Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting Malaysian Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday pledged to work together more
closely as they commemorated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between the two countries this year.
The Chinese premier described the relationship as the best it
has ever been with great political trust, expanding common
interests, closer economic ties, and increased consultation and
co-ordination in the international arena.
During their talks held yesterday, Premier Wen made a five-point
proposal to further expand and deepen bilateral relations.
He said China and Malaysia should maintain a high-level exchange
of visits and exchange their views on major issues so that
bilateral ties could develop in a steady and healthy manner.
They should expand mutually beneficial relations across the
board and work within the framework of China's strategic
partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN).
Malaysia was the first ASEAN member to establish diplomatic ties
with China on May 31, 1974.
Wen said China and Malaysia should promote cooperation in key
fields such as agriculture, high technology, exploration of
resources, infrastructure construction and tourism to increase
trade volume.
Moreover, Wen said the two countries should consolidate their
traditional friendship by promoting exchanges between peoples from
all walks of life, especially youth.
He added that China and Malaysia should enhance their
cooperation in dealing with international and regional issues and
push for the ASEAN process through the major channel of 10-3, which
means cooperation between the 10-member ASEAN and China, the
Republic of Korea and Japan.
They should also work together to push for the establishment of
a just and reasonable new international political and economic
order, Wen said.
Badawi said China's progress in building a market economy
offered Malaysia important opportunities.
He said Malaysia hopes that it could work more closely with
China in science and technology, infrastructure construction,
agriculture, information technology, education and tourism.
Wen appreciated Malaysia's support for China on the question of
Taiwan and such issues as human rights.
Badawi reiterated that his country will continue to stick to the
one-China policy.
Both Wen and Badawi stressed that they should enhance
co-ordination on international issues.
They pledged to work together to promote cooperation among
developing countries and the dialogue between developed and
developing countries.
The Malaysian prime minister arrived in Beijing on Thursday
evening to start a five-day official visit.
(China Daily May 29, 2004)