MALACCA: Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang is impressed with the racial diversity in Malacca, and durian-flavoured cendol.
Li had a taste of both during his visit to Malacca yesterday.
He arrived at about 5.30pm and was greeted by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron before paying a courtesy call on Malacca Governor Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.
During their 15-minute meeting, Li and Mohd Khalil discussed the close relationship between China and Malacca, forged since the era of the Malacca Sultanate hundreds of years ago.
Also present were Mohd Khalil’s wife, Toh Puan Zurina Kassim, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and the state executive councillors.
Li and his wife Cheng Hong were later accompanied by Idris to the Baba Nyonya museum in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock here and a cendol treat at Jonker Street.
Idris’ aide said Li was impressed with the fact that Hindu temple, Sri Poyyatha Moorthi Temple, Kampung Kling Mosque and the Taoist Cheng Hoon Teng temple were standing side-by-side along Jonker Street.
The aide said Li had also remarked that Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho) had brought along 100 bachelors to the Malacca shores and they assimilated well in giving birth to the Baba Nyonya community, that was uniquely Malaccan.
He said Li had also commented that “the legacy of Cheng Ho should continue where there is no colour or creed and that we are one big family”.
The Chinese premier also enjoyed the durian-flavoured cendol.
Li arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Friday for the Asean-China Summit.
In September, Malacca and Guangdong signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of State and Provincial Friendship and Cooperation.
Malacca is targeting to attract investments worth RM20mil from China within the next 10 years.
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