Over 200 Malaysians Celebrate National Day At Embassy In Beijing

From Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah

BEIJING, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- More than 200 Malaysians gathered to celebrate the 67th National Day at the Malaysian Embassy here today.

The event was attended by the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing, Norfarina Mohd Azmee, along with embassy officials and their families.

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Also joining the celebration were Malaysian students from universities and Malaysians residing in the Chinese capital, as well as several Chinese instructors and students from Beijing Foreign Studies University who are studying the Malay language.

The ceremony, which began at 8 am, started with the hoisting of the Jalur Gemilang accompanied by the national anthem, Negaraku, followed by the recitation of the pledge led by Counsellor (Customs) Noormad Razamussein Ismail.

Norfarina said in line with the theme "Malaysia MADANI: Jiwa Merdeka", the event aimed to foster the patriotic spirit and enhance the appreciation of independence among Malaysians overseas.

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“In line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call, all Malaysians should strive for ‘Merdeka Rakyat’ (People's Independence). This means we should be a society with a free mind and spirit, unburdened by colonial mentality or narratives,” she told Bernama after the event.

In her speech, she urged all Malaysians in China, especially in Beijing, to register on the website ekonsular.kln.gov.my to facilitate the embassy in establishing their whereabouts during emergencies and to safeguard their interests and welfare.

Meanwhile, Malaysian students living in Beijing were thrilled with the National Day celebration organised by the embassy.

First-year International Politics undergraduate at Peking University, Cheryl Chong Yee Ting, 18, said it was her first time celebrating National Day abroad and it proved to be very meaningful.

“This is my first time abroad, and I am very excited about the National Day celebration. For today's event, I wore traditional attire from my heritage in Sabah. Programmes like this are great, as they not only strengthen bonds but also keep our patriotic spirit alive,” she said.

Civil Engineering undergraduate at Beijing Jiaotong University, Syahidatul Najiihah A. Rahim, 23, said that despite being far from her beloved country, it did not dampen her spirit to showcase attire and decorations themed around the Jalur Gemilang.

“I love my country dearly; this is the only way I can express the deep patriotic spirit within me,” she said, noting that it took her two hours to prepare all the decorations.

-- BERNAMA