Resilient partnership that's able to withstand setbacks

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad profusely praised China on Monday for how it has transformed itself from a developing country with very poor capacity into a technological leader able to send a probe to the moon within just a short span of time.

"They were behind us before, but now they are ahead of us," he said at a local convention meant to promote Malaysia's image as a rising Asian economy. He attributed China's success to its hardworking people and its resolve to realize the objective of being a fully-developed country, a rich country that "nobody can threaten or look down upon".

As the world's oldest incumbent head of government, the 93-year-old certainly has gained a lot of insights over the years when it comes to the development path China has taken and the country's intentions toward its international partners. That's why the veteran politician supports China's Belt and Road Initiative, and reportedly will lead the Malaysian delegation at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to be held in Beijing later this month.