Premier Li Keqiang and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad sent congratulations to the opening ceremony of the Year of Culture and Tourism between China and Malaysia, which was held in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 19.

China and Malaysia are neighbors across the sea and enjoy a friendship lasting a thousand years, Premier Li said.

Zheng He, an admiral in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), led seven ocean voyages westward. He visited Malacca five times and established deep friendship with locals there, which is a much-told story in the history of exchanges between the two countries, he said.

In recent years, the relations between China and Malaysia have remained steady and healthy, while bilateral cooperation as well as collaboration under multilateral frameworks such as the China-ASEAN (10+1) framework have increased. This not only promotes development of both countries, but also injects dynamics for regional prosperity and stability, the Premier noted.

He expressed his hope the two countries could take the year of culture and tourism as an opportunity to expand cultural communications, deepen tourism cooperation and promote personnel exchanges to strengthen understanding between the two peoples and continue the two country’s friendship. Thus, popular will and the social foundation of developing the China-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership will be consolidated.

Mahathir said Malaysia and China share a long history of friendship, and the year of culture and tourism is expected to achieve new progress in the bilateral relations.

He wished the two peoples happiness and health in the upcoming Year of the Rat, and further development in relations.