Li was welcomed by Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, among others, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Malaysia is currently Asean’s rotating chair.
Opening the annual Asean summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Southeast Asian nations will forge a common front to face challenges including economic headwinds from US tariffs and a four-year civil war in Myanmar.
Anwar said he has sought a unified bloc meeting with US President Donald Trump to discuss the tariffs.
Officials are hopeful it could happen later this year.
Anwar also said more engagement is being planned in Myanmar. “Quiet engagement matters. The steps may be small and the bridge may be fragile but as they say: In matters of peace, even a fragile bridge is better than a widening gulf,” he said.
Before arriving in Malaysia, Li was in Indonesia for a visit.
Addressing a symposium for Chinese enterprises operating in Indonesia on Sunday, the premier said China has made full preparations for external shocks.
Li also said the world’s second-largest economy has continued to recover the improve since the beginning of this year, with foreign trade in particular demonstrating strong resilience. (Xinhua/AP)
