BEIJING - China on Sept 5 urged Malaysia to strengthen communication, and pledged to provide assistance and coordination in searching the missing fight MH370 as Malaysian Supreme Head of State Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah visited.

China hoped Malaysia could continue to strengthen communication with China in coping with the incident, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told Halim.

Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Malaysian Supreme Head of State Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 5, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

Malaysia Airlines flight MH 370 with 239 people on board, disappeared shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur on March 8 en route to Beijing.

Halim thanked China for assistance in searching the flight and vowed to keep in close communication with the Chinese side.

With regard to the China-Malaysia relations and the ties between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Li said China and Malaysia are sincere friends and reciprocal partners. China was ready to consolidate their traditional friendship and expand bilateral cooperation.

He said China will steadily pursue the good-neighborly relationship with ASEAN and strengthen their reciprocal cooperation.

China will join with Malaysia, the first ASEAN nations to establish diplomatic ties with China and chair of ASEAN in next year, to promote China-ASEAN relations and East Asian cooperation, and to maintain regional peace, stability and development, the premier added.

Hailing the close ties between Malaysia and China, Halim said strengthening bilateral cooperation is beneficial for both countries.

Halim is paying a state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping from Sept. 3 to 8. Xi held talks with Halim on Thursday afternoon.