On July 31, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Kuala Lumpur with Chairman of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) Tun Daim Zainuddin of Malaysia, and held discussions and exchanges with members of the CEP. Minister of Economic Affairs Mohamed Azmin Ali of Malaysia, Minister of Transport Anthony Loke Siew Fook of Malaysia, Deputy Foreign Minister Marzuki bin Yahya of Malaysia, and the CEP members Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Jomo Kwame Sundaram and Oh Siew Nam, as well as others were present.

Wang Yi expressed that his visiting shortly after the establishment of the new government of Malaysia is to convey the sincere willingness of the Chinese government to attach importance to Malaysia, continuously adhere to its friendly policies towards Malaysia and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Malaysia. All present here are leading figures in the political and business circles of Malaysia. It is hoped that you will care for and support China-Malaysia friendship and cooperation.

Wang Yi introduced China's current domestic situation and foreign policy, especially the Chinese side's views on the current regional situation and regional cooperation. Wang Yi expressed that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. China adheres to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which conforms to China's national conditions, complies with the trend of the times, and receives advocacy and support from the Chinese people. China will continue to unswervingly march on this correct path. The Chinese side has announced and started to implement a series of new measures for reform and opening up. It is believed that this will provide more opportunities and open up broader prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and countries in the region, including Malaysia.

Tun Daim Zainuddin noted that Malaysia and China enjoy a long-standing traditional friendship. In recent years, bilateral cooperation has yielded remarkable outcomes, which has promoted the economic development of Malaysia and brought tangible benefits to the Malaysian people. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's administration has covered half of the 44 years since Malaysia and China established diplomatic relations. It is believed that the changes in domestic political situation of Malaysia will not affect Malaysia-China relations, and the friendly cooperation between Malaysia and China will continue to develop in the long run. Malaysia and China have become close cooperation partners in various fields. The measures proposed by the Chinese side including the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank have played a key role in and made important contributions to promoting regional development in Asia. The Malaysian side expects the Chinese side to continue to play a leading role in promoting regional peace and development.

Wang Yi introduced his views on the trade friction between China and the United States and other issues at inquiry. The Malaysian side noted that trade protectionism is very short-sighted and unsustainable. Against the current circumstances, the countries in the region should jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade.