Bernama, the Malaysian national news agency, on Friday opened a bureau in Beijing, making it the second Malaysian media organization to commence operations in China.

 

Malaysian Minister of Information Zainuddin Maidin, who was in Beijing specially for the inauguration of the bureau, said it would deliver objective news and information about events in China to Malaysians.

 

The Star newspaper is the first Malaysian media organization to open a bureau in China.

 

"With the numerous activities on the economic, social and other fronts that are taking place in China, both Bernama and The Star undoubtedly have more than enough to write home everyday and enable the Malaysians to learn more about this great country," said Zainuddin Maidin.

 

He appreciated the support given by the Chinese government and the Xinhua News Agency during the establishment of the Beijing bureau.

 

Bernama had much to learn from Xinhua and the two could cooperate closely on news reporting, in particular on covering the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

 

Greater understanding between the two peoples would follow if more direct news and information was generated by the two agencies, he added.

 

Bernama was set up in 1967 and began operating in May 1968.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2006)