Malaysian king tells Xi Jinping nation will work with China to keep South China Sea peace

Malaysia will work with China to keep peace in the South China Sea, Malaysia’s king told Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, according to mainland state media on Friday.

Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar made the pledge during his visit to Beijing in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations, the first trip to China by a Malaysian monarch in 10 years.

Sultan Ibrahim and Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah were received by Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at a welcome ceremony on Thursday. The two heads of state met again on Friday at the Great Hall of the People.

“Malaysia would like to join hands with China to contribute constructively to the maintaining of peace and stability of the South China Sea,” mainland state broadcaster CCTV quoted Sultan Ibrahim as saying.