What Najib Achieved After Spending Six Days In China
PM Najib's visit, officially to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties, was overshadowed by a flare-up in the territorial dispute between China and Vietnam, which saw vessels clash off the Paracel Islands. The Philippines, too, is locked in disputes.
By Sadho Ram — 01 Jun 2014, 03:57 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
PM Najib accompanied by his wife, Rosmah and daughter Nooryana, left for Kuching from the Beijing International Airport after a six-day official visit to China
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak left for home today after a successful six-day official visit to China. Accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and daughter Nooryana Najwa, they left for Kuching from the Beijing International Airport. Najib arrived here from Xi'an Wednesday to begin the second part of his official visit to China.
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He was in China to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China
Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (L) and China's Premier Li Keqiang laugh as Najib presents commemorative coins, as a gift marking the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relationship between Malaysia and China, during a celebration at the Great Hall of the People on May 31, 2014 in Beijing, China.
Image via imgur.comNajib brought back the memory of his late father and Second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak who came to the Chinese capital to establish diplomatic relations with China on May 31, 1974. During his visit, Najib who was accompanied by several ministers and leading corporate leaders, met his counterpart Li Keqiang and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
He also witnessed the signing of six memorandum of understanding at the government-to-government level, and another 11 between the business sectors of both countries.
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Najib has described his six-day official visit to China this time as very successful, and China's top leaders describe the relationship with Malaysia as something special
Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, May 30, 2014.
Image via themalaymailonline.com"I consider my official visit to China, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, as having received very encouraging response," he told a media conference before leaving for Malaysia.
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Najib said that in his meeting with President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang, both the country's top leaders had emphasised that Malaysia-China relations were most important, and they described it as being most special. "They give top priority to relations between China and Malaysia," he said.
From the commitment given and statements expressed by both the leaders, Najib was most optimistic and certain that future relations between Malaysia and China would be very bright and be raised to a higher level
Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) talks with China's President Xi Jinping (right) during a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, May 30, 2014.
Image via themalaymailonline.comIn fact, he added, the treatment accorded was most cordial and Li, who was scheduled to attend a function outside Beijing, was prepared to reschedule his presence at an anniversary celebration at the Great Hall of People yesterday which was also a public holiday in conjunction with the "Dragon Boat Festival".
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Asked about his feelings when attending the anniversary celebration at the same venue and date that his father and second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein had signed the agreement for the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, Najib said he felt 'very emotional'.
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"I feel most emotional for two reasons...firstly, the significance that this ceremony takes place at the same venue 40 years ago. And secondly, looking back at the situation in this region during the clod war, the communist threat in Malaysia then and the doubt felt by many regarding the Malaysia-China relations," he said.
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Despite facing various obstacles, Najib said he could imagine how difficult it was for Tun Abdul Razak to make the decision at that time which now showed that it was clearly the right decision.
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"What had been done by past leaders had put in place a strong foundation. This relationship is strong despite the various problems, including the MH370 issue. Looking at 40 years from now, based on this foundation, this relationship will bring greater progress," he said.
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Based on this confidence, the Malaysian government would take follow-up action to realise all the resolutions and understanding that had been achieved, added Najib who visited the ancient city of Xi'an before coming to the national capital. In order to enable more appropriate action to be taken from time to time and to ensure their effectiveness, Najib said he had also decided to set up a special committee for this purpose.
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He also said that despite the differing views of both countries on several issues, China stated that it was comfortable with the approach taken by Malaysia in handling them, especially on the issue of the South China Sea
"We are not confrontational, we choose to negotiate. We consider that sensitive issues can be tackled rationally and calmly, not in a sensitive manner. The approach that we adopt clearly does not hamper relations," he added.
Asked whether China had sought Malaysia's help to become the intermediary in the conflict with the Philippines and Vietnam concerning the issue on the South China Sea, Najib said they had not reached that level.
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He said that as the future Asean Chairman in 2015, the issue on the South China Sea would certainly present a major challenge to Malaysia which must find a solution in a manner that would not result in tension. "We will opt for negotiations and discussions...an approach that will ensure security and stability in the South China Sea," he added.
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Meanwhile, Najib also handed over a mock cheque for RM26,000 to Malaysian student representatives in China as symbolic gesture to mark the establishment of the fifth international 1Malaysia for Youth Outreach Centre
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (C), who was on a visit to China from May 27 to June 1, shakes hands with people as he arrived at a hotel in Beijing
Image via channelnewsasia.comThe ceremony was held in conjunction with Najib's six-day visit in China to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. Chief Operating Officer of iM4U Azlan Rudy Malik said the establishment of the Outreach Centre in Beijing was to inculcate community wellbeing awareness amongst Malaysians.
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“We want them to spread this in their local communities and hopefully this will help them foster a greater relationship with the local communities," he said.
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“With iM4U Dre1M (Dana Sukarelawan 1 Malaysia), iM4U hopes these students will actively get involved with the Outreach Centre and take this opportunity to give back to the community,” Azlan added. Prior to the launch, the Malaysian Students' Association China (MSAC) had carried out a programme with the China Street Government of San Litun, one of the popular tourist spots in Beijing.
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1Malaysia for Youth (iM4U), is an initiative of theMalaysian governmentthat encourages volunteering among Malaysian youths. It was founded by Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2012. About 4,000 Malaysian students are studying in China of whom about 1000 are located in Beijing alone.
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