As the ASEAN(Malaysia)-China Higher Education Forum was successfully convened on 23 March 2024, H.E. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) met with Deputy Minister Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud of Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) of Malaysia, and Ambassador Ouyang Yujing of P.R.China to Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. A number of higher education institutions also received the ACC delegation for exchanges.

During the meeting with the Deputy Minister Mustapha, SG Shi Zhongjun expressed his appreciation to MOHE for its active support to the Forum and the series of events in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations. He pointed out that both China and Malaysia attach great importance to internationalization of higher education and are two of the most dynamic and promising educational partners in the region. The ACC will continue to build platforms for both parties through various activities, promoting policy communication, collegiate cooperation and youth exchange. 

Deputy Minister Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud welcomed the ACC delegation and representatives from the Chinese universities. He emphasized the strategic significance of higher education in national development of all countries. He expressed his hope to work further with the ACC to enhance practical cooperation between Malaysian and Chinese universities, supporting bilateral relationship and youth development.

During the meeting with Ambassador Ouyang Yujing, the two sides exchanged views on current status of cooperation between China and Malaysia in education, economy and trade and people-to-people ties. They agreed to maintain close communication and cooperation in events related to the 50th anniversary and Year of People-to-people Exchanges. 

During the visit, the ACC delegation also visited the Universiti Malaya (UM), Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) and Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), and met with Prof. Datuk Dr. Ewe Hong Tat, President of the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and university leadership representatives from the visited institutions to understand the international educational policy and practice of Malaysia higher education.