BEIJING, June 4 (Bernama) - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said while the last 35 years had seen exciting developments between Malaysia and China, its current leaders and people must make the next 35 years even more exciting. Speaking at an anniversary dinner to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Najib said it was more important to look towards the future and chart the next course of action to bring more benefits to the people. The dinner was organised by the Malaysian embassy in Beijing, Malaysia-China Friendship Association, Malaysia-China Business Council and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. At the function, where most Malaysian participants wore batik, Najib said he believed that their bilateral relationship would remain strong as reflected from the genuine warmth that he had received over the last three days. He said the Malaysia-China relationship had been based on very strong mutual respect and trust. That relationship had "given us a very strong foundation to build upon", he said. China, he said, had been a great success story, and on a slightly more modest scale, Malaysia is a success story too. The prime minister said that he was confident that China, with its philosophy of drawing upon its rich heritage and employing modern technology, would be transformed into a major economic and political power in the world. Najib also referred to the fact that Malaysian citizens came from different ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs and yet "we work and live together in a harmonious multi-racial society with peace and harmony." He also said that Malaysian citizens of Chinese origin, who shared a common ancestry with the people in China, had remained loyal to Malaysia and had contributed enormously to the nation's growth and development. Citing an example of their loyalty, he said whenever the Malaysian badminton team played against the Chinese team, Malaysians of Chinese origin would usually support the Malaysian team. But he added in jest that the Malaysian team often lost to the Chinese team. Najib also said many Malaysian Muslims were fascinated with China's Muslim minority people and had travelled to learn more about them. Earlier, China's Vice Premier Li Keqiang, who also spoke at the function, said both countries must work together for a better future. He said there was much that China and Malaysia could cooperate given that the former was embarking on a programme to build a stronger and more prosperous society by 2020 while the latter's Vision 2020 was about transforming itself into a developed nation. Li said there was much that the two countries could work under its just signed Joint Action Plan for Strategic Cooperation. The guests were treated to cultural dances by a Malaysian troupe as well as an acrobatic and a magic show by Chinese performers.

BEIJING, June 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and China today agreed to partially abolish the need to have visas for their holders of diplomatic and official or service passports for travel to each other's countries. This partial abolition of the visa agreement was part of four Memoranda of Understanding signed between Malaysia and China Wednesday at a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People here that were witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Malaysia also signed an MoU on a Joint Action Plan on Strategic Cooperation with the Chinese government. Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman signed the MoUs on behalf of the government together with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, on the first two MoUs. Anifah also signed an MoU on cooperation in marine science and technology with a Chinese administration official. Also present at the ceremony were Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, Minister in the Primne Minister's Department, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan. The Joint Action Plan on Strategic Cooperation comprehensively covers 12 areas in political, economic, trade and finance, culture and education, science and technology, health, defence and security, agriculture, sanitary and phytosanitary, tourism, human resources, energy, forestry, and regional and international cooperation. The agreement on cooperation in marine science and technology covers areas in marine policy exchange and cooperation, integrated coastal zone management, eco-environmental protection, marine scientific research, ocean disaster reduction, satellite and remote sensing, joint marine equipment development, marine information and data exchange, ocean energy exploration and research, sea bed resources exploration and exploitation technology, polar science, marine surveillance and others. The fourth MoU signed was between Pos Malaysia and China Post and it pertained to express mail and parcel services, bulk mail, cross border e-commerce, international finance, and logistics. Pos Malaysia was represented by its chairman, Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat, while Li Wa Ding, general manager of China Post, signed on behalf of the Chinese side.