Zahid's trip to China boosts ties between both nations: Envoy

BEIJING: The six-day visit by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to China is important in ensuring the existing ties between the top leadership, government and private agencies, business community and the people of Malaysia and China remained strong.
Malaysian ambassador to China Datuk Zainuddin Yahya said the main purpose of the visit beginning today was to boost bilateral trade and the close cooperation between Malaysia and China besides continuing the momentum of the success of the official visit here by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak last October.
He said the visit was also a follow up to the discussion Ahmad Zahid had with China's Public Security Minister, Guo Shengkun concerning security and issues on international crime during his first visit to China in February 2016, since assuming the post of Deputy Prime Minister in July 2015.
Ahmad Zahid's visit here from today until Jan 15 was at the invitation of Guo Shengkun.
Zainuddin said that today, the Deputy Prime Minister was scheduled to have a meeting with the Central Political and Legal Affairs Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Meng Jianzhu.
The discussion, among other things, centred on anti-terrorism initiatives through the "Regional Digital Counter Messaging Communication Centre" which was set up in Malaysia including cooperation in tackling other security issues.
He said that while in Kunming in the Province of Yunan, the Deputy Prime Minister was scheduled to have a meeting with top leaders of the region on Jan 13.
At the meeting, both leaders would exchange views and discuss the best practices in tackling crimes on terrorism and radicalism, issues on prison and other issues of mutual interest.
"While in Kunming, the Deputy Prime Minister is also scheduled to have a meeting with the Department of Public Security and Prison Administrative Bureau for the Yunan Province, as well as visit the Narcotics Control Museum on Jan 14. — Bernama