World watch: Blok Timur?

The latest on KL-Beijing relations.

China's Defense Minister thanks Malaysia for not supporting Taiwan in his visit to Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Here's the story, from xinhuanet:

Chinese, Malaysian defense ministers discuss military ties

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Najib Tun Razak met with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan here on Monday, and they exchanged views over the two countries' relations and ties between the armed forces.

Cao, who is also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of China and a state councilor, said China and Malaysia are close and friendly neighbors and the cooperation between the countries has been expanding in various fields in recent years.

The relations between the armed forces of the two countries have also made much progress in recent years, and China is willing to make concerted efforts with Malaysia to deepen the friendly cooperation, Cao said.

Cao also expressed appreciation of the Malaysian government's adherence to the one-China policy and its support to China's reunification cause.

Najib said Malaysia firmly upholds the one-China policy and is committed to unceasingly strengthen the friendly cooperation of mutual respect and mutual benefit between the two countries.

The Malaysian armed forces are willing to expand and deepen the friendly cooperation with China's armed forces, he said.

Cao arrived here earlier Monday for an official goodwill visit to the country at the invitation of Najib.

Utusan Malaysia also published the news today.

But Malaysia, always nice to everyone, is still a close economic and political ally of the United States and both are currently negotiating a free trade agreement.