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)