Kuala Lumpur, March 28th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, President of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and Minister of Rural and Regional Development. Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia, Mohamad Alamin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, and others attended the meeting.  

Liu said, China and Malaysia are important neighbors to each other and the friendship between the two countries is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia, and bilateral relations have reached a new historical starting point. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Malaysian side to deepen strategic alignment, strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, expand cooperation in emerging areas and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to make bilateral relations better benefit to the two peoples. Malaysia is the coordinator country for China-ASEAN relations and will assume the rotating presidency of ASEAN next year. The Chinese side is ready to work with the Malaysian side to elevate China-ASEAN relations to a new level. The world today is undergoing both transformation and upheaval. The Chinese side appreciates the Malaysian side's independent domestic and foreign policies and its objective understanding toward China, and stands ready to work with the Malaysian side to implement the three major global initiatives and promote peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large.  

Liu said, the CPC and the UMNO have long maintained friendly relations, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the two Parties. We are willing to deepen experience exchanges and mutual learning in state governance and administration with the UMNO, jointly improve each other's capacity of party building, promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and make contributions as political parties to the development of bilateral relations.  

Zahid welcomed Liu Jianchao and the CPC delegation to visit Malaysia, saying that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China, and Malaysia is proud to be the first country in Southeast Asia to establish diplomatic ties with China. The Malaysian side congratulates on China's significant development achievements under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and the CPC, and believes that the message delivered by China's "Two Sessions" this year will not only promote China's development, but also boost the world's confidence in Chinese economy. At present, Malaysia and China enjoy a sound momentum of cooperation in various fields. The East Coast Rail Link is progressing smoothly and exchanges between political parties, enterprises and people of both sides are very active. China has been included in the "Look East Policy" by the Malaysian government, which will greatly promote the development of Malaysia-China relations. As the coordinator country for ASEAN-China relations and the rotating chair of ASEAN next year, the Malaysian side is willing to strengthen coordination with the Chinese side, properly handle the South China Sea issue and other issues, and promote the further development of ASEAN-China relations. The Malaysian side highly appreciates the three global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and is willing to strengthen coordination with the Chinese side on the issues in the Middle East and other international and regional issues.