Bilateral trade helps China-Malaysia ties

Infrastructure and agriculture prime sectors of business

As regional economic integration and the Belt and Road Initiative continue to expand, trade cooperation between China and Malaysia is experiencing robust momentum. From infrastructure and agriculture to bilateral trade and industrial collaboration, the two countries are entering a new stage of multifaceted and high-level engagement, according to officials and trade analysts from both sides.

The latest data from China's General Administration of Customs indicate bilateral trade between China and Malaysia reached an all-time high of $212.03 billion in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 11.4 percent. China exported $101.46 billion worth of goods to Malaysia, up 16.1 percent year-on-year, while imports from Malaysia stood at $110.57 billion, a 7.4 percent increase.

China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, while Malaysia is China's second-largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the largest importer of Chinese goods in the region. Notably, China's primary imports from Malaysia include integrated circuits, computers and components, palm oil and plastic products. Key Chinese exports to Malaysia include computers and components, ICs, clothing and textiles.