BEIJING, May 26 -- China on Monday expresses the belief that the Malaysian prime minister's upcoming visit will advance bilateral ties.

"China attaches great importance to developing the Sino-Malaysian relationship, and will to continue to work with Malaysia," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a routine press briefing.

During Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's six-day tour which begins Tuesday, he will meet with China's leaders.

The two sides will co-chair commemorative activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Malaysia diplomatic relationship, Qin said.

Qin also praised the bilateral ties in recent years, saying the two countries witnessed healthy and stable development in relationship, expanding practical cooperation and sound coordination and cooperation in global and regional issues.

Malaysia has stood as China's biggest trade partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for six consecutive year, with two-way trade volume amounting to 106.08 billion U.S. dollars in 2013. And the two countries saw over 2.55 million exchange visits between the two peoples last year.