China to promote trade co-op with Malaysia: Li

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - China is ready to deepen mutual trust, promote trade cooperation with Malaysia, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang here on Wednesday.

Li held talks with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak on the sidelines of the leaders' meeting of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Bruneian captial.

During their meeting, he noted that the two nations have elevated bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Chinese President Xi Jinping's latest visit to Malaysia.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Malaysia diplomatic ties, said Li, adding that Beijing is ready to deepen strategic and political mutual trust, and expand cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and finance with Kuala Lumpur.

China will work with Malaysia to develop industrial parks in Malaysia's coastal resort of Kuantan and the Chinese city of Qinzhou, and improve people-to-people and cultural exchanges to strengthen friendship and ensure a healthy and stable development of China-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership and China-ASEAN strategic partnership, Li said.

Najib, for his part, said China has been playing an important role in promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity.

He said his country would like to work with China to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries to promote bilateral cooperation.

Malaysia supports the proposals Li tabled at the leaders' meeting and is willing to make positive contributions to the development of China-ASEAN ties.