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Saturday, August 18, 2018, 17:38
Malaysian PM tours Alibaba, meets Jack Ma on China visit
By Agencies
Saturday, August 18, 2018, 17:38 By Agencies

Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (2nd left) tours the Alibaba Corporate headquarters with Alibaba chairman Jack Ma (center) in Hangzhou, East China Zhejiang province on Aug 18, 2018. Mahathir is on a five-day state visit to China. (STR / AFP)

BEIJING — Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has met with Chinese billionaire Jack Ma at the start of his five-day trip to China.

The China Global Television Network said Mahathir on Saturday also toured the campus of Alibaba Group, the online shopping giant Ma founded.

Mahathir kicked off his first official visit outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region on Friday, a move indicating the new Malaysian government continues to pursue a proactive foreign policy toward China.

Mahathir arrived in Hangzhou, the capital of East China's Zhejiang province, on Friday evening. His five-day trip is to include meetings with Chinese leaders in Beijing.

Ahead of his visit, Mahathir said the relationship with China was "very important" and he wanted to further strengthen the bilateral relations with this visit.

READ MORE: Malaysian PM aims to push for close ties with China

The new government wants close relations with China and will look for China's support for Malaysia's economic recovery, the prime minister said.

Mahathir visited China seven times during his first tenure as prime minister, from 1981 to 2003.

(Cao Desheng contributes to this story)

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