Kota Kinabalu: The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu stands ready to work hand in hand with all sectors in Sabah and Labuan in the year ahead.
Consul General Dr Zhu Xinglong said the Consulate would continue advancing China-Malaysia relations and China-Sabah cooperation steadily and sustainably into a new “Golden 50 Years”.
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“With the speed of a galloping horse, the drive to take the lead and the perseverance to press forward without pause, we will advance China-Malaysia relations and China-Sabah cooperation steadily and sustainably into a new ‘Golden 50 Years’, taking our relationship to new heights.
“I sincerely wish that the enduring friendship between China and Malaysia will remain evergreen through the ages,” he said at the Chinese New Year Reception 2026 hosted by the Consulate at Magellan Sutera Resort, here, on Tuesday.
Deputy Chief Minister II cum Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun represented the Chief Minister at the event.
Dr Zhu said 2026 marks the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the commencement of Malaysia’s 13th Malaysia Plan.
“As China’s grand vision converges with Sabah’s SMJ 2.0 (Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0) development blueprint, we are presented with a golden opportunity to align development strategies and achieve mutual benefit and win-win cooperation,” he said.
Reflecting on bilateral ties, he described 2025 as a milestone year in China-Malaysia relations. China President Xi Jinping made a state visit to Malaysia – his second in 12 years – during which a joint statement was issued committing both countries to building a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
The year also saw two visits to Malaysia by China Premier Li Qiang, as well as Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s fourth visit to China since taking office.
Dr Zhu said these frequent high-level exchanges had deepened strategic mutual trust and injected strong momentum into bilateral relations.
On economic cooperation, he said practical collaboration had yielded fruitful results despite global economic headwinds.
According to China’s official data, bilateral trade between China and Malaysia reached US$191.66 billion in 2025, with China remaining Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years.
Major projects have also progressed steadily. The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) has achieved 91 per cent completion, while the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” initiative continues to be upgraded as a landmark of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
Collaboration in the digital economy, green development and industrial investment has expanded, delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations.
People-to-people exchanges have likewise flourished. China and Malaysia formally signed a mutual visa exemption agreement, making spontaneous travel between the two countries a reality.
Currently, 716 flights operate weekly between China and Malaysia, forming an increasingly busy air bridge.
Throughout 2025, 4.77 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia, with about 690,000 travelling to Sabah.
Dr Zhu said these exchanges not only generated business opportunities but also deepened mutual understanding and strengthened friendship between the two peoples.
He expressed appreciation to overseas Chinese, students and employees of Chinese enterprises in Sabah and Labuan for their contributions to local development and bilateral ties.
“Thanks to your active efforts in promoting trade and economic cooperation and your role in facilitating cultural and people-to-people exchanges, the seeds of China-Malaysia friendship have taken root and grown strong in Sabah and Labuan, bearing abundant fruits that benefit both regions,” he said.
Dr Zhu also highlighted China’s domestic achievements in 2025, describing it as an extraordinary year in the country’s development journey. China’s GDP surpassed 140 trillion yuan, marking a five per cent increase year-on-year and contributing around 30 per cent to global economic growth.
Innovation-driven development continued to gather pace, with China becoming the first country to exceed five million active invention patents, operating the largest number of large-scale artificial intelligence models and building the world’s largest renewable energy system.
Production and sales of new energy vehicles surpassed 16 million units, 5G subscribers exceeded 1.2 billion and 6G research passed its first-phase technical trials.
High-standard opening-up also expanded, with visa-free foreign visits to China reaching 30.08 million in 2025, an increase of nearly 50 per cent from the previous year.
China remained a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions, and the main export market for 79 countries and regions.
“China’s vast market will continue to provide broad opportunities for countries around the world, including Malaysia, and enable higher-level mutual benefit and win-win outcomes,” he said.
