KOTA KINABALU: Both President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong), Tan Sri T.C Goh and the new China Consul General in Kota Kinabalu, Huang Shifang have expressed optimism that bilateral ties between China and Malaysia, Sabah included, would grow from strength to strength, and forge closer cooperation in various sectors and aspects, post pandemic.
They expressed this during a courtesy call on Huang by a delegation from The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) led by Goh who is also its President, at the Consulate General of China here, on Monday. FCAS was the first Chinese organization in the state which paid a courtesy call on Huang.
Also in attendance were FCAS Deputy President Datuk Susan Wong, Vice Presidents Datuk Chua Soon Ping, Kapitan Fung Chun Fatt, Ng Young Wah, David Chan Chun Ket, Treasurer-general Chen Ee Sheng, Central Committee member *Datuk George Yong and youth chief Chang Jeng Yung, while Huang was accompanied by Deputy Consuls General, Ouyang Huifeng and Wu Xiaoqing.
Goh who is also President of The Federation of Sabah and Labuan Hokkien Associations (FSLHA) and a member of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC) also warmly welcomed Huang to assume duties as the 3rd Consul General of China in Kota kinabalu. He also expressed confidence that during her tenure Huang would be able to further strengthen bilateral ties between China and Malaysia, Sabah included.
Huang too expressed optimism that the two countries would continue to forge closer cooperation with each other in various aspects and sectors, be it at government-to-government level, or between the private sectors.
And after being briefed on the ongoing preparations and progress of the 7th Sabah International Dragon Boat Race, which is being organized by FCAS, Huang promised to attend the said cultural sports event, which will be held at the Likas Bay here, from 1st to 3rd July.
During the courtesy call, Huang was also briefed by Goh on the history of FCAS and its significant role and contributions to the Chinese community of Sabah. Later, both Goh and Huang also exchanged mementos to commemorate the courtesy call, and to mark the continuation of a strong-and-lasting bilateral relations between Malaysia/Sabah and China.
Goh reiterated that the Chinese community, Huazong, FCAS and FSLHA included, would continue to provide full support and cooperation to the Chinese consulate general in Kota Kinabalu, towards achieving their common goals, in the best interests of the people of Sabah and China.
Huang arrived in Sabah on 30 May, to fill in the vacancy left behind by her predecessor, Liang Caide who left Sabah on 28 April, this year. Since arriving in Sabah, she had paid courtesy call on the Yang DiPertua Negeri Sabah, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin on 13 June, followed by a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, on 16 June, during which she also handed the Commission Letter to both of them.
Huang, 45, who hailed from Beihai, Guangxi Province, is an experienced and highly-qualified Chinese diplomat, with a PhD in Economics, and she had held many senior positions in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as well as in the Guangxi Provincial Government, which included its vice mayor.
