian government.
"I will fulfil the invitation of my friend, Jack Ma, and see for myself the success of Alibaba which has created more than 36,000 job opportunities and change the industrial ecosystem in China into one which is more dynamic and inclusive."
Malaysian ambassador to China Datuk Zainuddin Yahya, at a press conference with the Malaysian media, said the visit was a show of the country's support for China's OBOR initiative, as well as to enhance and strengthen further bilateral ties and cooperation between both countries.
"It is also a testimony of the close relationship between the prime minister and Chinese leaders."
Zainuddin said, during his visit to Hangzhou, the prime minister is expected to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Sdn Bhd (MDEC) and Hangzhou Municipal Government and Alibaba (China) Company Limited.
Najib is also scheduled to receive a courtesy call from the Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province Che Jun there, said Zainuddin.
On Saturday, Najib will have meetings with Xi and Chinese premier Li Keqiang ahead of the BRF.
"Three government-to-government MoUs are set to be signed and exchanged."
They are on Promoting Mutual Economic Development through the China's Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative; Cooperation in the Field of Transport Infrastructure; and Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Pineapples from Malaysia to China.
Najib’s previous visit to Beijing last year led to 14 deals worth RM144 billion. One of the major projects was the RM55 billion East Coast Railway Link and the US$7.4 billion (RM32 billion) Malacca Gateway.
Najib will be accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Cabinet ministers, chief ministers as well as senior government officials from the relevant ministries and agencies during this visit, his seventh to China since becoming prime minister.
The Belt and Road Forum, held under the theme "Belt and Road: Cooperation for Common Prosperity", will be attended by 28 heads of state and government and some 80 leaders of international organisations.