SEPANG: It is the aspiration of the people of China and Malaysia and in keeping with the times to deepen strategic cooperation between both countries, said China President Xi Jinping.
Xi said bolstering Sino-Malaysia relations would also be conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
“China and Malaysia are good neighbours, good friends and good partners.
“Since the establishment of our diplomatic ties 39 years ago, Sino-China bilateral relations have enjoyed the harvest of rich fruits and brought benefits to our people,” he said in his arrival statement.
Xi arrived here yesterday on a Boeing 747-400 aircraft with his wife Peng Liyuan, State Councillor overseeing foreign diplomacy Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng and other delegates for a three-day state visit.
The president was greeted by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam upon arrival at 6.35pm.
Xi’s first visit to Malaysia was at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.
Xi described China and Malaysia as two important countries in the region, saying that both share extensive common interests.
“I hope my visit will help deepen our traditional friendship, upgrade the level of cooperation and make even more breakthroughs in our strategic cooperation,” he said.
According to the Chinese Embassy, the Chinese and Malaysian governments will sign several important agreements such as the cooperation mechanism for the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park.
– THE STAR
