Xi Jinping visits Malaysia in China’s charm offensive for southeast Asia

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, right, looks at Chinese President Xi Jinping during a join press conference in Putrajaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2013. Xi is on a three-day visit aimed at deepening diplomatic and trade ties between the two countries. (AP/NEWSis)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak met here Friday to discuss bilateral ties and further development of China’s relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

They also had an in-depth exchange of views on other major regional and international issues. After the meeting, the two leaders will witness the signing of several cooperation agreements. They will also jointly meet the press.

China-Malaysia relations have seen sound development in recent years, with positive progress achieved in their practical cooperation in various sectors. Two-way trade totaled 94.8 billion U.S. dollars last year. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for the last four years, and Malaysia has been China’s largest trading partner in ASEAN for five years in a row.

Large-scale joint projects such as the Qinzhou Industrial Park in China and the Kuantan Industrial Park in Malaysia have made progress, setting a precedent for establishing twin industrial parks between China and other countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, front right, his wife Peng Liyuan, rear right, Malaysia's King Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, front left, and Queen Haminah Hamidun walk down stairs during a welcoming ceremony at Parliament Square in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2013. Xi and his wife Peng are on a three-day state visit to Malaysia. (AP/NEWSis)

China and Malaysia also enjoy frequent people-to-people exchanges, with annual personnel exchanges topping 2.6 million person-times last year. China is now the largest source of foreign visitors to Malaysia. Xi arrived here Thursday evening for a state visit to Malaysia, the second leg of his maiden trip to Southeast Asia since taking office in March.

From Malaysia, the Chinese president will travel to the Indonesian resort island of Bali for the 21st informal economic leaders’ meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). (Xinhua/NEWSis)