Huazong proposes ‘Visit Malaysia Year’ campaign
Published on: Thursday, January 19, 2023
Goh expressed confidence that the reopening of the borders of Malaysia and China will significantly boost bilateral relations and cooperation between the two nations in various sectors, including trade, tourism, social and education.
Kuala Lumpur: The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) proposed that the Government launch a “Visit Malaysia Year” campaign this year in order to reactivate and revitalise the domestic tourism industry, which has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic over the last three years.Its President Tan Sri T.C. Goh (pic) believes that this is an opportune move to better attract Chinese tourists, especially since China has opened its borders on January 8.
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He believes that with a rising number of Chinese investors and tourists visiting Malaysia this year, bilateral trade between Malaysia and China will exceed last year’s trade volume of US$200 billion.
Goh, who is also President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS), expressed this while welcoming the speech of Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing, in regards to bilateral relations and trade between Malaysia and China, delivered at the 2023 Chinese New Year reception organised by the Embassy, at St Regis, here, recently.
Also in attendance were Huazong Vice Presidents Dato’ Lam Kuang Yau and Wong Keng Tong, Treasurer-General Tan Sri Tan Kean Soon, his deputy Dato’ Ng Chin Heng, Central Committee members Dato Lee Teck Hua and Vice President of Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall, Oh Kian Kiong, among others.
Goh, in a statement Wednesday, expressed confidence that the reopening of the borders of Malaysia and China will significantly boost bilateral relations and cooperation between the two nations in various sectors, including trade, tourism, social and education.
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Goh, who is also Chairman of Malaysia-China Business Council’s (MCBC) Bilateral Policies Bureau, was also delighted over Ouyang’s disclosure that the bilateral trade volume between Malaysia and China last year has reached a whopping US$203.6 billion (a year-on-year increase of 15.3 per cent), setting a new record.
He is convinced that following the reopening of borders for China and Malaysia, and a better control of the Covid-19 pandemic, the bilateral trade figures will be further boosted to set a new record this year.
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He also hoped Malaysia could better position itself to capitalise on China’s much anticipated robust economic expansion in the region, post pandemic, as mentioned by Ouyang in his speech.
Goh also agreed with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir for acknowledging that since Malaysia and China established diplomatic ties, bilateral relations between the two countries continued to grow from strength to strength. Dr Zambry also reiterated the Malaysian Government’s support for “One China policy”.
He further noted that this year also marks the 10th year anniversary of the establishment of the China-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership, and was convinced that the bilateral relations between the two nations will be further boosted, which will ultimately benefit the people of the two countries.
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