Chinese, Malaysian leaders vow to further advance bilateral links
- Source: Xinhua
- [20:23 November 11 2009]
- Comments
Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak during their meeting in Kuala Lumpur Nov. 11, 2009.
Najib said President Hu's visit was of symbolic importance as the two countries celebrated the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. The visit would lift the comprehensive strategic and cooperative relationship between the two countries to new heights, he said.
Hailing Hu's proposals on advancing their bilateral relations, Najib said the time-honored Malaysia-China relations were built on the core value of mutual respect and trust. Expanding Malaysia-China relations was conducive to the development of both countries and the whole region.
Najib said China had become Malaysia's biggest trading partner during the first nine months of this year. Malaysia was willing to expand communication and cooperation with the Chinese side in areas of trade and commerce, finance, energy, agriculture, fishery, education, science and technology, tourism, defense and security, he added.
As a key member of the G20, China had played an important role in pushing for the establishment of a fairer and more reasonable international financial order, said Najib.
China emphasized its cooperation with ASEAN and had actively participated in the cooperation process of East Asia, the prime minister said. Malaysia also highly appreciated China's active and constructive role in dealing with the international financial crisis, he added.
Malaysia was ready to work with China to explore new areas of bilateral cooperation and further deepen and reinforce their strategic and cooperative relations, Najib said.
After the meeting, Hu and Najib attended a signing ceremony of a series of cooperation contracts, including a memorandum of understanding between the China Banking Regulatory Commission and Bank Negara Malaysia on banking supervision cooperation.
President Hu arrived in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday afternoon for the first state visit to Malaysia by a Chinese head of state in 15 years. He will also visit Singapore later Wednesday and attend the 17th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
