Octogenarians thrilled to meet Chinese ambassador
NILAI: This year’s Lunar New Year was extra special for Lee Yuk Khai – Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang dropped in for a visit at her home at the new village here.
The China-born 88-year-old was elated to see Dr Huang, who visited the village for the first time in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
Her son, Lee Fong Seong, 69, said his mother had been waiting impatiently to meet the ambassador after being told of his visit.
“The Chinese ambassador also presented ang pow to my mum. She was extremely excited to see him in person,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Huang visited another octogenarian, Wong San Kiow, in the same village.
He also presented ang pow to her and extended his best wishes for the new year.
He spent several minutes chatting with both Lee and Wong at their homes.
Dr Huang, who was accompanied by MCA Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon, later attended the Chinese New Year open house event hosted by Chong.
In his speech, the ambassador said he was honoured to have been invited.
“This is my first visit here and I am very happy to see the Chinese living in harmony with other races. It is my hope that this beautiful country of yours, her people, including the Chinese, will continue to prosper.”
Dr Huang said both Malaysia and China enjoyed good relations which could only get better. He also expressed confidence that bilateral trade between Malaysia and China would increase.
At the event, Dr Huang donated RM100,000 to five Chinese primary schools here. He also donated RM10,000 each to the two families he had visited.
“Some people asked why I go around giving aid to Chinese schools. I don’t see anything wrong with this as we are only doing our bit to assist these schools,” Dr Huang said.
He said the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia would continue to give aid to these institutions as long as it could.