Chinese Lecturers, Students' Visit A Part Of Cultural, Sports Exchange Programme - Fadhlina

KEPALA BATAS, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The visit of 165 lecturers and students from the Naval University of Engineering China to Chung Ling Private High School here is a cultural and sports exchange programme, according to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

She said that there has been misinformation spread on social media, as the visit was not conducted by the Chinese Navy, but rather involved university students and the private school.

“I want to stress that, first of all, the programme was held in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Malaysia and China.

“Second of all, it was a cultural and sports exchange programme between the university and the private school, which have obtained approval from the relevant authorities,” she told reporters after officiating the closing of the National Education Management Conference here today.

The four-day conference themed 'Pendidikan Manusiawi Memacu Pendidikan Negara Madani' was attended by 674 principals of secondary schools across the country. 

Fadhlina said the MoE paid full attention to the issue and to avoid prolonged misunderstandings and slander, the school involved had also filed a police report.

Earlier today, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil reportedly said the issue of a threat to national sovereignty did not arise following the docking of two Chinese naval ships at Penang Port.

The Unity Government’s spokesperson explained that warships from other countries often dock at Malaysian ports, but all are done in accordance with protocols set by Wisma Putra and with the knowledge of the Ministry of Defence.

Last Saturday, the Penang Government announced the arrival of 1,000 Chinese navy trainees to the state on two naval vessels, the Qi Jiguang Training Ship and the JinggangShan Ship from Zhanjiang for a friendly visit.

-- BERNAMA