BEIJING, May 30 — Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse here.

Both leaders, accompanied by several ministers, held a bilateral meeting for about an hour where they touched on the achievements and progress made since both countries established diplomatic ties 40 years ago, and the future direction to be taken.

In his opening remark, Xi expressed his gratitude for the warm reception he received during his visit to Malaysia last October, and sent his regard to Yang diPertuan Agong, Sultan Halim Muadzam Shah.

Xi also touched on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, saying that China would continue to assist Malaysia in searching for the flight that went missing on March 8 with 239 people on board, including 154 Chinese nationals.

“We hope the cooperation will continue until we find the plane,” he said.

Najib, who arrived in China on Tuesday, said he was looking forward to the visit as it brought back the memory of his father and second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein’s historic visit to Beijing 40 years ago.

“I have been looking forward to this visit for a long time as this commemorates the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. I hope this visit will further strengthen our two countries’ relationship,” he said.

In 1974, the late Abdul Razak had marked the beginning of a historic era when he first forged bilateral ties with China, at a time when the country was still entrenched in its closed-door policy to most of the world.

Malaysia was the first Asean country to establish diplomatic ties with China during the era of the Cold War of the 1960s and 1970s.

Najib also gave his assurance Malaysia would continue the effort to search for the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 with the assistance of China, Australia and other countries.

Also present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman; Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting; International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed; Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron, and MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. — Bernama