The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Chen Peijie (second left) presenting the invitation The Eighth Forum on the Global Chinese Language Media to KTS Sabah area general operations manager Ngu Ngiong Hieng during the courtesy call yesterday. Looking on are Vice Consul Chen Xin (left), See Hua Marketing (Sabah) Sdn Bhd area support manager Tie King Hoh (second right) and See Hua Daily News chief editor Toh Chee Kong.
KOTA KINABALU: Local media plays a vital role in telling the China story well to further enhance relations between China and Sabah.
Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Chen Peijie, said China was actively promoting the ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative.
As a neighbouring state of China, Chen hoped that Sabah would be a part of the Maritime Silk Road initiative in order to seek common progress as well as strengthen cooperation in the area of literature, journalism, economics and trade.
She said this during a courtesy visit to KTS Sabah area general operations manager Ngu Ngiong Hieng here yesterday. Also present were Vice Consul Chen Xin, See Hua Marketing (Sabah) Sdn Bhd area support manager Tie King Hoh and See Hua Daily News chief editor Toh Chee Kong.
Chen said media was a powerful force that must not be overlooked in today’s society.
Since she assumed office, Chen said she had been widely reported by the local media.
“I feel I have become a star among the media. I have not had this experience before.”
Having said that, Chen praised the local media for their high professionalism.
“In the functions I have attended, I often notice the reporters busy doing their job.
“Today’s functions are published in the newspapers the next day to bring the latest and accurate news to readers.”
Chen was also pleased to see the coverage of positive news of China in the local papers.
She hoped that the local media would continue to play their important role in enhancing the relations between China and Malaysia, especially in telling the China story well.
On the other hand, Chen hoped that the courtesy visit yesterday would bring about future collaboration between the newspaper agency and China, after having learned that See Hua Daily News had initiated a fund-raising exercise for Wenchuan earthquake victims and the cultural and youth exchange programme with China organized by KTS Group in its 50th anniversary celebration.
Chen also handed an invitation letter to The Eighth Forum on the Global Chinese Language Media to Ngu, which will take place from August 22 to 24 at Guizhou Province, China.
Ngu told Chen that See Hua Daily News, the sister paper of The Borneo Post, welcomes collaboration with the Chinese government to promote exchanges and strengthen cooperation in the area of culture, economics and trade to achieve a win-win situation.
Apart from newspaper agency, he said the KTS Group had also established close business ties with its counterparts in China.
Ng said the palm oil and timber produced by the Group were exported to China, while KTS also distributed Gree air conditioners, a well-known China air-conditioning brand.
He said the three newspapers under KTS Group, namely See Hua Daily News, The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo, recorded the highest circulation in Sabah and Sarawak.
“See Hua Daily News has always reported widely on news from China and has gained the support and recognition from readers,” he said.
Ngu added that KTS Group had organized an exchange programme in conjunction with its 50th anniversary celebration, in which the company invited 100 youths from Fujian Province, China to Sabah and Sarawak.
KTS Group also sponsored 100 youths from its subsidiary companies to China as part of the exchange programme.
In addition, he said the Group had invited a performing troupe from Sichuan, China for free cultural performances in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Kota Kinabalu.
The performances received overwhelming response from the public, Ngu added.