The sum was an increase from the RM325.83 billion recorded during the same period last year, foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said.

Mohamad also said that for the first half of 2024, a total of 46 projects worth RM5.9 billion had been approved.

“This is expected to create some 5,038 jobs,” he said in a written reply.

Mohamad was responding to Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan), who had asked about the outcome of the visits by the country’s leaders to China.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim went to China on a working visit last month, while in September, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim made his maiden state visit to China at the invitation of president Xi Jinping.

Mohamad said the visits had led to discussions on potential collaboration and agreements between Putrajaya and Beijing in various fields including trade, agriculture, and tourism.

China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for the last 15 years.

Last year, total trade with the republic came up to RM450.84 billion.