Sabah keen on deepening cultural ties with China
Published on: Thursday, May 09, 2024
By: Wu Vui Tek
Liew (second right) and Dr Huang (right) view the exhibited artworks as Gu (left) provides an explanation.
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is keen to showcase its cultural heritage in China, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
“This initiative is aimed at reciprocating the exchange of the Chinese art exhibition currently being held here, marking the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.
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“We opened the door to invite the Chinese artists to hold their exhibitions here to lay the foundation for deeper cultural engagement.
“This is the first time the Chinese artists have come to the State,” said Liew during the launch of the China-Sabah Art Exhibition at the Sabah Art Gallery.
She said through these artistic expressions, meaningful communication and mutual understanding between our nations are fostered.
Liew suggested that for future cultural exchange events, the State could organise traditional cultural dances and songs in China through the Sabah Cultural Board.
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“The response for this exhibition has been promising, with inquiries pouring in from both local and international audiences.
“We aspire for the success of this endeavour, paving the way for future collaborations in the realm of art and culture,” said Liew.
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She also highlighted the significance of international artists in sharing their artworks and experiences with local artists, fostering inspiration and cross-cultural learning.
“I hope our new friends from China will see the beauty of Sabah and draw inspiration to create new paintings and poems to commemorate their visit here,” she added, encouraging for more such events in Kota Kinabalu.
Liew hopes artists in Kota Kinabalu would have the opportunity to personally meet and exchange notes with Chinese artists, enriching their understanding of Chinese art at a deeper level.
The Chinese Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu, Dr Huang Shifang, said the exhibition acts as a bridge connecting people from both places, facilitating mutual learning and understanding of each other’s art, culture and traditions.
Through such exchanges, she believes the bond between the people of China and Sabah has grown stronger, fostering friendly relations and enhancing China-Malaysia and China-Sabah friendships.
“I hope artists from both places will use their art to spread messages of culture and friendship, strengthening the bond between the people of China and Sabah,” she said.
Dr Huang reiterated the Consulate General’s willingness to collaborate with friends from all walks of life in Sabah to deepen the friendship between the two peoples and collectively contribute to a better tomorrow for the China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
The Chinese artists exhibiting their artworks here are Gu Benjian, Sun Jianzhong, Xi Wenyuan, Xie Jianke, Ye Shengqin and Sabah artist Florence Wong.
They are from the Shanghai Ba Dai Tou Calligraphy and Painting Academy, and the FLOW Studio of Wang Jun Laboratory.
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