Ties with China to flourish

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Pairin (10th left), Chen (10th right), Teo (ninth right), Hajiji (ninth left) and other invited guests during the Chinese Lunar New Year reception at Wisma Hakka last night.

Pairin (10th left), Chen (10th right), Teo (ninth right), Hajiji (ninth left) and other invited guests during the Chinese Lunar New Year reception at Wisma Hakka last night.

KOTA KINABALU: The relationship between China and Malaysia, Sabah in particular, will continue to flourish in years to come.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, who was represented by Deputy Chief Minister cum Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, said the two nations had established diplomatic relations for the last 43 years and had maintained good ties through various efforts.

He said the two countries had also adopted similar priorities in sustaining peace, harmony and development, which had enabled them to collaborate in a range of fields, setting a good example in the region of friendly cooperation that mutually benefits the people of both countries.

“Let us leverage on our similarities to bring greater prosperity to both nations,” said Musa at the Chinese Lunar New Year reception hosted by the Consulate General of China here at Wisma Hakka yesterday.

Musa also commended the works carried out by the Consulate General in the past year in Kota Kinabalu.

He said the Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu had made remarkable and efficient effort in the fields of education, culture, tourism and trading.

“You have further strengthened the relations between Sabah and China and ensured the smooth running of collaborations that are in place, or which both sides are currently thinking of pursuing,” said Musa.

Among the collaborations forged between Sabah and China were the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Hangzhou and Kota Kinabalu, and the exchange and cooperation between the two cities such as the communication between Alibaba and Sabah Tourism Board.

“It is my hope that the good relationship between the two capital cities will serve as the basis and platform to boost cooperation and friendship between Zhejiang Province and Sabah,” said Musa.

He added that he was also pleased with the support rendered by the Consulate General to the Chinese community in Sabah as well as other ethnic groups.

“Apart from extending assistance to Chinese schools and Chinese cultural events such as the Chinese New Year Cultural Village Exhibition and the Sabah International Dragon Board Race, you have undertaken charitable acts by helping children at Bukit Harapan, patients with Thalassaemia and other vulnerable groups who are in need of help.”

Musa said this was another testimony to the integral and strategic alliance partnership between Malaysia and China, as well as a warm illustration of familiarity of the people of both countries.

“This also demonstrates your foreign policy reiterated by the Chinese President Xi Jinping, which features sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness,” he said.

He added that he looked forward to seeing more fruitful outcomes through the facilitation of the Consulate General and that the Sabah State Government would continue to provide support for newer undertakings, where possible.

Among invited guests at the event attended by Consul-General of China in Kota Kinabalu Chen Peijie, were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor and Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang.