Malaysian premier kicks off China visit

Malaysian premier kicks off China visit

CHINA: Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi marked 30 years of diplomatic relations with China during a visit here on Friday by drumming up greater economic and trade ties while praising cultural links.

"It would be inadequate to describe relations between Malaysia and China merely as very friendly ties between two Asian countries," Abdullah said in a statement carried by the China Daily.

"Sino-Malaysia friendship is deep and strong ... our two countries have managed to transcend the many differences between us in terms of ideology and social systems to forge close and lasting ties."

Abdullah arrived late on Thursday for a five-day visit.

He met Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday, and will hold talks with President Hu Jintao on Saturday. -- AFP