UTM-ITBM Strengthens Malaysia-China Relations

by Dr. ‘Afifah Taat

In an era of globalization and rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI), strategic collaboration between national institutions and international partners has become increasingly important to strengthen a country’s position in various sectors. Recognizing this importance, a joint delegation from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books (ITBM) conducted a working visit to Beijing, China, from 24 to 26 February 2025. The visit was led by Professor Dr. Rosli Md Illias, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) of UTM, and Mr. Sakri Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of ITBM.

Strengthening AI and Translation Collaboration: The MyTranslate Project
One of the most significant initiatives from this collaboration is the development of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based translation system, known as MyTranslate. This project is a result of UTM and ITBM’s joint efforts and has gained the attention of international strategic partner Global Tone Communication Technology Co. Ltd. (GTCOM). During the session on 24 February, both parties affirmed their commitment to this technological initiative and to enhancing cooperation in the fields of translation, publishing, and human capital development. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed between ITBM and GTCOM, witnessed by Mr. Wang Jianhui, Executive Director of China Translation Corporation, and Professor Dr. Rosli Md Illias.

Academic Collaboration and Cultural Exchange through Publishing
During the same visit, the delegation also visited Social Science Academic Press (SSAP). UTM and ITBM explored the potential for publishing scholarly works in the fields of governance, psychology, and sociology. The focus is on producing impactful academic publications and sharing expertise to support the internationalization of Malaysian research outputs.

Media Diplomacy and Innovation with China Media Group
On 25 February, the visit continued with a high-impact visit to the headquarters of China Media Group (CMG), the leading media organization in China and known as the official voice of the Great Wall Nation in global broadcasting. This visit marked a new chapter in fostering cultural diplomacy and strategic communication between Malaysia and China.

The UTM and ITBM delegation held in-depth discussions with CMG management to explore collaborative opportunities in media, including AI technology sharing for broadcast content development, the production of bilingual media materials for international markets, joint research in communication and journalism, and the exchange of professionals and industrial trainees in broadcasting and publishing.

An important agenda discussed was the potential development of a cultural and heritage documentary on Malaysia-China relations to be aired through CMG’s global platform. Such content introduces local heritage to the world and strengthens the shared narrative between the two countries in shaping 21st-century cultural diplomacy.

The delegation was also toured through CMG’s high-tech broadcasting studio, which utilizes AI systems for news production, cross-language reporting, and digital content publication. This technology offers new perspectives on how AI can be leveraged for automated translation and multilingual content dissemination — a valuable opportunity for Malaysia, rich in language and cultural diversity.

In a warm diplomatic atmosphere, the UTM-ITBM delegation expressed a commitment to building a long-term relationship with CMG, including efforts to promote the Malay and Mandarin languages on the world stage.

Overall, the visit to CMG opened new horizons in broadcasting and communication, underscoring the vital role of media as a bridge between cultures, languages, and technologies to strengthen regional and international cooperation.

Academic and Linguistic Diplomacy: Strategic Collaboration with Beijing Language and Culture University
The main highlight of the working visit was an official visit to Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), a leading institution in the field of language, culture, and international relations studies. BLCU is also the Secretariat of the Project on Mutual Translation and Publication of Asian Classics.

In this meeting, the UTM and ITBM delegations discussed initiatives to publish and exchange local classic literary works in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations. Emphasis was placed on the exchange of classic literary titles from each country as a symbol of mutual appreciation for unique culture and history.

These discussions resulted in the exchange of a memorandum of cooperation document on the translation and publication of the best works of Malaysia and China between the Minister of Education of Malaysia, YB Fadhlina Sidek, and the President and Editor-in-Chief of China Media Group, Shen Haixiong.

This MoU exchange session was held in front of and witnessed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the President of the People’s Republic of China at Seri Perdana in conjunction with the official visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia on 16–17 April 2025, and received extensive coverage by the mainstream media both domestically and internationally. UTM is the co-chair of ITBM in this program.

In addition, to further strengthen the exchange of knowledge and expertise, UTM and BLCU have agreed in principle to implement a student-and-staff exchange program, particularly for academic staff. This collaboration will not only enhance student mobility between universities but also provide a platform for lecturers and researchers to share teaching methods, conduct joint research, and strengthen regional language and cultural studies. The program will be supervised by the UTM Language Academy, with active contributions from academic figures such as Assoc. Prof. Hadina and Assoc. Prof. Aireen, who will help structure cross-country curriculum exchange and integration.

The visit also opens up opportunities for integrated projects that combine science, engineering and the humanities. Proposed initiatives include establishing a joint research laboratory focusing on language studies in the context of technology, such as the development of multilingual linguistic corpuses, AI-powered translation and digital teaching tools.

Both institutions expressed their intention to formalise the collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by 2025, marking the beginning of a high-impact, structured partnership. The MoU will cover academic exchanges, joint publications, interdisciplinary research and bilateral cultural programs that benefit the university community and industry stakeholders.

The UTM-ITBM working trip to Beijing not only opens up new opportunities for cross-border strategic collaboration but also reaffirms Malaysia’s commitment to building sustainable, impactful and visionary international partnerships. From AI-based translation to cultural exchange through publications and media, this collaboration stands as a symbol of “Connecting the Dots” between the two long-standing friends.