MELAKA, May 19 — Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh today received a courtesy visit from China’s 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Chairman, Zhao Leji.
Zhao is on a three-day working visit to Malaysia starting yesterday.
During the hour-long meeting, Ab Rauf thanked the government of China for the bilateral friendship established in 2004 through the twin city project.
“Following the discussion, we see how Melaka can be further developed in various aspects involving its tourism, investment, industries and ports through the cooperation between these two countries.
“We also exchanged ideas on efforts to develop the Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (M-Wez) which is expected to be a rapidly developing area for maritime activities,” he told reporters after receiving Zhao here.
He said the discussion brought a positive outcome, adding the state government was pleased that China’s third-highest leader chose to visit Melaka to see its potential in investments.
Elaborating, Ab Rauf said the state government would also negotiate with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd to boost the Melaka International Airport (LTAM) operations in Batu Berendam to encourage tourists from China to visit the state without having to transit in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with Visit Melaka Year 2024.
“This will make Melaka an attractive destination,” he said.
Zhao is scheduled to visit several tourist locations on Jonker Street such as the Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum and the Straits Mosque before returning to Beijing tomorrow.
