Najib Accorded Special Treatment At Great Hall Of The People

From Yong Soo Heong

BEIJING, June 3 (Bernama) - China Wednesday broke from tradition as it accorded special treatment to visiting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak by allowing speeches to be made after a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People here.

In a departure from the norm, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao took to the public address system after he had presented Najib with a copy of a black and white photograph of Malaysia's second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein signing a joint communique with the late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on establishing diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China in 1974.

Normally no speeches are made after the signing of MoUs between two countries but China decided to show its appreciation for Najib and his father, Tun Abdul Razak, for establishing diplomatic relations with China and subsequently strengthening them, said Malaysian officials accompanying the prime minister's entourage.

The Malaysian side had earlier enquired whether remarks could be made after the signing ceremony.

Najib then took the opportunity to show the picture to his mother, Tun Rahah Mohamed Noah, wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and his daughter, Nooryana Najwa, and son, Nor Ashman, who were all present at the ceremony.

The historic picture was taken in the same location as today's ceremony which was at the West Hall of the Great Hall of the People some 35 years ago.

Wen said relations between the two countries had expanded and deepened since then and also alluded to a Chinese proverb that said if one drank water from a well, he or she should not forget who had dug the well and that the Chinese government did not forget the role played by past leaders like Tun Razak and Zhou.

Wen explained that special arrangements were made for the speeches as the hall was of special significance to both China and Malaysia.

He said the picture was a gift from the Chinese government to the family of Tun Razak as the Chinese government did not forget the courageous role played by Tun Razak in making Malaysia the first Asean country to establish diplomatic ties with China.

He paid tribute to both "father and son" in Tun Razak and Najib whom he described as sharing the same sentiments towards China in terms of strengthening relations between the two countries.

Wen said today's bilateral talks and signing of four MoUs between the two countries marked a new chapter in bilateral relations and likened the strengthened and deepened relations of the two countries to that of the deep roots of a tree which would subsequently help in bringing leafy foliage and bountiful harvests of fruits.

In response, Najib said he would "dig more wells" to ensure that "the flow of water would be forever bountiful that we can both share for the mutual benefit of both countries."

He thanked Wen for the memorable and special welcome and hospitality accorded to him.

Najib said that in view of China's special ties with Malaysia, it was for this reason that he chose to visit China as the first country outside Asean since becoming prime minister two months ago.

He said he would not only be following footsteps of his father but intended to take Malaysia-China relations to greater heights, especially with the fact that "China had advanced so far ahead."

He hoped that Malaysia and China would be partners in charting a new course to bring about deeper bilateral relations.

Najib said the first generation had done its part by establishing diplomatic relations 35 years ago and it was now incumbent upon the subsequent generations to carry on the work further.