Visitng Chinese President Xi Jinping has met Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Kuala Lumpur. Both agreed in the meeting to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

A grand welcome for President Xi.

The head of state and government officials in Malaysia rolled out the red carpet to welcome visiting Chinese President in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

Later, President Xi met Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. The two leaders spoke highly of the achievements made in cooperation between the two countries. They both agreed to lift bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of China-Malaysia ties. He also urged the two sides to enhance strategic cooperation. To that end, Xi put forward a five-point proposal.

First, President Xi said leaders of the two countries should keep the good tradition of frequent mutual visits, increase communication on major issues and strengthen top-level design of bilateral relations.

Second, Xi said the two sides should expand economic and trade cooperation, aiming for 160 billion US dollars in bilateral trade by 2017.

Third, Xi urged the two countries to tighten cooperation in telecommunication, remote sensing satellite and biological technology.

Fourth, he stressed China and Malaysia make full use of the defense and security consultation mechanism, increase exchanges between the two militaries, deepen law-enforcement cooperation, and join hands in combating terrorism and trans-border crimes.

Fifth, Xi said China and Malaysia should expand sub-national cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

On regional cooperation, Xi called on China and ASEAN members to deepen cooperation, push forward regional economic integration and create favorable conditions for development.

Najib said his country hopes to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership with China. He called China a trustworthy friend of Malaysia and that his country is ready to maintain communications with China at all levels.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements and jointly met the press.

Xi arrived Kuala Lumpur Thursday evening for a state visit to Malaysia, the second leg of his maiden trip to Southeast Asia since taking office in March.

From Malaysia, the Chinese president will travel to the Indonesian resort island of Bali for the 21st informal economic leaders' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

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