China-Malaysia ties remain strong. (Photo : Getty Images)
Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Malaysia’s chief minister, arrived in Beijing on Sunday. His visit is a proof of the strength of China-Malaysia ties.
Abang Johari said that his first visit as chief minister will give him the opportunity to know many Chinese businessmen in Beijing, Kunming, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
At the Chinese Consulate General Lunar New Year Dinner at Imperial Hotel on Sunday, he said that “a few memoranda of understanding (MOUs) will be signed, particularly in the field of tourism and I believe China is a rich country that we can woo to come to our state as tourists.”
Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Youth and Sports and Solidarity Minister, read the chief minister’s speech.
Abang Johari also expressed his confidence on the increase in the number of Chinese tourists to visit Malaysia in the coming years.
“We will also have other engagements during the trip, which includes engineering and construction, culture and education, urban renewal and housing,” the Malaysian leader said.
Abang Johari also emphasized that China-Malaysia ties have long been established since the 15th century, citing the Chinese having been in Sarawak for many generations.
“The Sarawakian Chinese of today are no longer ‘pendatang’ or immigrants, but are Sarawakians like every other Sarawakians,” he added.
According to Fu Jijun, China’s Consul General in Kuching, China and Sarawak relations have been higher than ever before with the signing of several agreements and MOUs.
“Agreements and MoUs were signed, which would see strengthening of bilateral collaboration in port management, tourism promotion, production of solar panel, iron and steel, bio carbon and infrastructure construction,” Fu said.
Friendship states and cooperation of cities had grown deeper with Fujian becoming the friendship state, he said.
“We are glad that the Sarawak government attaches great importance to promoting cooperation between Sarawak and China, and I am confident that the visit by Abang Johari would deepen the cooperation and friendship between China and Sarawak,” Fu added.
At the event, Fu introduced Zhang Yang as the new Chinese Deputy Consul General in Kuching. Zhang is a seasoned diplomat, having worked in Chinese embassies in Surinam, Japan and Singapore.
Abang Johari’s visit to the country has confirmed the solidity of China-Malaysia ties.
