Malaysia hails Hu's visit a 'milestone' in bilateral ties

By Zhao Huanxin (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-11-10 20:20

KUALA LUMPUR: President Hu Jintao flew from the early winter snow in Beijing to the tropic warmth of Malaysia Tuesday afternoon, to be greeted by even warmer people and officials in the capital.

The visit, the first ever by a head of state to Malaysia in 15 years, was "aimed to push the cooperative strategic relations between the two nations to new high", Hu said upon arriving at the Kuala Lumpur airport.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) is greeted upon his arrival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov. 10, 2009. Hu Jintao arrived here Tuesday for a state visit to enhance strategic cooperation between China and Malaysia. [Xinhua]

The event marks the 35th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic ties, which were established by Prime Minister Najib Tun Raza’s father, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, in 1974, making Malaysia the first among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to forge formal relations with China.

"The deepening of strategic cooperation under new circumstances serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and contributes to regional peace, prosperity and progress," Hu said.

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Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman hailed Hu's trip as a boost to ties between Malaysia and its top trading partner China.

"The president's visit signals that bilateral relations are getting stronger and marks another milestone in our bilateral relations," he told a press briefing before Hu’s visit.

The Malaysia government rolled out highest-level reception for Hu and his entourage. Besides a welcome ceremony attended by Malaysia diplomats, overseas Chinese and local residents at the airport, an official greeting was hosted by Supreme Head of State Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Parliament Square, who later accompanied Hu and his wife to a local hotel for a meeting.

They would have a state banquet later Tuesday night at Istana Negara, or National Palace.

Hu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Najib on Wednesday.

The two countries are expected to sign economic and trade agreements on Wednesday to push forward collaborative projects in infrastructure, such as railway and bridge construction, sources close to the Chinese delegation said on Tuesday.

China imported palm oil, integrated circuits and other products valued at $32 billion from Malaysia in 2008, a year-on-year rise of 11 percent, or $10 billion more than it exported to the country, according to Chinese customs statistics.

Between January and September, bilateral trade reached $26 billion, accounting for nearly 13 percent of Malaysia's total trade during the period, according to Malaysian official trade figures.

Hu is expected to wrap up his visit to Malaysia on Wednesday afternoon and continue his Southeast Asia trip in Singapore, where he will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this weekend.