BEIJING (July 18): Council of Eminent Person's chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin delivered a letter by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang when they met here today.

Reuters released photographs of Li reading the letter while Daim was seated next to him at the Zhongnanhai Leadership Compound here.

Earlier, Daim had met China's Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi.

Daim was reported to have 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.