Chinese premier hails friendship with Malaysia, vows more cooperation

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday lauded China's traditional friendship with Malaysia, and vowed to deepen cooperation.

Wen held separate meetings with former Malaysian prime ministers Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi on Thursday.

In his meeting with Mahathir, who was in office from 1981 to 2003, Wen spoke highly of Mahathir's contributions to boosting relations between China and Malaysia, as well as ties between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Calling Mahathir an old friend of the Chinese people, Wen said the former Malaysian leader has for many times spoken out boldly with a sense of justice on issues concerning China.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Malaysia, and is willing to work with all who commit to bilateral friendship to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields so as to continue bringing bilateral ties to higher stages, the Chinese premier said.

Mahathir, for his part, said Wen's visit is of vital importance to boosting bilateral ties.

Further deepening cooperation in economics and trade, finance and infrastructure is in the interests of both countries, he said.

Under the current circumstances, it will better serve the common interests of East Asian countries to promote unity and deepen cooperation under existing mechanisms, Mahathir added.

When meeting with Badawi, Wen applauded the former Malaysian leader's contributions to promoting the friendship between the two countries, and particularly hailed Badawi's efforts in the establishment of the China-Malaysia strategic partnership of cooperation, which brought bilateral relations to a new phase.

Wen also expressed the hope that Badawi would continue contributing to the long-term, sound and stable development of bilateral ties.

Badawi said he was rejoiced to see the development of bilateral relations during his term from 2003 to 2009, adding that he will remain committed to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in fields such as economics and trade, education, and traditional Chinese medicine.

On Thursday, Wen also met representatives of the Chinese-language media in Malaysia, and some descendants of the pioneers who took part in China's epoch-making 1911 Revolution, also known as the Xinhai Revolution.

This year marks the centenary of the democratic revolution, which ended the imperial rule of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and gave birth to Asia's first republic.

Wen said he is pleased to hold such a meeting at this time in Malaysia to cherish the memory of the pioneers and promote the great spirit of the revolution, as Sun Yat-sen, a forerunner of the revolution, had traveled to the Malaysian city of Penang many times to plan and organize the revolution.

Wen meanwhile appreciated the protection by the Malaysian government for the sites of revolutionary activities. He also paid tribute to those who have made great efforts in passing on Sun's spirit and the China-Malaysia friendship.

Wen also voiced the hope that Chinese nationals living in Malaysia would continue supporting China's development, boosting the peaceful reunification of the motherland, and promoting China-Malaysia friendship.

Source:Xinhua

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