Kota Kinabalu: The People’s Republic of China Consulate General here will continue to be of a bridge, implement the Global Development Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative, commit to deepening exchanges and cooperation between China and Sabah in various fields, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two places.
China Consul General in Kota Kinabalu, Huang Shifang said it would continue to promote win-win cooperation between China and Sabah towards a shared future.
“A Chinese saying goes, one can see the great river rushing and feel the strong wind swelling at the top of the mountains.
“In Chinese culture, the rabbit symbolises wisdom, sensitivity, kindness and modesty. In the New Year, let us further strengthen exchanges and collaboration, firmly grasp the new opportunities, bravely meet the new challenges and join hands to promote China-Malaysia relations.
“Let us ride the waves, set sail to better benefit the people of both countries, and make greater contributions to world peace and prosperity,” she said at the 2023 Spring Festival Reception held at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) Wednesday.
Huang said, the past year was extraordinary for China-Malaysia relations and China-Sabah cooperation.
With the joint efforts China-Malaysia friendship has withstood turbulent changes in the international situation and has steadily developed from a new historical starting point.
She noted that more and more Chinese enterprises have come to Sabah to invest and start businesses. in tourism and infrastructure to high-end manufacturing, green energy, logistics and transportation, etc.
She said the people of China and Malaysia have made remarkable achievements in the pursuit of their respective national development by overcoming all difficulties and forging ahead.
She said despite the turbulent international environment and the difficult tasks of domestic reform, development and stability, the Chinese Government has united and led the people of all ethnic groups in the country to scientifically coordinate the epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, continue to deepen reforms, expand opening up, and steadily improve the quality of development.
The successful hosting of the 24th Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China, has brought more confidence and hope to the world under the impact of the pandemic.
Last October, the Communist Party of China elected a new central leadership body, which drew a grand blueprint for advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts and provided a Chinese solution to the common problems faced by mankind.
China will respond to the uncertainty of the external environment with its own certainty, hedge against the instability of the international situation with the stability of its domestic and foreign policies, and continuously provide new opportunities for the world with China’s new development,” she said.
She stressed that in the past three years since the outbreak of the pandemic, the Chinese Government has effectively protected people’s lives and health through arduous efforts.
“In response to the actual situation that the rate of critical cases and fatality caused by the virus has declined significantly, we have scientifically adjusted and optimised the epidemic prevention measures, she said.
Huang also thanked Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and the Sabah Government for attaching great importance to and actively supporting the development of relations with China.
“Thanks to all the Chinese communities, Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese for their important contributions to promoting economic and trade cooperation between China and Sabah, enhancing people-to-people exchanges between the two places and passing on the excellent Chinese traditional culture. I also thank all the people here who support the work of the Consulate General and myself,” she said.
This was the first time that the Consulate General has held a physical Spring Festival reception since the pandemic, said Huang who was also impressed by the fact that Chinese New Year has become a common festival for people of all ethnic groups in Sabah to celebrate together.
She said it was her first Chinese New Year in Sabah and was glad to note that traditional customs and culture of the Chinese New Year have taken root and flourished here.
“I was also impressed by the fact that Chinese New Year has become a common festival for people of all ethnic groups in Sabah to celebrate all together,” she said.
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