Kunming (China): Yesterday marked a historic day for Sarawak and the Province of Yunnan in China as the two states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Establishment of Friendship – Province/State Relationship here yesterday.
The Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg, who is on a weeklong working visit to china since Sunday, signed for the Sarawak State Government and Ruang Cheng Fa, the provincial governor for the Province of Yunnan.
The State Government represented by the relevant agencies also inked three other MOUs with the Yunnan provincial government.
The Friendship City Agreement was signed between Kuching North City Commission and Dali City, education co-operation between Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Yunnan University and literary co-operation between Pustaka Negeri Sarawak and Yunnan Provincial Library.
In his brief return address, the Chief Minister said that his visit could be viewed as an effort to renew the bilateral friendship between Yunnan Province and Sarawak which dated back to the time of the great Chinese admiral, Cheng Ho who explored South East Asia in the 15th century.
He pointed out that a friendship park had been built in Kuching and dedicated to the friendship established during the time of Cheng Ho.
“I am sure in this modern time we can renew this friendship based on our cultural exchange as well as social visits between Yunnan and Sarawak,” he said.
The government of Sarawak and Yunnan could also explore into other areas of co-operation, especially in science and technology, he added.
The Chief Minister arrived in Beijing on Sunday on his first working visit overseas since appointed as Chief Minister about two months ago. He was accompanied by his wife, Datin Amar Dato Hajah Juma’ani Tun Datuk Tuanku Haji Bujang, the Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and the State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Morshidi Haji bin Haji Abdul Ghani and their wives.
Yesterday, the Chief Minister witnessed the signing of a MOU between SEDC and a Chinese international tourism development company, Beijing Glory International Culture Development Co. Ltd at Nou Hotel in the Chinese capital for the purpose of further developing Sarawak’s tourism potentials and hospitality management.
Later yesterday in the evening the Chief Minister and his entourage were to fly to Hong Kong to continue the tour.
