KOTA KINABALU: Chinese language education in Malaysia is an important cultural asset that contributes to preserving the language and heritage, as well as the country’s development and multicultural harmony, said Chinese Deputy Consul-General in Kota Kinabalu Xue Xiaoning.
She said generations of Chinese educationists in Malaysia had worked to develop multilingual talents with strong cultural foundations and international perspectives.
She was speaking at the 2026 Distinguished Teachers’ Lecture and Sharing programme aimed at strengthening educational ties between Sabah and Shanxi, China, at Kian Kok Middle School, Saturday.
China continued to support Chinese language education overseas through teacher training, educational resource sharing and programmes such as the Distinguished Teachers’ Lecture initiative, she said.
Xue hoped the programme would strengthen educational and cultural cooperation between China and Sabah while providing local educators with new perspectives and practical teaching methods.
Some 200 educators from across Sabah are taking part in the programme through the exchange of teaching methods and experiences. It was launched by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
The programme brings together education experts from China and local educators to share teaching experiences, improve professional skills and discuss approaches to modern education.
It aims to promote Chinese language education and educational exchanges, will be held at three locations in Malaysia, starting in Sabah before moving to Kedah and Penang.
In his speech, Chan said people-to-people exchanges were important in strengthening Malaysia-China relations, which marked their 52nd anniversary this year.
He said bilateral relations had continued to develop through mutual understanding, respect and cooperation, with education and cultural exchanges helping to strengthen ties between the people of both countries.
Chan also stressed the importance of educators keeping up with technological developments, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), while maintaining the human values of education.
Chan hoped the initiative would lead to closer and long-term educational cooperation between Shanxi and Sabah, particularly in teacher exchanges, teaching research, resource sharing and youth development.
Shanxi Overseas Friendship Association Director Ren Guoying highlighted Shanxi’s historical and cultural heritage, including its nationally protected cultural sites and ancient Chinese architecture.
She also recalled educational exchanges between Shanxi and Sabah over the past decade, including the 2023 Chinese Cultural Paradise programme held at Kian Kok Middle School.
Ren said the current visit continued the friendship and cooperation established between the two sides, adding that she hoped they would expand exchanges and develop long-term educational partnerships.
During the programme, three education experts from Shanxi University will conduct sessions on practical classroom management, the use of AI in Chinese language teaching, and mental health and well-being among young people.
The sessions are aimed at providing local educators with practical teaching methods that can be applied in their respective schools and educational settings.
Also present were Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce president and Sabah Malaysia-China Friendship Association honorary president Datuk Michael Lui, Kian Kok Middle School board chairman and Sabah Malaysia-China Friendship Association honorary president Datuk Clement Yeh, organising committee chairman Ema Pang, representatives from the Chinese Consulate-General, education leaders and school representatives.
The three speakers and trainers from Shanxi University were Professor Xu Bing’ou, Professor Liu Li and Lecturer Cui Zhengqing, led by delegation head Ren Guoying.
