Malaysia, China To Deepen Cultural, Tourism And Education Ties Under Shared Future Vision
PUTRAJAYA, April 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and China have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in the areas of culture, tourism and education as part of efforts to build a high-level strategic Malaysia-China community with a shared future.
In a Joint Statement issued on Thursday, both countries pledged to strengthen tourism collaboration through intensified joint promotional efforts to attract more visitors from each other’s regions.
At the same time, emphasis will be placed on fostering a safe, seamless and welcoming environment for travellers, to promote deeper cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the peoples of both nations.
The statement also underscored the two countries' shared advocacy for civilisational diversity, harmony and inclusiveness.
Malaysia and China agreed to promote meaningful dialogue between Islam and Confucianism to foster interfaith understanding and cultural exchange.
Through mutual learning, the two nations aim to encourage the common development of Chinese and Islamic civilisations and jointly uphold Asian values based on peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness.
The official signing of reciprocal visa exemption agreements was highlighted as a key milestone that will further ease two-way travel, deepen cooperation in education, culture, tourism and sports, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship, particularly among the younger generation.
Malaysia and China will also implement the Bilateral Cultural Cooperation Agreement for the 2024-2029 period, which includes a series of cultural exchange programmes and collaboration in the film and animation industries.
Malaysia, in particular, will support efforts by the Chinese Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur to promote bilateral cultural ties.
The joint statement noted that the giant pandas housed in Malaysia continue to be warmly received by the public and have become a strong symbol of Malaysia-China friendship. Both countries agreed to continue conducting joint research on panda conservation and look forward to further progress in this area.
On education, the two sides committed to enhancing cooperation across vocational training, scientific research and digital education.
They have also expressed support for ongoing efforts between Xiamen University and Universiti Malaya (UM) to establish the China-Malaysia International Institute for Advanced Studies, and between Peking University and UM to set up the China-Malaysia AI+New Materials Joint Laboratory.
Zhejiang University is also expected to collaborate with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) in areas related to digital transformation, artificial intelligence and smart city development.
In addition, both countries welcomed the joint establishment of Belt and Road research laboratories and announced plans for the Communication University of China and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman to co-found the ASEAN Research Centre of Community with a Shared Future.
Academic exchanges will also be expanded, with both countries supporting greater interaction between think tanks and institutions of higher education, including mutual visits among academic staff and students, as well as increased two-way student exchanges.
The two governments also acknowledged the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books (ITBM) and the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) of China, aimed at enhancing collaboration in the translation and publication of literary classics from both countries.
In the health sector, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and promote traditional medicine as part of broader healthcare collaboration.
President Xi Jinping departed Malaysia for Cambodia this morning, marking the end of his three-day state visit to Malaysia.
The state visit, which began on Tuesday at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, was Xi’s second visit to Malaysia in 12 years. During his last visit in 2013, Malaysia and China upgraded diplomatic relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Malaysia and China established diplomatic relations on May 31, 1974, and commemorated the 50th anniversary of this milestone last year. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years since 2009.
In 2024, total trade between the two countries was valued at RM484.12 billion, accounting for 16.8 per cent of Malaysia's global trade of RM2.88 trillion.
-- BERNAMA
