PETALING JAYA: Over 100 celebratory activities have been planned by NGOs to mark the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations this year.
The events encompass economic and trade exchanges, educational interactions, cultural exchanges and artistic performances, as well as the revitalisation of significant historical events.
Merdeka Education Centre chairman Datuk Tan Yew Sing said he recently met Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing to brief the latter on some of the events.
He said a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme is scheduled to be held on Monday.Tan said the centre is involved in various activities such as exhibitions, seminars and talks.
It is also keen on offering 500 scholarships to Malaysian students, including over 100 scholarships for degree programmes, he added.Also on the horizon are robotic and AI competitions in collaboration with institutions in China, he added.
“These competitions aim to ignite interest among secondary and university students in Malaysia,” Tan said.
He said another initiative would be organised by the Tan Kah Kee Foundation, which has contributed to education in both Malaysia and China. Tan, who is also the foundation’s president, said a road trip from Malaysia to Kunming, retracing a historical route associated with Tan Kah Kee’s contributions during the Anti-Japanese War, is on the cards.
Tan Kah Kee, who died in 1961, was a Chinese businessman, investor and philanthropist active in Singapore and the Chinese cities of Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xiamen and Guangzhou.
Tan Kah Kee was also responsible for gathering support to aid China in major events such as the Xinhai Revolution (1911), Kuomintang’s Northern Expedition (1926–28) and Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–45).
The Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) also announced that the 14th Malaysia-China Entrepreneurs Conference (MCEC 2024) and the 2nd East Asia Women Entrepreneurs Conference will be held in Malaysia this year, in partnership with the Selangor International Business Summit, Malaysia’s largest international marketplace and business networking event.
“MCEC 2014 has garnered significant attention from the government and has been listed as one of the 57 key activities designated by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry to officially promote economic and trade relations between Malaysia and China,” said its president Loo Kok Seong.
He said the first East Asia Women Entrepreneurs Conference, held in Hainan province last year, was well-received and attracted considerable interest from women entrepreneurs in Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
The MCCC is also preparing a handbook for Chinese investors titled Investing in Malaysia, providing comprehensive information for Chinese companies interested in investing in Malaysia, covering official policies, laws and various consulting services.As a cornerstone of Malaysia-China diplomatic ties, the Malaysia-China Friendship Association is crafting a coffee table book chronicling the pictorial history of both nations spanning the last 50 years.
Under the leadership of its president Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, the association will host a large-scale photo exhibition capturing this historical journey.
According to him, over the years, the relationship has transformed from mutual unfamiliarity to rich bilateral cooperation.
Economic ties, including significant Chinese investment in Malaysia’s manufacturing sector and bilateral trade value, have strengthened considerably.
“Presently, Malaysia welcomes 40,000 Chinese students, while an ever-growing number of Malaysians pursue studies in Chinese universities,” he added.
Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) president Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan said the 17th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention is scheduled for September.
This event will welcome 3,000 entrepreneurs from overseas along with 1,000 Malaysian companies. “In conjunction with the 50th anniversary, this year’s convention will extend from a three-day event to a week-long affair.“Plans are underway for a post-convention business investment mission across all states in Malaysia, where state governments will host delegates and provide detailed investment information,” he added.
