The Olympic torch relay in Kuala Lumpur (KL), capital of Malaysia, will promote friendship between Malaysia and China, and it is a very meaningful cooperation between the two countries, a Malaysian veteran diplomat said in an interview with Xinhua recently.

"It carries symbol of peace and friendship," said Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, Malaysia's ambassador to China from 1998 to early 2005.

"Traditionally, we have very close relations," said Majid, who is also the president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association.

Many Malaysian athletes for badminton, swimming and diving have been sent to china for training, according to Majid.

"All of our country look forward to Beijing Olympic Games, because Malaysia is one of the countries in which people enjoy sports. We have special feeling this time for it's hosted in Beijing," Majid said.

Majid told Xinhua that Malaysians' expectation for the Beijing Olympic Games is to have a gold medal for badminton.

"We haven't got any gold medal yet," he explained.

It is the second time for Kuala Lumpur to be chosen as a torch relay city.

For Majid, it will be the first time for him to be an Olympic torch bearer.

He believes that the torch relay in KL will be "a harmonious journey".

After retirement, Majid continues to work as the president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association to promote exchanges in cultural and sports activities between the two countries.

Majid also said that Tibetan separatists "should not spoil the spirit of Olympics, they should respect this".

Majid, who traveled across China, spent one week in Tibet with his wife and some other ambassadors.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2008)