Community told to use association to promote state to relatives in China
MIRI: Federation of Guan Dong Community Association Sarawak members are told to make good use of the association as a channel to promote the state to their extended family and relatives in China.
Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin said the main purpose of the association was to bring together other Chinese associations and their relatives in China.
“Proactive interaction such as visiting each other’s countries is vital to maintain the relation. Similarly, take the opportunity to welcome them to Sarawak, introduce them to the places of interest and may the word of mouth spread among them when they return,” Lee said during the association’s annual dinner-cum-third installation ceremony on Saturday evening.
On the suggestion for a study tour to provinces like Guandong in China, Lee said that it would be a great idea and that if the association is determined in planning for the tour, he would assist in doing so with the help of China’s consul general in Kuching Fu Jijun.
“A study tour to China, to one of these provinces that are well developed, would be of great benefit to learn something from them. With the natural resources that we have here, it would only be a win-win situation for both sides,” he said.
Established five years ago, the Federation of Guan Dong Community Association Sarawak has 12 associations under its flag, amongst them Miri Thai Poo Association and Miri Kwong Hui Association.
The third installation ceremony saw its re- elected president Soo Mei Kong leading committee members in an oath-taking ceremony witnessed by Lee and the organising chairman, Tong Shih Yee ,who is also the chairman of Miri Thai Poo Association.