Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai has suggested that Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) revisit its sister city agreements with cities worldwide.
Joniston said Kota Kinabalu could leverage its international partnerships to strengthen its profile as a vibrant tourism hub while promoting cultural exchange and urban economic activity.
Citing China, Sabah’s main tourism market, he noted that DBKK signed friendship city agreements with Jiangmen in 2012, Wuhan in 2015, and Hangzhou and Xi’an in 2019.
“Revisiting these relationships could open fresh opportunities for cultural and economic collaboration.
“Kota Kinabalu has the potential to position itself more strongly on the international stage. I believe our sister city networks can help us achieve that if we fully utilise them,” he said at the closing ceremony of the 10th Annual Chinese New Year Carnival.
Present were Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah and Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Tan Sri T. C. Goh.
Joniston commended FCAS and DBKK for jointly organising the annual carnival, now in its 10th year, describing it as a milestone made possible through strong community collaboration.
He said the large turnout from the Chinese community and tourists reflected the carnival’s growing appeal and its role in fostering community spirit while promoting Kota Kinabalu as a tourism destination.
The event, which ran from Feb 9, featured dragon and unicorn dances, singing performances and a wide variety of hawker stalls, showcasing both traditional and contemporary elements of Chinese culture.
