The China-Malaysia relationship is now at an important stage of opening up the future and faces a new opportunity for further development, Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday evening when meeting with Malaysian Supreme Head of State Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with Malaysian Supreme Head of State Mizan Abidin in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov. 10, 2009. [Lai Xiangdong/Xinhua]

At the welcoming banquet held by Mizan in Hu's honor, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the good momentum in the development of bilateral ties, saying they are ready to work together to further deepen China-Malaysia cooperation so as to bring benefits to their people and make greater contribution to peace and development in the region.

Hu said that when profound and complicated changes had taken place in the region and consequences of the international financial crisis were still keenly felt, expanding strategic cooperation between China and Malaysia is not only in the common interests of both countries, but also conducive to regional stability and prosperity.

Hu said China attaches great importance to the development of its relations with Malaysia, and is ready to work together with Malaysia to lift bilateral friendly cooperation to higher stages.

Hu said China and Malaysia are good neighbors, friends and partners and that the two peoples share long history of friendly exchanges.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 35 years ago, bilateral links have witnessed great progress, Hu said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (3rd L, front) exchanges gifts with Malaysian Supreme Head of State Mizan Abidin (4th L, front) after their meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov. 10, 2009. [Ju Peng/Xinhua]

With the two countries having established a strategically cooperative relationship, political mutual trust has been continuously deepened and economic and trade cooperation has yielded remarkable results, bringing substantial benefits to the two peoples, Hu added.

Hu said the two sides have expanded exchanges and cooperation in various areas such as education, culture and tourism, and the two peoples have also developed mutual understanding and friendship.

The two countries have maintained close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues and have worked together to safeguard the interests and rights of the developing countries, he said.

Mizan welcomes President Hu's visit to Malaysia, saying the two countries share time-honored friendship and close ties.

Mizan said his country admires the achievement of the People's Republic of China over the past six decades since its founding.

He said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 35 years ago, the two countries have carried out pragmatic cooperation in a wide range of fields, including trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, education, science and technology.

There have also been frequent exchanges of high-level visits and rapid growth of people-to-people contacts, said the Malaysian leader.

It is very important for the two countries to step up bilateral economic cooperation amid the current global economic recession, he said.

He noted that the two sides share common views and cooperate closely on many regional and international issues, which has served to safeguard the legitimate interests of the two countries and other developing countries.

Malaysia appreciates China's consistent efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he said

Malaysia and China have great potential to enhance their cooperation, he said, adding that further development of bilateral ties will be in the interests of both countries and contribute to peace and stability of the region.

President Hu arrived in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday afternoon for a state visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Mizan. During his stay, Hu will also meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and have extensive contact with people from various sectors of Malaysia.