Joint press statement of People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Malaysia (full text)
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 3rd
People’s Republic of China (PRC)-Malaysia Joint Press Statement
1. At the invitation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib paid an official visit to People’s Republic of China (PRC) from October 31st to November 5th, 2016.
2. During the visit, the Supreme Leader of President People’s Republic of China (PRC) met with Prime Minister Najib, Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China held talks with Prime Minister Najib, and Chairman Zhang Dejiang of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) met with Prime Minister Najib. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on promoting China-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership and regional and international issues of common concern.
3. The two sides believe that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia in 1974, the two countries have maintained regular exchange of visits, which has raised China-Malaysia relations to a new height. Over the past 42 years, the two countries have carried out major cooperation in many fields. The two sides reviewed the recent high-level exchange visits, including the State visit to Malaysia by Chairman of the Supreme Leader in 2013, the official visit to China by Premier Najib in 2014 and the official visit to Malaysia by Premier Li Keqiang in November 2015, and believed that the above visits further deepened the sincere and friendly bilateral relations between the two countries.
4. Both sides agreed that China-Malaysia relations are at the highest level in history and will continue to be strengthened through regular exchanges and mutual visits between leaders, governments, political parties and enterprises. The two sides reviewed and welcomed the achievements made in bilateral relations and were determined to further enhance and strengthen China-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership in various fields such as politics, economy, social development and regional security cooperation.
5. The two sides agreed to ensure that China-Malaysia relations are future-oriented, dynamic and prosperous for the benefit of the two peoples.
6. The two sides emphasized that mutual trust and respect are the solid foundation of bilateral relations and cooperation, and once again stressed that the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries should be adhered to. Malaysia reiterated its firm adherence to the one-China policy and its support for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and the peaceful reunification of China.
7. Both sides welcome the opening of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Nanning, the Consulate General of China in Penang and the Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu in 2015, and the establishment of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Xi ‘an in 2016. The establishment of consulates between the two countries shows the further development of friendly relations between the two sides.
8. Malaysia attaches great importance to its status as an important country along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road ("Belt and Road") proposed by the China Government in 2013.
9. According to Chinese data, the total trade volume between China and Malaysia in 2015 was 97.29 billion US dollars, and the trade volume between the two sides from January to August 2016 was 54.28 billion US dollars. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009, and the trade volume between China and Malaysia accounted for 15.8% of Malaysia’s total foreign trade in 2015. Malaysia has been China’s largest trading partner in ASEAN since 2008.
X. The two sides confirmed the achievements of the Five-Year Plan for Economic and Trade Cooperation (2013-2017) through the joint progress report. The leaders of the two countries firmly believe that China-Malaysia economic and trade cooperation will be stronger in the future with frequent high-level exchange visits and major initiatives.
11. The two sides attach great importance to the cooperation on the railway project in southern Malaysia, welcome the proposed east coast railway project in Malaysia, and intend to explore the potential and cooperate on infrastructure construction projects, so as to promote the interconnection of relevant areas from a strategic perspective, bring potential economic development opportunities and promote economic and social development. This will include technology transfer, human resources development, local procurement and other long-term cooperation in the infrastructure industry.
12. The two sides look forward to further strengthening bilateral trade, investment and economic exchanges. One of the initiatives is to exchange letters on the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion between the two governments to confirm the qualifications of state-owned enterprises in the two countries.
13. Both sides believe that the seaport plays a key role in the development of regional infrastructure. The two sides will continue to promote port cooperation between the two countries, support the development of China-Malaysia port alliance and realize the vision of the Maritime Silk Road in the 21st century.
14. The two sides positively evaluated the achievements of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of combating telecommunication crimes, overseas pursuit and counter-terrorism, and agreed to further strengthen law enforcement security and counter-terrorism cooperation, enhance friendly exchanges between law enforcement security departments of the two countries, and make positive contributions to maintaining regional security and stability.
15. The two sides are pleased to see the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation between the two countries, and believe that the continuous and gradual expansion of exchanges and close friendly cooperation between the defense agencies of the two countries will further strengthen bilateral relations. The two sides recognize the importance of enhancing cooperation in the defense field between the two countries, and welcome the signing of the Cooperation Framework Agreement on the Joint Development and Construction of Ma Haijun Coastal Task Ships by the China Defense Science and Technology Bureau and the Malaysian Ministry of National Defense.
Both sides agreed that tourism plays an important role in promoting personnel exchanges between China and Malaysia. Since March 2016, when Malaysia implemented the e-visa and visa-free program, the number of tourists to China has greatly increased. The two sides agreed to strengthen joint marketing with airlines and travel agencies, promote them through consumer exhibitions and websites, promote more tourists from the two countries to travel to each other’s countries, and enhance the traditional friendship and understanding between China and Malaysia at the folk level. Both sides recognize that e-commerce and online marketing are playing an increasingly important role in promoting the development of tourism.
17. The two sides reaffirmed that they will strengthen and commit themselves to achieving more comprehensive and mutually beneficial air transport cooperation between the two countries.
18. Both sides welcome the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding on Education Cooperation between the two countries, which will further strengthen and promote the progress of educational exchanges between China and Malaysia. Xiamen University Malaysia is a new milestone in the cooperation of higher education between the two countries, which will cultivate much-needed talents for the local society and deepen the friendship between China and Malaysia.
19. The two sides will work together to implement the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation and the Implementation Plan for 2014-2019 between the two governments, encourage and support the exchange of visits between cultural institutions and cultural groups of the two sides, and jointly support the establishment of the China Cultural Center in Malaysia.
20. The two sides discussed the prospect of China’s expanding imports of Malaysian products. Malaysia hopes to expand its palm oil exports to China and expand its market share in China.
21. The two sides are willing to enhance agricultural cooperation, including agricultural products trade, promote agricultural investment and strengthen capacity building and agricultural science and technology exchanges by signing the Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation.
22. Both sides believe that the signing of the Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine and Veterinary Hygiene Conditions of Maoyan exported from Malaysia to China will enhance the confidence of China consumers in Malaysian agricultural products and promote agricultural trade between the two countries. Both sides hope to give Malaysia more market access for agricultural products in the future on the premise of meeting the requirements of inspection and quarantine access.
23. The leaders of the two countries appreciated China’s support for the construction of the ASEAN Community and its efforts to realize the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. They welcomed the positive progress in China-ASEAN cooperation and the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN. The two sides also discussed the progress in the implementation of the China-ASEAN Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity (2016-2020).
24. The two sides agreed to continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation in regional cooperation mechanisms such as ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea (10+3), East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
25. The two sides exchanged views on the development of the situation in the South China Sea, stressing the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability in the South China Sea and the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all countries in accordance with international law.
26. The two sides stressed that all sovereign countries directly concerned should resolve their differences by peaceful means through friendly consultations and negotiations in accordance with the principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The two sides further stressed that all parties should exercise restraint and avoid actions that complicate or escalate the situation in the South China Sea. The two sides believe that not directly involved in the dispute will not help solve the problem.
27. The two sides will work with other ASEAN countries to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, promote the consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and strive to reach the Code on the basis of consensus at an early date.
28. During Malaysia’s tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, China and Malaysia carried out good and constructive cooperation and jointly fulfilled the duties of the UN Security Council. Malaysia appreciates this.
29. The Malaysian side expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese side for its warm welcome and friendly reception to Prime Minister Najib and the Malaysian delegation during this official visit.