Zahid to Begin Four-Day Working Visit to China Tomorrow, TVET Cooperation Among Key Focus Areas – Ambassador
BEIJING: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will undertake a four-day working visit to China beginning tomorrow to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in trade, investment, technology and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad said the visit, scheduled from October 12 to 16, would include a series of meetings with Chinese government leaders in Beijing before Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, attends the 2026 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference (WVTEDC) in Tianjin, beginning October 15.
He said the Beijing programme would begin with a bilateral meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, followed by a meeting with Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and several engagements with business companies to explore opportunities for economic cooperation.
“The meeting with Ding is scheduled for October 15 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where both sides are expected to discuss efforts to strengthen existing cooperation and explore new opportunities in investment, technology, human capital and talent development, including TVET.
“Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is also expected to be among the topics discussed, covering infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), the digital economy, telecommunications, trade, renewable energy, and science and technology,” he said at a press conference held in conjunction with the working visit here today.
Norman said the discussions were also expected to follow up on several matters arising from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang during his working visit to China from September 22 to 24, further strengthening the Malaysia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
He said both sides were also expected to exchange views on their shared commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability through the ASEAN-China framework and addressing global issues of mutual concern.
Norman said that in Tianjin, Ahmad Zahid would attend a dinner hosted by Chinese Education Minister Huai Jinpeng before delivering a keynote address at the opening session of WVTEDC 2026 on October 16.
He said Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the National TVET Committee, was expected to be the highest-ranking foreign government representative attending the conference, which would bring together 21 ministers and deputy ministers from other countries, with participation from more than 100 nations.
Malaysia’s participation, he said, would provide opportunities to share best practices, strengthen cooperation between education and training institutions, and enhance industry ties between the two countries.
Norman also said that during his visit to Shanghai last year, Ahmad Zahid had sought cooperation from the Chinese government to provide training for Malaysian TVET students, including those from institutions under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and related agencies.
This will be Ahmad Zahid’s third visit to China since assuming the post of Deputy Prime Minister in December 2022.
He will be accompanied by senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, Rural and Regional Development Ministry, Higher Education Ministry and the National TVET Council Secretariat.
Malaysia-China trade increased by 35.1 per cent to RM456.68 billion between January and August 2026 compared with the corresponding period last year.
BERNAMA