2,000 runners celebrate Malaysia-China 44 years partnership
KOTA KINABALU: Nearly 2,000 avid runners took part in a friendship run to mark the 44 years of bilateral ties between Malaysia and China here yesterday.
Organised to promote greater relations among the peoples from the two countries, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Jaujan Sambakong said the event was a true reflection of the existing close rapport between Malaysians in Sabah with the Chinese community.
The event was organised by the Ma-Zhong Friendship Association Sabah (MZFAS) with the support from the People's Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu.
“On top of that, Malaysia has always had good relations with China, and this is what we have to protect and preserve,” said Jaujan, who is also Local Government and Housing Minister, when he launched the event.
He said similar events should be organised more and it should also be held in China for the benefit of Malaysians living there.
Meanwhile, MZFAS president Dr Oh Ei Sun said the large crowd showed the local government and people were keen to further ties with China, especially in the Belt and Road Initiative.
“We hope such healthy and positive event could help the participants to have deeper understandings on the friendship between China and Malaysia, especially with Sabah,” he said.
Chinese consul-general in Kota Kinabalu, Liang Caide, said the event was a meaningful way to mark the 44th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia.