Kuala Lumpur, September 22, 2024 – The Europe Today: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, returned to Malaysia on Sunday, September 22, following a successful four-day state visit to China. The visit, which commenced on September 19, marked a significant milestone in Malaysia-China relations.
Sultan Ibrahim’s special aircraft departed from Beijing Capital Airport’s Official Terminal at 9:28 am. He was accompanied by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming on his return journey. At the airport to bid farewell were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, Malaysia’s Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad, China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, and China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.
This visit was Sultan Ibrahim’s first to China since ascending the throne as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on January 31, following an invitation from President Xi Jinping. Upon arrival at the airport in Beijing, His Majesty was honored with a guard of honor salute from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
The state visit began with an official welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where Sultan Ibrahim was greeted by President Xi Jinping. His Majesty later held an audience with President Xi in the East Hall, followed by a state banquet hosted in His Majesty’s honor at the Golden Hall. The King also met with Premier Li Qiang.
On Saturday, Sultan Ibrahim officially renamed the Malay Studies Chair at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) to the Sultan Ibrahim Chair of Malay Studies, symbolizing the deep-rooted and historic relationship between Malaysia and China, which dates back to the era of the Malacca Sultanate.
During his visit, His Majesty also engaged with the Malaysian community in China and toured the Beijing Aircraft Technology Research Centre (COMAC), where he observed China’s latest advancements in aviation technology, including a flight simulator experience and an inspection of two aircraft developed by COMAC.
This state visit highlights the strengthening of Malaysia-China relations, which were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2013. It is the first state visit by a Malaysian King to China in a decade, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic ties.
The previous visit by a Yang di-Pertuan Agong to China occurred in 2014 when the late Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, visited China to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Malaysia-China relations.
