SIBU: New opportunities to enhance ties between China and Malaysia are likely to arise with diplomatic relations between the two countries crossing the 50th anniversary milestone next year.
Stating this, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching, Xing Weiping, said over the past 10 years, the level of high-quality Belt and Road Initiative cooperation between China and Malaysia, has continuously improved, with major projects continuing to advance along with increasingly close people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
“Last year, the trade volume between China and Malaysia exceeded US$200 billion for the first time, surpassing the trade volume of China-India, China-Indonesia, China-Russia, and being second only to the trade volume of China-Vietnam.
“China-Malaysia relations have realised common development through win-win cooperation, which is in the common interest of the two countries and our two peoples,” he said at the Sarawak Central Chiang Hsia Huang Clan Association’s (SCCHHCA) 63rd anniversary celebration gala held at a hotel here Sunday night (Sept 17).
The occasion was graced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Xing said over the past 74 years, China has made remarkable achievements in development, ranking second in the world’s economy, leading the world in AI, big data, 5G, high-speed rail and electric vehicle technology.
This year, he said, China’s electric vehicle export surpassed Japan for the first time, becoming the largest automobile exporting country in the world.
He said in each historical period of China’s revolution, construction, reforming, and development, overseas Chinese have always been connected by blood and share a common destiny with the motherland, becoming an important force linking China and the world.
Describing China and Malaysia as good neighbours, good brothers and good partners with a centuries-long friendship, he said both countries are geographically close, people-friendly and culturally connected.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, he pointed out that the bilateral ties have always maintained a sound momentum.
On SCCHHCA, he pointed out since its establishment, the association, has done fruitful work in charity, assisting compatriots, building friendships, supporting Chinese education, inheriting Chinese culture and so on.
He said the association has made great contributions to enhancing the friendship between China and Malaysia as well as China and Sarawak, promoting bilateral economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.
“Being at the forefront of exchanges and cooperation, I hope the Chinese people in Sarawak would seize the opportunity, actively leverage their unique advantages of integrating China and the world, continue to make unremitting efforts to enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and jointly promote our friendship to the next level.
“I also hope everyone would further promote China’s excellent traditional culture, speak well of the story of China and China-Sarawak friendship, and make new contributions to comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and jointly building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
“The Chinese Consulate in Kuching will continue to play its role as a bridge and link in deepening the practical cooperation between China and Sarawak in various fields, and providing convenience and support for Chinese in Sarawak to see their relatives and friends in China and expand exchanges with China,” Xing added.
Among those present were Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang, Chief Political Secretary Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Bawang Assan assemblyman Wong Soon Koh, president of Federation of Huang Association Malaysia Dr Ng Choon Seong, chairman of SCCHHCA Wong Ing Huong and chief organising chairman Wong Siong Boon.
