US, China say willing to work with Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR: United States President Donald Trump has congratulated Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on having been sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Malaysia.

The White House in a statement Thursday posted on the US Embassy Kuala Lumpur Facebook account, said the President also congratulated all Malaysians on their participation in a competitive and peaceful election campaign.

“The United States looks forward to continuing to work closely with Malaysia to further strengthen the United States- Malaysia Comprehensive Partnership and to address common international and regional challenges,” the statement added.

The statement also said Washington- Kuala Lumpur relationship is rooted in longstanding and strong peopleto-people ties, shared democratic values and commercial relations.

In Beijing, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also congratulated Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on assuming office as Malaysian prime minister, according to a Xinhua report.

In a congratulatory message, Li said Dr Mahathir has made contributions to the development of Malaysia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), China-Malaysia relations as well as cooperation in East Asia.

Li said China pays great attention to its relations with Malaysia.

The two countries are neighbours with a traditional friendship and the development of bilateral relations has maintained a good momentum.

Li said he is willing to work with Dr Mahathir to promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to better benefit both countries and their people. — Bernama