Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak visits China

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak walks with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang during the signing ceremony of the Joint Communique at the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relation between Malaysia and China at the Great Hall of People.

BEIJING: Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today called for the establishment of a concrete and comprehensive mechanism to successfully implement plans to shape Malaysia-China diplomatic relations over the next 40 years.

He suggested that the mechanism encompass five measures, namely intensifying and strengthening relations in the socio-cultural, values and humanitarian fields; giving value added to the chair of Malay studies of the Malaysian government in China; stepping up cooperation in publication and translation; forging collaboration in research and intensifying regular exchange of students and participants between Malaysia and China.

The prime minister said the intensifying and strengthening of relations in the socio-cultural, values and humanitarian fields were important in shaping an excellent nation state founded on noble and humanitarian values.

“As such, the collaborative relationship between Malaysia and China encompassing various cultural activities should always be reinforced. Emphasis on noble and universal values should be stepped up and cooperation in the humanitarian field should be forged and empowered for mutual benefit," he said.

On the chair of Malay studies of the Malaysian government in China, Najib said the chair, which was established in 2008, should be given value added to make it more proactive and productive.

“It should not remain just as it is. New methods and approaches should be thought out to enhance and expand its role.

"For example, it can play an active role in the cultural, values and humanitarian fields, expanding to the other cities of China where the Malay language or studies are offered," he said.

Najib made the proposal in his speech opening the four-day International Conference on Malay Studies 2014: Malaysia-China Relations at the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). The prime minister's visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of Malaysia-China ties.

On stepping up cooperation in publication and translation, Najib said efforts to step up cooperation in publication with China, particularly in the translation of major works for both countries by Malaysia's Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka should be enhanced.

The prime minister said that for forging collaboration in research, researchers from Malaysia could work with those from China in conducting studies and scrutinizing historical records and sources, including on Malaysia.

Many reputable and quality sources in China and its ancient civilization are rich in information on developments in the political, economic, social and international relations fields," he said.

Najib said intensifying the regular annual exchange of students and participants between Malaysia and China would require increasing the opportunities and incentives for the eligible students and participants from China to come to Malaysia to pursue education in the Malay language and literature.

“Their number should be increased from time to time," he said.

As such, he concluded, the new phase of Malaysia-China relations over the next 40 years could focus on, besides the economic, educational and technological fields, the socio-cultural, values and humanitarian fields.




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