CHINA'S TOP POLITICAL ADVISOR VOWS MORE TOURISM COOPERATION WITH SABAH

China's top political advisor vows more tourism cooperation with Sabah, Malaysia

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with Chief Minister of Sabah Musa Aman in Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah, Malaysia, April 14, 2012.

KOTA KINABALU April 14, 2012: Chinese top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Saturday vowed to promote tourism cooperation between China and Sabah of Malaysia.

As Sabah is geographically close to China and conveniently located, the two sides share broad prospect of cooperation, Jia said when meeting with Chief Minister of Sabah Musa Aman in Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah.

He said China will continue to support Chinese companies to invest and encourage more Chinese tourists to travel to Malaysia.

On his part, Musa Aman said Jia's stopover in Sabah showcases the great importance Chinese leaders have attached to China- Malaysia relations. The two countries witnessed traditional friendship and good momentum of development of ties.

Sabah, with its favorable natural conditions and abundant tourism resources, welcomes more Chinese companies and tourists, he said, adding Sabah will play a positive role in promoting the development of Malaysia-China relations. Jia said the development of the bilateral ties was at a historic best period, featuring frequent high-level visits, close trade cooperation, active cultural exchanges and in-depth substantial cooperation.

China is ready to join hands with Malaysia to further deepen their strategic cooperation and bring benefits to the two peoples, Jia said.

He noted that bilateral trade volume exceeded 90 billion U.S. dollars and reached a record high last year, making Malaysia probably China's third largest Asian trade partner with a trade volume of billions of dollars, only after Japan and South Korea.

The two countries also signed agreement on mutual recognition of higher education degrees, with exchange of mutual visits exceeding 3 million. They have maintained close coordination and cooperation on major international and regional issues, with negotiations underway on deals covering law enforcement, technology and education, Jia said.

Before the meeting, Jia also met with former President of the Malaysian Senate Wong Foon Meng.

Jia made a stopover in Kota Kinabalu in his way to New Zealand, the first stop of an official good-will visit that will also take him to Brunai and Thailand.