Tianjin, China – A surprising moment unfolded at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025, when Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, refused to shake hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The incident was caught on camera and quickly went viral, sparking discussions across international media.
What Happened at the SCO Summit?
During the official welcome ceremony, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan were greeting the heads of state and their spouses. Xi Jinping shook hands with PM Anwar Ibrahim and then extended his hand towards Wan Azizah. Instead of reciprocating, she folded her hands and bowed her head as a gesture of respect.
Xi appeared surprised at the unexpected reaction. However, Wan Azizah later did shake hands with Peng Liyuan, Xi’s wife, which further drew public attention.
🚨⚡️unusual
The wife of malaysian prime minister anwar ibrahim refused to shake hands with president xi jinping at the Shanghai cooperation summit in tianjin 2025 pic.twitter.com/ipvgmlv2jz
– Russiaans 🇷🇺 (@mog_russen) September 1, 2025
hy Did Wan Azizah Refuse?
While no official statement has been made, analysts suggest that the move may be due to cultural or religious traditions. Wan Azizah, who is a senior Malaysian politician and served as Deputy Prime Minister (2018–2020), is known for her firm values and may have followed Islamic customs that discourage physical contact between unrelated men and women.
Malaysia–China Relations Remain Strong
Despite the incident, relations between Malaysia and China remain stable and cooperative. China is one of Malaysia’s biggest trading partners, with strong ties in machinery, electronics, oil, and gas sectors.
Experts believe this personal gesture is unlikely to affect the diplomatic and economic partnership between the two nations, which has remained resilient despite occasional differences.
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