France–Malaysia relations are the

foreign relations A state's foreign policy or external policy (as opposed to internal or domestic policy) is its objectives and activities in relation to its interactions with other states, unions, and other political entities, whether bilaterally or through m ...

between

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

and

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

has an embassy in

Kuala Lumpur , anthem = ''Maju dan Sejahtera'' , image_map = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia , pushpin_map_caption = , coordinates = , sub ...

, and

has an embassy in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), ma ...

History

The relations started after the Federation of Malaya achieved independence in 1957, although the first Malayan ambassador to France only arrived in Paris in 1959. During the administration of Jacques Chirac and Mahathir Mohamad, the relations significantly improved, especially in economics, politics and cultural aspects.

Economic relations

Many French companies have started investment in Malaysia, primarily in technology sectors. Malaysia is currently considered by France as the second largest economic partner in

ASEAN ASEAN ( , ), officially the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a political and economic union of 10 member states in Southeast Asia, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, militar ...

and there are 260 French companies operating, which are ready to support all projects to turn Malaysia into a fully "developed country" by

2020 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global social and economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, worldwide lockdowns and the largest economic recession since the Great Depression in t ...

. In 2017, the French embassy seeking to enhance co-operation in education and culture as well sought to establish co-operation with the Malaysian state of

Sabah Sabah () is a state of Malaysia located in northern Borneo, in the region of East Malaysia. Sabah borders the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest and the North Kalimantan province of Indonesia to the south. The Federal Territory o ...

to develop the presence of French companies and having French language taught in more schools in the state. The following year, France also continues to eye investment in the neighbouring

Sarawak Sarawak (; ) is a state of Malaysia. The largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak is located in northwest Borneo Island, and is bordered by the Malaysian state of Sabah to the northeast, ...

as several French industries have already establish present in some fields in the state such as in oil and gas, engineering and electricity companies. There is also a Malaysian French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFM).

Education and culture

Since 1960s, the French government has provided grants and scholarships to Malaysian students to study in France especially on science and technical fields. While in Malaysia, around 100 French students go to Malaysia every year to study. The Malaysia-France University Centre (MFUC) is a bilateral institution, set on a government to government initiative in 2006. Its primary objective is to reinforce cooperation between France and Malaysia in the Higher Education and Research sectors. In accordance with the Higher Education strategies of the two countries, the MFUC functions as an interface between the two education systems and facilitates the creation of partnerships (joint research, degree transfer, student exchanges or other) from pre-U to Doctorate level. MFUC is located in Jalan Bukit Bintang, open during weekdays from 9am-6pm.

Alliance Française An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called ...

operates three branches within Malaysia - two in

Kuala Lumpur , anthem = ''Maju dan Sejahtera'' , image_map = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia , pushpin_map_caption = , coordinates = , sub ...

and one in Penang's capital city, George Town. The centres offer French language courses and translation services, as well as hosting French cultural activities, such as the annual French Art and Film Festival which is held in major cities nationwide. In 2018, George Town was twinned with the French city of

Arles Arles (, , ; oc, label= Provençal, Arle ; Classical la, Arelate) is a coastal city and commune in the South of France, a subprefecture in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in the former province of ...

, which, like the former, is also home to a

UNESCO World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for ...

. The partnership between both cities includes programmes and activities aimed at promoting the cities' arts and culture.

Security relations

France is one of Malaysia's main military partners in the supply of military equipment and defence services. Since the 1990s, both countries have striven to consolidate defence relations, and many French military industries have begun to establish co-operation with their Malaysian partners. One example is the French naval shipbuilding company, the DCNS. In 2002, two Malaysian submarines were built in France and Spanish shipyards which were then delivered to the Royal Malaysian Navy in 2009 and early 2010 respectively. Other French companies have also been actively taking part on the Langkawi International Maritime and Air Show (LIMA) and in DSA exhibitions. Initially, the French-Malaysian defence relationship was based on large military programmes of arms procurement.

Resident diplomatic missions

* France has an embassy in

Kuala Lumpur , anthem = ''Maju dan Sejahtera'' , image_map = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia , pushpin_map_caption = , coordinates = , sub ...

. * Malaysia has an embassy in

References

External links

Towards better Malaysia–France relations
Diplomatic Notes, Yusof Hashim {{DEFAULTSORT:France-Malaysia relations

Bilateral relations of Malaysia