Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) holds a ceremony to welcome visiting Malaysian Supreme Head of State Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Feb. 28, 2005.

China will work with Malaysia to carry forward bilateral traditional friendship, deepen bilateral strategic cooperation and promote bilateral overall good neighborly friendship and cooperation to higher levels, said Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing Monday.

Hu, at a meeting with visiting Malaysian Supreme Head of State Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, spoke positively of bilateral relations which, in his words, have become more and more mature and entered a new period of overall development.

He mentioned that since the two countries forged diplomatic ties over three decades ago, there have been close high-level contacts, active exchanges at various levels, rapidly growing bilateral trade, and comprehensive development in such fields as agriculture, science, technology, resources development, infrastructural construction and tourism.

Hu also spoke positively of Malaysia's adherence to the one-China policy and contributions to the development of relations between China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries.

Hu also voiced his support for Malaysia to host the first East Asia Summit and will further push for new progresses in East Asian cooperation.

Sirajuddin, who arrived here earlier Monday on a state visit to China as Hu's guest, said this is his first visit to China and he hopes to maintain close contacts between leaders of the two countries and continuously promote the development of bilateral cooperation.

Sirajuddin reiterated that Malaysia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and this position will never change.

He said Malaysia will make joint efforts with China to further expand bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit in economy, trade, civil aviation, tourism, energy and education.