KUCHING: An inter-governmental Joint Trade and Investment Council for Sarawak and China has been proposed to principally unleash the economic potentials in both places.

The proposal came from the chairman of Sarawak China Friendship Association Datuk Wee Kok Tiong, who said the joint council would play the role in strengthening the exchange of business and investment information.

“It is also to act as a facilitating body to address trade affairs and challenges faced by investors of Sarawak and China. Such council will definitely enhance the future economic co-operation between Sarawak and China,” he told the dinner, which marked the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China as well as 20th anniversary of the Chinese Consulate General in Kuching at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching last Saturday.

Hosted by the association, Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem graced the dinner that also saw a pictorial exhibition.

Some guests at the dinner hailed from Beijing and Guangzhou, China.

Wee said the state should continue to create better opportunities for China’s investors to discover the potentials of Sarawak’s market.

“I strongly believe the trade and investment momentum between Sarawak and China can be further enhanced and boosted.”

With the strong relationship between top leaders of Malaysia and China, he said more cooperation in science and technology, higher education, skills training and tourism could be further strengthened.

He recalled President of China Xi Jinping, during the latter’s official visit to Malaysia last year, acknowledged the importance of establishing comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to promote peace and stability in the regions.

He said Xi’s statement would generate positive and constructive geopolitical atmosphere for sustainable regional development.

“It has projected the real picture of the solid relationship between the two countries, and I believe this strategic partnership will bring greater regional achievements in the near future.”

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and China’s consul general in Kuching Liu Quan.