KUCHING: The consul-general of the People’s Republic of China His Excellency Mr. Li Shugang lauded the appointment of Federation of Chinese Association Sabah vice-president Steven Liaw Chee Kok as the representative of the Shanghai Overseas Exchange Association (SOEA) as it will further strengthen the close relationship Sabah and Sarawak have with China .
“With Shanghai emerging as an international trade and financial centre, more business ties and collaborations networking could mutually be enhanced,” added the consul-general.
Liaw, who is also the Youth chief of the federation, is one of only two appointees to the association.
The other is Tan Sri Datuk Seri Tee Hock Seng, the group managing director of the Binapuri Group, who is appointed as an honorary advisor to the SOEA.
Liaw, in thanking the federation president Datuk Seri Panglima Sari Nuar for recommending him to the position, said that Shanghai Overseas Exchange Association (SOEA) was established in 1990, as a municipal-level non-governmental organisation committed to establish extensive links with Chinese nationals residing overseas, overseas Chinese, HK and Macao compatriots, foreign friends, other overseas personnel and their organisations.
“In developing friendly contacts and cooperation and promoting economic and cultural exchanges between China and overseas contacts, SOEA also includes a selected number of influential large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises, cultural institutions and Sino-foreign joint ventures in Shanghai as group members.
Liaw said through SOEA, he hoped to focus on the general objective of serving economic development by building links between Malaysian and Shanghai companies in science and technology knowledge exchanges, capital and business promotions.
SOEA since its establishment twelve years ago, serves as an important window for contacts and liaison between Shanghai and overseas. It has strengthen the links between Shanghai people from all walks of life and overseas Chinese residing in different countries and regions all over the world, HK and Macao compatriots, foreign friends and relevant overseas public organizations not only in the area of business but in cultural and educational exchanges, promoting peace and understanding.
“ Malaysia shares a long history with China in terms of trade and cooperation, and the SOEA helps us link our past, present and future.
“As Sabah is blessed abundantly with natural resources and the growing agricultural sector, with oil and gas industrialisation, we are an attractive place for the cash rich Chinese companies. Our political stability and the sunny weather coupled with the famous Sabahan hospitality will boost the Malaysia My Second Home programme,” said Liaw.