On May 28, 2004, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council held talks at the Great Hall of the People with his Malaysian counterpart Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Wen highly commented China-Malaysia relations, noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia as well as "the Year of China-Malaysia Friendship" in China. Over the past 30 years, China-Malaysia relations have being developing smoothly with the joint efforts by the two sides. Currently, China-Malaysia relations are in the best shape in history. Politically, the two countries hold mutual trust with common interests continuously expanded; economically, both sides have become each other's important cooperative partners with economic and trade ties increasingly close; and in international and regional affairs, both sides share many common views with mutual coordination and cooperation continuously enhanced. The joint communiqué to be issued and the several cooperation documents to be signed by China and Malaysia during this visit are surely to play a significant role in the further consolidation and development of relations between the two countries, in which the Chinese side has fully confidence.

Wen made five proposals for expanding and deepening China-Malaysia friendly relations. First, the two sides should maintain the momentum of top-level exchanges between the two countries and frequently exchange views on significant issues so as to achieve sound and steady development of their bilateral relations. Second, the two sides should expand their all-round good-neighborly and friendly relations and strengthen cooperation within the framework of China-ASEAN strategic partnership. Third, the two sides should push for bilateral cooperation in such priority areas as agriculture, high-tech, resources development, infrastructure construction and tourism and increase bilateral trade volume. Fourth, the two sides should enhance their traditional friendship and promote bilateral exchanges between various social sectors, especially between the youth. Fifth, the two sides should strengthen cooperation in regional and international affairs, push forward the process of East Asian cooperation with ASEAN and China, Japan as well as the Republic of Korea (10+3) as the major channel and promote the establishment of a just and reasonable new international political and economic order.

Wen expressed his appreciation for Malaysian's adherence to the one-China policy and support offered to China on such issues as human rights.

Badawi fully agreed with Wen's remarks on relations between the two countries, holding that the latter's proposals are of great significance for deepening Malaysia-China relations. He said that since the establishment of the diplomatic ties 30 years ago, with the development of the two countries, their bilateral cooperation in various fields has also enjoyed rapid development and brought about tangible benefits to the two peoples. His visit to China not only represents a celebration for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties, but also is expected to promote comprehensive development of l relations between the two countries and enhance friendship between the two peoples. He indicated that the development of China's market economy has provided important opportunities for Malaysia and his country hopes to boost cooperation with China in science and technology, infrastructure construction, agriculture, information and telecommunications technology, education and tourism.

Badawi reaffirmed that Malaysia would continue to resolutely adhere to the one-China policy.

Both prime ministers stressed the importance of enhancing coordination and cooperation between the two sides on international issues, indicating that joint efforts should be made to promote South-South cooperation and South-North dialogue.

Following the talks, the two prime ministers attended the signing ceremony of several cooperation documents, including the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Malaysia on Cooperation in the Field of Education in Diplomacy and International Relations.

Prior to the talks, Wen held a welcoming ceremony for Badawi's visit to China. Present at the ceremony were Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic National Construction Association (CDNCA) Chen Mingde, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and some other officials.