KUALA LUMUR, Jan 19 (Sin Chew Daily) — Youths from Malaysia and China took part in a virtual dialogue in the Malay language on January 18 Monday.

Malaysia-China Friendship Association vice president Zulkifli Zakaria said good bilateral relationship between Malaysia and China had been reflected in trade, economy and diplomatic ties. Collaboration between both countries in cultural and educational aspects have also extended to a deeper level, showing that people of both countries are very lose to one another.

"Interactions in education have been frequent between the people of Malaysia and China in recent years, with thousands of students studying in each other's countries. This has helped enhance mutual understanding as students from China study in Malaysia and vice versa. They learn about the differences in culture and lifestyle.

Zulkifli said both Malaysia and China support each other during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To further enhance friendship among the youths in these two countries, the Malaysia -China Friendship Association has organized a Zoom session for youths from both countries to interact in the Malay language.

Social activist Chew Hoong Ling hosted the session with Malay reporter from China Media Group Liang Liang delivering a keynote address on the past, present and future of friendship between China and Malaysia.

Liang uploaded a video on Facebook last year sharing the preventive measures adopted by China on COVID-19 in fluent Malay.

The video went viral and Liang shot to fame among Malaysian netizens.

She continued to share stories from China with Malaysians under her Malay name Husna Liang.

Zulkifli said activities organized in the Malay language for youths from both countries help boost friendship and create better understanding among them.

He also said that with the support extended by the Embassy of China in Malaysia, youth exchange programs have been carried out for years.

"In the past two years, representatives from the Malaysia-China Friendship Association have visited Beijing, Shandong, Ningxia, Xian, Guangdong and Yunnan provinces interacting with more than 100 representatives from different ethnic groups through local universities and organizations," he said.

The association will continue hosting online forums to update Chinese students who are currently studying in Malaysia.

Liu Yuhong, vice president of Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (BPAFFC) said interactions between youths of Malaysia and China pave way for the long-term friendship as hardship caused by COVID-19 pandemic is temporary.

"Leaders attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2020 last year adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration and launched the new APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040. To see the vision come true, this would depend on active participation and involvement of youths from both countries," she said.

Liu said the BPAFFC would contribute to promote exchanges between youths of both countries.

Among those joining the virtual dialogue were Chinese students who studied at Universiti Sains Malaysia under a student exchange program in 2019 and the first batch of Malaysian students visiting China under the youth exchange program.