Thursday November 12, 2009
Malacca can help to boost ties with China
EVERY TIME a Chinese head of state visits Malaysia, one place they just cannot miss is Malacca.
Some 15 years ago when the then Chinese president Jiang Zemin visited Malaysia, he toured the historic city on the Malacca Straits.
This time around, Hu Jintao, who was making a state visit to Malaysia enroute to Singapore to attend the Apec Summit, personally requested a visit to Malacca.
What an honour it is for Malacca and truly a symbolic one too as Malacca has had very close links with China since the 15th century. It was during the Ming Dynasty that Malacca enjoyed excellent cultural ties with China.
It all started with the visit of Admiral Zheng He together with his famous flotilla comprising 35,000 troops and 300 vessels.
What’s significant about Hu’s fast track visit to Malacca was a tour of the RM10mil Masjid Selat Melaka which looks like a floating mosque over the famous straits.
His visit was an honour for the country and for Muslims. Kudos to the Chief Minister of Malacca for his far sightedness in building the mosque by the sea which provides a marvellous view of the straits.
Since Malacca has traditional links with China for almost 600 years, I would suggest that the state government take steps to foster even closer ties by twinning with any of the cities in China. It will be even more significant if the ties can be forged with Zheng He’s home city in recognition of his vision that paved the way for Chinese foray into this region.
The twin city concept will also open the door of opportunity for the state with events such as Malacca Week annually in China to promote even greater exchanges of both tourism and trade.
Another advantage is to tap into the large Chinese tourism market. The time is now when China is becoming a world power.
ZARI MALAYSIANA,
Petaling Jaya.
News Poll
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Heartbreaking wait for mum
- The world just got bigger
- Sodomy II: Judge decision on recusing himself on Feb 18
- Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling
- Thumbs-up for Najib
- 5-0 for BN’s Zambry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
- Canberra to set new skills list
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- Sodomy II: Judge decision on recusing himself on Feb 18
- Toyota puts the brakes on problem
- MAS offers CNY bargains
- Saiful files report over death threat
- Manila joins hunt for Semporna gunmen
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- WWF: Orang asli being used
RSS
