KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will undertake a two-day official visit to Malaysia beginning today and is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Wisma Putra, in a statement, said his sixth visit to the country as foreign minister will provide an excellent opportunity for both sides to discuss and exchange views on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.

"This visit will also further strengthen the strategic ties between the two countries, encompassing various areas of cooperation for mutual benefit," the statement said.

Wang, who is also the director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, will have a bilateral meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Malaysia and China, and both countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year, signifying the long-standing friendship and robust cooperation in various sectors.

According to Wisma Putra, for more than a decade, China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner, and last year's total trade was valued at RM487.13 billion (US$110.62 billion), an increase of 15.6 per cent from 2021.

-- BERNAMA