Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with his Malaysian counterpart Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during a meeting in Vientiane, Nov. 28, 2004. (Xinhua photo)

The Sino-Malaysian relations have entered a new era of "maturity and comprehensive development," said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao when meeting his Malaysian counterpart, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in Vientiane Sunday afternoon.

"We would make joint efforts with Malaysia to maintain the good momentum of the bilateral ties, and push forward the strategic cooperation in all fields," said the Chinese leader, according to a press release from the Chinese delegation.

Wen, who arrived here earlier in the day for his first official visit as Chinese premier to Laos, will also attend the eighth summit between ASEAN and China, and between ASEAN and China, Japanand the Republic of Korea (ROK), as well as the sixth China, Japanand ROK summit.

On the South China Sea issue, Wen said, China has advocated proper settlement in the spirit of "shelving difference and making joint exploration."

This is in conformity with the principles laid out in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and is conducive to peace and stability of South China Sea, he said.

"We would like to find a way of making joint exploration with Malaysia in the disputed waters of South China Sea," he said.

Badawi, for his part, agreed that the relations between the two countries have developed smoothly, adding the economic and trade cooperation has been fruitful in particular.

He noted the business communities of the two countries have established good relations, and that Malaysia hopes to find new ways to promote economic and trade cooperation through joint committees and seminars.

Badawi expressed his understanding over the principle that Wen has put forward on jointly exploring the South China Sea, saying Malaysia is willing to exchange views with China in this regard.

China's development is not a threat to ASEAN, but a benefit to this regional organization and the world as a whole, said the Malaysian leader.