MBKS seeks to grow friendship ties with Zhenjiang

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Chan (centre) presents a memento to Zhu.

KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) seeks to continue to grow its friendship city ties with Zhenjiang in Jiangsu Province, China.

Outgoing Kuching South mayor Datuk James Chan said he was very delighted that a delegation from Zhenjiang, led by Zhenjiang Municipal Political Consultative Conference vice-chairman Zhu Kaibao, visited him Friday, just before he officially retires.

“I hope Zhenjiang will continue to send their cultural troupe to perform at our annual Kuching Festival. This kind of exchange is very good.

“We should take Zhenjiang as a model city in how they have progressed, not just for cultural exchange,” he said.

Chan told the delegates that during his 11-year tenure, he was very happy to have established friendship city ties with Zhenjiang and other Chinese cities.

“I have very high regard for People’s Republic of China for its effort to bring prosperity to the region.

“I am proud to have a close affinity to China. We should emulate China in terms of its rapid development,” he said, adding that he enjoyed his trips to Zhenjiang, which he always encourages others to visit too.

Zhu also extended an invitation to Chan to visit Zhenjiang again even after the latter’s retirement as mayor.

Following the courtesy call on Chan, the Chinese delegates visited Chung Hua Middle School No. 1 and the People’s Republic of China Consul-General in Kuching.

Other members of the Zhenjiang delegation included Zhenjiang Municipal Political Consultative Conference director Jiang Ning, Zhenjiang Daily Media Group board chairman Wang Hongwei, Zhenjiang High School principal Feng Zhangbao, Zhenjiang High New Technology Industries Development Zone working committee secretary Cao Jun, and Zhenjiang International Exchange Centre interpreter Xu Jing.