KUALA LUMPUR (July 18): Council of Eminent Person's chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin has just met China's Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi in Beijing today.

In a statement on the ministry's website today, Wang said China and Malaysia's relationship has lasted a long time, and will be able to withstand any challenges. The relationship is not merely a comprehensive strategic partnership; it is also a pragmatic partnership.

"Both countries have just formed a new term of government recently, hence the bilateral relationship is at a new historical starting point," he said.

"China is willing to strengthen strategic development connection with Malaysia, deepen 'One Belt and One Road' (OBOR) cooperation, increase the volume of win-win collaboration, while strengthening coordination on international and regional matters, to benefit both countries' people, and facilitates regional development," he added.

Meanwhile, Daim said the people from both countries have had a friendly relationship traditionally, and Malaysia's new government values bilateral ties.

Daim also said the government is supportive of the People's Republic of China's President Xi Jinping's OBOR collaboration proposal.

"Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad understands China, and has been proactively developing the relationship with China. He hopes to make his official visit to the country the soonest possible, to discuss with China's leadership about future collaboration plans," he said.