Partnership push

China and Malaysia stand to benefit from trade agreements as bilateral cooperation flourishes

China in 1974 was a country on the cusp of an extraordinary transformation. Its leadership was evolving, and the foundations of what would be the world's fastest-growing economy were about to be put in place.

It was against this climate of change that Abdul Razak, Malaysia's second prime minister, made a historic visit to Beijing in May, 1974. On the eve of his trip, he declared at a news conference: "I am going on a journey of goodwill and friendship to sow the seeds of mutual understanding between Malaysia and China."