20/04/2011 (Xinhua) - China and Malaysia on Tuesday pledged to work more closely in trade and economic areas ranging from machinery and energy to fishery and forestry.

The pledge came out of the talks between Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang and Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Mohamad Yassin here Tuesday morning.

This was Yassin's first visit to China as Malaysia's deputy prime minister although he had visited the country many times in other capacities.

"As developing countries, China and Malaysia shared extensive common interests," Li said, adding closer bilateral ties would drive development, benefit people and work for regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Li proposed the two countries maintain high-level visits, deepen strategic communication and enhance political mutual trust.

On the economic front, Li said the two countries should keep their trade in commodities like machinery, palm oil and rubber and foster new areas of trade like oil, gas, automobile, fishery and forestry.

He called on the two countries to work more closely in investing in infrastructure and energy.

Yassin echoed Li's proposal, saying Malaysia would like to expand cooperation in investment, trade, economy, finance and energy.

Li and Yassin agreed on stepping up people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

As this year marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN), Li appealed for Malaysia to continue playing a positive and constructive role in China-ASEAN relations.

Li and Yassin also exchanged views on reform of the United Nations Security Council and food security, among others.

The week-long visit will take Yassin to the economic powerhouse of Shanghai, south China's provinces of Guangdong and Yunnan.