Malaysian PM Visits China: Mahathir tours Alibaba and Geely in Hangzhou

World
Europe

02:11

Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad started his 5-day visit to China. On Saturday he visited tech giant Alibaba as well as automotive company Geely in east China's Hangzhou city. CGTN's Wu Lei was there and brings us more.

93-year-old Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad visited tech giant Alibaba Group on Saturday morning. Alibaba's founder and chairman Jack Ma talked about the company's latest investments and future ideas for the Malaysian market.

JACK MA, FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN ALIBABA GROUP "Because we think Malaysia-China relationship is so strategically important, and we think Malaysia has so many small businesses, so many young people. They have the right, they should use the technology to sell their products to China, to the world in a cheap and efficient and cost-effective way."

After assuming power in May, the prime minister has aimed to attract more high tech companies to his country. He particularly hopes to learn from the experience of China's development during this trip.

After Alibaba, Mahathir visited automaker Geely on Saturday afternoon. He is expected to visit Drone Maker DJI in Beijing on Sunday.

WU LEI HANGZHOU "Through touring these high-tech companies, Malaysian Prime Minister will have a better understanding about China's emerging industries. The two countries are expected to enhance cooperation in the fields of digital economy, automobile manufacturing and agriculture."

China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner since 2009. Over the next few days, Mahathir is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

It is reported he will renegotiate deals covering some China-backed infrastructure projects. The prime minister has emphasized his trip to Beijing demonstrates his administration's resolve to push forward with Sino-Malaysian relations.