ZCZC
BFF-31
CHINA-MALAYSIA-DIPLOMACY
Malaysian PM’s visit to open up new prospects for bilateral ties: Chinese
envoy
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 17, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – The official visit by Malaysian
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to China, which starts Friday, will open up
new prospects for bilateral ties between the two countries, said Bai Tian,
the Chinese ambassador to Malaysia.
In an article published on local media Friday, Bai said Mahathir visits
China “not only as the incumbent prime minister of a friendly neighboring
country but also as a well-respected and long-time friend of the Chinese
people.”
This will be Mahathir’s first visit to China since becoming prime
minister in May. He has visited China seven times when he was prime minister
from 1981 to 2003, according to Malaysia’s foreign ministry.
Mahathir’s first tenure as the Malaysian prime minister from 1981 to 2003
covered exactly half of the 44 years since the establishment of diplomatic
ties between China and Malaysia, said the Chinese ambassador.
“His important contributions laid a solid foundation for the
comprehensive and profound bilateral relations we are enjoying today,” he
said, adding that “I am confident that this time around, he will again seek
ways to further strengthen and enhance relations with Chinese leaders and
iron out a new blueprint for the two countries’ future cooperation.”
China and Malaysia share similar aspirations and objectives to ensure
lasting peace and stability both domestically and internationally, Bai said.
Mahathir’s visit is “a chance for China and Malaysia to show the world
that we value our bilateral relations and respect each other’s core interests
and major concerns,” he said.
“We may not see eye to eye on every issue but we are committed to
resolving the differences or settling the issues through sincere and friendly
dialogues in the manner of friends or brothers,” said the ambassador.
“This is the key to enhancing mutual understanding and building a
relationship based on respect, trust and beneficial cooperation that could
serve as a good example of bilateral relations to other countries,” he said.
Economic cooperation between China and Malaysia has significantly
increased in recent years. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner
for nine consecutive years, the largest investor in Malaysia’s manufacturing
industry for two consecutive years and the largest source country of foreign
tourists to Malaysia for six consecutive years, said Bai.
“Yet we still have a huge potential to tap into,” he said.
The Belt and Road Initiative has more to offer Malaysia as well. During
this visit, leaders of the two countries are expected to reach consensus on
many areas of cooperation and to witness the signing of a number of MoUs and
agreements. These will enable Malaysia and China to further synchronize their
development strategies, take mutually-beneficial cooperation to a new level,
and reap the fruits of growth in multiple areas, including trade,
investments, agriculture, digital economy, advanced technology and tourism,
said the ambassador.
Citing Mahathir’s recent meeting with Jack Ma, chairman of China’s e-
commerce giant Alibaba Group and Li Shufu, chairman of China’s car
manufacturer Geely Group, respectively, Bai said China always regards
Malaysia as a priority partner in investment and cooperation, and encourages
creditworthy and best-performing Chinese enterprises to invest in Malaysia.
“I expect more Chinese companies, after this visit, will come to invest
in Malaysia and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, create more job
opportunities, offer technology transfer and bring about more benefits to the
Malaysian people,” he said.
“The Chinese government is ready to work with the new government of
Malaysia to build a stronger relationship based on shared interests for our
mutual benefit. I am fully confident that there will be a fruitful visit
awaiting Dr. Mahathir in China,” Bai said.
BSS/XINHUA/RY/11:03 hrs