BEIJING, China: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang yesterday pledged to strengthen the bond shared between China and Malaysia.
Speaking at a brief photo opportunity for the media during his bilateral talks with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Great Hall of the People yesterday, Li also took note of the hospitality extended to him when he visited Malaysia last year.
Speaking to Najib, Li said the strength of the bond between Malaysia and China is also evident from the fact that it has only been two years since Najib’s last official visit to China.
“As we were talking after the grand welcome ceremony just now, I was reminded of the warm hospitality your government extended to me when I visited Malaysia last year," said Li.
Li also paid tribute to the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Malaysia's second prime minister.
“I also recalled how your father (Tun Abdul Razak) contributed to China-Malaysia bilateral relations. We must now forge forward to further strengthen our ties,” said Li, in Mandarin.
Tun Abdul Razak made history in 1974 when he became the first Asean leader to forget bilateral ties with China. Tun Abdul Razak had then travelled to Beijing (then Peking) and met with Chinese Premier Chou En-Lai.
Meanwhile, China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin had told the media that the deals memorandums of understanding (MoU) signed between Malaysia and China yesterday would elevate relations to new heights.
A total of 14 government-to-government MoUs were signed yesterday.
Liu said among the key points of the bilateral talks was an agreement concerning naval defence.
“This (naval) cooperation will bring about stability to the South China Sea. The cooperation demonstrates the high level of trust between the two nations,” he said, adding that both Malaysia and China have agreed to settle disputes over the South China Sea issues through dialogue.