KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is set to make his inaugural official working visit to the People's Republic of China tomorrow (May 22).
The Foreign Ministry said the visit, made at the invitation of Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, will focus on cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), halal industry development, and people-to-people exchanges.
Zahid is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Premier Li Qiang to intensify bilateral relations further.
"Both sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and interest.
"While in Beijing, he will also hold discussions with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong.
"He will also witness the signing of several Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Malaysian and Chinese companies in the fields of high technology and education, as well as engage with the Malaysian community in China as part of the government initiative.
"In Hong Kong, Zahid will meet with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region," the statement read.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin will accompany him.
Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, will host a gala reception and grace the 50th-anniversary celebration of the establishment of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.
The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Malaysian embassy in Beijing will jointly organise the event.
"This official visit is part of the exchange of high-level visits lined up to commemorate the 50th year of diplomatic ties.
"Malaysia's second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, made history by being the first Asean leader to establish formal diplomatic relations with China by signing a joint communiqué with Premier Chou En-lai on May 31, 1974.
"This bold step laid the foundation for a strong partnership, later elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2013, that has served both countries well."
Since 2009, China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner globally and last year, total trade with China was valued at RM450.84 billion (US$98.80 billion), contributing 17.1 per cent of Malaysia's global trade.
Last year, 64 manufacturing projects were approved, with investments totalling RM12 billion (US$2.6 billion).
China is ranked as the fifth largest investor, and these projects are expected to create 9,305 jobs.