Sarawak Education and Cultural Delegation’s Eventful Visit to China Opens New Chapter for Educational Cooperation Between the Two Regions

(Kuching/Beijing, 9th) The second day of the Malaysia Sarawak education and cultural delegation’s visit to China was busy and fulfilling. In the morning, the delegation toured the treasure of China’s imperial gardens—Summer Palace—to appreciate the unique charm of classical architecture blending with natural landscape. In the afternoon, they visited China’s top university—Tsinghua University—engaging in a meaningful education and cultural exchange forum, opening a new chapter for Malaysia-China educational cooperation.

The delegation was led by Dato Huang Guohui, Executive Vice-President of the Malaysia Sarawak–China Friendship Association, Vice-President of the Sarawak Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, President of the Kuching Chung Hua Middle School Alumni Association, and Director of Huang Wenbin Group. The aim was to deepen cooperation between Malaysia and China in the field of education and culture, creating more opportunities for Sarawak students to pursue further studies and exchanges.

At the forum held at Tsinghua University, Dato Huang Guohui delivered a speech entitled "Using Education as a Bridge, Using Friendship as a Foundation". He recalled the partnership journey since 2002, when Tsinghua University first accepted students recommended by Sarawak civil organizations, pointing out that Tsinghua University is not only a source of pride for China and the world’s higher education but has also left a profound mark in Malaysia’s educational history, creating a key milestone for the “Studying in China” movement.

"Since that moment, more and more students from Sarawak and Sabah have embarked on the journey to pursue their dreams at Tsinghua. Tsinghua University is not only a palace of knowledge, but also an important symbol of Malaysia-China friendship," Huang Guohui said.

He pointed out that 2025 marks a key node—the 51st anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China. Educational cooperation is the most stable and influential part of bilateral relations. Tsinghua University has made great contributions in promoting youth exchange between the two countries, injecting new vitality into Malaysia-China relations.

During his speech, on behalf of the Sarawak–China Friendship Association, Kuching Chung Hua Middle School Alumni Association and Huang Wenbin Group, Huang Guohui put forward seven proposals for deepening cooperation:
1. Continue to appoint Kuching Chung Hua Middle School Alumni Association as the recruitment base for Tsinghua University in Sarawak and Sabah;
2. Expand cooperation in undergraduate, postgraduate and short-term exchange programs;
3. Reserve scholarship slots for outstanding students from Sarawak and Sabah;
4. Organize annual academic seminars or competitions in East Malaysia;
5. Promote faculty and student exchange programs, including summer and winter camps;
6. Create a flagship brand for Malaysia-China educational exchange;
7. Establish an annual review and evaluation mechanism for recruitment.
He emphasized that these seven initiatives aim to give more outstanding students from East Malaysia the opportunity to study at Tsinghua, while also letting Tsinghua students gain deeper insights into Southeast Asia’s development, establishing a new model for Malaysia-China educational cooperation.

"Education is not just about attending classes and obtaining diplomas. It is also an important force driving national progress and promoting regional cooperation. Let today’s exchange be a new starting point—using education as a bridge, culture as a bond, and friendship as a foundation—to together compose a new chapter for the bright future of Malaysia and China."

The Tsinghua University side was represented by several leaders and delegates, including Liang Sisi, Associate Dean of Zijing College and Associate Dean of the School of Architecture; Lecturer Li Zhengxin from the Writing and Communication Center; "Qing Xiao Da" team members Xu Ning, Zhou Jie, and Hu Zikun; Overseas Admissions Supervisors Duo Lan and Pan Xiao'ang from the Admissions Office; as well as Chinese student representative Xia Zhonghao from Weixian College, among others.

Additionally, Malaysian student representatives at Tsinghua University also actively participated in the exchange, including Huang Jingqi, Li Yingkang, Zheng Xueqian, Wu Wenjie, Liao Chengyuan, as well as Li Ziqing, President of the Malaysian Student Association, and Zhang Jingmin, President of the Tsinghua University Student International Cultural Exchange Association. Both sides had enthusiastic discussions during the forum, reaching multiple consensuses, and pledged to further deepen cooperation and jointly promote the growth of youth exchanges between Malaysia and China.

After the forum, Dato Huang Guohui specially met with three students from Kuching and Miri in East Malaysia whom he had personally recommended for admission. He expressed his gratification and pride at seeing them thriving and demonstrating determination at Tsinghua, and hoped that they would give back to society in the future and become bridges and bonds between Malaysia and China.

In the afternoon, the delegation toured the Tsinghua University campus, experiencing the profound academic atmosphere and rich cultural heritage of the century-old institution. In the evening, the members enjoyed a lavish hairy crab banquet in a warm setting, bringing a perfect close to a fulfilling day.

This visit to Tsinghua not only deepened mutual trust and cooperation between both sides, but also infused new energy into Malaysia-China educational and cultural exchanges. Tsinghua University stated it would continue to support outstanding students from Malaysia, especially those from East Malaysia, in their study plans, further expand recruitment and academic cooperation, and jointly promote higher levels of education and youth exchange between the two countries.

Delegation members present at the exchange forum included Xu Ruiyi, Secretary-General of the Sarawak–China Friendship Association; Wu Zeyuan, Education Director of Kuching Chung Hua Middle School Alumni Association; Huang Fuqing, President of the Young Entrepreneurs Group of Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce; Huang Aizhu and Huang Yitao, Directors of Huang Wenbin Group; Chen Xingzhi, wife of Huang Yitao; Huang Chengyi, son of Huang Fuqing; Li Ailian, Office Director of the Chung Hua Middle School Alumni Association; Zhang Aiyi, Secretary-General of Kuching Zhangquan Association; Xu Baodun, assistant to Dato Huang Guohui; Shen Shihui, Treasurer of Kuching Zhangquan Association; Xie Shoutian, member of Kuching Zhangquan Association; Shen Lisi and Shen Ruiling, members of Kuching Zhangquan Association; as well as accompanying staff Huang Pengguang.

The delegation members all expressed their intention to continue upholding the original aspiration of “dedicating ourselves to education”, bringing the achievements from this visit back to Sarawak and transforming them into new opportunities to advance regional education development, and to add a new chapter to Malaysia-China educational cooperation.