Xi calls for advancing China-Malaysia relations through deeper cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on China and Malaysia to strength the alignment of their development strategies and advance their bilateral relationship through high-level strategic cooperation.

The remarks were made in a signed article titled "May the Ship of China-Malaysia Friendship Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future" by Xi, published on Tuesday by several major Malaysian media outlets, including Sin Chew Daily, The Star, and Sinar Harian. The article coincided with the start of President Xi's state visit to Malaysia.

In the piece, Xi described China and Malaysia as "friendly neighbors across the sea" and emphasized the need to inject fresh momentum into their longstanding friendship.

Xi said that China and Malaysia must enhance strategic communication, increase mutual political trust, follow through on the Belt and Road cooperation plan between the two governments.

He noted that in 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries reached 212 billion U.S. dollars - nearly a thousand-fold increase since their establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974. He underscored that China has remained Malaysia's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.

Xi also highlighted Malaysia's role as the ASEAN Chair for 2025, saying China is committed to working with Malaysia and other ASEAN countries to combat the undercurrents of geopolitical and camp-based confrontation, as well as the countercurrents of unilateralism and protectionism, in keeping with the historical trend of peace and development.

"President Xi's article and statement are definitely very precious to us. He has emphasized a lot in terms of mutual trust and shared prosperity for future growth. That is something that we Malaysians deeply agree with and believe in it," said Chan Seng Fatt, CEO of Star Media Group, in an interview with China Global Television Network on Monday at the printing house.

Malaysia is the second leg of Xi's current five-day three-nation Southeast Asia tour, which began with a two-day state visit to Vietnam, and will also take him to Cambodia for a state visit.

Xi calls for advancing China-Malaysia relations through deeper cooperation

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday condemned U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iranian civil facilities including schools and hospitals as unjustifiable under international law and humanitarian principles.

Iran does not seek war and instability and always insists on dialogue and constructive engagement with other countries, Pezeshkian said in a meeting with a group of medical staff in Tehran.

Pezeshkian condemned the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, saying Iran had committed no crime.

"When they [the United States and Iran] attack schools, and maternity wards in hospitals, they don't respect any humanitarian principles. It's shameful and the world needs to see this. They claim we are terrorists, but they are the real terrorists who massacre anyone, anywhere, anytime they want. Now they stand on the stage and talk about human rights. It's shameful," he said.

Pezeshkian stated that the unity and cohesion of the Iranian people had thwarted enemy plots. He also praised the professionalism shown by the Iranian Red Crescent Society during the war.

The 40-day U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, starting Feb 28, killed Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and more than 3,000 civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East.

A two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States took effect on April 8. Lengthy talks between Iranian and U.S. delegations were later held in Pakistan's Islamabad, but failed to produce an agreement.

Attacks targeting civil facilities unjustifiable under international law: Iranian president