Anwar, Li Qiang exchange luxury books, recall diplomatic relations

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang exchanged luxury books to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.

According to Bernama, Li presented a book titled 50th Anniversary of China-Malaysia Diplomatic Ties Hand in Hand for Win-Win Cooperation, while Anwar presented a book titled Ties that Bind to the Chinese Prime Minister

The two leaders also exchanged commemorative stamps. Anwar also handed over a commemorative coin to Li.

Ties that Bind was published to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, which were established on 31 May 1974.

The 174-page English-Chinese bilingual book was published by the Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) and produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ties that Bind also includes messages from the Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Minister of Communications, Fahmi Fadzil; Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing and Chairman of BERNAMA, Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.

The book, through text and pictures, conveys important exchanges between the leaders and people of the two countries as well as the growth of political, economic, cultural, social, sports and tourism relations between the two countries for the past 50 years.

Meanwhile, the luxury book 50th Anniversary of China-Malaysia Diplomatic Ties Hand in Hand for Win-Win Cooperation was organized by Xinhua News Agency and the Malaysia-China Friendship Association.

The 106-page book contains messages from Anwar, Ouyang, Xinhua News Agency Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau Director Wang Jinfu and Malaysia-China Friendship Association President Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan.

The lavish book also contains two chapters titled Footprint of History and China-Malaysia Ties in New Era.

The exchange was held on the sidelines of a dinner celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Malaysia and China last night.

When met after the ceremony, Fahmi said the launch of the luxury book Ties that Bind published by BERNAMA came at the right time, arranged in line with the journey Malaysia and China have been traveling together over the years.

“Yes, (the launch of the book) is timely and historic because we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, now we can see that those relations have borne fruit.

“We sincerely hope that this book can provide a perspective on the relationship between the two countries and help strengthen the relationship,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wong said Ties that Bind marks the continuation of bilateral relations and exchanges between Malaysia and China.

“We can say it (Ties that Bind) is the only book that symbolizes the 50th anniversary of both countries and in this book, I think a lot of great work has been done by the Bernama team.

“I sincerely hope that this book, while commemorating the anniversary, marks the beginning of another 50 years of relations between Malaysia and China,” said the BERNAMA Chairman.

Sharing the same opinion, BERNAMA’s Chief Executive Officer, Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, said that in addition to telling the history of diplomatic relations between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing, the book also explores the economic, cultural and social relations between the two countries.

“It is also forward-looking, considering how the relationship between the two countries can develop in the future.

“This perspective is important as we face new challenges in all areas of bilateral relations between Malaysia and China,” he said.