Malaysia is China’s intimate friend and trustworthy partner, China’s President Xi Jinping, said when meeting Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in Beijing today.

Xi said he was happy to see Najib again after the latter’s first visit to China in May this year.

He said Najib has followed his father the late Abdul Razak Hussein’s footsteps and his visit to China during the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between both countries was historical.

“It has become a wonderful tale in the history of relationship between our countries,” Xi said.

Xi said this at a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in conjunction with the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Beijing today.

During the meeting, Xi said the 40th anniversary was one of the amazing chapters in the history of the relationship between Malaysia and China.

To achieve more fruitful results for the two-way relationships between both countries, Xi also urged higher political wisdom and stronger political will.

Najib agreed with Xi that both countries should turn the excellent bilateral relationship into a model of relationship between two countries.

Meanwhile, in a separate bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People, Najib said this year was a historical and auspicious year for both countries.

Li said China was ready cooperate with Malaysia to upgrade the relationship to a higher level.

Najib is in Beijing to attend the two-day 22nd Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting which began today.

- Bernama