Message from Malaysian PM

China Daily | Updated: 2007-08-31 07:01

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao meets with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the China-ASEAN summit in Nanning on October 30, 2006. Wu Zhiyi

I wish to thank China Daily for inviting me to write a message for this special edition of China Daily being published on the occasion of Malaysia's 50th anniversary of independence.

Indeed, the year 2007 marks two very significant milestones for Malaysia. We are celebrating 50 years of nationhood on 31 August, and we are welcoming friends from all over the world throughout the year as we observe "Visit Malaysia Year 2007."

I would like, therefore, to take this opportunity to invite our Chinese friends to visit Malaysia. We have organized numerous splendid and special events and activities throughout the year.

The friendship between Malaysia and China dates back not only to 1974, when our two countries established formal diplomatic relations. Its roots go further back in history. More than 600 years ago, Admiral Cheng Ho (or Zheng He) had visited Malacca several times during his many voyages to the Indian Ocean. This tradition of friendship and goodwill between the people of our two countries has prospered for over six centuries and has become very much a part of the daily lives of people in Malaysia and in China alike.

Bilateral relations between Malaysia and China have since strengthened in almost every field of human activity and the exchange of visits at all levels continues to increase. For instance, in 2005 His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Head of State of Malaysia) and the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister visited China, while Premier Wen Jiabao visited our country later the same year. I myself was in China in October 2006 for the 15th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations. Of course, I have visited China on many occasions before that.

Trade between Malaysia and China has been increasing from year to year. Two-way investments are on the rise. There has also been a tremendous increase in people-to-people contact, both in terms of official visits and through tourism. These increases reflect the rapidly growing collaboration between the governments and the peoples of Malaysia and China, just as the friendship between our two countries continues to grow.

It is in this spirit of friendship and cooperation that I urge more people from China to come and visit Malaysia, particularly during this special year in the history of Malaysia. I am confident all visitors to Malaysia will feel welcome and will enjoy the warm hospitality of the people, its beautiful sights and vast culinary delights. You will discover that Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, blessed with a unique blend of diverse cultures, which adds luster and vibrancy to every aspect of daily life in the country.

Welcome to Malaysia!

(China Daily 08/31/2007 page21)