PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and China want to expand cooperation in the field of education, especially in Islamic studies, said Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik (pic).
Dr Maszlee, who is on a four-day working visit to China, said the chairman of Shanxi Halal Business Chamber of Commerce, Tie Qunping, proposed that the International Islamic University of Malaysia set up a branch in Xian province, as well as an International Islamic School for early education.
He said Xian alone had a Muslim population of more than 300,000 and millions more in the Shanxi province and in five other provinces.
“Malaysia has a reputation as a moderate nation and does not promote radical ideologies.
“The Chinese government is more comfortable with its Muslim nationals studying in Malaysia compared to countries in the Middle East,” he said a statement yesterday.
Dr Maszlee also suggested that China sent its students to Malaysia and the Education Ministry was prepared to do everything necessary to acquire quality Islamic education and in other fields.
His trip is a follow-up to the visit of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to China last month. — Bernama
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