China-Sarawak bilateral ties brings tangible benefits, says republic’s consul-general

KUCHING (Sept 21): The Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China is projecting the arrival of over 3.5 million Chinese tourists to Malaysia by this year’s end, making it a record breaking year for the travel and tourism sector.

Its Consul-General Xing Weiping disclosed that over 1.8 million Chinese tourists had already visited Malaysia thus far, setting a remarkable increase of 160 per cent in tourists’ arrival.

With the sector’s economic contribution, he noted that the trade volume between China and Malaysia exceeded US$117.52 billion from January to July this year, showing a year-on-year growth of 10.8 per cent.

“Sarawak has unique and unparalleled advantages. As the largest state in Malaysia and the third largest by economic size, Sarawak plays a crucial role in the diplomatic and economic relationships between China and Malaysia,” he said.

Xing said this in his speech at a dinner gathering in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations and the Mid-Autumn festival here, Friday.

He deemed the state government’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, alongside the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which is now in effect, to have attracted China’s foreign direct investment in Sarawak in recent years.

“Currently, Chinese enterprises are actively involved in the construction of infrastructure projects in Sarawak, contributing significantly to the well-being of the people of Sarawak while promoting socio-economic development in the region.

“I believe with this joint effort, the China-Sarawak economic and trade cooperation will yield even more fruitful results, achieve mutual benefits, and create a new chapter in our partnership,” he said.

According to him, China has adopted a resolution in its next five years of economic plan to expand international cooperation, as well as to create a more transparent and stable institutional environment, in accordance with a higher-standard open economy.

“China will deepen its reforms in foreign trade system, strengthen institutional and policy support, attract more foreign investment, and enhance outbound investment.

“By sharing the vast market opportunities and development prospects with countries around the world, he said the efforts under the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ will help raise the living standards and advance modernisation for the countries involved.

“Our Chinese Consulate-General in Kuching is willing to work together with the Sarawak government and all sectors of society for the development of our bilateral relations,” he said.