BEIJING, Nov 1 ― China and Malaysia signed 14 agreements today, including one on navy vessels, after a meeting between Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

The agreement on the joint development of the vessels, known as littoral mission ships, was announced at a signing ceremony at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

Last week, Malaysia's defence ministry said in a posting on social media that the country would sign a contract to purchase patrol vessels from China during Najib's visit, but the post was later removed.

The deal could mark Malaysia's first significant defence deal with China at a time of rising tension in the South China Sea and as the United States and China compete for influence in the region. ― Reuters