Lee (fourth right, second row) in a group photo with the Asean-China Youth Camp participants and their parents.

 

 
KUCHING: The number of tourists from China coming to Sarawak this year will reach the 50,000-mark compared to the 38,204 recorded last year.

Saying this was Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin during a gala night to welcome participants of Asean-China Youth Camp and their parents, here on Tuesday.

“After the commencement of the direct Shenzhen-Kuching flight in December 2017, there is an encouraging increase by 20 per cent of arrivals in the Jan-May 2018 period compared to the corresponding period in 2017.

“With this scenario, I believe the total number of tourists from China will greatly increase.
“I also hope there will be more direct flights to Sarawak from other cities in China,” he said during the dinner.
The Asean-China Youth Camp is one of efforts to enhance tourism and cultural cooperation between China and Sarawak.

During the dinner, which was organised by the Consulate General of China in Kuching, Lee introduced Sarawak’s national parks and wildlife centres, culture and local cuisines to the visitors.

Lee said the principle of unity in diversity was the best way to describe Sarawak’s multi-culture aspect.
“Sarawak has 27 ethnic groups with each still retaining their language, culture, customs and traditions. We celebrate Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Gawai Dayak, Christmas and other festivals together,” Lee told the visitors.

China’s Consul general Kuching, Cheng Guangzhong, was also present at the dinner.