PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and China have agreed to set up a joint foreign and defence dialogue mechanism aimed at improving strategic communications and cooperation in political security.
In a joint statement, Putrajaya and Beijing said both Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese president Xi Jinping had agreed to maintain close “high-level interactions” while bolstering strategic communications and mutual trust between both nations.
They said this would strategically guide and ensure the stable development of their bilateral ties.
“Both sides agreed to establish the joint foreign and defence dialogue mechanism to further expand channels for high-level strategic communication and platforms for political security cooperation.
“Both sides agreed to improve and make good use of the cooperation mechanisms for national security, defence and law enforcement, and carry out more exchanges and cooperation in fields such as joint exercises and training, exchange visits, and courses for officials,” they said.
The joint statement was issued following the conclusion of Xi’s three-day state visit today.
Both nations also acknowledged the possibility of looking into further liberalising and facilitating two-way investments while improving investment protection under the existing bilateral investment deal between Malaysia and China.
They also said they would explore a collaboration on rail equipment, aerospace and nuclear power, as well as the possibility of introducing Chinese commercial aircraft to Malaysian carriers.
“Both sides are committed to exploring and creating more strategic and iconic cooperation projects based on the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, mutual agreement, and win-win results.”
In terms of the ongoing South China Sea disputes, Malaysia and China agreed on the need to ensure peace, security, and stability in the maritime region, and for disputes to be resolved peacefully through negotiations.
“Both sides further emphasised the need for all parties to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and to avoid actions that would complicate or escalate tensions in the South China Sea.
“Both sides recognised that the involvement of parties not directly concerned could be counter-productive,” they added.
Xi, whose three-day visit to Malaysia was his second in 12 years, arrived on Tuesday at the invitation of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim.
The Chinese president, who is on a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia, is headed to Cambodia next. He was in Vietnam before arriving in Malaysia.
During a bilateral meeting at the Seri Perdana Complex yesterday, Anwar and Xi discussed ways to invigorate bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
They also witnessed the exchange of 31 memorandums of understanding, agreements, and notes between Malaysia and China.
