KOTA KINABALU: China’s Zhejiang province is keen to explore more cultural, educational, economic and friendship programmes with Sabah.
Zhang Wen, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, said the beautiful culture in Sabah, as well as the Chinese influence, were suitable for more bilateral initiatives.
“We hope there could be more of such programmes between both Sabah and Zhejiang in future, as we see huge collaboration potential in various aspects with Sabah,” he said during a high tea session hosted by the Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) here, Friday (Dec 19).
He thanked the SJA for hosting their six-member delegate to a wonderful high tea, and looked forward to more exchange programmes in future.
During her welcoming speech, SJA president Mariah Doksil said the courtesy visit marked a return visit to Sabah following SJA’s trip to three cities in Zhejiang province in September.
“The delegation visited several news outlets in Kota Kinabalu and also had the opportunity to tour Kian Kok Middle School to explore possible future collaboration.
“SJA hopes this visit will open a new chapter in promoting Sabah through the writings of media representatives from Zhejiang,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation to the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu for sponsoring Sabah journalists’ visit to China last September and for co-hosting the Zhejiang media delegation’s visit to Sabah on this occasion.
Also part of the delegation was Shentu Qinger, Deputy Director of the Information Office of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government and Ye Tun, Deputy Director of Integrated Interview Department, News Centre, Zhejiang Satellite TV of Zhejiang Media Group.
Others were Xie Qing, Deputy Director of Zhejiang International Communication Centre of Zhejiang Daily Press Group, Xu Jinping, producer of Prime Time of ZTV-WORLD of Zhejiang Media Group and Bao Yisheng, journalist of Chaowen Tianxia Media (Zhejiang) Group Co., Ltd.
Representing the Chinese Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu were Desi Wen and Zhou Yufen.
The four-day, three-night visit is expected to become an annual programme aimed at boosting cultural exchange among media representatives from both countries.
