JINTAO SAYS SINO-MALAYSIA RELATIONS HAVE MATURED

FROM YONG SOO HEONG

BEIJING, June 5 (Bernama) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said Thursday that Malaysia-China relations have entered into a deeper and more matured phase after both countries established diplomatic relations 35 years ago.

In his welcoming remarks to visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun
Razak who paid a courtesy call on him at the Great Hall of the People
in Tiananmen Square here, Hu also congratulated Najib for having successfully
concluded bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, especially
with the signing of an agreement on the Joint Action Plan on Strategic
Cooperation between Malaysia and China.

Hu described Najib's visit to China as a success.

In response, Najib thanked the Chinese government for the warm hospitality
accorded to him and his delegation.

He said he had made it a point to make China as his first stop outside Asean
after taking office on April 3 to underscore the strategic importance of
Malaysia-China relations.

In addition, he said this being the 35th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between the two countries, there was also a huge symbolic
meaning attached to his visit.

"I think symbolism means a lot to China as well as Malaysia. And it also
means a lot to me personally and my family," said Najib.

Najib's father, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, had signed a joint communique with
then Chinese premier Zhou Enlai to establish diplomatic relations between the
two countries.

On this trip, Najib also brought his mother, Tun Rahah Mohamed Noah, wife,
Rosmah Mansor, daughter Nooryana Najwa and son Nor Ashman.

After meeting Hu, the prime minister held a meeting with the Vice Premier of
the State Council, Li Keqiang.

In the evening, Najib attended a dinner at the Malaysia-China Friendship
Evening to commemorate 35 years of diplomatic relations between the two
countries.

-- BERNAMA