Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today left for a five-day visit to China aimed at strengthening bilateral and business ties, officials said.

Abdullah, who will take over from veteran premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad when he retires end-October after 22 years in power, is due to hold talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, they said.

He is also expected to meet Wu Bangguo, chairman of China's parliament.

Abdullah will address a Malaysia-Chinese Business Forum and fly to Xiamen on Thursday for a two-day visit before returning home.

Malaysia and China will next year celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between them, diplomats said. - AFP