KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 – Diplomats and guests gathered at the Embassy of China in Malaysia for a warm and festive celebration to usher in the upcoming Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in China.
Held to promote cultural exchange and celebrate the shared history between China and Malaysia, the event featured an opportunity for attendees to make traditional Chinese dumplings (Jiao Zi), learn about Chinese calligraphy, try on Chinese traditional costumes and also participate in Pitch-pot, the traditional game of throwing arrows or sticks into a canister which is known in Mandarin as ‘Tóuhú’.
The Minister of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Zheng Xuefang, said in 2023 the leaders of both countries reached an important consensus on the joint building of a China-Malaysia community of shared future, drawing a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations in the new era.
He said due to the positive momentum generated by frequent exchanges between China and Malaysia, practical cooperation has been steadily progressing. Projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as those in emerging industries, have produced successful outcomes, while people-to-people exchanges have consistently flourished.
“This year is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations, which marks an important milestone in bilateral relations.
“China and Malaysia will jointly implement the important consensus reached by our countries’ leaders, which is to continue to deepen political mutual trust, enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote a “people-to-people bond”, with a view to advancing the bilateral relations toward a better tomorrow,“ he said in his opening speech officiating the open day event at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, here on Sunday.
The embassy showcased a short video on Chinese New Year, underscoring its significance as China’s most prominent traditional festival. Notably, the festival was recently designated as a United Nations floating holiday, attesting to its global cultural importance.
Meanwhile, among the attendees at the event was prominent Malaysian political commentator and social media influencer Thaqib Shaker.
Thaqib expressed his appreciation for the event, stating that it provides Malaysians with an opportunity to understand the bilateral relations between the two countries.
“We’ve always recognised the beneficial aspects of Malaysia’s relationship with China, particularly in terms of our economy. Now, we can observe a significant number of our citizens studying in China, and vice versa.
“In terms of tourism in Malaysia, we consistently welcome a substantial number of Chinese tourists each year. The special relationship our country shares with China is noteworthy, and it’s essential to further strengthen this bond,” remarked Thaqib.
The event was attended by over 100 people, from Malaysian Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) to local influencers who were invited by the Chinese Embassy and were also acknowledged for their active engagement.
The gathering served as a testament to the strong ties between China and Malaysia, with a commitment to fostering a shared future.
