Photo: ART CHEN/The Star
BENTONG: Bilateral relations between China and Malaysia will keep growing and become stronger, says China's Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.
The profound friendship between the two countries, he said, has seen China and Malaysia going through various challenges together, especially throughout the pandemic in the last two years.
"During the pandemic, China and Malaysia assisted each other with various cooperation, such as medical supplies, information sharing in fighting the pandemic and vaccine supplies.
"During the floods, the embassy and Chinese enterprises in Malaysia actively assisted with donation and reconstruction work," he said in his speech during a visit to Kampung Benus here Friday (Sept 16).
Earlier, Ouyang presented donations and aid for villagers affected by recent flash floods and also celebrated Malaysia Day with the villagers.
Through the arrangement by Yayasan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram), this was the third time that the embassy had extended help to the villagers.
"With the support and cooperation from Ikram, we prepared food baskets, school bags and other living and study necessities for nearly 400 villagers and students, hoping to help relieve some of their burdens," he said.
Citing a famed Malay proverb, "bukit sama didaki, lurah sama dituruni (traversing the same path)", he said it aptly described the profound friendship between China and Malaysia.
"Today's event is yet another beautiful story that celebrates our good friendship.
"I believe there will be more to come," he said.
Also present were Ikram chief executive officer Kamsani Nasir, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College board of governors chairman and former Bentong MP Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai and other guests.
Ikram is a consolidation of education and humanitarian NGOs that has publicly and consistently been taking moderate and progressive positions in promoting Islamic revivalism.
It has a strong, active grassroots network engaged in improving the day-to-day lives of Malaysians on the ground.
Together with Kamsani and Liow, Ouyang also visited the homes of three army veterans and presented them with donations and aid.
Liow thanked Ouyang, who came to Malaysia at the height of the pandemic, for coming to Kampung Benus for his first "on the ground" visit to the people following Malaysia's gradual opening in April this year.
"It is rare to have ambassador Ouyang in the village on Malaysia Day. It shows that he cares," he said, adding that he was also thankful to Ikram for helping.
Calling on all Malaysians to cherish our unity and harmony, Liow said there was a need to strengthen these values from time to time.
"We are multiracial and yet we have a common goal, to develop our nation to have a better economy so that we can improve our lives.
"Let's work hard and bring our villages, society and country to greater success," he said.
Liow also noted that 15 flood mitigation projects were laid out for Bentong and four of them have been completed.
"One is coming up along Sungai Penjuring, while nine others are expected to complete by next month," he said.
Some 400 villages were flooded with 2,000 villagers displaced during a major flood at Kampung Benus on December 18 last year.
Three months later, another flash flood hit the village, forcing more villagers to lose their homes and belongings.
