SHANGHAI, Nov 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim kicked off a busy second day in Shanghai with a speech at the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), where Malaysia is featured as this year’s “Country of Honour.” The event, held at the massive 500,000-square-metre National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), runs until November 10, with 68 Malaysian companies participating to promote their products under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Anwar’s speech followed his Chinese counterpart, Premier Li Qiang, and leaders from several other countries, including France and Saudi Arabia. He will also open the Malaysia Pavilion and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) Pavilion.

Later in the day, Anwar will hold bilateral discussions with Premier Li at The Grand Halls to discuss regional and global issues, marking a continuation of their talks in Putrajaya last June. Additionally, he will be awarded an Honorary Professorship by Tsinghua University and will witness the signing of BRI-related agreements, including an MoU on cooperation between Malaysia’s Bernama and China Media Group.

Anwar is on a working visit to China from November 4-7, accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009.