SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR THE NEW YEAR (2020) RECEPTION DINNER HOSTED BY THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR THE NEW YEAR (2020) RECEPTION DINNER HOSTED BY THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
2 JAN 2020
Good evening all distinguished guests.
大家晚上好！
光阴似箭，转眼的又是一年。今天，我们喜迎2020年的到来，而再过不久，我们也即将迎来农历新春佳节。
Time flies and we are now welcoming another new year. This evening everyone is in a jovial mood as we celebrate a new beginning for the year and soon, we shall also be preparing for the lunar new year which is the Chinese New Year.
今天，我很荣幸可以受到中国驻槟城总领事馆的邀请，出席今晚的招待会，相聚一堂，共同庆贺新年。我在此对出席本次招待会的来宾们表示热烈的欢迎，欢迎你们来到槟城，并献上我最亲切的问候和祝愿。
This evening, I’m greatly honoured to be here at the invitation of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Penang for the New Year Reception Dinner with all of you. I hereby would like to express my warmest welcome, regards and best wishes to all distinguished guests who are assembled in this ballroom.
马来西亚和中国自1974年建交以来，建立了紧密的友好关系，尤其在经贸、文化、教育、旅游等各领域中，不断扩展两国之间的合作。
Malaysia and China have since 1974 established not only diplomatic relations but a close friendship especially in the areas of bilateral trade, cultural exchange, education and tourism. In fact, it can be said that the cooperation between our two nations have only grown incessantly in these nearly five decades.
2020年，不但是马中文化旅游年，也是马来西亚旅游年。在槟城方面，我们以 “体验槟城2020” 为今年的旅游年注入强心剂。今年的主题是缤纷亚洲，旨在强打槟城独一无二的人文与自然风情，让游客在前来槟城
旅游时有不一样的体验。同时，槟州政府也拟定了槟城旅游大蓝图，作为槟州未来10年的旅游业发展和大方向。
The year 2020 marks not only the Year of Culture and Tourism between our two countries but also the Visit Malaysia Year. As far as the state of Penang is concerned, it is also Experience Penang 2020 and all concerted effort would be directed towards making this year’s theme – The Diversity of Asia – a great success especially in showcasing the warmth of Penangites and with our beautiful natural surroundings, would give our tourists a unique and unforgettable experience. At the same time, the Penang state government had also come up with a blueprint for the development and direction of our tourism industry for the coming 10 years.
过去每一年，中国访马的游客人数大约为300万人。相信在今年的旅游年下所积极推动的多项活动，将可以吸引更多中国游客到马来西亚或槟城游玩。我也相信，这将有助于推动马中关系迈向另一个高峰。
For the past several years, the number of Chinese tourists who visited Malaysia had been about 3 million. I believe with the vigorous promotion taking place this year to boost tourism, this figure and especially the number of Chinese tourists to Penang will only increase further and this bodes well for greater bilateral ties between Malaysia and China.
在槟州政府和中国的密切来往下，过去成功开通多条航线，直飞航线就有包括了广州、昆明，也有长沙—泉州—槟城的航线。最近刚刚迎来的就有深圳直飞槟城的航线。
The close relationship between the Penang state government and China have resulted in the opening up of many direct flight routes which now include direct flights to Guangzhou, Kunming and Changsha-Quanzhou-Penang. The most recent direct flight route is now to Shenzhen.
槟城与中国之间具有浓厚的历史渊源，因此双方一直一来都保持着扎实、强稳的关系。我相信随着旅游年的到来，将可以促进两国人民的交流，让双方的友好情谊发展得更加坚固。
Penang and China have also shared deep historical links and this resulted in both sides maintaining a solid and close relationship. With the arrival of the Year of Culture and Tourism, there will be more exchanges taking place and the friendship between us will only grow stronger.
中国在过去数十年来所取得的发展成就是有目共睹的，除了改善了中国人民的生活，也提升了自身国家的国际地位和影响力。尤其是在2010年以来，中国成为世界第二大经济体，并随着近年提出的“一带一路”倡议，打造了不少国际合作平台。
The achievements by China in terms of development for the past few decades have been most astonishing. China has not only greatly improved on the livelihood of her people but has also enhanced her international status and influence on the global stage. This is especially so since 2010 when China emerged as the second largest economy in the world and along with the “Belt and Road” initiative put forward in recent years, China has created many platforms for international cooperation.
在槟城方面，州政府将在 “槟城2030：重家庭、拥绿地、精明州、耀全国”的愿景下，持续与人民共同携手实现愿景目标，提升槟州人民的生活质量和幸福感。
As the state government of Penang, we will continue with our efforts to work with the people to achieve the Penang2030 vision which is “A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation” to improve on the quality of life and happiness of the people.
新年伊始，我祈愿世界和平，国泰民安，也恭祝各位新年进步，各族亲善团结，共创更美好的明天。
In welcoming the new year, I hope for global peace and prosperity for all the people and may all of us, irrespective of ethnicity, live in unity and work for a better tomorrow.
让我们共同举杯，祝槟州政府与中国驻槟城总领事馆友谊长存，马中关系再创辉煌。谢谢. Let’s toast for a lasting friendship between the Penang state government and the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Penang and may the bilateral relations between China and Malaysia achieve greater heights. Thank you.