Premier Wen arrives in Kuala Lumpur
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-12-11 19:48

KUALA LUMPUR, December 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived here Sunday to attend East-Asian summits and pay an official visit to Malaysia.

Premier Wen Jiabao waves as he arrives ahead of the 11th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur December 11, 2005. [Reuters]

Wen, who flew here from Portugal, will attend the 9th China-ASEAN and ASEAN Plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea Summit and the first East Asia Summit.

In a written statement released upon his arrival, Wen said that East Asia has become one of the most dynamic regions in the world, and he was looking forward to an in-depth exchange of ideas with other leaders on advancing East Asian cooperation at the China-ASEAN and ASEAN Plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea Summit and the first East Asia Summit in a bid to contribute to a harmonious and prosperous East Asia.

China and Malaysia are friendly neighbors and both are developing countries sharing extensive common interest, Wen said, pointing out that they have engaged in productive exchanges and cooperation in the political, economic, trade, cultural and other areas.

The Chinese premier said that China and Malaysia have maintained sound coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs, and the development of Sino-Malaysian relations serves the interest of the two peoples and is conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

"We are willing to work with the Malaysian side to keep moving the relationship forward," he said.

He expressed his belief that his visit will strengthen the traditional friendship between the two peoples and further expand and deepen the strategic cooperation between the two countries.

During the visit, Wen is expected to meet Malaysian Supreme Head of State Sultan Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail and hold talks with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on bilateral cooperation, and have extensive contacts with personages from various social circles in Malaysia.

Malaysia is the last leg of Wen's five-nation Euro-Asian tour, which has taken him to France, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Portugal.