BRIEF NEWS 07

Strategic Partnership Boosts Cooperation with Malaysia

the Belt and Road framework. Malaysia is committed to boosting ASEAN-China relations, he added.

Najib paid an official visit to China from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5. After his official talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Nov. 1, China and Malaysia signed agreements on railways, energy, defense and joint development of Malaysia's naval ships. China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang also met with Najib on Nov. 1.

China, Laos Cooperate in Counterterrorism and Drug Control

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Beijing on Nov. 3, pledging to boost cooperation with the country in diverse areas and cement their all-round strategic partnership.

Xi hailed the progress of relations since diplomatic ties were established 42 years ago, citing mutual respect, trust, win-win cooperation and close communication. He urged both countries to maintain frequent high-level exchanges, deepen political trust, keep to the right direction of bilateral relations and continue to support each other on issues related to each other's major concerns. He called on the two sides to combine their development strategies and to lay a solid foundation for stronger trade cooperation. He also urged stronger bilateral cooperation in education, culture, health and media, as well as in fighting terrorism and cross-border crime.

Najib congratulated the successful convening of the sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, and praised China's economic and social development. Calling the two countries friendly neighbors and trustworthy friends, Najib said Malaysia-China ties are currently at their highest level ever. Malaysia is glad to see China's Belt and Road Initiative get a warm response, and is ready to facilitate cooperation in trade, transportation and port construction with China under

Chinese State Councilor Guo Shengkun, who also serves as Chinese Minister of Public Security, met with Laos Public Security Minister Somkeo Silavong in Beijing on Nov. 17, calling for more cooperation in counterterrorism and drug control.

"Both sides should deepen law enforcement cooperation on a bilateral level and along the Mekong River, preventing and fighting terrorism and drugrelated transnational crime," Guo said.

Guo called on both sides to protect each other's personnel, institutions and major projects and link the