The think tank said it surveyed 1,225 adults across the country according to the following breakdown: 52% Malay, 29% Chinese, 7% Indian, 6% Muslim Bumiputera, and 6% non-Muslim Bumiputera.

It found that respondents were largely optimistic about China’s development, with more than half believing that this would in turn benefit Malaysia.

In contrast, the number of respondents who held negative views of China dropped from 19% in 2022 to 12%, it said.

It added that 84% of surveyees believed Malaysia’s relations with China were progressing well, compared with 70% in 2022.

Merdeka Center said Chinese investments in Malaysia also gained more public approval, with 82% of surveyees believing that this benefitted Malaysia greatly.

“Malaysians also look forward to strengthening cooperation with China in the fields of economy, technology, and other areas.

“The top 10 sectors for desired cooperation are digital economy, infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing, electric vehicles, medical product development, agriculture and fisheries, new energy, green economy and environmental engineering, and semiconductor industries,” it said in a statement.

The survey was held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties between Malaysia and China.