China, Malaysia eye closer relations

China and Malaysia pledged on Thursday to enhance political mutual trust, step up alignment of development strategies and bolster people-to-people exchanges, with each side set to extend visa-free policies for visitors from the other country.

The two countries issued a joint declaration in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, the final day of Premier Li Qiang's three-day official visit to the Southeast Asian country, on deepening and lifting their comprehensive strategic partnership and jointly building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future.

According to the declaration, China has agreed to extend its visa-free policy to Malaysian travelers until the end of 2025.

In return, Malaysia will extend its visa-free policy for Chinese citizens to the end of 2026, the declaration said, adding that both sides are welcome to continue discussing their mutual visa-exemption arrangement to facilitate cross-border travel.

The two countries have also agreed to work for better synergy of their development, the declaration said.

They will take the signing of a bilateral cooperation plan to promote building of the Belt and Road as an opportunity to further align their development strategies and enhance pragmatic cooperation.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on infrastructure connectivity, including on the key projects of Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link, and to expand trade, enhance financial cooperation and encourage their companies to invest in each other's country.

Malaysia welcomed China to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. China said it will import more high-quality agricultural products and other products from Malaysia.

The two countries will also seize the opportunities brought by the digital economy, green development, artificial intelligence and energy, and discuss cooperation in fields including advanced manufacturing and technological innovation.

They agreed to carry out more cooperation in the semiconductor value chain to maintain the stability of the global supply chain.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia.

The two countries agreed to vigorously engage in a series of activities in culture, tourism, religion and other fields to promote bilateral exchanges at all levels and further deepen exchanges and mutual learning between the Chinese civilization and the Islamic civilization.

Both sides confirmed that they will conduct a new round of cooperation in giant panda conservation research to commemorate the anniversary of establishing ties and advance bilateral cooperation in such research.

The two countries also voiced their intention to strengthen collaboration at multilateral occasions, saying they share extensive interests and similar positions on international affairs.

They also will work together to uphold international fairness and justice, and safeguard the unity and cooperation of the international community, according to the declaration.

Trade cooperation has played a vital role in bilateral ties, Premier Li said at a luncheon of the Malaysia-China Business Community in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

Bilateral trade has increased rapidly in recent years, Li said, adding that companies from the two countries will see more investment opportunities as both sides continue aligning their development strategies and upgrading their industries.

China hopes to speed up implementing various cooperation agreements with Malaysia, work with it to push forward major projects, and provide more cooperation opportunities for both sides, he said.

Li called for companies in China and Malaysia to continue to invest in the two countries and make better use of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who also attended the luncheon, said Malaysia is firmly committed to deepening its friendly ties with China, and hopes to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation with China in trade, investment, science and technology, and education.

Li arrived in Beijing on Thursday, wrapping up his eight-day trip, which also took him to New Zealand and Australia.