China regards neighboring countries as friends and partners and will endeavor to develop a harmonious and friendly environment for the common development of itself and these countries, Chinese leader Jia Qinglin said in Kuala Lumpur Thursday evening.
   
Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said China would stick to the principle of treating neighbors as friends and partners while pursuing a policy of promoting friendship, peace and prosperity with its neighbors. He said China would continue to push forward the development of regional cooperation and step it up in practical terms.
   
Jia made the remarks in a speech at a welcoming dinner hosted by leading Malaysian organizations Thursday evening. Jia arrived in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday evening for an official goodwill visit to Malaysia.
   
More than 500 people from various communities in Malaysia were present at the event, including Deputy President Wong Foon Meng of the Senate. Lim Gait Tong, president of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia and Ong Ka Ting, minister of housing and local government of Malaysia, made speeches at the meeting.

Other Malaysian organizations represented at the meeting were the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia, Malaysia China Friendship Association, Malaysia China Business Council, Malaysia China Chamber of Commerce and Malaysia Seven Major Clans Association.
   
In his speech Jia emphasized that China was a large and responsible country which would remain  firmly on the path of peaceful development. Jia said China would continue to uphold democracy and justice in international affairs and enhance coordination and cooperation among countries.
   
He added that China was committed to promoting goodwill, mutual trust and safeguarding common security. The country would firmly adhere to the principle of equality, mutual benefit and work for common prosperity.
   
Jia said China was open, inclusive and endeavored to improve dialogue between nations. China was doing its part to ensure that the international order evolved in the direction of justice and equality.
   
On the Taiwan question, Jia expressed appreciation to the Malaysian government and people for the valuable support given to China over the years on the issue. He expressed the wish that friends from all communities in Malaysia will join China in opposing "Taiwan independence" and safeguarding peace and stability in the region.
   
Jia said China and Malaysia shared a long-standing friendship. Since the two countries established diplomatic links more than 30 years ago bilateral relations had enjoyed smooth progress. The two countries have maintained vibrant exchanges at all levels, continuously enhanced mutual trust and expanded cooperative areas. China and Malaysia had become important partners in politics, trade and regional and international affairs.
   
The facts prove that the good-neighborly relations between China and Malaysia had brought real benefit to the two peoples and made a contribution to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world, Jia said.
   
Noting that China and Malaysia were both developing countries, Jia said the two countries had the common task of developing their economies and improving the lives of their people. Since the two had decided to give priority to cooperation in agriculture, high technology, resources development, infrastructure provision and tourism, the countries had great potential and promising prospects which offered tremendous business opportunities.
   
Jia expressed the hope that the business communities of both countries would seize the opportunities, further expand cooperation and play an even bigger role in advancing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2006)