KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is committed to fostering greater relations with China in several areas, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the state continues to place importance on fostering mutually beneficial cooperation with China, and is committed to aligning development strategies, identifying new opportunities, and expanding into new areas of cooperation.
“We stand ready to work closely with the Chinese Consulate General here in Kota Kinabalu and all stakeholders in Sabah to strengthen our long-standing friendship further and contribute to the building of a Sabah-China and Malaysia-China community with a shared future,” he said at the 76th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Republic of China here on Thursday (Sept 25).
His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister II and state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
Hajiji said Sabah, with its rich cultural diversity and social harmony, values its enduring friendship with the Chinese people.
“We are ready to play our unique role in advancing Malaysia-China relations and contributing to the building of a community with a shared future,” he said, adding that Malaysia-China relations have reached unprecedented heights.
Hajiji said China President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia in April, and his recent meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, reflected the strength of this partnership.
“Our Prime Minister reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to deepen cooperation with China, bringing tangible benefits to both countries. These close, high-level engagements have also given new momentum to Sabah-China relations and cooperation,” he said.
Noting that China is now the largest trading partner of both Malaysia and Sabah, he said cooperation between both parties covers a wide range of sectors, reflecting both economic focus areas and people-to-people links.
The Sabah-China collaboration spans agriculture and fisheries, renewable energy, oil and gas, infrastructure, trade, manufacturing, tourism, education, and cultural cooperation, delivering concrete benefits on both sides, he noted.
“Let us deepen our cooperation so that together we will contribute to a stronger Malaysia–China partnership and a stable, prosperous region. Together, we build trust, share growth, and shape the future,” he said.
