New China envoy becomes instant ‘star’

For a new friend: Pheng presents Bai (second from right) with a Chinese calligraphy that reads ‘Fostering close Malaysia-China Friendship’.

BAI Tian, the new Chinese ambassador to Malaysia, has become an instant “celebrity” since he arrived in Malaysia.

In the late night of Nov 28 when his flight from Beijing touched down at KLIA, he was shocked to see a large welcoming crowd of Chinese community leaders led by Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah, president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong).