Awang Sariyan Receives Chinese Government Friendhip Award

By Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah

BEIJING,  Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Language and literature icon Senator Datuk Seri Prof Dr Awang Sariyan was awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award in conjunction with the republic's 75th National Day here, today.

He was among 73 recipients from 26 selected countries worldwide to receive the award at an official state ceremony at the People's Assembly Hall here.

Awang was chosen for the award due to his active role in promoting understanding between the people of Malaysia and China through language, education, and culture.

Awang expressed his gratitude and pride in receiving the award from China, a global superpower.

 "China appreciates the 30 years of effort to elevate the Malay language and culture on the international stage as a bridge of understanding between the people of Malaysia and China,' he told Bernama.

Awang became actively involved in this effort in 2000 when he was Director of the Language Department at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).

His involvement expanded significantly when he was appointed by the Ministry of Higher Education as the first holder of the Malaysian Government Chair in Malay Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) in 2007. 

He was reappointed to the chair in 2016 after completing his term as the Director General of DBP.

Through a collaborative effort with Prof. Wu Zong Yu, the Director of the Centre of Chinese Malay Studies at BFSU, and Chinese Malay language lecturers, there are now 17 higher education institutions in the republic offering degree programmes, diplomas, and special Malay language courses.

In a statement, Awang emphasised the importance of harmony in universal human relations, as well as between nations in the eastern part of the world, including Malaysia and China, which share many similarities in terms of civilisation.

He also highlighted the significance of the spirit of friendship that existed between the Melaka Malay Sultanate and the Ming Dynasty in the 15th century.

Regarding the Belt and Road Initiative with the Chinese government, he said that China adopted a friendly and non-hegemonic approach in its implementation.

Additionally, he suggested that more programmes be developed and implemented to strengthen ties between the people of Malaysia and China in the fields of language, education, culture, and the economy.

-- BERNAMA