Fujian Delegation Visits Malaysia for Economic, Trade and Cultural Exchanges

Fuzhou, China (ANTARA/Xinhua-AsiaNet) -- From May 11 to 14, Zhou Zuyi, Secretary of Fujian Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Fujian Provincial People's Congress led a delegation to Malaysia. Acting on the consensus reached between the state leaders of China and Malaysia, the delegation held extensive activities for economic, trade and cultural exchanges, renewed connections with Fujian communities in Malaysia, and worked toward greater cooperation between Fujian and Malaysia in the fields of economy, trade, tourism, culture, education and sister-province and sister-city relationships, according to the Information Office of Fujian Provincial People's Government.

Malaysia is Fujian's fourth largest trading partner in ASEAN. Last year, two-way trade exceeded 60 billion yuan. The two sides have also seen robust growth in mutual investment and frequent exchanges in culture, education and tourism. In Kuala Lumpur, the delegation held the “Refreshing Fujian: Starting Point of the Maritime Silk Road" Cultural and Tourism Promotion Conference and the China (Fujian) - Malaysia Industrial Cooperation Symposium, injecting new impetus to and creating new opportunities for Fujian-Malaysia cooperation in relevant areas.

Currently, there are five pairs of sister relationship between Fujian and Malaysia, namely, Fujian and Sarawak, Xiamen and Penang, Quanzhou and Kuching South, Putian and Sibu, and Ningde and Sibu. The establishment of partnership has opened the door to frequent mutual visits, and pragmatic and effective cooperation in various areas and forms.

In 2016, Xiamen University Malaysia was inaugurated. As the first overseas campus set up by a Chinese university, it is acclaimed as a highlight of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. From 2018 to 2019, Fujian and the Chinese embassy and consulates in Malaysia held two sessions of China-Malaysia Youth Exchange Program. In 2020, the Fujian-ASEAN Forum on Youth Exchanges and Cooperation took place online.

Fujian, a land of vitality and opportunity, is a place for innovation and entrepreneurship. It is working to grow and upgrade the digital economy, marine economy, green economy, and culture and tourism-based economy. Malaysian investors and entrepreneurs are warmly welcome to establish and expand their presence in the province, and work with Fujian to create more success stories in business cooperation and cultural exchanges.