Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said Sunday in Beijing that China is ready to make joint efforts with Malaysia to enhance political trust, deepen cooperation and push forward bilateral relations in the direction of strategic cooperation.

At a meeting with former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mahathir Bin Mohamad, Tang spoke highly of China-Malaysia relations and appreciated Mahathir's persistent efforts for promoting bilateral relations.

Mahathir is here to attend the 2005 meeting of the "21th Century Forum" slated for Sept. 5-7.

Tang also spoke highly of the important role Malaysia has played in facilitating cooperation in East Asia, saying China will make efforts for the success of the first East Asia Summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur in December.

The summit was originally to involve leaders from the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its North Asian neighbors China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. New Zealand, Australia and India were also invited to attend.

Mahathir said Malaysia and China have made enormous progress in their relations since they forged diplomatic ties 31 years ago. China has become Malaysia's important trade partner and the two countries are facing new cooperation opportunities in such fields as tourism, energy and agriculture.

Malaysia takes China as a major partner in regional cooperation and appreciates China's contribution to promoting East Asian cooperation, said Mahathir.

Source: Xinhua