Melaka: Melaka has benefited positively from its bilateral ties with the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. He noted that tourist arrivals from China have increased significantly, reaching 664,000 last year compared to 204,000 in 2023. Cultural groups from Guangxi also performed during the launch ceremony of Visit Melaka Year 2024.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Visit Melaka Year campaign will be extended until 2026, in line with the national target of attracting 35.6 million tourists during Visit Malaysia Year. This was announced during the visit of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Governor Lan Tianli to Melaka. Also present were Guangxi People’s Government secretary-general Zhong Dezhi, Guangxi Foreign Affairs Office director-general Wei Ran, Guangxi Commerce Department director-general Yang Chunting, and Nanning Customs Administration head Wang Weibing.

The visit also included the signing of a Letter of Intent between Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka and Guangxi Minzu University, alongside the launch of the China-Malaysia TVET Industry-Education Alliance.

Ab Rauf stated that Governor Lan had also offered 15 scholarships to Malaysian youths to pursue Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses, with five slots specifically allocated for students from Melaka. He emphasized the positive development involving bilateral relations between Melaka and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with plans for more collaborations in the future.

The Chief Minister further mentioned the commitment to strengthening ties between the two regions and exploring new areas of cooperation across multiple sectors for mutual benefits.