Festival of colour, vibrancy and enticing cuisine celebrates a rich heritage. Yang Feiyue reports
THE Sanlitun area of Beijing was swept up in a Malaysian craze recently as mouthwatering food, art and cultural performances went on display.
The occasion was a three-day event in early September not only to highlight Malaysia's traditions and culture but also to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia next year.
The event included performances such as the 24 Festive Drums, silat and lion dance, and local palates were able to delight in the likes of durian, bak kut teh, nasi lemak and satay.
The traditional board game Congkak and the Wau Bulan enabled visitors to savour the country's cultural charm at close quarters.
"The friendship between Malaysia and China has a long history," said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak's Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts.
"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between Malaysia and China," he said.
"Malaysia and China have always maintained cultural exchanges, and both sides have been actively innovating forms of exchange and creating platforms for exchanges, achieving significant results in various fields."
The event aimed to deepen mutual understanding and promote cultural diversity, pluralism and creativity, he said.
"We welcome partnerships in promoting local cuisine, artistic collaborations, academic and media exchanges, and other aspects, all of which will greatly enhance the ties between our two countries."
Dai Xulong, president of the Council for International Economics and Technology Administration in Beijing, said that in Malaysia diverse cultures coexist harmoniously, and various cultural traditions and customs are respected and protected.
"In recent years Malaysia has been working hard to facilitate more Chinese tourists to visit the country. I believe that the Beijing Malaysia Festival will further bridge the gap between the people of the two countries and promote mutual understanding between them."
Tengku Eliza Ibrahim, lead project coordinator for the Malaysian charity organisation Perwakilan Beijing, presented various cuisines for festival-goers. Ibrahim and her team prepared seven different menus, consisting of about 400 items.
"The festival brought many fellow Malaysians together, united through our appetite for good food and rich culture," she said. "Beijing residents also had the chance to experience the Malaysian spirit firsthand, without having to travel miles.
"I believe Malaysian food is appealing to the Chinese community as well because we also have a lot of Chinese in Malaysia, so the taste is similar."
Lu Benbing, sales representative for a Malaysian durian import and export trading company, brought various products such as durian cake to the festival.
"In the past few years, our company's durian sales in China have increased, especially this year," he said. "Chinese consumers recognise and are familiar with Southeast Asian food, thanks to the cooperation among ASEAN countries. Our company has signed a lot of orders in recent years."
Over the past few years, China and Malaysia have steadily advanced their collaboration within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, producing the dividends of development, said Su Hong, deputy director of Beijing Investment Promotion Service Centre.
"Economic and trade cooperation between Beijing and Malaysia has also yielded fruitful results. Malaysia's investments in Beijing span various sectors, including leasing and business services, scientific research and technical services, making a positive contribution to the economic and social development of Beijing."
China will align itself with international high-standard economic and trade rules, continue to advance high-level opening-up, and vigorously promote high-quality development, Su said.
"This will provide vast investment and development opportunities for a wide range of companies, including Malaysian businesses."
