Kota Kinabalu: Sabah could soon see more new opportunities to promoting cultural exchange, boosting tourism and strengthening trade with China thanks to a new partnership signed by the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) in Taiyuan, China, recently.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Sabah China Chamber of Commerce President Datuk Frankie Liew and the Fujian Yunchang Loyalty and Righteousness Cultural Industry Development Co Ltd, the Global Guan Gong Culture Federation and Fujian (Wuyishan) Yunchang Loyalty and Righteousness Cultural Industry Development Co Ltd.
The signing followed Frankie’s participation in the first “Loyalty and Righteousness Cup” International Calligraphy and Painting Art Invitational Exhibition – Splendid Shanxi Culture and Art Museum International and Domestic Cooperation Seminar in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.
“This collaboration is not only a milestone in cultural exchange but also a practical step to bring more opportunities to Sabah,” said Frankie.
“By leveraging Guan Gong culture’s international influence, we can attract more Chinese tourists, open new trade channels, and create stronger business partnerships,” he said.
The partnership aims to bring more Chinese visitors to Sabah by combining the State’s beautiful nature and diverse cultures with Chinese heritage tourism. This could mean good news for local businesses that rely on tourism.
Hotels, restaurants, tour guides and transport companies are expected to benefit from more tourists. Local craftsmen and food producers may also find new opportunities to sell their products to Chinese visitors.
“Sabah has everything, amazing nature, different cultures and friendly people. Now we are connecting this with what Chinese tourists are interested in,” said Frankie.
The agreement includes plans for cultural festivals and exhibitions in Sabah, special tour packages mixing the State’s attractions with Chinese cultural themes, help for local small businesses to sell products to Chinese markets and sports and cultural exchange programs.
For Sabah, this could translate into more job opportunities in the tourism sector. Tour operators may need more guides, hotels might hire additional staff and local artisans could see increased demand for their handicrafts.
The partnership also opens doors for Sabah’s small businesses to reach Chinese customers through online platforms and cultural events.
Traditional handicraft makers, local food producers and souvenir shops could all benefit from the increased interest in Sabah products among Chinese visitors.
Frankie said the Chamber wants to ensure local entrepreneurs benefit from these international connections, not just big companies.
He believes the partnership will create opportunities for small-scale businesses to grow and expand their customer base beyond Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the seminar in Taiyuan, held to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, brought together scholars, artists and business leaders.
Participants agreed that promoting Guan Gong’s values is not only about cultural heritage but also about strengthening peace, unity, and shared prosperity.
With this MoU, Sabah is set to take an active role in connecting Malaysia and China through cultural diplomacy, tourism and trade, bringing new opportunities for growth to the state and its people.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Sabah China Chamber of Commerce President Datuk Frankie Liew and the Fujian Yunchang Loyalty and Righteousness Cultural Industry Development Co Ltd, the Global Guan Gong Culture Federation and Fujian (Wuyishan) Yunchang Loyalty and Righteousness Cultural Industry Development Co Ltd.
The signing followed Frankie’s participation in the first “Loyalty and Righteousness Cup” International Calligraphy and Painting Art Invitational Exhibition – Splendid Shanxi Culture and Art Museum International and Domestic Cooperation Seminar in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.
“This collaboration is not only a milestone in cultural exchange but also a practical step to bring more opportunities to Sabah,” said Frankie.
“By leveraging Guan Gong culture’s international influence, we can attract more Chinese tourists, open new trade channels, and create stronger business partnerships,” he said.
The partnership aims to bring more Chinese visitors to Sabah by combining the State’s beautiful nature and diverse cultures with Chinese heritage tourism. This could mean good news for local businesses that rely on tourism.
Hotels, restaurants, tour guides and transport companies are expected to benefit from more tourists. Local craftsmen and food producers may also find new opportunities to sell their products to Chinese visitors.
“Sabah has everything, amazing nature, different cultures and friendly people. Now we are connecting this with what Chinese tourists are interested in,” said Frankie.
The agreement includes plans for cultural festivals and exhibitions in Sabah, special tour packages mixing the State’s attractions with Chinese cultural themes, help for local small businesses to sell products to Chinese markets and sports and cultural exchange programs.
For Sabah, this could translate into more job opportunities in the tourism sector. Tour operators may need more guides, hotels might hire additional staff and local artisans could see increased demand for their handicrafts.
The partnership also opens doors for Sabah’s small businesses to reach Chinese customers through online platforms and cultural events.
Traditional handicraft makers, local food producers and souvenir shops could all benefit from the increased interest in Sabah products among Chinese visitors.
Frankie said the Chamber wants to ensure local entrepreneurs benefit from these international connections, not just big companies.
He believes the partnership will create opportunities for small-scale businesses to grow and expand their customer base beyond Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the seminar in Taiyuan, held to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, brought together scholars, artists and business leaders.
Participants agreed that promoting Guan Gong’s values is not only about cultural heritage but also about strengthening peace, unity, and shared prosperity.
With this MoU, Sabah is set to take an active role in connecting Malaysia and China through cultural diplomacy, tourism and trade, bringing new opportunities for growth to the state and its people.
