Ties with China, India on the mend

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s relations with China and India have improved over the past 100 days under the Perikatan Nasional government, says the Foreign Minister.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that upon taking up his post, he was tasked to repair soured relations with certain countries.

“One of the things that I have been asked to do is to repair our relations with certain countries.

“I can report that relations with China and India, the two countries that are vital to our palm oil trade, have improved.

“It is better than before, ” he said, adding that it was also important to improve ties with countries such as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Speaking at a press conference after the Special Asean-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Covid-19 here, Hishammuddin said Wisma Putra had also worked hard to bring back Malaysians stranded abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Despite the difficulties, we managed to bring back 20,000 Malaysians from 70 countries. That is a fact and it is a big achievement for us over the past 100 days, ” he said.

On the Russia-Asean Foreign Ministers’ meeting, the minister said it was important for both sides to collaborate in research and development for a Covid-19 vaccine.

“We must ensure that the manufacturing of the vaccine promotes international collaboration rather than nationalistic competition.

“This is about saving lives rather than national pride for the highest bidder.

“Malaysia welcomes Russia’s willingness to contribute to the regional reserve of medical supplies which Asean is developing, ” he said.