BEIJING: Chinese president Xi Jinping has praised Malaysia for adopting the quiet diplomacy approach in tackling the South China Sea issued, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
“President Xi also acknowledged that the quiet diplomacy approach adopted by Malaysia was the best method, as it stressed on discussion rather than confrontation or international liaison work involvement.”
Najib said this to the Malaysian press after attending the bilateral meeting with Xi at the Great Hall of the People in conjunction with the 2014 APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders’ Meeting here.
He said Xi also expressed appreciation on the efforts taken by Malaysia over the issues and hoped that Malaysia could offer its advice in countering extremism which seemed to have become rampant in the country.
“We will give whatever cooperation we can offer to help China to be stable and free of domestic conflict,” he said.
On the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Najib hoped that the negative sentiment of the Chinese people towards Malaysia could be changed by working together with the Chinese government in order to attract the Chinese tourists to re-visit Malaysia.
“Xi said this was inevitable and that the sentiment can be changed with the positive ties forged between the leaders and the governments of both countries,” he said.
On the construction of the Malaysia’s branch of Xiamen University, the prime minister said China would give due consideration on the financial aid for the construction work.
Xiamen University, one of the top universities in China, has set up its first overseas branch in Malaysia which is expected to begin operation in Sept 2015.
Najib said during the bilateral meeting, the Chinese president had also expressed hope to establish a closer defence cooperation with Malaysia.
“It is hoped that the table talk exercise will be held soon, or maybe a bilateral exercise between China and Malaysia.
“China has also agreed to participate in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) on a large scale,” he added.
Meanwhile, Najib had also extended his invitation to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to visit Malaysia next year. — BERNAMA