Looking forward to resumption of China travel
Published on: Monday, December 05, 2022
By: Wu Vui Tek
The runners being flagged off at Padang Merdeka.
Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah hopes exchanges and travel between Malaysia and China will resume soon.“A lot of us are eager to go over to China to resume our exchanges with them.
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“Before the Covid-19 pandemic, I remember the association organised many trips involving students, youth and businesses to and from China every year.
“We hope such meaningful exchanges can resume as soon as possible,” said its President Dr Oh Ei Sun during the Jom! Malaysia-China 2022 Run which made a successful return after two years due to the pandemic.
Around 2,000 running enthusiasts were involved in the 5km run which was flagged off by Consul-General of China in Kota Kinabalu, Huang Shifang at Padang Merdeka at 6.30am.
Huang was joined by Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Chan Foong Hin, Luyang Assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe, the association’s Honorary Presidents Datuk Clement Yeh, Datuk Yeo Boon Hai and Datuk Tink Huat Kiing, the association’s Medical Advisor Dr Wah Hai Sit, Dr Oh and Organising Chairwoman Veronica Tan, among others.
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The event, formerly known as Run for Ma-Zhong was held for the third time after 2018 and 2019 before the pandemic struck.
“We are glad to hold this healthy event to promote people-to-people friendship between Malaysia-Sabah and China. We hope to hold it annually.
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“We hope that through this sort of healthy activity, the relationship between Malaysia, especially Sabah, and China will similarly be healthy,” he said.
Dr Oh also pleased that the run has attracted runners from different backgrounds to reflect the State diversity.
“The run is a friendly exchange between Sabah, Malaysia, with China (but) it is not limited to the Chinese community only.
“In fact if you look at the participants today there are people from all different communities in Sabah.
“This is a comprehensive exchange - at least this is what our association promotes - between Sabah, Malaysia, and China, involving all communities,” Dr Oh.
He also extended his gratitude to China companies operating here and Chinese nationals who registered for the run.
The run was also to celebrate the 48th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, where Dr Oh said some of the major achievements and milestones were depicted in a photo exhibition at the venue.
Other objectives of the run are to create awareness and enhance ties between the two countries under the aegis of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and also to raise funds for the association’s activities.
Dr Oh also thanked the Sabah Youth and Sports Ministry, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Bornion Timber Sdn Bhd, Guangdong People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries of Zhongshan City as well as other generous sponsors for helping make the run a success.
All the runners who completed the run were eligible to take part in the lucky draw, where cash prizes totalling RM25,000 was up for grabs.
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