Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on March 31, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING – President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts to promote China-Malaysia cooperation in all fields in order to push for the greater development of bilateral ties and give new impetus to regional prosperity, while meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday.

Xi said China and Malaysia enjoy a long-standing friendship and have taken the lead in developing their relations in the region. 

The consensus reached between the two sides on jointly building a community with a shared future during Anwar's official visit to China will certainly open a new historic chapter in China-Malaysia relations, he said.

As China resolutely advances with high-level opening-up and Chinese-style modernization, new opportunities will be created for Malaysia and other countries, Xi said, calling on the two countries to bolster Belt and Road construction, promote key projects and cultivate growth points of cooperation in areas such as the digital economy, green development and new energy.

Noting that both China and Malaysia are beneficiaries, contributors and defenders of globalization and multilateralism in Asia, Xi said China is ready to work with Malaysia to adhere to strategic independence, stay true to the original aspiration of East Asian cooperation and uphold the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

He also stressed the importance for both sides to firmly oppose the Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation and uphold true multilateralism to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and contribute to improving global governance.

President Xi Jinping holds a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, March 31, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Anwar said that he came to China as a true friend and with feelings of sincere friendship for China. Malaysia will work with China to strengthen cooperation in terms of trade and the economy, poverty alleviation and agricultural modernization, among others, he said, welcoming Chinese companies to invest in Malaysia.

Freedom of religious belief and the freedom of worship of Muslims in China are well protected and Malaysia is willing to deepen civilizational exchanges and dialogue with China, he said.