THE China-Malaysia diplomatic relationship is doing well in its 46th year, said the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian.

He said 2020 was the “China-Malaysia Year of Culture and Tourism”.

“It is meant to be a year of great opportunities for China-Malaysia relations. In the coming days, the Embassy of China and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia will jointly hold two big events: Happy Chinese New Year Carnival Malaysia 2020, and the launching ceremony of China-Malaysia Year of Culture and Tourism,” he said, at the Chinese New Year celebration reception hosted by the Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday night.

Bai Tian said these two events would kickstart China-Malaysia Year of Culture and Tourism.

“I hope China-Malaysia relations could sail on this favourable wind and achieve new heights in trade, investment, cultural exchange and tourism. I hope it will herald a brand new chapter of the friendship between our two countries and peoples. I wish for China-Malaysia relations to warm up even more in the new year,” he said. 

Also present at the event was Malaysia’s special envoy to China, Tan Kok Wai.

Bai Tian said the past year has seen Malaysian durians and edible bird’s nests given the green light to be exported to China, and the resumption of the stalled East Coast Rail Link and Bandar Malaysia projects.

By the end of November, mutual investment has reached US$20.4 billion (RM81 billion), with Chinese investment in Malaysia accounting for US$12.6 billion. Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia in 2019 have topped three million people.

“I hope that under the leadership of our governments, Chinese and Malaysian people could build with our own hands a better future, both for our countries and ourselves,” he said.

At the event, some 800 guests, including Chinese nationals living in Malaysia, businessmen and representatives from Chinese-based organisations were treated to Chinese food and performances. – Bernama, January 18, 2020.