Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan met Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in Beijing on July 9 and called for enhanced bilateral ties.

Wang declared to Wan Azizah that “a close neighbor is better than a distant cousin,” hailing the long history of China-Malaysia friendship and the sound foundation of people-to-people relations.

China is now working on its two centennial goals while Malaysia is striving for its Vision 2030, noted Wang, adding that the comprehensive strategic partnership forged by leaders of the two countries has set the stage for healthy development of bilateral ties.

He called on both countries to seize the opportunity of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year to enhance cooperation in various fields and at different levels.

The two countries need to intensify Belt and Road cooperation, expand people-to-people exchange and deepen mutual learning of social governance, he stressed.

Wan Azizah said Malaysia attaches great importance to ties with China. Malaysia stands ready to work with China to develop the traditional friendship and fully tap the potential of Belt and Road cooperation in Malaysia and ASEAN countries, she said.

Wan Azizah made an official visit to China from July 8 to 11 upon an invitation from Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan (right) meets Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in Beijing on July 9.