SINGAPORE: Malaysian king Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar will make a four-day state visit to China this week, with the monarch likely to seek support to revive projects boosting its connectivity to neighbouring Singapore.
The trip from Sep 19 to Sep 22 is at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, China’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Wed (Sep 18). It comes as China and Malaysia mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations this year.
It will be the Johor ruler’s second overseas trip since being sworn in as Malaysia’s 17th king on Jan 31. His first was a two-day state visit to Singapore in early May.
Under Malaysia’s unique system of monarchy, the heads of the nine royal families take turns to be the king every five years, and are supposed to stay above politics.
Sultan Ibrahim will be accompanied by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Amran Mohamed Zin, Malaysia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, as reported by state news agency Bernama.
Senior officials from the Istana Negara and relevant ministries and agencies will also be part of the delegation.
“His Majesty will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, followed by an audience with Xi. The president of China will host a state banquet in honour of His Majesty,” Malaysia’s foreign ministry said.
“His Majesty has also consented to grant an audience to (Chinese) Premier Li Qiang,” Wisma Putra added.
Premier Li visited Kuala Lumpur in June and backed Malaysian plans to develop its connectivity through the US$10 billion East Coast Rail Link to other China-backed railways projects in Laos and Thailand.
