Malaysia and China have agreed to deepen cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI), with both countries expanding collaboration in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy and advanced materials.
The commitment was reaffirmed during the Fourth Malaysia-China Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Science, Technology and Innovation, co-chaired by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang and China’s Vice Minister of Science and Technology Lin Xin, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) said in a statement on Monday.
The meeting was held under the framework of the bilateral Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Agreement signed in 2013 and serves as a key platform for strengthening STI ties between the two countries.
The latest discussions followed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official visit to Malaysia in April 2025, during which both countries signed two new memoranda of understanding covering cooperation in emerging technology laboratories and applications of China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS).
Among the key issues discussed at the meeting were policy exchanges, technology transfer, commercialization initiatives and progress updates on several bilateral programs.
Malaysia and China are currently implementing the second series of the Malaysia-China Joint Research Program, which supports eight Malaysian research projects in strategic sectors including artificial intelligence, green technology, biotechnology, space technology and advanced materials.
The projects are focused on areas such as energy storage systems, human vaccine development and advanced materials research, reflecting growing efforts by both countries to strengthen technological capabilities and innovation ecosystems.
The meeting also reviewed progress under the first Malaysia-China Expert Exchange Program, which has involved ten Malaysian researchers undertaking collaborative work in critical technology fields, including artificial intelligence, energy storage and advanced materials.
In addition, both sides discussed the implementation of the Malaysia-China Joint Laboratory Program on Emerging Technologies, which aims to foster collaboration among universities, research institutions and industry players from both countries.
The program focuses on several high-growth sectors, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, biotechnology, renewable energy and advanced materials, and is expected to strengthen research commercialization and innovation partnerships.
Malaysia and China also pledged to expand cooperation in healthcare technologies, space information technology, green energy and the application of science and technology for poverty eradication.
Separately, MOSTI, through the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, announced the selection of 10 Malaysian researchers to participate in the Malaysia-China Expert Exchange Program.
Under the initiative, the researchers will spend six months at selected Chinese research institutes, universities and companies to gain exposure to advanced technologies and strengthen bilateral research networks.
MOSTI said the program is intended to build local expertise in strategic technologies, enhance science diplomacy and support Malaysia’s long-term innovation agenda.
The expanded cooperation comes as Malaysia seeks to accelerate its technological development and strengthen international partnerships in key growth sectors, while China continues to deepen scientific and research collaboration with regional partners.
The two countries said stronger cooperation in science, technology and innovation would help drive economic development, improve research capabilities and support sustainable growth in both nations.
Malaysia’s Tech Minister shares plans as SE Asia’s tech adoption accelerates across sectors [Q&A]