Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is on a state visit to China, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 20, 2024. Xi held talks with Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in Beijing on Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday held talks with Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in Beijing, pledging to work with Malaysia to bring the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future to a new level.

Xi pointed out that as neighbors across the sea, China and Malaysia enjoy a time-honored friendship. Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1974, China and Malaysia have always been in friendly terms and supported each other, setting a fine example of mutual achievements and win-win cooperation among countries.

Xi said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the Year of China-Malaysia Friendship, a significant year for China-Malaysia relations to build on past achievements and forge ahead into the future. China is further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing high-standard opening-up, which will bring new impetus and opportunities to China-Malaysia cooperation, Xi added.

China is ready to work with Malaysia to carry forward fine traditions, be close neighbors of everlasting friendship, sincere partners of joint development, brotherly friends and an important force for peace, Xi said, adding that the two countries should deepen strategic cooperation in each other's modernization and push the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future to a new level.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is on a state visit to China, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 20, 2024. Xi held talks with Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in Beijing on Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is on a state visit to China, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 20, 2024. Xi held talks with Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in Beijing on Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is on a state visit to China, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 20, 2024. Xi held talks with Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in Beijing on Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]