President Hu Jintao's state visit to Malaysia next week will play an important role in advancing relations between the two countries, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said Tuesday.

Hu is to visit Malaysia from Nov. 10 at the invitation of Malaysian Supreme Head of State Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Ma said this would be Hu's first visit to Malaysia since assuming office and he would also be the first Chinese head of state to visit Malaysia in 15 years.

Ma said Hu would hold talks with Mizan and meet Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. They would exchange views on bilateral links and regional and international issues of common concern. They would also sign documents on cooperation in areas such as culture and education.