The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is a part of the Belt and Road initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 with an aim of reviving the ancient trade routes and strengthening regional inter-communication.
During the 10+1 leaders' meeting, Li will discuss China's ASEAN policy and propose measures to enhance cooperation in areas including production capacity and inter-connectivity.
Analysts believe that the 10+3 leaders' meeting, which will be held weeks after the resumption of the China-Japan-South Korea tripartite summit in Seoul following a three-and-half-year break, will speed up negotiation on a trilateral FTA and the RCEP to build up the East Asia economic community.
Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the China-ASEAN dialogue partnership. Observers have said that Li's ongoing visit is vital to the development of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership for peace and prosperity.
In a signed article published by major Malaysian newspapers ahead of his trip, Li dubbed China-ASEAN relations "a major cornerstone for peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region."
Countries in the region should cherish the harmonious coexistence of different cultures and development paths, and work together to uphold regional peace and stability in the long run, he said.
NEW STARTING POINT
During his trip to Malaysia, Li will hold talks with Malaysian leaders, address a forum of bilateral economic cooperation, visit the Malacca State and witness the signing of a series of documents ranging from agreements on trade and culture exchanges to judicial cooperation.
Chinese authorities have said that Li's current trip is expected to upgrade bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, the Belt and Road initiative, marine industry and infrastructure construction.
The bilateral trade volume between China and Malaysia stands at over 100 billion dollars annually as mutual investment has been growing rapidly. Malaysia has been the largest trading partner of China among ASEAN countries in the past seven years, while China remains Malaysia's biggest trading partner.
In his article, Li said that his country and Malaysia are "standing at a new starting point for development in China-Malaysia relations."
He said that the two countries should continue to view and grow relations from a strategic perspective, deepen strategic mutual trust, advance mutually beneficial cooperation, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and carry forward their traditional friendship.
ASEAN, which was founded in 1967, consists of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Malaysia holds the ASEAN rotating chair this year.
