Chinese President Hu visits Malaysia

Chinese President Hu Jintao is in Malaysia for a state visit to enhance strategic cooperation the two countries.

This is the first state visit to Malaysia by a Chinese head of state in the past 15 years. Hu Jintao is set to hold talks with Supreme Head of State Mizan Abidin and meet with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

Sino-Malaysian ties have developed smoothly since the two countries forged diplomatic relations 35 years ago. Malaysia has become China's largest trading partner among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The two-way trade between the two countries hit over 53 billion US dollars last year, two years ahead of a target of 50 billion dollars set by Chinese and Malaysian leaders.

Following Malaysia, the Chinese president will visit Singapore and attend the Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation scheduled for this weekend.