Celebrating cultural diversity through the arts
Malaysia and China strengthens
diplomatic ties through arts and culture
**************************************
Artists from Malaysia and China have
joined hands to promote China’s Belt and Road initiative, via the
‘Malaysia-China Cultural Art Exhibition 2017’.
Organised by the Malaysia-China Culture Association, a local entity that is
collaborating with China ‘The Belt and Road’ Committee of Economic and Cultural
Cooperation, the exhibition and cultural exchange program is part of a
series of initiatives aimed at fostering cultural development between Malaysia
and China, in addition to further strengthening diplomatic and economic
collaboration between both nations.
The Malaysia-China Cultural
Art Exhibition 2017 was
officiated by YB Datuk Haji Ahmad Bin Haji Maslan, Deputy Minister of
International Trade and Industry.
Themed, ‘Traditional
Fine Culture and Art’, the exhibition, which will be held from 4th - 6th
August, 2017 will feature 31 artists (15 Malaysians and 16 from China) who will
showcase their artwork around the theme of Traditional Fine Culture and Art.
In
support of the theme and to illustrate the close relationship between Malaysia
and China, the artists have created art pieces that embody motifs and designs
that represent symbolic elements from both Malaysian and Chinese culture.
“We have invited the artists to create works of art which reflect the values
and culture of both nations. Malaysia is an oasis of Chinese culture; Chinese
influences are still evident today in the Peranakan lineage, in our culture,
food and in our way of life.
"The artists, through the Malaysia-China Cultural
Art Exhibition 2017, will illustrate this melting-pot of culture, which unifies
and solidifies trade relations and friendships shared by both countries,” said Mr Chuah Kooi Sang, Chairman,
Malaysia-China Culture Association.
Mr Chuah added: “The association is encouraged by the support received
from our Chinese partners in realising our common goal - for art and culture to be the linchpin which
connects both nations. Economic
relations with China has surpassed the first ‘golden 40 years’, and I am
confident that through arts and culture, we will further strengthen the bonds
between both countries.”
Echoing Mr Chuah’s sentiment, YB
Datuk Haji Ahmad Bin Haji Maslan, Deputy Minister of International Trade and
Industry said,
“Throughout the years, Malaysia and China have enjoyed solid cooperation and
establishment of strategic partnerships that has led to stable and sustainable
development in areas of economy, trade and culture.
China continues to be the
largest trading partner with Malaysia for
the 8th
consecutive year (since 2009) and last year alone, our trade with
China increased by 4.4% to RM240.91 billion.”
YB Datuk Haji Ahmad added that
Malaysia was the first country in Southeast Asia to establish diplomatic ties
with China in 1974 and to date, both nations have now enjoyed a long and
prosperous partnership, going from strength to strength for over 40 years.
“China is Malaysia’s largest trading partner and in turn, Malaysia is China’s
largest trading partner in ASEAN and third largest trading partner in Asia.
Together, our two nations have set a clear target - to increase bilateral trade
volume to USD160 billion in 2017.”
Malaysia’s sizable ethnic Chinese
population makes it a natural cultural ally for China. About a quarter of
Malaysians are of Chinese descent, offspring of a bygone diaspora.
The Chinese
began to arrive in great numbers in the 19th century as part of the British
colonial government’s policy of importing indentured laborers to work in the
country’s tin mines and rubber estates. Many of the early Chinese have taken
residence in Malaysia, bringing rise to the Peranakan Chinese or Straits-born Chinese
and a medley of cultural diversity which exists till this day.
“Everyone understands that fostering a good relationship with China is
important to Malaysia. However, we also need to be proactive in fostering
closer ties with China in the element of arts and culture. In line with China’s
“Belt and Road” initiative, there is a need to see beyond economic impact and
benefits to understand the Chinese culture, just as much as China has a need to
understand our Malaysian culture.
"And how better to do this than through
cultural exchanges like this,” Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Ahmad Fuzi Haji Abdul Razak, Patron of
Malaysia-China Culture Association said.
Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Ahmad Fuzi
added that the Malaysia-China
Cultural Art Exhibition 2017 is an ideal opportunity for Malaysians to
intimately experience what our art and culture is all about, and to meet
artists from both countries.
“It is our hope that through this event, we are
able to foster a better understanding of art and culture from both countries.”
The Malaysia-China Cultural
Art Exhibition 2017 is co-organised by PLL Resources Sdn Bhd, Hai Ji Er
(Beijing) Frame Culture Media Corporation, China State Council Ceremony Product
Review Committee, China Cultural Association of Poetry and Wine, Beijing
Burson-Marsteller Painting and Calligraphy Institute.
This event is supported
by the National Art Gallery, Chinese
Folk Literature and Art Association, China National Painters and Calligraphers
Association, China World Trade Organisation Research Association, in
collaboration with Artseni Gallery and curated by Phillip Wong.
About the
Malaysia-China Culture Association
The Malaysia-China Culture Association is a local entity that has been
working in tandem with China ‘The Belt and Road’ Committee of Economic and
Cultural Cooperation to organise the Malaysia China Inter-Cultural Art Exhibition 2017. Established
this year, the association will play an integral role in the promotion and
development of Malaysian and Chinese culture.
###
BELOW---PINK LIONS KOW TOWING TO DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY
No comments:
Post a Comment