MANILA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak wasted no time after arriving here this afternoon for the 31st Summit Asean Summit and Related Summits by holding a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe.
During the 30-minute meeting, ahead of the two-day Summit which kicks off tomorrow, it was understood that the two leaders discussed a host of issues of mutual interest including possible areas of closer cooperation between the two countries.
Officials, however, were tight-lipped what was transpired during the meeting.
Also present during the meeting, at the Crown Tower hotel where Najib and his delegation are staying, were International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Raszlan Abdul Rashid and government officials.
This year is the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Japan, and the country is one of largest investors in Malaysia with the total investment value of Japanese firms amounting to more than RM50 billion.
Japan is also pitching for the Malaysian and Singaporean governments to opt for the Shinkasen for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail Link.
Earlier, Najib, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, was received at the Clark International airport, Pampanga here by Raszlan and the Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government officer in charge Catalino Salandanan Cuy.
Themed “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World”, this year’s summit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the 10-member regional grouping, and will focus on closer cooperation and greater reforms to accelerate the region’s economic integration.
Najib is leading the Malaysian delegation, which also includes Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, at the meetings that will also discuss regional and international issues of common concern such as the South China Sea, Korean Peninsula, counter-terrorism and violent extremism and cyber digital economy.
The Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar is also expected to be raised, with the possibility of it being discussed behind closed doors.
On Saturday, Anifah had told the Malaysian media here that Najib was very concerned about what was happening in Rakhine State.
He had said not only Malaysia, but other countries, including Asean's dialogue partners would also likely raise the issue which has seen more than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims displaced from their homes following the intensified crackdown on the Rohingya in Rakhine state.
Asean dialogue partner countries are Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, United States, Canada and the European Union.
The Manila gathering will also see a total of 11 summits and is expected to adopt 56 outcome documents, including the non-legally binding Asean Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.
Other outcomes will include the East Asia Summit Leaders’ statement on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, cooperation in poverty alleviation and chemical weapons.
Earlier tonight, Najib and other leaders were feted to a gala dinner at SMX Convention Centre, Pasay City by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
Najib is also scheduled to hold two other bilateral meetings, on the sidelines of the summit, with his counterparts Lee Hsien Loong from Singapore and China's Le Keqiang.
Meanwhile, Mustapa said after three years of talks, Asean Trade ministers today inked the Asean-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA), providing better market access for firms from Asean countries as it will eliminate or reduce tariffs, liberalise trade and services.
“This will also allow any firms in Asean countries to enter Hong Kong’s service sector,” he told reporters after the bilateral meeting between Najib and Abe.
The deals are also expected to benefit Hong Kong as it was not included in a FTA between Asean and China in 2010.
Mustapa added that Asean Trade ministers also discussed issues surrounding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a proposed regional FTA between 16 Asia-Pacific countries including the 10-member Asean countries, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
He said there were still some areas that need to be deliberated and ironed out for all parties to conclude the negotiations.
It was reported that the issues would be further deliberated at the RCEP Leaders Summit tomorrow.