Kota Kinabalu: Kian Kok Middle School Chairman cum Honorary President of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah Datuk Clement Yeh said the Chinese Culture Grand Carnival is a testament to the profound friendship between Malaysia and China.
“The event is organised by the Chinese Education Development Center and co-organised by the Tianjin Overseas Friendship Association and the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, Sabah, with support from the Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu and the Sabah Government.
“Kian Kok Middle School also co-hosted the event. It is worth noting that over 400 students have registered to participate in this event, reflecting everyone’s enthusiasm and support for Chinese culture.
“The outbreak of Covid-19 hindered cultural exchanges between Malaysia and China, causing many planned activities to be postponed. However, the pandemic did not dampen our enthusiasm for cultural heritage or our appreciation for the friendship between our nations.
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“Over the past 50 years, cooperation and exchanges between our two countries in various fields have deepened, with cultural exchange being a crucial part of this. The successful hosting of the Chinese Culture Grand Carnival is a testament to the profound friendship between the peoples of our two nations.
“Education is not just about transmitting knowledge; it is also about preserving culture and values. Through events like this, we help our students better understand Chinese culture and lay the groundwork for future cooperation and development between Malaysia and China. I am hopeful that the cultural exchanges between our two countries will become even closer and our friendship will grow even more vital.”
Meanwhile, Executive Director of Tianjin Overseas Friendship Association and “Chinese Cultural School Holiday Programme-Sabah, Malaysia” Camp Team Leader Feng Yuan Yuan pointed out that the “Chinese Culture Grand Park” is a brand activity created in 2011 to enhance overseas Chinese youth’s understanding of Chinese culture.
She said the event focuses on spreading Chinese culture and hosts summer camps abroad for overseas youth to learn and understand Chinese culture. The goal is to increase the interest of overseas Chinese youth in learning about Chinese culture and deepen their understanding of it.
“Our14-member team comes from Tianjin, the ‘Pearl of the Bohai Sea’ in northern China. Tianjin is one of China’s four municipalities directly under the central government, adjacent to Beijing, with mountains, seas, rivers, lakes, and wetlands, covering 11,966.5 square kilometres and a population of over 13 million,” she said.
Tianjin, according to Feng is a city rich in historical heritage, having created hundreds of “firsts” in modern China, such as the first automobile, bicycle, elevator, telephone, railway, Western restaurant, and modern university in China. Basketball and youth ice hockey were also introduced to the whole of China from Tianjin, hence the saying, “To see modern China, look at Tianjin.”
Tianjin is also an ecologically liveable and culturally rich city, with 875 square kilometres of wetlands, more than 400 species of birds, 877 well-preserved historical buildings, known as the “Exposition of World Architecture,” and traditional performing arts like Peking opera, crosstalk, and Meihua Dagu (plum blossom drums) that have flourished and developed in Tianjin.
Feng added that Tianjin is also home to speciality foods such as Goubuli Baozi, Shibajie Mahua and Erduoyan Zhagao.
Moreover, Tianjin is an open, inclusive, and vibrant city with advantages in location, ports, industries, science, education, and talent. It is committed to promoting the city’s internationalisation, deepening its openness, and actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, establishing friendly relations with 99 local governments in 53 countries worldwide, she said.
“We warmly welcome you to visit China, come to Tianjin, experience its culture and cuisine, and feel the charm of Tianjin. Over the next two weeks, we will bring you various enriching courses, including martial arts, dance, crafts, painting, calligraphy, songs, recitation, Chinese drums, erhu, and kuaiban (a traditional Chinese form of storytelling).
“This event will provide a lively and wonderful experience, allowing you to appreciate Chinese culture’s profoundness and long-standing tradition through fun and engaging activities.”
She added: “This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. I hope that this event will serve as an opportunity to strengthen further the exchanges and cooperation between Tianjin, China, and Malaysia in culture, education, tourism, and other fields, promoting mutual learning and understanding, deepening friendship, and creating a better life together.”
Kota Kinabalu MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin officiated the opening ceremony.
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