Closer defence ties pledged as PLA joint staff chief Liu Zhenli visits Malaysia

Malaysian prime minister hails ‘strong’ China ties in talks with Liu, as defence minister urges dialogue to manage South China Sea issues

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Liu Zhenli, PLA joint staff chief and Central Military Commission member, with Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Photo: X/ KhaledNordin

Published: 4:24pm, 9 Jan 2025Updated: 5:30pm, 9 Jan 2025

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s chief of joint staff, Liu Zhenli, has called on Malaysia’s top leadership and military brass during his first overseas trip, with both sides pledging closer defence ties and dialogue on issues including the contested South China Sea.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hailed the “strong” development of ties with China, as he met Liu in the administrative capital Putrajaya on Wednesday, according to the Chinese defence ministry.

“[We] hope that the defence departments and militaries of the two countries will further enhance exchanges at all levels and elevate defence and security cooperation to a new height,” Anwar was quoted as saying in the readout released on Thursday.

Liu said China was willing to deepen military-to-military exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Liu also had separate meetings with the Malaysian defence minister and defence forces chief in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

The two sides exchanged views on regional security, military information and cooperation on training and joint operations, according to Malaysian national news agency Bernama.