Malaysia hopes to work closely with China so that the bilateral
relationship is always on the best of terms, feelings and
solidarity, its Minister of Culture, Art and Tourism Abdul Kadir
said on Saturday.
"We want to always have very, very special relationship with
China," Abdul Kadir said at the launching ceremony of
Malaysia-China Friendship Year (2004) in the ancient town of
Melaka, central Malaysia.
The cooperation between the two countries in the culture and
tourism sectors will further strengthen their diplomatic relations,
he added.
The Sino-Malaysia Friendship Year is launched to mark the
30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the two countries and Admiral Cheng Ho's arrival
at Melaka in the mid 1400s.
Cheng Ho, born in 1371, was a towering icon of the global age of
expeditions in the 15th Century. He made seven historic expeditions
from China to Southeast Asia, South Asia, Middle East and as far as
East Africa from 1405 to 1433.
On his part, visiting Chinese Vice Minister of Culture Meng
Xiaosi said, "We believe that the series of celebrations for
Malaysia-China Friendship Year will have significant impacts on the
development of political, economic and cultural relations and play
a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship
between the two countries and ushering in their common
prosperity."
After the ceremony, Abdul Kadir and Meng opened a photo
exhibition on the 30-year diplomatic relations between Malaysia and
China as well as Cheng Ho Gallery here.
(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2004)