Li Keqiang Meets with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia

On April 25, 2019, Premier Li Keqiang met with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Li Keqiang expressed that China and Malaysia, both as important countries in the region, are friendly neighbors to each other. With a long-standing friendship, the two countries have carried out a series of practical cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels, which has borne fruitful results. As this year coincides with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, we are willing to, together with the Malaysian side, consolidate political mutual trust, carry forward traditional friendship, tap into cooperation potential, and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to push China-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Malaysia's development strategies, and promote bilateral cooperation in trade and investment in line with international and market principles and the rule of law. The Chinese side encourages well-established and capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Malaysia, and is willing to deepen cooperation with the Malaysian side in such new emerging areas as digital economy and e-commerce and expand cooperation in agriculture and science and technology. The Chinese market welcomes more quality agricultural products from Malaysia. Since both China and Malaysia are important developing countries, China is ready to make continued efforts to deepen regional cooperation with countries of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Malaysia, especially in expediting the negotiation on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, so as to push China-ASEAN relations and East Asia cooperation for greater progress.

Mahathir Mohamad said that Malaysia enjoys a long-standing friendship with China and hopes to carry forward it. Calling China a huge market with a population of nearly 1.4 billion people, Mahathir Mohamad expressed that Malaysia benefits from the development of China and is ready to enhance relations in various areas with China. The Malaysian side supports the BRI and welcomes investments from Chinese companies. Malaysia is willing to cooperate with the Chinese side in economy and trade, science and technology, agriculture and other areas, which helps boost Malaysia’s own development.

After the meeting, Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents including Malaysia's East Coast Railway project, the resumption of Bandar Malaysia project and strengthening palm oil trade.