Chen (right) warmly greets Ngu upon his arrival while Teo (second left) and Pairin look on.
Chen presenting a painting by Chinese artist Li Bing, to Pairin (right) as souvenir.
Front row, from second left, Frankie, Yeo, Yong, Liew, Pairin, Chen, Teo, Tee, Abdul Rashid, Pang and others celebrate the first anniversary of the Chinese consulate general.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah can gain full advantage of the Belt and Road initiative to incorporate development strategies and upgrade our basic infrastructure to improve the people’s welfare.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the Belt and Road initiative by China has brought golden opportunities to Sabah.
“We, Sabah, possess excellent geographical location that is in the centre between China and Asean countries.
“We could gain full advantage of the Belt and Road initiative to incorporate development strategies, upgrade our basic infrastructures, such as roads and to improve the people’s welfare.
“We could also develop production capacity collaboration with China, introduce technologies and funds to improve the local economic standard.”
Pairin, who is also Infrastructure Development Minister, said this when gracing the first anniversary celebration of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.
Pairin said that as stated many times by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Malaysia and China trust and respect each other, and the bilateral relation is now in its best time in the history ever.
He said both countries constantly achieved new records in terms of cooperation and development in the trade and finance sectors.
Pairin said the establishment of the consulate general has much benefits and convenience and many compliments were received from the local government, associations and communities in general.
“For instance, when Sabah, unfortunately, suffered great losses due to the earthquake which occurred last year, the consulate general immediately donated RM50,000 to the severely damaged schools.
“It was the first donation from a foreign government, illustrating the close friendship between Malaysia and China from the beginning of history.”
He said the consulate general had also greatly promoted cooperation and cultural exchanges.
“Such activities not only were popular among the communities but have allowed the close relationship of Malaysia-China to continue to grow stronger.”
Pairin said the number of tourists from China has rapidly rebounded in January and February this year, increasing by more than 60 per cent with more than 60,000 tourists recorded compared with the same time last year.
“It has generated many employment opportunities and tourism income.”
In addition, he said the business exchanges between Sabah and China have been progressively deepened and grown more frequent.
“At the end of last year, the consulate general again conquered the difficulties to start providing visa service. It saves the hassle of going to Kuala Lumpur or Kuching to do the visa for the people of Sabah.”
Therefore, Pairin believed with the presence of the consulate general, a broader bridge of comprehensive cooperation and development among various aspects of exchanges between Sabah and China would be built.
“The State Government of Sabah and the various local communities will provide full assistance and vigorous support to the consulate general,” he said.
Also present were Minister with Special Tasks, Datuk Teo Chee Kang, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah, Deputy Speaker of State Legislative Assembly, Datuk Johnson Tee, Sabah Police Commissioner, Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun, Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, Kota Kinabalu police chief, ACP M Chandra, Sabah Dong Zong chairman, Tan Sri Andrew Liew, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Chen Peijie, Deputy Consul General, Sun Xiao Wu, Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) secretary general, Datuk Ling Tiong Chai, Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (SATTA) president, Dato’ Seri Winston Liaw, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president, Datuk Michael Lui, Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah branch president, Datuk Lau Kok Sing, Datuk Frankie Liew, Ma-Zhong Friendship Association Sabah president, Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Confederation of Chinese Associations of Sabah and Labuan president, Datuk Edward Khoo, Sabah Northern Chinese Association president, Kapitan Peter Chong, KTS Sabah area general operations manager, Ngu Ngiong Hieng, Asia Times proprietor, Datuk Tiong Tan Hua and Kota Kinabalu Journalists Association (KKJA) chairman, Yong Ted Phen.