Malaysia

In meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Xi said the two countries should work together to create a brighter future for bilateral ties by jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative.

Both countries should strengthen planning of the BRI to enhance cooperation, Xi said, adding more effort should be made to advance the Two Countries Twin Parks initiative, one of the cooperation plans between them, to promote connectivity and development of the two nations and the whole region.

Xi called on the two countries to uphold friendship, mutual understanding and trust, and support each other's respective core interests and major concerns.

He also encouraged an upgrading of cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

China supports Malaysia in hosting the APEC meetings next year, advancing the regional integration process and economic globalization as well as building an open global economy, Xi said.

Mahathir said Malaysia will move China ties to a higher level.

The BRI not only helps solve problems of infrastructure connectivity, but also helps address unbalanced development, he said, adding that the initiative is conducive to promoting dialogue between different cultures, and eliminating such problems as conflict, extremism and terrorism.

Premier Li Keqiang also met with the Malaysian prime minister on Thursday.