Tuesday November 10, 2009
Chinese president requests tour of sights in Malacca
By DHARMENDER SINGH and SIM LEOI LEOI
PUTRAJAYA: Chinese President Hu Jintao, who arrives here today for his state visit to Malaysia, has asked for a private visit to Masjid Selat Melaka and the Baba House in Malacca.
The RM10mil Masjid Selat Melaka, which was completed in 2006 and sits on a man-made island, Pulau Melaka, is dubbed the floating mosque as it is surrounded by the sea during high tide.
Baba House along Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, meanwhile, comprises four traditionally designed Peranakan houses complete with central courtyards that have been turned into a boutique hotel.
Its rich Chinese Baroque and Palladian Style house designs and heavily embellished hardwood furniture with traditional designs of cherry blossoms and birds provide the perfect insight into the Baba-Nyonya way of life.
The Chinese president has made a personal request for a visit to the historical city tomorrow, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman confirmed yesterday.
Baba-Nyonya heritage: The Baba House in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock in Malacca is among the heritage buildings that have been turned into a tourist attraction. He will be accompanied by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat who is minister in attendance.
“Malacca will be the president’s last stop before he heads for Singapore ahead of the Apec Summit later this week ,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Malacca has long enjoyed cultural ties with China, beginning with the visit of Ming Dynasty fleet commander Zheng He in the 16th century with 35,000 troops and 300 vessels.
The Chinese president’s visit to Malaysia comes at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between them.
Hu – whose last visit to Malaysia was in 2002 when he was vice-president – will be given an official welcome at the Parliament Square, followed by an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara and a state banquet today.
He will hold bilateral talk with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
On Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s visit immediately after Hu, Anifah said both leaders were expected to discuss various issues of mutual concern like maritime borders, strengthening cooperation between the two countries and exploring new areas of cooperation.
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