After nearly six years of service in Malaysia, Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing has expressed deep affection for the country, describing it as his "second home." At a farewell reception held in Kuala Lumpur on September 30, 2026, which also marked the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Ouyang reflected on his nearly six-year tenure as China’s 16th ambassador to Malaysia.
Ouyang, who has served in Malaysia for five years and ten months, said that Malaysia was the place where he had lived and worked the longest outside of China. He praised the country for its beautiful landscapes and the warmth of its people, stressing that his positive views were heartfelt rather than mere diplomatic courtesy. He recounted meeting Malaysians at various levels of society—from formal official engagements to conversations in parks and local eateries.
One cultural highlight for Ouyang was the Malaysian durian fruit, particularly the Musang King variety. He noted that advancements in logistics now allow fresh durians to reach Chinese dining tables within 48 hours of harvest, allowing him to enjoy a taste of Malaysia even after returning to China.
During his tenure, bilateral people-to-people exchanges have strengthened, helped in part by a mutual visa-free arrangement between the two countries. Ouyang cited statistics showing that Malaysia recorded 4.66 million Chinese tourist arrivals in 2025, while China received nearly 2.36 million Malaysian visitors that same year. In the first half of 2026, Malaysia welcomed 3.13 million Chinese tourists, a 15% increase compared to the previous year, supported by 652 weekly flights connecting the two countries. The number of Chinese students enrolled in Malaysian institutions has also surged, growing from 3,820 to over 73,000 during his time in office.
Reflecting on cooperation during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ouyang highlighted the mutual support exchanged between the two nations. Malaysians sent medical supplies to China during the initial outbreak, and China provided over 40 million vaccine doses to Malaysia amid severe infection waves.
Economic ties have also expanded significantly. Bilateral trade increased from approximately US$131 billion (RM553 billion) in 2020 to nearly US$200 billion (RM843 billion) in 2025. According to Malaysian official data cited by the ambassador, China’s cumulative investment in Malaysia reached US$24.5 billion (RM103 billion), creating more than 107,000 jobs.
Ouyang noted that progress on major infrastructure projects continued, including the East Coast Rail Link, which was reported to be over 95% complete and on track for completion by the end of 2026.
The farewell event was attended by several Malaysian officials, including Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, and DAP veteran Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang.
Looking ahead, Ouyang expressed hope that the relationship between China and Malaysia would continue to grow and achieve even greater success in the future.