KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor reiterated the State’s stand that no additional SOP restrictions will be imposed on Chinese arrivals other than requiring them to produce negative PCR tests for Covid-19 and being vaccinated as per their own country’s requirement.
“With China’s border officially opened three days ago on January 8, we look forward to welcoming Chinese visitors to our shores once again,” he said.
Speaking at the Chinese New Year reception hosted by the Consul General of China in Kota Kinabalu, Huang Shi-Fang at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here tonight, Hajiji said Sabah looks forward to more investments from China as economic and trade cooperation between the State and China continues to progress.
“China has been our good neighbour. During the difficult times and at the height of the pandemic, the Chinese Government through the China Consulate here has extended various assistance to Sabah especially medical assistance and we are grateful.
“The rapport and good relations between our two countries have been, and will always, be good. Sabah and China have mutually benefited from each other and we have successfully harnessed benefits from the cooperation and exchanges in various fields,” he said.
On another note, the Chief Minister said in Sabah and throughout the country, the people celebrate the Lunar New Year, not only among citizens of Chinese origins but also among all the communities of diversified races and cultures.
“During this time of the festival, we celebrate the festival in unison. People of all ethnic groups join in the celebrations, reflecting our multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural unity in diversity,” he said.
“In the Chinese zodiac, this year is the Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit is associated with peace, prosperity and longevity and also signifies a year of hope which is very apt indeed as we move out of the challenging past two years of the pandemic.
“I have stressed in my New Year 2023 message that much has still to be done and we shall look forward to focusing on economic recovery and progressing our development Roadmap -the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya,” he said.
