Reciprocal visits have ehanced M'sia-China ties

The exchange of high-level visits at various levels of political and government leadership and officials over the years have strengthened friendship between Malaysia and China.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said for the past 39 years of diplomatic relationship, Malaysia and China have progressed substantially, particularly in trade, investment, finance, information and communications technology (ICT), infrastructure, construction, agriculture, health, education, culture, tourism and security.

"The regular contacts between Malaysian and Chinese political and government leaders and officials have provided ample opportunities to generate more activities and identify new areas of cooperation to further strengthen bilateral relations.

"The excellent bilateral relationship between Malaysia and China is not mere rhetoric, but supported by hardcore facts and actions," he said at the installation of the Sabah Ma-Zhong Friendship Association and celebration of Malaysia-China 39th anniversary of diplomatic relationship here last night.

Pandikar said the volume of trade between the two nations in 2011 was more than US$54 billion (RM163 billion) while US$38.1 billion (RM115.2 billion) was recorded between January and August last year.