Premier Zhu Rongji Meets Malaysian Supreme Head of StateChinese Premier Zhu Rongji met Wednesday with Malaysian supreme head of state Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah in Beijing Wednesday, with both sides expressing wishes to strengthen ties between the two countries.In recent years, China and Malaysia have conducted exchanges of high-level visits and cooperated closely in regional and international affairs, Zhu said. The two Asian countries have also expanded economic and business links and the trade volume between the two countries reached 8 billion U.S. dollars last year, Zhu said. In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysia has become the largest trading partner with China, the premier said. Under the current economic situation in the world, Zhu said, China and Malaysia should strengthen economic cooperation, which is conducive to the healthy and sustainable development of the economy in the two countries. Zhu praised Malaysia's efforts to counter the Asian financial crisis and its achievements in economic recovery and development. The premier also briefed Salahuddin on China's reforms and economic development. During the meeting, Zhu also welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to attend the eighth informal leadership meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in China in October. Salahuddin, who arrived in Beijing Tuesday, is on a six-day state visit to China as President Jiang Zemin's guest. The Malaysian supreme head of state said he is satisfied with the visit, noting that he has perceived great changes that have taken place in China. Malaysia has a long-term friendship with China, and economic growth in both countries will promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Salahuddin said. Salahuddin said he is glad to see the new progress made in agricultural cooperation between the two countries, and expressed the belief that the two countries will enhance ties in other fields. |
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