Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysia–China Friendship Association Sabah is sending a 40-member delegation to China for the “Affectionate China South China Roots-Seeking Journey” winter camp, set to begin on Sunday (21 Dec).
This follows the departure of a 10-member group to Fujian, China, on Friday (19 Dec).
The 10-day camp, organized by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, in collaboration with local federations from Guangdong and Jieyang, targets youths aged 12 to 18. The programmeme offers participants an immersive experience in Chinese culture and heritage.
President of the Malaysia–China Friendship Association Sabah, Dr. Oh Ei Sun, highlighted the association’s long-standing commitment to promoting Chinese-language education and preserving Chinese culture.
He described the winter camp as a rare and valuable opportunity for the youth of Sabah to deepen their cultural understanding and broaden their global perspectives.
“This roots-seeking journey is a pivotal step in their personal growth, allowing them to connect with their heritage while engaging in cultural exchange.
“It’s a chance to foster greater cross-cultural understanding and lay the groundwork for future collaborations between Malaysia and China,” said Dr. Oh.
He emphasized the importance of youth in building bridges between nations and expressed hope that the participants would embrace the experience with confidence.
By understanding their ancestral homeland, he believes they will be better equipped to share the stories of China, Malaysia, and Sabah on the global stage.
Looking ahead, the association plans to further enhance youth exchange opportunities between Malaysia and China, with a focus on educational programmemes, cultural exchanges, and more roots-seeking journeys.
Dr. Oh stressed that investing in youth is investing in the future, and the association is committed to fostering a new generation with cultural confidence and a global outlook.
Including the 10-member delegation already in Fujian, a total of 50 participants from Sabah are involved in exchange and learning programmemes in China this month.
