CHINA: Sarawak and Yunnan have reinforced cultural relations through a heritage exchange visit involving 38 participants to Yunnan from September 23 to 27.
The Sarawak delegation, led by Deputy State Secretary (Operations), Datuk Hii Chang Kee, included leaders from the Sarawak Chinese Association (SCA) and representatives from 12 multi-ethnic associations.
They were warmly received by seven Yunnan government and academic agencies, including Yunnan National University and the Foreign Affairs Office.
Hii stressed the cultural parallels between Sarawak’s 34 ethnic groups and Yunnan’s 26 ethnic groups, which serve as a bridge to strengthen people-to-people ties.
“The initiative also aligned with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which focuses on innovation, inclusivity and green development,” he was quoted as saying in a news report by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
SCA President, Lee Tian Song, described the participation of Sarawak’s diverse communities as a “meaningful cultural roots journey”.
SCA Adviser, Datuk Hii King Chiong, reaffirmed SCA’s commitment to nurturing unity through events such as the Borneo Cultural Carnival, which is now recognised at the national level.
As a gesture of continuity, Sarawak extended an invitation for Yunnan counterparts to attend the 4th Borneo Cultural Carnival in Miri from July 1 to 12, 2026, which will showcase all 34 Sarawak ethnic groups alongside delegations from Sabah, Brunei and Indonesia.
The visit was regarded as a milestone, with ties between Sarawak and Yunnan entering a “golden phase” that promises greater opportunities for future collaboration.
