BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday held talks with Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in Beijing, with the two sides pledging to deepen cooperation in each other’s modernization efforts.
The Malaysian king is on a four-day state visit to China that will conclude on Sunday. It is his first visit to a non-ASEAN country since assuming office as the head of state in January 2024.
During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi pointed out that as neighbors across the sea, China and Malaysia enjoy a time-honored friendship.
Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1974, China and Malaysia have always been on friendly terms and supported each other, setting a fine example of mutual achievements and win-win cooperation among countries, he said.
Xi said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the Year of China-Malaysia Friendship, a significant year for China-Malaysia relations to build on past achievements and forge ahead into the future.
China is further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing high-standard opening up, which will bring new impetus and opportunities to China-Malaysia cooperation, he added.
China is ready to work with Malaysia to carry forward fine traditions, be close neighbors of everlasting friendship, sincere partners of joint development, brotherly friends and an important force for peace, Xi said, adding that the two countries should deepen strategic cooperation in each other’s modernization and push the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future to a new level.
The Chinese president said China is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges with Malaysia, enhance strategic communication, and support each other on issues concerning each country’s core interests and major concerns. China supports the principles of Malaysia Madani—a policy framework of Malaysia that focuses on good governance and sustainable development—and is ready to share governance experiences with Malaysia, strengthen the alignment of development strategies between the two sides, and work together on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, he said. –The Daily Mail-CGTN news exchange item
