Malaysian PM lauds China's 'substantial' contribution to regional integration

KUALA LUMPUR - China's continued support for ASEAN-China cooperation and its contribution to regional initiatives are proof of its commitment to the region, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Saturday.

Addressing the opening of the 18th ASEAN-China Summit, Najib said since China and ASEAN countries established a dialogue in 1991, China has grown to become one of ASEAN's most important and active dialogue partners.

China's consistent support for ASEAN-China cooperation is self-evident, Najib said.

"China's substantial contribution to regional initiatives, including closer ASEAN integration through the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity as well as to narrow the development divide within ASEAN through the Initiative for ASEAN Integration are further testament to China's commitment to this region."

Malaysia, as the rotating chair of ASEAN in 2015, was further encouraged by China's continued commitment and affirmation of her support of ASEAN centrality within the framework of ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit, he said.

China's Belt and Road initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will complement the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 as they could help create greater connectivity in the region, while "assisting developing countries in much-needed infrastructure development," Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman told Xinhua ahead of the 27th ASEAN Leaders' Summit.

The ASEAN Community, comprised of political-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars, is to be formally established by the end of this year.

The two-day summit under the theme "Our People, Our Community, Our Vision" is the culmination of Malaysia's year-long ASEAN chairmanship which would be handed over to Laos.