MORE CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT IN MALAYSIA-CHINA TIES

By Jamaluddin Muhammad

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and China are set to take their
bilateral ties to greater heights with more constructive engagements for the
benefit of people of both nations and the region as well.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Chinese President Hu Jintao
are committed to enhancing both countries' bilateral relations.

"I believed our bilateral ties are poised to enter a more exciting phase and
both leaders are committed to bringing the bilateral relationship to a greater
height," said Najib.

Najib described Hu's two-day visit as not only important symbolically as
both countries celebrated the 35th anniversary of relationship but also very
substantive.

They noted the enormous scope to enhance bilateral cooperation, especially
in trade, investment, finance, energy, agriculture, fisheries, education,
tourism, science and technology, defence and security.

"I believed President Hu's visit will be seen in a very positive light, an
indication of strengthening and deepening the existing very warm friendship,"
said Najib.

Hu said a good progressive Malaysia-China relationship would also be
conducive to the peace, stablility and prosperity in the region.

"China-Malaysia relations are embracing a new era," said the leader who
concluded his visit today.

He said the two friendly neighbours' relationship had become more matured
over the past 35 years.

Trade between the two countries recorded US$53 billion last year, he noted.

Hu said both leaders were satisfied with the good momentum of Malaysia-China
relations and agreed to explore new areas of cooperation in achieving a new
level of development.

Hu said both leaders also agreed to enhance their cooperation in deepening
China-Asean relations as well as in other multi-lateral frameworks.

Two agreements and three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed
between the two countries today.

The agreements are Supplementary Agreement to the General Loan Agreement
Regarding Utilisation of the Preferential Buyer's Credit and Preferential
Buyer's Credit Loan Agreement on Penang Second Bridge Project.

The MoUs are on Banking Supervision Cooperation; Cooperation in the Field
of Higher Education and Cooperation in the Sewerage Services Industry.

Najib said both governments were eager to ensure that whatever documents
signed by the two nations were implemented.


He said the MoU on Banking Supervision Cooperation between Bank Negara and
China Banking Regulatory Commission heralded a new era of cooperation in the
area of finance and was very meaningful in view of the current economic
challenges.

It was also in line with the goal of deepening integration between the
two economies.

On Nov 10, Hu and his wife, Liu Yongqing, had an audience with King Tuanku
Mizan Zainal Abidin and Queen Tuanku Nur Zahirah at National Palace, Kuala
Lumpur, before attending a state banquet at the palace later.

After meeting Najib at the Prime Minister's Office, here, Wednesday, Hu and
his wife visited the historical city of Malacca, where Chinese traders
established contact with local traders about 600 years ago during the Ming
Dynasty.

The president is scheduled to depart from the KL International Airport at
4.30pm for Singapore to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum.

-- BERNAMA