SHANGHAI Sept 23, 2026 – — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday chaired a roundtable with industry leaders from 21 prominent Chinese companies, seeking high-value strategic investments in Malaysia across semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, electric vehicles and other advanced sectors.
The session, held on the second morning of Anwar’s three-day working visit to Shanghai and Hangzhou, took place at The Peninsula Shanghai Hotel and was jointly organised by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). Anwar said he heard directly from the executives about the opportunities they see in Malaysia and the steps needed to turn planned investments into reality.
Discussions covered semiconductors, AI, robotics, electric vehicles, battery materials, advanced optics, biotechnology, healthcare, specialty chemicals and advanced manufacturing. Anwar highlighted Malaysia’s mature industrial ecosystem, skilled workforce, strategic location and established supply-chain networks as advantages that position the country as a regional hub for high-value manufacturing and investment.
The MADANI government, he added, will continue to facilitate quality investments that deliver technology transfer, local talent development, greater participation by Malaysian companies and more high-quality jobs.
The roundtable forms part of Anwar’s fourth visit to China since taking office in 2022. He arrived in Shanghai on Tuesday and attended the opening of the 48th WorldSkills Competition the same evening, sitting alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Malaysia has 22 competitors in 21 skill categories aiming for the country’s first gold medal at the event.
Later on Wednesday Anwar is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the WorldSkills Conference 2026 before travelling by high-speed train to Hangzhou. There he will hold one-on-one meetings with companies including AgiBot, Huawei, Alibaba Group, Geely and ZTE, and meet Li Qiang on Thursday. Malaysia and Hungary are guest countries of honour at the Fifth Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou.
China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years. Bilateral trade reached US$113.82 billion (RM456.68 billion) in the first eight months of 2026. The visit also aims to expand cooperation in digital trade, TVET, AI and other emerging fields beyond traditional sectors.
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