The new university, which will be using English as the medium of instruction (except in Chinese ­studies and Chinese traditional ­medicine courses), is the product of close bilateral ties between China and Malaysia.

The idea was mooted in 2011. After that, diplomatic work was set in motion. On Oct 4, 2013, China’s President Xi Jinping and Malaysia’s Prime Minster Datuk Seri Najib Razak witnessed the signing of an agreement for the construction of XMU Malaysia between Sunsuria Development Sdn Bhd and Xia Da.

“The establishment of XMU Malaysian Campus is very meaningful in terms of bilateral relations ... This is the first overseas campus approved by the Chinese government to be set up by a Chinese university,” wrote Najib on XMU Malaysia’s website.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/01/17/latecomer-xiamen-u-a-big-draw-with-support-from-public-and-private-sectors-as-well-as-the-malaysian/