PETALING JAYA: Following Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's comment that Malaysia would use Huawei's technology, China's ambassador Bai Tian has penned a heartfelt letter on the flourishing 45-year friendship between the two countries.

In a signed seven-page letter titled "Friendship Forever China-Malaysia", Bai Tian traced the history of the China-Malaysia diplomatic relationship, starting with second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak's visit to the People's Republic of China.

"Over the past 45 years, the China-Malaysia relations have withstood international and domestic vicissitudes, growing from a small sapling of friendship to a towering tree, and its abundant fruits have brought about tangible benefits to the people of two countries," he said.

Bai Tian said the accomplishments of the two countries, such as in bilateral trade volume and tourism, was down to the strong trust and respect for each other.

"If (we) compare the China-Malaysia friendship to a tree, (then) political mutual trust would be the soil for the planting of the tree," he said.

He added that both governments had always adhered to the principles of mutual equality, mutual respect, mutual trust and sincerity to each other in tackling difference in opinion.

According to Bai Tian, no matter how the situation changed, the deepening political trust between the two countries would safeguard the healthy development of bilateral relations.

"Win-win cooperation would be the continuous source for irrigating the tree," he said, adding that China and Malaysia supported economic globalisation, openness and cooperation.

Paraphrasing Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's recent message to China, in which he said Malaysia had prospered when China prospered, he said the two countries had much to gain from each other, as both had interests that were aligned.

He said China would pursue shared benefits instead of "seeking selfish interests" in its cooperation with Malaysia.

"The friendship between the people of two countries is the roots of the tree going deep into the ground," he said.

Bai Tian expressed his gratitude to everyone who had shown their commitment towards China-Malaysia friendship over the decades. He said he hoped this relationship would continue into the future.

"China and Malaysia shall be friends forever, and shall help each other to pursue common development in the long run."

"May the friendship between China and Malaysia remain fresh forever," he said.

On Thursday (May 31), Nikkei Asian Review reported that while countries like Japan and Australia shunned Huawei equipment as the tech company rolled out new 5G mobile networks, Dr Mahathir announced that Malaysia had no intention of shutting out the Chinese company.

"We will make use of their technology as much as possible," he said, adding that Huawei had achieved tremendous advancement over American technology.