GUILIN: The Guilin Municipal Government hopes to establish a sister city relationship with Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia, marking a significant step in enhancing bilateral ties between the two cities.
Director-General of the Publicity Department of CPC Guilin Committee Li Jun said the invitation to attend the China-Asean Expo Tourism Exhibition (CAEXPO) 2024 has been extended to Kota Kinabalu City, and the event could be used as a platform to sign the Letter of Intent (LOI).
CAEXPO 2024 is set to run in Guilin City from Sept 26 to 29 this year.
"We confirm the information (invitation) and have asked who will come here to sign the LOI," he told reporters through a translator after hosting a dinner event for a Sabah media team trip to Guilin City on Wednesday (Aug 21) night.
Also present were Director of Guilin Foreign Affairs Office Wen Pu, Vice-Director-General of Publicity Department of the CPC Guilin Committee Tang Li, and Vice-President of Guilin People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Lu Feixiong.
Eleven media representatives from Sabah visited Guangzhou and Guilin at the invitation of the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, for a six-day trip starting last Sunday (Aug 18).
In his speech at the event, Li said Sabah is a renowned tourist destination in Malaysia and the world, known for its stunning natural and cultural landscapes, earning the nickname "Land Below the Wind."
He said Guilin Mayor Li Chu places great importance on the friendly relations between Guilin and Kota Kinabalu, as the two sides have frequent exchanges.
Li noted that Guilin was one of the earliest cities in Guangxi to establish international sister city relationships.
"Currently, it has 12 international sister cities, with a particular emphasis on developing friendly relations with Asean countries," Li added. – Bernama
