Malaysian PM vows to strengthen defense cooperation with China

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (R) shakes hands with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan in Kuala Lumpur, on Nov 3, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said here Tuesday that his country and China will promote defense and military cooperation in a bid to further enhance bilateral ties.

Speaking at a meeting with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, Najib said the friendly Malaysia-China ties are now at the best stage, with Leaders of the two countries meeting frequently, as both sides are seeking to strengthen ties and cooperation in various areas including trade and economic, finance, culture and so on.

The relations between Malaysia and China militaries are developing fast, Najib said, hoping both sides will continue their efforts for more high-level exchanges and pragmatic cooperation in order to push forward the bilateral defense ties.

Chang was in Malaysia for an official visit to attend the ASEAN Defesce Ministers' Meeting Plus, which gathers the defense chiefs from the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its dialogue partners, including China, the United States, Russia and Japan.

As the chairman of ASEAN this year, Najib said the regional peace and stability as well as the cordial relations with China and other neighbors are the cornerstones of the development of ASEAN countries.

Malaysia will keep pushing for the building of regional cooperation mechanism to provide a platform for countries to exchange views and seek consensus, he said.

For his part, Chang said that as good neighbors, China and Malaysia have witnessed close exchanges with each other in recent years. The two countries have efficient communication and mutual trust, and are willing to help each other.

The foundation of the bilateral ties between China and Malaysia has become more and more solid, and the future development of the two countries' bilateral relations is prospective, the Chinese defense minister said.

He said that China is willing to actively implement the agreements reached by the two countries' leaders, deepen the communication and cooperation in various areas and levels between the two armies, and push forward the in-depth development of their comprehensive strategic partnership together with the Malaysian side.

Chang said that China is committed to practicing the concept of "closeness, sincerity, sharing in prosperity, and inclusiveness" in neighborhood diplomacy proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, jointly building China-ASEAN community of common destiny with all ASEAN countries, and willing to make efforts to maintain the regional peace and stability with the Malaysian side.