The Yang di-Pertuan Agong was given a national welcome in Beijing
Sultan Ibrahim who was accompanied by Xi agreed to inspect the honor control parade.
BEIJING: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim was given a national welcome at the Great Hall of the People here, in conjunction with His Majesty's four-day State Visit to China starting yesterday.
Sultan Ibrahim was welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
His Majesty who ascended the throne as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 31, held his maiden state visit to the republic until Sept 22, at Xi's invitation.
At the national celebration ceremony, the national anthems of both countries were played followed by the firing of a 21-das cannon.
Sultan Ibrahim who was accompanied by Xi then agreed to inspect the honor control parade.
His Majesty was also greeted by children waving Chinese and Malaysian national flags, as well as flowers.
Immediately afterwards, Sultan Ibrahim held a meeting with Xi in the East Hall, Great Hall of the People in Beijing, before His Majesty attended the National Dining Ceremony which Xi celebrated in the same building.
Earlier, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong received Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang at the East Hall, Great Hall of People at 3.20pm.
Also accompanying the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the meeting were Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zain and senior government officials.
Tomorrow, His Majesty is scheduled to go to the Beijing COMAC Civil Aircraft Technology Research Center to review the latest developments in China's aviation technology.
Sultan Ibrahim is also scheduled to attend the naming ceremony of the Chair of Malay Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University in conjunction with His Majesty's name as a tribute to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as well as meet the Malaysian diaspora in China.
The visit is the first State Visit by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to China in 10 years, marking an important moment for both countries as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
In 2014, the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong the late Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah paid a visit to China at Xi's invitation, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Malaysia-China relations established on 31 May 1974.
-- BERNAMA
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