(24th February)

Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT) Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Haji Abdul Razak, Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang,
Honourable Mr.Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang,  
All the distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening！

Today is the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, better known as the Lantern Festival. On this joyous occasion of reunion and happy gathering, we are very glad to have the “Festival of Spring” grand art performance for the first time in Penang, providing a cultural feast featuring happiness and harmony for everyone. On behalf of the Consulate General of China in Penang, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the performers and staff of “Festival of Spring” for their hard work! I would like to express my warm welcome to TYT Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Haji Abdul Razak, Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang and YABhg. Toh Puan Dato’ Seri Utama Khadijah binti Mohd Nor, and the Penang Chief Minister, Mr. Chow Kon Yeow and his spouse, Madam Tan Lean Kee, as well as all the distinguished guests! I also extend my best New Year greetings to the people of the four states in the consular district, friends from all walks of life, employees of Chinese-funded enterprises, and Chinese students studying in the consular district!

After 15 years of development, “Festival of Spring” has become a world-renowned cultural brand. With the support and assistance of the Penang State Government, the Penang Chinese Town Hall, and friends from all walks of life, the “Festival of Spring” grand art performance, which is known as the “Overseas Spring Festival Gala”, makes its brilliant debut in Penang. The festive atmosphere permeates the state, showcasing Malaysia’s distinguishing feature of ethnic harmony and cultural diversity, and even presenting a true picture of the cultural exchanges and people-to-people bond between China and Malaysia. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia. “Festival of Spring” today is not only a grand Chinese New Year celebration for the people in our consular district, but also marks a good start for the series of activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia.

The year 2023 witnessed the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Malaysia as well as the solid progress in Chinese modernization, bearing special significance to both China and Malaysia.

Last year, China-Malaysia relations have shown high-level robustness, with steady progress in practical cooperation. Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made two visits to China, and President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have reached important common understandings on jointly building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future, drawing a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations in the new era. China is Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. Chinese enterprises are increasing their investment in Malaysia and comprehensively promoting cooperation in the emerging areas of digital economy, green economy, etc., instead of the traditional sectors such as infrastructure and textiles. The implementation of mutual visa-free policy for both Chinese and Malaysian citizens further facilitate people-to-people exchanges, bringing tangible benefits to the people of two countries.

Last year, China’s economy sustained the momentum of recovery despite external pressure and achieved solid progress in high-quality development. China’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached a 5.2 percent year-on-year growth in 2023, contributing over 30 percent to the global economic growth for over 10 consecutive years, and continuing to be the largest engine of world economy. China has has topped the world in manufacturing value added for 14 years in a row, increasing imports and exports against the global trend. It is an anchor for the world economy. China market has become a big shared market for the whole world, which will bring more benefits to Malaysia and other countries in the world.

Last year, the enthusiasm for sub-national exchanges and interactions between Chinese localities and our consular district remained robust, and the local exchanges and cooperation in various fields delivered encouraging outcomes. We successfully received the high-level Chinese delegations led by Chinese Vice President, Han Zheng, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and others. TYT Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Haji Abdul Razak, Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang successfully visited Shenzhen and Xi’an, China. Penang Chief Minister Mr. Chow Kon Yeow led a official delegation to visit Xiamen in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Xiamen-Penang Sister City Relationship. Nanning City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Ipoh City of Perak officially established a sister city relationship. Chinese-funded enterprises such as EVE Energy Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and xFusion Digital Technologies Co., Ltd have successively invested and developed businesses in the consular district. The Perak and Kedah state governments sent large-scale economic and trade delegations to China for business inspection and investment invitation. Guangzhou and Xiamen resumed direct flights to Penang. Chongqing and Chengdu also launched chartered flights services to Langkawi. The local exchanges and cooperation between China and Malaysia enjoy broad prospects.

Dear friends,

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and a key year in realizing the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan. In this new year, we will follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, speed up building the new development paradigm, promote high-quality development, and share with the world the new opportunities brought by Chinese modernization. In this new year, we will take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia as an opportunity, to fully implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance mutual understanding, build a closer bond between the two peoples, and strive to jointly building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future. In this new year, guided by the vision of of building a community with a shared future for mankind, we will work with Malaysia and other ASEAN countries, to advocate Asian values featuring peace, cooperation, inclusiveness and integration, foster a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, and build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable common home.

With the changing of seasons, a new chapter unfolds every day. In traditional Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes good luck and auspiciousness. On this occasion of Chinese New Year, I wish the world to enjoy peace and prosperity, China and Malaysia to be prosperous and the people of the two countries to live in peace! I wish everyone all the best and prosperity in the Year of the Dragon! I wish the wonderful performance of the “Festival of Spring” tonight a complete success!

Thank you!