By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 25: Chinese Consulate General of The People’s Republic of China Cheng Guangzhong thinks highly of the development of education in Sarawak, in particular, the state government giving great importance to the development of Chinese education.
Cheng, who has been in Sarawak for nearly three years, admitted that he was deeply impressed by the development of education in Sarawak and thus urged for continuous education cooperation to bring more benefits for the people of China and Sarawak.
“Although Covid-19 has hindered people-to-people exchanges between countries, it has not limited the friendship between the people of China and Sarawak.
“The cooperation between China and Sarawak has achieved fruitful results in many fields,” he said in his remarks during the 1st Global Summit on Viral-Immunology and Antiviral Therapy of Covid-19 held at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kota Samarahan Campus here today.
The global summit was part of the Special Edition of International Conference on Innovative Sciences and Technologies for Research and Innovation (InnoSTRE).
Organised jointly by UiTM Sarawak together with Anhui Medical University, China and Asia China Education and Culture (ACEC) Association, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Open officiated at the opening ceremony.
The event also witnessed the launching of two research centres in UiTM Sarawak namely the Halal Products Research Centre, which was a collaboration between UiTM Sarawak, Beijing Wuzi University and ACEC Association, and the Herbal and Ethnomedical Research Centre between UiTM Sarawak, Anhui Medical University and ACEC Association.
Cheng pointed out that education cooperation was an effective strategy to further deepen the relationship between China and Sarawak as well as other ASEAN countries.
“It can help both sides to increase trust and resolve doubts, communicate policies, reserve talents and stimulate the economy.
“Malaysia is a good neighbour, partner and friend of China. Malaysia is also an important member of ASEAN. China-Malaysia relations have enjoyed a solid foundation and broad prospects,” he said.
Hence, Cheng hopes that the establishment of the China-ASEAN medical education scientific research cooperation centre could provide a high-quality platform and bring more benefits for the people.
“I hope this conference will make useful explorations to promote education exchanges between China and ASEAN countries and enhance friendship between our people.
“The Chinese Consulate General in Kuching will continue to play its role as a bridge and provide services and convenience for Sarawak friends to deepen cooperation with China in various fields,” he gave the assurance.
As the world is now caught between a pandemic of the century and changes never seen before, Cheng called for enhanced solidarity and coordination to meet the challenges.
Concluding his speech with a remark by Chinese president Xi Jinping at the 12th BRICS Summit on Nov 17, he quoted: “All of us are indeed passengers in the same boat. When the wind is strong and the tides are high, we must be even more focused on our direction. We must keep pace and work as a team to break the waves and navigate steadily toward a brighter future.”
Minister of Education, Science and Technology Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang, and UiTM Sarawak Rector Prof Dato Dr Jamil Hamali were among those present. — DayakDaily
