Wee (second left) presents a calligraphy to Adenan. Also seen from left are Liu, Jabu, Chan and Amin. — Photo by Tan Song Wei
KUCHING: The Chinese Consulate General here has requested for a piece of land in the city centre to build its own premises to better serve Sarawakians.
This was disclosed by Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, who regarded the request as the Chinese authority’s desire to further enhance the relationship between China and Sarawak.
“They want a piece of land to build their own consulate building. This means they are serious about our relationship, which is not temporary but permanent.
“They need three to four acres of land right in the middle of the city. But we are not prepared to give up the Central Padang (Padang Merdeka),” he quipped when addressing guests, some of whom were from Beijing and Guangzhou during a dinner hosted by the Sarawak China Friendship Association at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching last Saturday.
The dinner was to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China as well as the 20th anniversary of Chinese Consulate General in Kuching. A pictorial exhibition was put up in conjunction with the celebration.
Adenan said he was glad the Consulate General wanted to establish its permanent presence in the state.
He pointed out even though official records had it that Malaysia and China built up diplomatic ties in 1974, the relationship between the two nations was believed to have started a century ago.
He said China’s call to open up its economy to not only Malaysia but also other South East Asian countries had paved way for the Chinese economy to prosper.
He was pleased that China had befriended Malaysia as he believed: “If we are enemies, everyone loses; if we are friends, everyone wins.”
Earlier, China’s consul general in Kuching Liu Quan said Malaysia’s second prime minister the late Tun Abdul Razak broke the ice of the Cold War and set foot in Beijing for a mission described as a journey of goodwill and friendship.
“His meeting with chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai is regarded as a truly historic event sowing the seeds of mutual understanding and friendship between our nations.
“Malaysia became the first among Asean members to forge diplomatic ties with China, which unveiled a new chapter in the history of China-Malaysia and China-Asean relations.”
Liu said the Chinese consulate general in Kuching, since its establishment in 1994, had strove to promote the friendly ties between China, Sarawak and Sabah.
“Currently, more and more Chinese companies are taking part in the local infrastructure construction, the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), and Sabah Development Corridor programmes. Besides, people to people exchanges are increasing at a faster pace.
“As China is seeking further co-operation with its neighbouring countries through more overseas investment and an initiative to build a new maritime silk road of the 21st century, there are great potentials for economic development for both of us.”
Among those present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Kuching South City mayor Datuk James Chan, chairman of Sarawak China Friendship Association Datuk Wee Kok Tiong and organising chairman Datuk Mohd Amin Satem.