Sabah hopes for the return of Chinese tourists once borders reopen

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in discussions with Consul General of China in Kota Kinabalu Liang Caide during a courtesy call at the official residence Sri Gaya in Kota Kinabalu.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is keen to see tourists from China flock back to the state once the international borders are re-opened for tourism.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the state government was keen to work with China's embassy and consulate offices to help promote Sabah as a tourist destination.

He said prior to the pandemic and closure of borders, the state's tourism sector relied heavily on foreign tourists especially from China.

"With the re-opening of borders to international visitors in the near future, we hope many tourists from China will visit Sabah as it would help revive the sector.

"This will help revive the local tourism sector and boost the economy in the state," he said during a courtesy call from the Consul General of China in Kota Kinabalu Liang Caide at his official residence in Sri Gaya, on Friday (Jan 14).

Hajiji said that the state was open to investments from China to develop various key sectors including construction, tourism, agriculture and high-tech industries.

The Chief Minister assured that the state government led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) would work closely with the consulate in bringing in more investors from China to help boost the growth of the economic sector of this country.

"The good relations and cooperation already established between Sabah and China will continue to be strengthened further because it provides many benefits to both parties," he said.

Liang had briefed Hajiji on efforts made by its office in promoting Sabah as a tourism, investment and trade destination.