Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up a successful state visit to Malaysia on Thursday after seeing fruitful results in promoting bilateral ties and regional cooperation, setting the momentum for ushering in a new 'Golden 50 Years' in their relations.
Xi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday evening to begin the state visit at the invitation of Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, with this marking his first visit to Malaysia in 12 years.
The Chinese president received a warm welcome upon arrival with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim greeting him at the airport while King Sultan Ibrahim hosted a grand welcome ceremony on Wednesday at the Istana Negara - the National Palace, in Kuala Lumpur.
In their meeting following the welcome ceremony, Xi and King Sultan Ibrahim outlined the goals for further advancing China-Malaysia ties.
Xi said China is ready to work with Malaysia to build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, so as to usher in a new "Golden 50 Years" for bilateral ties.
He called on both sides to continue to deepen political mutual trust, support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, deepen synergy of their development strategies, and draw on each other's strengths for mutual benefit and win-win results.
In his talks with Prime Minister Anwar on Wednesday afternoon, Xi put forward a three-point proposal on building a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
"China-Malaysia relations are ushering in a new golden era. I am willing to work with you to continue advancing the high-level and strategic development of China-Malaysia community with a shared future, bringing greater benefits to our peoples, promoting the everlasting friendship between the Chinese and Malaysian peoples," Xi said to Anwar in the meeting.
After the talks, Xi and Anwar jointly witnessed the exchange of over 30 cooperation documents covering a wide range of areas such as digital economy, service trade, artificial intelligence, railways, and the protection of giant pandas.
The two sides also released a joint statement on building a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future to accelerate their modernization efforts and jointly promote regional and global prosperity and stability.
Later that evening, Xi attended a welcome banquet hosted by Anwar at his official residence in Putrajaya.
Xi wrapped up his state visit on Thursday morning, when he was seen off at the airport by Anwar and other senior Malaysian officials.
Prior to his departure, local people and overseas Chinese lined up by the roadside as his motorcade headed to the airport, with the crowds holding red banners and waving Chinese and Malaysian national flags to bid Xi farewell.
The trip to Malaysia marked the second leg of Xi's five-day, three-nation Southeast Asia tour, which began in Vietnam on Monday and will conclude in Cambodia on Friday.
Xi's Malaysia visit sets bilateral ties towards new 'Golden 50 Years'
