BEIJING: China has reaffirmed its support for Malaysia’s bid to become a full BRICS member and expressed hope that the country will continue playing an important role in strengthening cooperation between China and Asean member states, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
Zahid said the support was reiterated during his meeting with Chinese vice-premier Ding Xuexiang at the Great Hall of the People here, following a similar assurance given by Chinese president Xi Jinping.
"Although president Xi expressed his support earlier, China once again reaffirmed its backing for Malaysia’s admission as a full BRICS member during today’s discussions.
"China’s support is important as the prime minister has already secured the agreement of the original BRICS member countries to back Malaysia’s admission as a full member of the grouping," he told a press conference after the meeting.
Zahid said China also hoped Malaysia would continue serving as a bridge to strengthen cooperation with Asean countries.
He said this included efforts to sustain trilateral cooperation among Asean, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China through summits involving all three parties.
He said Malaysia hosted the Asean-GCC-China Summit during the Asean Summit last year, and is expected to continue playing a similar role when the next trilateral summit is held in China.
He said the cooperation also included efforts to promote the use of the renminbi in trade transactions with China and GCC countries.
Zahid said the move could influence currency exchange arrangements involving the ringgit, renminbi and currencies of GCC countries.
China will assume the BRICS chairmanship in 2027 and host the grouping’s 19th Summit next year.
BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation established in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2011.