On July 31, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

Wang Yi expressed that China and Malaysia enjoy a traditional friendship and both are developing countries. China and Malaysia share far more common interests than differences. China-Malaysia relations are of strategic significance beyond the scope of bilateral relations. It is better to have a close neighbor than a distant relative. The Chinese side attaches high importance to Malaysia, and will continue to firmly adhere to its friendly policies towards Malaysia and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to benefit the two peoples. Malaysia has established a new government and China-Malaysia relations stand at a new starting point. The Chinese side is willing to, together with the new government of Malaysia, intensify high-level exchanges and well carry out design and planning for the development of future relations.

Wang Yi said that the Chinese side appreciates the Malaysian side's active support for the Belt and Road Initiative. China and Malaysia are natural partners in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is believed that the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative by China and Malaysia will open up even greater prospects for bilateral cooperation and facilitate the realization of common development of the two countries. The two sides should encourage and support enterprises of the two countries to carry out cooperation in a more active manner so as to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. Attaching importance to Malaysia's significant influence in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the region, the Chinese side is willing to work closely with the Malaysian side to ensure positive outcomes of the upcoming Foreign Ministers' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation and send out a clear signal of supporting multilateralism and free trade.

Saifuddin Abdullah noted that Malaysia and China enjoy a long-standing friendship. Bilateral relations have achieved substantial development in recent years, bringing great benefits to the two peoples. Those in the waterfront pavilion get the earliest view of the moon. The Malaysian side regards China as a good neighbor and an important partner. Attaching great importance to Malaysia-China relations, the new government of Malaysia stands ready to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to ensure a success of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's upcoming visit to China, continue to consolidate the friendship between Malaysia and China, and deepen friendly cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, tourism, culture and education, in a bid to elevate Malaysia-China relations to new highs. Such gestures not only benefit the two peoples, but also are of positive significance for the ASEAN and regional cooperation and the whole world at large. The Malaysian side will actively support and participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. China is the closest partner of the ASEAN. The Malaysian side welcomes and expects the Chinese side to continue to play an important role in promoting regional peace, stability and common development.