Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday expressed China's willingness to enhance multilateral coordination with Malaysia to safeguard the hard-won favorable development environment in East Asia.

Li made the remarks during a meeting with Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi in Beijing.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, the two countries have respected each other and treated each other as equals, committed to developing friendly relations based on their fundamental and long-term interests, Li said.

Li said that, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties between the two countries, China is willing to advance high-level exchanges in accordance with the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, firmly support each other in safeguarding core interests such as sovereignty and security, make better use of their complementary economic advantages to seek synergy for development, and contribute to regional prosperity and stability.

China will strengthen strategic alignment with Malaysia, carry out key projects under Belt and Road cooperation, tap into the potential for cooperation in emerging fields such as digital economy and new energy vehicles, and expand trade volume to tighten cooperation for win-win results, Li said. He also called on both sides to engage in more exchanges and cooperation on education, culture, youth and other people-to-people areas.

Ahmad Zahid said that Malaysia stands ready to improve cooperation on economy, trade, investment, vocational education, sustainable development and other fields, promote people-to-people exchanges, and to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between Malaysia and China.

Malaysia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and condemns all forms of "Sinophobia," he said, noting that Malaysia-China relations are not interfered with or influenced by any external forces.

Ahmad Zahid said that Malaysia is committed to advancing negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and any attempts by external forces to stir up trouble in the South China Sea will not succeed. Malaysia is willing to work together with China to further deepen coordination and cooperation on regional and international affairs, he said.

(With input from Xinhua)