China, Malaysia tighten relationship

China and Malaysia vowed to deepen cooperation on the disputed South China Sea on Tuesday as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak met Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing. Li called on Malaysia and China to further consolidate their relationship, especially when it came to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as part of China’s efforts to win over member nations of the bloc, according to the South China Morning Post. Malaysia had also agreed to buy four Chinese naval vessels. The vessels are known as littoral mission ships, and are small craft that operate close to shore. Two would be built in China and two in Malaysia. A number of other deals were signed between the two countries, including a memo of understanding on defense cooperation.