BEIJING: The Malaysian government made a “landmark” decision to enter into a two-year defence deal with China to buy and build four littoral mission ships. “I call this a landmark decision because before this, we have not bought such vessels from China,” he told a press conference after holding bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The deal was one of 14 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed at the Great Hall of The People here after the two leaders successfully held “friendly and fruitful” bilateral talks yesterday. Najib said China agreed to grant soft loans to Malaysia for the construction of the East Coast Rail Line, estimated to cost RM55bil. He said from the perspective of economic reality and for national interests, Malaysia was working closely with China on economic cooperation.

Source: The Star November 01, 2016 23:13 UTC