Chinese Consulate pledges to work closely with Sabah
Published on: Monday, August 06, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: The Chinese Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu is committed to working closely with the new government of Sabah led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal to jointly propel the "boat of China-Sabah friendship" to a broader and brighter future. In a statement Sunday, Liang Caide, who came to Sabah and took office as the Consul General of China in Kota Kinabalu 10 months ago, said he has heard the touching story of Mount Kinabalu."I have seen the Chinese ancient porcelain salvaged from the shipwreck of the Song Dynasty, I have felt the harmony between the Chinese community and the various ethnic races in Sabah, and these are the things that deeply move me.
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"Since the ancient times, China and Sabah have been interconnected by the Maritime Silk Road, the people have been bonded due to exchanges and migration," he said. "We welcome Sabah enterprises to seize the opportunity of China's opening-up by vigorously exploring China's market, gaining business opportunities and development. "We also encourage enterprises or individuals from China to invest in Sabah and participate in the economic development of Sabah," he added. He also said Sabah is a dazzling pearl in the South China Sea, adding that it has a picturesque scenery and is known as the "Land below the Wind."
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"Its blue sea, azure sky and seafood cuisine are favoured by tourists from China. Sabah has become one of the most popular tourist destinations for Chinese tourists," he said.
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He noted that last year, the number of tourists from China visiting Sabah reached 430,000 and it is expected to exceed 500,000 this year. He said the direct flights from Kota Kinabalu to different cities in China have reached 100 per week, adding that based on an average spending per person of RM5,000, Chinese tourists contributed over RM2 billion of tourism revenue for Sabah last year. He said Sabah boasts rich natural resources, harmony of various ethnic races with different religions and close cultural ties with China. "In the recent years, cooperation between places of China and Sabah has become increasingly close. More and more Chinese companies have entered Sabah, covering construction, tourism and hotels, electricity and energy, chemical engineering, telecommunication, plantation, fishery and other industries," he said. He said Chinese companies have brought capital and technology to Sabah, which is helpful to the development of infrastructure and various industries in Sabah."At the same time, they have created numerous jobs and brought benefits to the people of Sabah. Since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China has entered a new era of development. "The Chinese people are working tirelessly to realise the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Similarly, with the new government chosen by the people, Sabah also stands at a new starting point for development," he said. He said China and Sabah are geographically close to each other with cultural ties and friendly exchanges that dated back to a long history."The Chinese Dream is closely connected with the pursuit of the Sabah people for a better life. As an important place along the historical Maritime Silk Road, Sabah has brilliant future in the Belt and Road Initiative as well," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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