Sabah looking forward to strong ties with China – CM

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Musa (eighth from left), Dr Huang (seventh from right), Chen (ninth from left) and the other guests with the acrobats who performed at the 42nd anniversary celebration of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China at Likas Indoor Stadium last night.-Photo by James Tseu

Musa (eighth from left), Dr Huang (seventh from right), Chen (ninth from left) and the other guests with the acrobats who performed at the 42nd anniversary celebration of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China at Likas Indoor Stadium last night.-Photo by James Tseu

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is looking forward to strengthening cooperation on finance, infrastructure and inter-connectivity with China.

Disclosing this yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the  State Government hoped that more capable Chinese companies will invest in Sabah.

“It is my hope that ties between Malaysia and China will continue to be strengthened in the years to come,”  he said in his speech at the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, and Chinese New Year celebration also known as the Spring Festival here yesterday.

“The 42nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries is indeed a significant event and one that testifies how well this partnership has progressed over the decades.”

The Chief Minister added that Sabah welcomed the statement by Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang during his recent visit to Malaysia, where he assured that China’s rapid development would first benefit its neighbours, including Malaysia.

“This will provide opportunity for further strong ties, development of new ventures and cultural exchange between China and Asean-member nations,” he said.

Musa also cited that the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia last year also highlighted the high degree of mutual trust and friendly sentiment between China and Malaysia under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“This is probably the best period of development in the history of Malaysia-China ties ever since diplomatic relations were established by the then Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak, 42 years ago.

“We welcome the fact that China works to deepen reform in an all-rounded way which generates more opportunities for the two countries to boost cooperation,” he said.

Sabah, said Musa, offered abundant opportunities in  various sectors as outlined in the Sabah Development Corridor and the Economic Transformation Programme such as in tourism and the downstream sectors of oil and gas and palm oil.

“On our part, we will help facilitate partnerships, investments and joint ventures that could create economic spin-offs and jobs in Sabah.

“The tourism sector in particular is an area that could be further developed between Sabah and China, with growing numbers of tourists from China visiting us, especially during certain periods, such as the Chinese New Year holidays.” he added.

Among the guests who attended the celebration which featured a performance by acrobats from China were the ambassador of China to Malaysia, Dr Huang Huikang, the consul general of China in Kota Kinabalu, Chen Peijie,  Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang and Ma Zhong Friendship Association Sabah president Dr Oh Ei Sun.

Musa later handed over a RM100,000 mock cheque to Dr Oh which is a contribution from the state government to the Ma Zhong Friendship Association.