Xi pledges 'priority' to ties with Malaysia in China's neighborhood diplomacy

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Manila, the Philippines on November 17, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

MANILA -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak here on Tuesday, pledging that China will continue to consider bilateral ties with Malaysia as one of its priorities in neighborhood diplomacy.

"China and Malaysia are good neighbors and friends that trust and respect each other," Xi said during the meeting on the sidelines of the 23rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.

It is the fourth bilateral meeting between the two leaders since Xi made a state visit to Malaysia in October 2013. After their talks in Kuala Lumpur, Xi and Najib announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

During Tuesday's meeting, Xi said it is in the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides to deepen friendly and neighborly cooperation between China and Malaysia.

Xi said China stands ready to work with Malaysia to enrich the content of their partnership and boost practical cooperation to benefit the two peoples.

"The two sides can work harder to dock their development strategies," Xi said, suggesting that the two sides take the building of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road as a new integrating point to enhance cooperation on trade, inter-connectivity and infrastructure.

The Chinese president pledged to continue encouraging capable Chinese companies to invest in Malaysia.

As this year's East Asia leaders' meetings are to be held in Kuala Lumpur later this month, Xi said he is appreciative of Malaysia's contribution in promoting the strategic partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and that China supports Malaysia's efforts in making the meetings a success.

Xi arrived in Manila Tuesday noon to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, which the Chinese president said is an important event for cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

China values Malaysia's role in Asia-Pacific cooperation and will work with Malaysia and other sides to implement the blueprint of regional inter-connectivity as well as other consensuses to spur economic growth in the region and the world at large, said Xi.

Echoing Xi on the positive development of bilateral relations, Najib said the Malaysia-China ties are at the best period of development in history. He highlighted the high degree of mutual trust and friendly sentiment between the two countries.

Najib said China's work to deepen reform in an all-round way generates more opportunities for the two countries to boost cooperation, and Malaysia looks forward to deepening cooperation on finance, infrastructure and inter-connectivity with China, adding that Malaysia supports the Belt and Road initiative.

The prime minister said Malaysia, as rotating chair of ASEAN, is committed to the development of the strategic partnership between China and the 10-member bloc.

Najib also said that the Malaysian side upholds that a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) should be reached as soon as possible.

The RCEP is a free trade pact involving the 10-member ASEAN and six other countries, including China.