(Miri, 3rd) Miri Division Chinese Associations Federation (Miri Division Hua Zong) President and 2026 Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival Organizing Chair Xu Xinlong stated that organizing the Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival is not only a cultural event, but also bears the mission of passing down Chinese culture, uniting the Chinese community, and promoting the development of associations. He hopes to make the festival a signature annual cultural brand for Miri.
He made these remarks during his speech at the press conference and networking session for the 2026 Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival held by Miri Division Hua Zong at Tanjong Kana Club yesterday. Over 50 affiliates attended the press conference, fully demonstrating the spirit of unity within the Hua Zong family and their joint drive to advance cultural undertakings.
He thanked all affiliates for their continual support and trust in Hua Zong, enabling the new board to shoulder the responsibility of serving the Chinese community. He also expressed gratitude to past presidents, board members, advisors, sponsors, and enthusiastic people in society who have quietly contributed over the years, laying a solid foundation for Hua Zong and creating the opportunity to hold the first Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival today.
Xu Xinlong pointed out that many people ask what are the benefits of joining societies, but in his view, the Chinese pioneers who came South, founded schools, associations, and built temples never did so for personal gain. They were motivated by an "original aspiration" to create a better living environment for future generations.
He said, the pioneers of the Miri Chinese community have persistently advanced education, culture, and the development of associations. This spirit of selfless dedication is worthy for the younger generations to learn from and carry on.
He mentioned that the Kuching Festival already has a 40-year history, and Sibu and Bintulu also hold unique cultural and food events. Miri likewise has the potential to build its own cultural brand. Although this is the first Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival, as long as we remain true to our original intent and continue year after year, he believes that in 10 or 20 years, it will become an important hallmark cultural event of Miri.
He said that he hopes everyone will witness the birth of the first Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival and work together to ensure the continuation of this event, so that future generations can also take pride in it.
In addition, he also introduced the design concept of the festival’s logo. The logo incorporates elements such as Miri’s oil well, Sarawak’s symbol—the hornbill, the Chinese knot, and the Hua Zong emblem. The Chinese knot is composed of strands of the same color, symbolizing the unity of the Chinese nation, and also represents all affiliates united under the banner of Hua Zong, working together for the ongoing development of culture.
He noted that the Hua Zong emblem is placed in the center of the Chinese knot, signifying that the affiliates are the most important foundation of Hua Zong—only through unity can Hua Zong continue to grow stronger.
He emphasized that organizing the cultural festival is not only to promote traditional Chinese culture, but also to strengthen the connections between affiliates, further promote inter-ethnic cultural exchanges, and jointly safeguard Sarawak’s precious values of multiculturalism, religious freedom, and racial harmony, contributing to the building of a more united and harmonious Sarawak.
He thanked all affiliates for their continual support and trust in Hua Zong, enabling the new board to shoulder the responsibility of serving the Chinese community. He also expressed gratitude to past presidents, board members, advisors, sponsors, and enthusiastic people in society who have quietly contributed over the years, laying a solid foundation for Hua Zong and creating the opportunity to hold the first Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival today.
Xu Xinlong pointed out that many people ask what are the benefits of joining societies, but in his view, the Chinese pioneers who came South, founded schools, associations, and built temples never did so for personal gain. They were motivated by an "original aspiration" to create a better living environment for future generations.
He said, the pioneers of the Miri Chinese community have persistently advanced education, culture, and the development of associations. This spirit of selfless dedication is worthy for the younger generations to learn from and carry on.
He mentioned that the Kuching Festival already has a 40-year history, and Sibu and Bintulu also hold unique cultural and food events. Miri likewise has the potential to build its own cultural brand. Although this is the first Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival, as long as we remain true to our original intent and continue year after year, he believes that in 10 or 20 years, it will become an important hallmark cultural event of Miri.
He said that he hopes everyone will witness the birth of the first Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival and work together to ensure the continuation of this event, so that future generations can also take pride in it.
In addition, he also introduced the design concept of the festival’s logo. The logo incorporates elements such as Miri’s oil well, Sarawak’s symbol—the hornbill, the Chinese knot, and the Hua Zong emblem. The Chinese knot is composed of strands of the same color, symbolizing the unity of the Chinese nation, and also represents all affiliates united under the banner of Hua Zong, working together for the ongoing development of culture.
He noted that the Hua Zong emblem is placed in the center of the Chinese knot, signifying that the affiliates are the most important foundation of Hua Zong—only through unity can Hua Zong continue to grow stronger.
He emphasized that organizing the cultural festival is not only to promote traditional Chinese culture, but also to strengthen the connections between affiliates, further promote inter-ethnic cultural exchanges, and jointly safeguard Sarawak’s precious values of multiculturalism, religious freedom, and racial harmony, contributing to the building of a more united and harmonious Sarawak.