By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 3: A five-day visit to Yunnan by a 38-member Sarawak cultural delegation aims to strengthen ties and explore new avenues of cooperation in culture, tourism, education, and the economy with China.
According to the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operation) Datu Hii Chang Kee led the delegation, joined by the leaders of the Sarawak Chinese Association (SCA) and representatives from 12 ethnic associations from Sept 23 to 27.
“The cultural similarities between Sarawak’s 34 ethnic groups and Yunnan’s 26 ethnic groups form a strong foundation for deeper ties.
“The exchange supports Sarawak’s Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which places priority on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development,” he said.
They were received by seven Yunnan government and academic institutions, including Yunnan Nationalities University and the Foreign Affairs Office.
SCA president Harry Lee Tian Song called the trip a ‘cultural roots journey’ reflecting Sarawak’s diversity and shared heritage.
Meanwhile, SCA adviser Datuk Hii King Chiong emphasised that cultural platforms such as the Borneo Cultural Carnival not only bring communities together but also position Sarawak more prominently at national and international levels.
The delegation also invited Yunnan representatives to take part in the 4th Borneo Cultural Carnival in Miri, to be held from July 1–12, 2026.
The event will bring together delegates from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, and Indonesia to celebrate traditions while driving tourism, collaboration, and investment.
Observers further described the mission as a ‘golden phase’ in Sarawak–Yunnan ties, with cultural diplomacy complementing economic and educational links in the future.
Additionally, the visit showcased Sarawak’s cultural strength while promoting friendship and cooperation between the two regions. — DayakDaily
