HANGZHOU (Aug 17): While the Malaysian public is listening to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s speech about the first 100 days after the Pakatan Harapan coalition formed the new government, the Prime Minister has touched down at Hangzhou, shortly before 9pm today to kick off his five-day official visit to China.
Governor of the Zhejiang province Yuan Jiaju, together with Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian, were at the airport to welcome Dr Mahathir, besides Malaysia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Saiffuddin Abdullah and the Malaysian Ambassador to China, Zainuddin Yahya.
This is Dr Mahathir’s first diplomatic visit to China under President Xi Jinping, and as Malaysia's 7th Prime Minister. But it is certainly not his first trip to the vast nation. He has had seven official visits to China during his first premiership and shared firm handshakes with the republic's past leaders.
But all eyes are on Dr Mahathir’s trip to China this time as the fate of a few mega projects — some of which involve Chinese state-owned enterprises — lies in the outcome of this visit.
Dr Mahathir chose Hangzhou as the first stop for his five-day trip to the Middle Kingdom. Apart from its picturesque West Lake, Hangzhou is known as the home base of auto maker Geely Holdings Ltd and e-commerce giant, Alibaba Group. Dr Mahathir will be paying a visit to the headquarters of these two companies.
The Prime Minister will also be witnessing the signing of a Heads of Agreement between Proton Holdings Bhd and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd tomorrow.
Dr Mahathir is known for keeping a hectic schedule for all his diplomatic trips abroad. This trip will be no different.
After the scheduled visits to Alibaba and Geely's HQs, the Prime Minister is going to take a high speed train to Shanghai before he heads to the capital city of Beijing.
The highlight of this trip will take place on Monday, when Mahathir will be meeting Xi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Xi will also be hosting a dinner for Dr Mahathir at the historic Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.