Astounding! Simply - BorneoTalk Official Website
Astounding! Simply - BorneoTalk Official Website
Astounding! Simply - BorneoTalk Official Website
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Info<br />
Through such belief, Sibu<br />
Municipal Council (SMC) has<br />
established good friendship<br />
and understanding with nine<br />
counties in China.<br />
Together<br />
we prosper<br />
This follows with the signing of the<br />
Memorandum of Understanding for<br />
friendly exchange relationship<br />
between them over a period of two<br />
years.<br />
The programme was initiated by<br />
SMC Chairman Datuk Tiong Thai<br />
King who sees the need to foster<br />
goodwill, understanding and<br />
cooperation with counties in the<br />
People’s Republic of China.<br />
The first MoU happened on March<br />
20, 2009 between SMC and NingDe<br />
City in the Fujian Province. It was a<br />
great success for both parties. With<br />
that, eight more counties joined<br />
in. They included FuQing County<br />
(signed on 21/2/2011), MingQing<br />
County (22/2/2011), GuTian<br />
County (23/2/2011), PingNang<br />
County (23/2/2011), GuLou County<br />
(24/2/2011), QingHe County<br />
(4/3/2011), GuangNing County<br />
(17/10/2011) and PuYang County<br />
(19/10/2011).<br />
Through such agreements, SMC<br />
and the counties concern agree<br />
to promote the friendly contacts<br />
between the peoples of the two<br />
places, and the exchanges and<br />
cooperation in every field which<br />
include economy, trade, science<br />
and technology, culture, education,<br />
sports, public health and personnel<br />
for common prosperity on the basis<br />
of equality and mutual benefit.<br />
Besides that, leaders and related<br />
departments of both sides shall<br />
Signed, sealed, delivered...Thai King (left) and the Chief of GuangNing county, Yuan Hai Ping putting<br />
their signature on the dotted line for the MoU. Witnessed by Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Minister of<br />
Public Health (standing 3 rd left)<br />
maintain frequent contacts so as<br />
to have consultations on issues of<br />
common concern and matters on<br />
bilateral exchange and cooperation.<br />
This agreement is valid for five years<br />
and subject to renewal by both<br />
parties.<br />
The friendship has thus resulted with<br />
cultural troupe from NingDe County<br />
inaugural performance at the 2009<br />
Borneo Cultural Festival.<br />
The Ningde She Minority Song-and-<br />
Dance Troupe has also performed<br />
a combination of 11 dances,<br />
songs, the She traditional musical<br />
instruments and magic show on the<br />
second week of November 2011 at<br />
the Sibu Civic Centre.<br />
SMC is mulling to send a mixed<br />
cultural troupe of the Malay, Chinese<br />
and Dayak to all these nine counties<br />
for performances as part of the<br />
agreement for cultural exchange.<br />
Such arrangements will take place<br />
next year.<br />
In addition, the Council will soon<br />
identify a piece of land to create a<br />
Friendship City Garden. Under the<br />
project, all the nine counties will<br />
be invited to set up their respective<br />
landmarks in the Garden.<br />
The programme does not end with<br />
nine counties as more counties in<br />
China are expected to follow suit in<br />
time to come.<br />
NingDe Cultural troupe from China<br />
performing at the 2009 BCF<br />
For further information, please contact<br />
Sibu Municipal Council<br />
at Level 19-24, Wisma Sanyan No. 1,<br />
Jalan Sanyan, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.<br />
Tel: +6084 333411 Fax: +6084 320240<br />
Jan-Mar2012<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 41