Caption: Guests pose for a group photograph at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Chinese Culture Land In Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Datuk Richard Yong, J.P., is sixth from the right; Dr. Zhu Xinglong is seventh from the right; and Ms. Kong Xuemei is seventh from the left.
KOTA KINABALU: The 2026 Chinese Culture Land In Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia officially opened today at Kota Kinabalu Kian Kok Middle School, gathering approximately 400 primary and secondary school students from diverse ethnic backgrounds across Sabah to participate in a week-long cultural and educational exchange programme.
Organised by Beijing Chinese Language And Culture Collage, hosted by the Malaysia China Friendship Association Sabah, co-organised by Kota Kinabalu Kian Kok Middle School, and supported by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, the programme runs from August 29 to September 6.
Through a wide range of activities including Chinese calligraphy, traditional painting, martial arts, folk music, shadow puppetry, handicrafts and cultural studies, students will have the opportunity to experience the richness of Chinese civilisation while fostering mutual understanding and friendship between Malaysia and China.
This marks the third time the Malaysia China Friendship Association Sabah has hosted the Chinese Culture Land programme. Previous editions featured teaching teams from Shaanxi Province in 2023 and Tianjin in 2024, bringing authentic Chinese cultural experiences to local students.
In her opening address, Ms. Kong Xuemei, Deputy President of Beijing Chinese Language And Culture Collage and Head of the 2026 Chinese Culture Land teaching delegation, said the programme was designed to bring authentic traditional Chinese culture directly to overseas youth and encourage them to appreciate its beauty and values.
She noted that over the years, Chinese Culture Land programmes have benefited countless young people around the world, enabling them to experience the vitality of Chinese culture through both physical and online platforms.
“Today, we have travelled across mountains and seas to bring this sincerity and friendship to Kota Kinabalu,” she said. “We hope students can immerse themselves in traditional Chinese culture in a familiar environment, allowing the seeds of cultural heritage to take root and flourish amid laughter and joy.”
Kong highlighted that Beijing Chinese Language And Culture Collage has extensive experience organising overseas cultural exchange programmes and has carefully designed a series of quality courses that combine cultural learning, physical activities, creativity and performance.
She introduced the 12-member teaching team from China, comprising specialists in Chinese culture, Chinese big drum, martial arts, dance, recitation, vocal music, Baduanjin, intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, Chinese calligraphy and painting, steel tongue drum, traditional folk crafts and shadow puppetry.
According to Kong, the instructors are not only experts in their respective fields but are also dedicated educators who understand how to present traditional Chinese culture in engaging and enjoyable ways.
“With enthusiasm, professionalism and an educational approach that combines learning with enjoyment, our teachers will guide students to discover the richness and depth of Chinese culture while experiencing the unique charm of both traditional Chinese culture and contemporary China,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation to the Malaysia China Friendship Association Sabah and Kota Kinabalu Kian Kok Middle School for their extensive efforts in programme planning, venue preparation, student recruitment and logistics, which contributed to the successful launch of the event.
Kong encouraged participants to make full use of this valuable opportunity by actively engaging in the activities, exploring new knowledge and building friendships.
She expressed hope that students would not only gain cultural knowledge and practical skills but also deepen their understanding of China and become young ambassadors of friendship between Malaysia and China.
The Chinese Culture Land programme, a well-established cultural education brand aimed at overseas Chinese youth, has been widely welcomed by Chinese communities worldwide. This year’s edition adopts a thematic approach to teaching and features professional educators and coaches from China who will lead students in language, culture and traditional arts studies.
The curriculum covers Chinese martial arts, folk music, calligraphy, painting, traditional handicrafts, stage performance and Chinese cultural studies. Participants can choose from courses such as martial arts, shadow puppetry, singing and recitation, Chinese cultural theatre, paper-cutting, Chinese big drum, lantern-making and calligraphy and painting according to their interests and age groups.
The programme is designed not only to impart traditional cultural knowledge and skills but also to cultivate teamwork, creativity, confidence and cross-cultural understanding among participants.
Among the distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony were Sabah State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk Richard Yong We Kong, J.P., Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu Dr. Zhu Xinglong, Deputy President of Beijing Chinese Language And Culture Collage Ms. Kong Xuemei, Honorary President of the Malaysia China Friendship Association Sabah and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kota Kinabalu Kian Kok Middle School Datuk Clement Yeh, J.P., President of the Malaysia China Friendship Association Sabah Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Senator and Chairman of the Sabah Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung, and Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the Malaysia China Friendship Association Sabah Mr. Steven Liaw, among many other community leaders and representatives.
With the successful opening ceremony, the 2026 Chinese Culture Land In Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia officially begins a series of cultural learning and exchange activities, offering students from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to experience Chinese culture while embracing the values of multicultural harmony and people-to-people friendship between Malaysia and China.
