Premier Li Keqiang met with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on April 25.

As good neighbors, China and Malaysia are important nations in the region, the Premier said. The friendship has a long history with good cooperation in bilateral and multilateral situations.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties. China is ready to consolidate political trust with Malaysia, tap into more cooperation potentials and expand people-to-people exchanges, to elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership to a new stage, Premier Li said.

In addition, China is willing to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative with Malaysia’s strategy, advancing trade and investment between the two sides on principles of internationalization, marketization, and the rule of law.

China encourages its enterprises to develop business in Malaysia, and is willing to strengthen cooperation in digital economy, e-commerce, agriculture and technological areas. The Premier also said he hopes there will be more premium Malaysian agricultural products in the Chinese market.

Both China and Malaysia are developing countries, and China hopes to work with ASEAN countries to deepen regional cooperation, especially in terms of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiation, to achieve more for China-ASEAN relations and East Asia cooperation, Premier Li said.

Mahathir said he hopes their traditional friendship can continue going forward. China has a large market of 1.4 billion people, from which Malaysia has benefited a lot. Malaysia is willing to strengthen ties with China in all areas, including trade, technology and agriculture.

Malaysia supports the Belt and Road Initiative and welcomes Chinese enterprises, which is beneficial for its own development, Mahathir said.

After the meeting, Premier Li and his counterpart witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral documents.