"I am a great believer in a strong Malaysia-China relationship."--Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak (XIA LIN)

2009 marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. On May 18, prior to his official visit to China scheduled for early June to celebrate this grand occasion, among others, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak met with a Chinese media group at the prime minister's department in Putrajaya, and answered their questions. Beijing Review reporter Zhou Jianxiong was also part of the press corps. Excepts from the interview follow:

We know that your late father, the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak, opened a new chapter in our bilateral ties by establishing diplomatic relations with China. This year marks the 35th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Do you have any comment on current Sino-Malaysian relations, and how do you envision future relations between our two countries?

Najib Tun Razak: I believe that when my late father and others who were responsible for establishing diplomatic ties with China 35 years ago decided to start this relationship, they did not envision that the relationship would flourish and blossom in the way it has over the years. We have seen very impressive figures-bilateral trade and economic figures, in particular, have increased by leaps and bounds over the years, and I am confident that our relations will develop by leaps and bounds in the years to come.

While China and Malaysia have maintained very good relations with each other over the past 35 years, we do have some minor difficulties, the territorial dispute over the South China Sea, for instance. How do you want to talk about this issue during your China visit?

The issue of overlapping claims is a very complex one and we have similar issues with some of our neighboring countries. It is important for us to use existing mechanisms to resolve such overlapping claims. Although complex, these problems are not insurmountable. There are various ways we can resolve our differences. China is committed to settling any dispute in a peaceful manner, and so is Malaysia. So I see it not so much as a problem but as a challenge for our two countries and governments to put our minds to resolving this issue in an amicable manner.

What will be the most important part of your trip and what will be the highlights of your visit?

There are two things that come to mind as very important parts of my visit. One, of course, will be my meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, and second will be that I have proposed to the Chinese side that we hold a ceremony to commemorate the 35th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. It could be in the form of both premiers making speeches at the same venue where the late Premier Zhou Enlai and my father met in 1974 and issued the joint communiqué establishing our diplomatic relations. That was a historic statement for both countries. We have made this suggestion, but it is up to the Chinese Government to think of the most appropriate way for us to commemorate this anniversary.