China is looking forward to working with the new Malaysian government to advance cooperation and strive for "common prosperity and development" according to a statement from Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian on Thursday, May 24, 2018.
China believes that under the new Malaysian government led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, the relationship between the two governments would achieve new heights, he said.
"We appreciate that you openly reiterated your support for the 'Belt and Road' initiative and welcomed Chinese investment, shortly after assuming office," said Bai.
The ambassador also added: "China has always regarded Malaysia as an important cooperation partner for the 21st Century Maritime Silkroad, and is ready to promote the 'Belt and Road' initiative together with Malaysia, striving for the common prosperity and development of the two countries and the building of an Asian community of common destiny."
For an hour, the ambassador met with Mahathir, during which he congratulated Mahathir on assuming office.
Bai also said that Mahathir's previous tenure as Malaysian prime minister had covered almost half of the 44 years since China and Malaysia had established diplomatic ties.
"During your last service as prime minister, you visited China seven times and your important contributions to the China-Malaysia relations laid a solid foundation for the comprehensive and profound China-Malaysia friendly and cooperative relations we are enjoying today," he said.
On the other hand, Mahathir said China had always been a close friend and important development partner of Malaysia.
"The new government of Malaysia will further enhance the all-round cooperation with China especially in political, economic and trade fields," he said, adding the country welcomed Chinese investments and expected to further grow bilateral pragmatic cooperation.
Meanwhile, China-Malaysia relations have become a contentious issue in Malaysia's General Elections this year is somewhat surprising, as it has long been recognized within and outside of Malaysia that both countries share a close and special relationship. Such positive ties began in 1974, when Malaysia became the first state in Southeast Asia to normalize ties with China. In the late 1980s, then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad started to promote closer economic cooperation between China and Malaysia. Presently, Malaysia is China's largest trading partner among Southeast Asian states. China is also the largest source of foreign direct investment for Malaysia. Under Najib, Malaysia has deepened economic ties with China.
Ever since relations were elevated to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, Malaysia has been a key partner in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This initiative has been dubbed a game changer for Malaysia's infrastructural and economic development. China and Malaysia have also expanded cooperation in education, sociocultural exchanges, and gradually, in security as well, though these areas of engagement are dwarfed by the economic dimension of bilateral relations.
