China, Malaysia eye up long-term friendship

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Both China and Malaysia show their firm dedication to maintaining a long-term friendship, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang announced. Leaders from the two sides expressed their mutual thoughts - however situations change, the friendly policy China shares towards Malaysia, and that Malaysia shares towards China will not change.

The southeast Asian country's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was on an official five-day visit to China starting from last Friday, during which he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (L) in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 20, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

The two sides aim to push forward a set of pragmatic cooperation efforts, under the main theme of "Belt and Road Initiative," which was proposed by President Xi in September 2017.

Malaysia is the first country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to establish diplomatic relations with China and also one of the first countries to positively respond to the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi noted.

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Mahathir said Malaysia is willing to actively participate in the joint construction of Belt and Road.

In addition, win-win cooperation and mutual benefits were also discussed. China and Malaysia vow to be partners in various fronts, including trade investment, industrial cooperation and innovative cooperation.

During the talks, President Xi also pledged to increase the voice of developing countries in the world and firmly oppose unilateralism and trade protectionism.

Mahathir visited the headquarters of automaker Geely and e-commerce giant Alibaba in east China's Zhejiang Province during the first leg of his trip.