Former Malaysian Prime Minister stated that maintaining economic relations in China is crucial, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded

August 31, 2022, President Zhao Lijian, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presided over a regular press conference

Phoenix Satellite TV reporter: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir recently said that China is a huge market for Malaysia and ASEAN, so it is crucial to maintaining economic relations with China. He also said that China will not occupy other countries, so ASEAN countries should also move closer to China to stay away from other provocations to China. What are the spokesperson commented on this?

Zhao Lijian: I noticed the report. I also heard that Mr. Mahathir was infected with a new coronal virus. We wish him early recovery.

For more than 30 years of the establishment of a dialogue relationship between China ASEAN, China ASEAN relations have always been the first, and the two parties have worked hard to resist and overhaul. China ASEAN is the largest trading partner. From January to July this year, the trade volume of the two parties reached 544.9 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 13.1%year -on -year, bringing real interests to 2 billion people. China has always advocated that the development does not target the tolerance partnership of third parties, and opposes the forcing other countries to choose a team. Foreign countries should effectively respect the interests and desires of regional countries, and make the Asia -Pacific region a "big stage" for mutually beneficial cooperation, rather than the "arena" of zero -sum game.

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