BEIJING: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has consented to officially renaming the Malay Studies Chair at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) in his honour, now titled the Sultan Ibrahim Chair of Malay Studies.
The naming ceremony was held during a banquet with the Malaysian diaspora here.
His Majesty is on his maiden state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
The four-day visit began on Thursday.
ALSO READ: Tearful recount for King over late son’s cancer battle
The Higher Education Ministry said that this academic Chair, overseen by the ministry, was established in 2007, recognising the university’s commitment to the expansion of the Malay language in China.
According to the ministry, BFSU became the first Chinese university to offer Malay language courses as early as 1962, with the late Prof Wu Zongyu serving as the founding figure.
“Today, 17 higher learning institutions across China offer Malay language courses, reflecting its growing prominence among native Chinese speakers.
“The naming of the Sultan Ibrahim Chair of Malay Studies underscores the deep ties of friendship between Malaysia and China, which have flourished since the days of the Malacca Sultanate.
“It also commemorates the golden jubilee, celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, first established on May 31, 1974,” the ministry said in a statement.
According to the statement, Higher Education director-general Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman said the Sultan Ibrahim Chair of Malay Studies stands as a testament to the Malay Rulers’ unwavering support for the internationalisation of the Malay language.
She expressed her utmost gratitude to His Majesty for bestowing his name on the academic Chair.
BFSU president Prof Jia Weijian expressed happiness with the new name, stating that it will inspire BFSU to continue its efforts in promoting the Malay language in China.
Malaysia’s ambassador to China, Datuk Norman Muhamad, said the renaming to the Sultan Ibrahim Chair of Malay Studies is a recognition of BFSU’s efforts, alongside 16 other Chinese institutions, to promote and elevate the status of the Malay language across China.
“The Sultan Ibrahim Chair of Malay Studies at BFSU is the fourth academic Chair established by the ministry, following similar initiatives at Ohio University in the United States (1979), Leiden University in the Netherlands (1991), Victoria University in New Zealand (1995), and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in South Korea (2005),” he said.
Bernama also reported that His Majesty graciously took time to meet with the Malaysian diaspora in China during a reception yesterday.
Also in attendance were Tunku Temenggong of Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin.
Over 300 Malaysians, including businessmen, university students, and staff of the Malaysian embassy in China were in attendance at the nearly hour-long reception, which featured traditional Chinese cultural performances.
Before departing, His Majesty warmly interacted with the guests, who were excited to meet the nation’s foremost leader.
His Majesty also took the time to inquire about their well-being.
