(Bandar Seri Begawan, 14th Jan) The Sabah and Labuan Fuzhou Associations Joint Federation held a grand Spring Festival Gala for the Lunar Year of the Snake on the 11th of this month at the Labuan Financial Park. Over a thousand representatives and members from various affiliate associations and groups enthusiastically attended.
The guest of honor was Malaysia's Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dato' Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen. Other guests included Ouyang Huifeng, Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in Sabah, and leaders from various Fuzhou associations, making for a grand and lively occasion.
The Brunei Fuzhou Association recently sent a delegation of 20 members to Labuan to participate in the Sabah and Labuan Fuzhou Associations Joint Federation Spring Festival Gala for the Lunar Year of the Snake.
The attendees included founding president Chen Jiaxing, president Dr. Liu Shiquan, executive consultant Dato' Zhang Yongping, consultants Dato' Li Zhenxiang and Mr. Wu Kuidong, deputy president Yang Dezhen and his wife, vice presidents Chen Shuqing, Huang Nenglu, and Wu Hourong, secretary-general Liu Kunzhang, general affairs director Gan Haoqiang and his wife, welfare director Huang Zhongliang, audit director Chen Youqi, and other officials and members.
During the gala, Minister Dato' Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen revealed that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia reached 4.14 million, showing a significant year-on-year increase.
Ouyang Huifeng, Deputy Consul General, speaking on behalf of Consul General Huang Shifang, stated at the gala that 2024 holds extraordinary significance for China and Malaysia as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, achieving important results in political, economic, and cultural exchanges.
He said that in terms of high-level exchanges, in June, Chinese Premier Li Qiang successfully visited Malaysia, and the two governments issued a joint statement, reaching a series of strategic and forward-looking consensuses.
In September, the King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim, paid a state visit to China. In November, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar undertook his third visit to China since taking office. Both countries have established solid mutual trust and deep friendship, laying a solid foundation for building the China-Malaysia Community of Shared Destiny.
"Regarding economic and trade cooperation, last year, the total trade volume between China and Malaysia exceeded the $200 billion mark, with China being Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. China has also been Malaysia's primary source of investment for many years, with various investments totaling over $19 billion. The successful export of fresh durians to China not only promoted the development of Malaysia's durian industry but also allowed more Chinese food lovers to experience 'the taste of Malaysia'.