The recent visit of the Chinese Navy to Penang has been marked by a warm and welcoming reception, highlighting the strong diplomatic and cultural ties between Malaysia and China. The 83rd task force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), comprising the training ship Qi Jiguang and the amphibious dock landing ship JinggangShan, arrived with over 1,000 personnel for a weekend visit.
The ships were headed by Rear Admiral Zhai Baoran and Rear Admiral Sun Zhongyi, commanders of the PLA’s Navy Task Group 83. During their visit, the Chinese Navy personnel engaged in various meaningful interactions with the local community. They paid a courtesy call on state assembly speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang, who briefed them on the history, roles, duties, operations, and management of the State Legislative Assembly House.
A significant part of the visit involved an interaction with students at Chung Ling Private High School. Around 150 navy members visited the school, where they sang and played friendly games of table tennis and basketball with the students. School principal Ng Jooi Seah described the visit as a great opportunity and a unique experience for the students. The visitors also gave out school bags and basketballs to the students.
Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai emphasized the importance of the visit, noting that it showed mutual goodwill from both the private sector and government agencies in fostering ties between the two nations. “There have been frequent exchanges over the years in various fields, including economic trade, culture, education, defence and regional security. This has made Malaysia and China among the closest partners globally,” he said.
“Ensuring the security and stability of these waters is a shared responsibility and we are pleased to strengthen our maritime collaboration through exchanges such as this visit by Ship 83.
“The presence of the China PLA Navy here today reaffirms our mutual commitment to regional peace, stability and the safeguarding of crucial maritime routes,” said Wong.
Wong Hon Wai also highlighted that the visit reaffirmed the mutual commitment to regional peace, stability, and the safeguarding of crucial maritime routes. As both nations celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Wong stressed that this relationship is not just about governments and policies but about the people of Malaysia and China working together and building a future of shared prosperity.
The visit included a deck reception for the personnel and an open day for the ships over the weekend. The ships, which docked on Saturday, were scheduled to depart for Chittagong, Bangladesh.
This visit is part of a broader context of strengthened relations between Malaysia and China, which is also reflected in the increasing number of Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia. The rise in direct and charter flights between China and Malaysia, coupled with mutual visa-free policies, has led to a notable increase in Chinese tourists this year. In the first eight months, Malaysia welcomed 2,285,785 Chinese tourists, marking a 160% increase compared to the same period last year.
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