Malaysia and China want to expand cooperation in the field of education, especially in Islamic studies, says Education Minister Maszlee Malik.

Maszlee, who is on a four-day working visit to China, said this during his meeting with Shanxi Halal Business Chamber of Commerce chairperson Tie Qunping, who proposed that the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) opened a branch in the Xian Province, including an International Islamic School for early education.

Tie said Xian alone had a Muslim population of more than 300,000 and millions more in Shanxi Province as well as in five other provinces.

“Malaysia has a reputation as a moderate nation and does not promote radical ideologies. The Chinese government is more comfortable with its Muslim nationals studying in Malaysia compared to the countries in the Middle East,” he said in a statement here today.

Meanwhile, Maszlee suggested that China sends its students to Malaysia, and said that the Education Ministry was prepared to do everything necessary to help them acquire quality Islamic education and in other fields.

The four-day visit to China is a follow-up to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's visit to China last month.