Strengthened cooperation between China and Malaysia will benefit their long-term interests. (Photo : China Daily)
China and Malaysia vow to deepen their ties with each other, President Xi Jinping announced on Tuesday, Nov. 17, said a report by China Daily. The Chinese president met with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak while in Manila for the APEC leaders' meeting.
Strengthened cooperation between China and Malaysia will benefit their long-term interests, said Xi, as both nations treat each other as trustworthy partners
Xi added that the time is ripe for both countries to take hold of opportunities presented by China's plans to establish the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Aside from boosting economic ties, China and Malaysia should also join forces in defense and law enforcement.
Najib agreed with Xi's sentiments, stating that Chinese-Malaysian ties are entering a golden period.
According to China's Ministry of Commerce, Malaysia counts China as its biggest trading partner for seven years among the 10 ASEAN member countries.
The two countries have cooperated in a variety of sectors, particularly the maritime sector. China and Malaysia have also established two industrial parks: the Qinzhou Industrial Park in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Kuantan China Industrial Park in Malaysia.
"For the park in Kuantan, we created a deep sea port, for which China invested 40 percent of the equity. We also have another port in Malacca, working with China's Guangdong Province," said Liow Tong Lai, Malaysia's transport minister, in an interview with the Xinhua News Agency.
President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak are both in Manila for the ongoing APEC leaders' meeting. According to Xi, the meeting is important as it will bolster Asia-Pacific cooperation. China also looks forward to promote economic and trade cooperation with the region.
The 2015 APEC summit, with the theme "Building inclusive economies, building a better world," will touch on current issues such as human capital development, sustainable growth, regional economic integration, and small- to medium-sized enterprises.
