Kota Kinabalu: About 400 primary and secondary school students from various ethnic backgrounds across Sabah gathered at Kian Kok Middle School on Sunday for the opening of the 2026 Chinese Culture Land programme, a week-long cultural exchange running until Sept 6.
The programme is organised by Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College, hosted by the Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah, co-organised by Kian Kok Middle School and supported by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu.
Students will take part in activities such as Chinese calligraphy, painting, martial arts, folk music, shadow puppetry and handicrafts throughout the week.
This is the third time the association has hosted the programme in Sabah, following editions with teaching teams from Shaanxi Province in 2023 and Tianjin in 2024.
Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College Deputy President cum head of the 2026 teaching delegation, Kong Xuemei, said the programme aims to bring traditional Chinese culture directly to youth overseas.
“Today, we have travelled across mountains and seas to bring this sincerity and friendship to Kota Kinabalu.
“We hope students can immerse themselves in traditional Chinese culture in a familiar environment, allowing the seeds of cultural heritage to take root and flourish amid laughter and joy,” she said.
Kong said the 12-member teaching team from China includes specialists in Chinese big drum, martial arts, dance, recitation, vocal music, Baduanjin, handicrafts, calligraphy and painting, steel tongue drum and shadow puppetry.
She thanked the Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah and Kian Kok Middle School for their work in planning and organising the event and encouraged students to take part actively, gain new knowledge and build friendships.
Participants can choose courses including martial arts, shadow puppetry, singing, paper cutting, lantern making, and calligraphy and painting, based on their interests and age groups.
