Key Chinese leader meets Najib to boost ties

Honoured guest: Najib welcoming Meng into his office at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Communist Party of China (CPC) central committee political bureau member Meng Jianzhu paid a courtesy call to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here to enhance Malaysia-China relations.

The Prime Minister met with Meng, who is a key Chinese leader, and his delegation for an hour at his office here.

Both sides discussed various issues to strengthen ties between Malaysia and China, opportunities for economic cooperation, bilateral trade, mutual regional stability and defence.

Also present were the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to China, Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, and China's Ambassador to Malaysia, Huang Huikang.

When met later, Ong said Meng had conveyed important messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and China's Premier Li Keqiang to Najib on mutual cooperation between the two countries.

“Meng is sent by Xi to Malaysia to restrengthen all cooperation that has been taking place and also update certain developments for the mutual benefit of both countries.

“China also reaffirms its strong support and cooperation with Malaysia. It will continue to encourage Chinese investors and tourists to come to Malaysia,” he said.

Ong said Malaysia and China would work doubly hard to achieve the bilateral trade target of US$160bil (RM528bil) by 2017, despite the challenging global economy.

Najib reiterated that Malaysia would continue its friendly policy on China and welcomed investors and tourists to Malaysia, Ong said.

Last year, Malaysia and China celebrated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. — Bernama