Bai hopes successor will complete three unfinished tasks

End of an era: Abdul Majid (sixth from right) presenting a portrait to Bai (fourth from left). Also present are (from left) Sim, Bong, Zulkifly, Tan Kai Hee, Tang, Tan Keng Kang, Chuah and Ng.

PETALING JAYA: As his tenure ends next month, China Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian hopes his successor will complete his three unfinished tasks in the country.

The tasks involve shooting a film celebrating Malaysia-China friendship, establishing an international Chinese school and setting up an upscale Chinese tea house in Kuala Lumpur.

During a farewell dinner hosted by the Malaysia-China Friendship Association (PPMC), Bai Tian expressed hope that his successor and the embassy would look into completing the three projects.

“For the shooting of the film, everything is ready from the script and casting to sponsors including Robert Kuok of the Kuok Group and Tan Sri Koo Yuen Kim of the Perfect Group,” he said.

The filming was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This film will introduce Malaysia to the 1.4 billion Chinese citizens, and help bring more tourists to Malaysia,” he added.

As for the school, Bai said it was needed as there were about 100,000 Chinese nationals who were either working in Malaysia or staying under the Malaysia My Second Home programme, with school-going children.

He envisaged the high-end Chinese tea house to come complete with private spaces.

Since he started his stint in November 2017, Bai has seen changes in the Malaysian government under three prime ministers.

“It’s surely an unforgettable experience for any diplomat,” he said.

Bai described the Malaysia-China relations as solid, with great potential for further enhancement and development. He expressed confidence that bilateral ties would remain strong despite changes in the Malaysian political landscape.

“However, there is still plenty of room for improvement of mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries,” he said.PPMC president Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan called Bai a humble ambassador who genuinely promoted friendship between the two countries and their peoples.

Bai even hosted a Hari Raya open house at the embassy, he noted.

Majid said Malaysia had maintained its friendly policy with China since establishing diplomatic relations in 1974.

Also present at the dinner were the embassy’s political counsellor Yu Jun, press and public communication counsellor Tang Tang, secretary to the ambassador Yang Shuo and secretary Zhang Yaqi.

PPMC members present included life honorary president Tan Kai Hee, vice-presidents Tan Sri Tang Yeam Soon and Zulkifly Zakaria, secretary-general Tan Keng Kang, deputy secretary-general Ng Chin Long, treasurer Datuk Bong Hon Liong, deputy treasurer Datuk Seri Chuah Poh Khiang and committee member Datuk Sim Tiak Choo.

The association also presented to Bai a portrait of the outgoing envoy by artist Gan Tee Sheng as a farewell gift.