China expects Malaysian PM's visit to produce more consensus: spokesman

BEIJING - China expects Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit to produce consensus and achievement, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

"We expect Prime Minister Najib to have in-depth and broad discussions on collaboration and coordination on regional issues and produce more consensus, more results and bring bilateral relations to a new high," spokesman Qin Gang said at a daily press briefing.

Qin's comments came as Najib is paying a six-day official visit to China as guest of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Describing Najib's trip as "a very important visit in bilateral relations," Qin underscored China's commitment to developing ties with Malaysia.

Qin also characterized Malaysia as an important partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Malaysia has been China's biggest trade partner in ASEAN for six consecutive years, with two-way trade volume amounting to 106 billion U.S. dollars in 2013. Over 2.5 million exchange visits between the two peoples took place last year.

Najib started his China visit on Tuesday in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. He came to Beijing on Wednesday for more political and cultural events.