Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister I and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi in Beijing, capital of China, May 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister I and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi in Beijing on Wednesday.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, the two countries have respected each other and treated each other as equals, committed to developing friendly relations based on their fundamental and long-term interests, Li said.

Li said that, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties between the two countries, China is willing to advance high-level exchanges in accordance with the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, firmly support each other in safeguarding core interests such as sovereignty and security, make better use of their complimentary economic advantages to seek synergy for development, and contribute to regional prosperity and stability.

China will strengthen strategic alignment with Malaysia, carry out key projects under the Belt and Road cooperation, tap into the potential for cooperation in emerging fields, including digital economy and new energy vehicles, and expand trade volume to tighten cooperation for win-win results, Li said, calling on both sides to engage in more exchanges and cooperation on education, culture, youth and other people-to-people areas.

Li expressed China's willingness to enhance multilateral coordination with Malaysia to safeguard the hard-won favorable development environment in East Asia.

Ahmad Zahid said that Malaysia stands ready to improve cooperation on economy, trade, investment, vocational education, sustainable development and other fields, promote people-to-people exchanges, to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between Malaysia and China.

Malaysia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and condemns all forms of "Sinophobia," he said, noting that Malaysia-China relations are not interfered with or influenced by any external forces.

Ahmad Zahid said that Malaysia is committed to advancing negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and any attempts by external forces to stir up trouble in the South China Sea will not succeed. Malaysia is willing to work together with China to further deepen coordination and cooperation on regional and international affairs, he said.