Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is expected to close a host of deals, including the purchase of Littoral Mission Ships, a move experts said would strengthen ties between China and Southeast Asian nations and could undermine Washington's strategic rebalance policy in the Asia-Pacific region.
Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein posted on his Facebook on Tuesday, saying that "On November 5, 2016, the Defense Ministry will sign a contract for the procurement of Littoral Mission Ships with the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which is an important part of the Prime Minister's official visit to China," Reuters reported. Hishammuddin has since removed the post.
Najib is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and top legislator Zhang Dejiang, according to China's Foreign Ministry.
Gu Xiaosong, the head of Southeast Asian Studies at the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that Malaysia has always considered China its friend in Southeast Asia, unlike the Philippines and Vietnam.
The purchase of patrol boats would benefit Malaysia since China offered a price lower than that of an American navy vessel, and it would further strengthen ties with China, Gu said.
"Southeast Asia's diplomatic situation has shifted toward China following the visits of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Vietnam's leader this year. Therefore, that would affect Washington's policy of pivoting to Asia since countries in the area would not choose sides in the big power game," said Gu.
A high-speed rail project that connects Kuala Lumpur and Singapore is also expected to be discussed during Najib's visit, Gu said, adding that it will improve the interconnection between China and the Southeast Asian countries.