Social development foundation and educators embark on mission to forge BRI promotion and understanding

Situated in the fertile Pearl River Delta, its economy was once dominated by agriculture, fisheries and silk farming. Since the implementation of policies related to reform and openness began in 1978, the people of this area were given full control over their geographical position and culture. This has allowed Shunde to gradually develop into a modern industrial boomtown, especially the manufacturing of furniture and electric appliances. Some mainland Chinese product brands like Kelon or Midea are made in Shunde. Recently a new technology industrial park has also been opened in this area, featuring car manufacturers such as Toyota.[citation needed] Galanz, an appliance maker, has its headquarters in Shunde District. Shunde was approved as a pilot city for the comprehensive reform of Guangdong in 1993,[2] and also for taking the lead in accomplishing modernization in 1999. From 2000 to 2003, Shunde was ranked first among China's top 100 counties for Basic Economic Competitiveness for four consecutive years (released by National Bureau of Statistics of China). In 2005, Shunde's GDP was 2,170 billion yuan. Today, this area has become one of the most affluent counties in Guangdong and mainland China (according to official information from the Chinese government and the United Nations).[citation needed] The GDP reached 127.5 billion yuan in 2007, an annual increase of 18%, and GDP per capita reached 107,991 yuan (ca. US$14,200) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shunde_District 

Social development foundation and educators embark on mission to forge BRI promotion and understanding 

KUALA LUMPUR (February 2018): A Malaysian social and cultural development foundation and an education coalition from China have adopted the sister cities concept to help educate and promote trans border understanding among Belt Road Initiative (BRI) member nations.

“It’s a strategic mission initiated to complement the development of China’s multi-billion-dollar BRI which is aimed at promoting mutual trans border trade and investments,” Yayasan Bakti Nusa Malaysia (YBNM) president (Tan Sri) Ong Tee Keat said.

He said the realisation and success of BRI must also be supported by efforts that forge trans border education and cultural understanding aimed at ensuring BRI was sustainable.

“Without stronger and stronger understanding and trust, BRI’s foundation of success may not be sustainable long-term,” he added.

SJKC Union, the high performing cluster school, signs sister school collaboration with educators and institutions of education in Shunde, China

Speaking to I Love Malaysia-China Silk Road at a multiple BRI sister school agreement signing ceremony at SJKC Union (Chinese primary school) in George Town, Penang (Malaysia), on Feb 5, Ong stressed that the trans border sister schools concept had triggered interest and excitement in China.

“Today, we are witnessing SJKC Union signing sister-relation agreements with private and high schools in Shunde (a city near Foshan, in Guangdong Province, China).

“We have received similar sister school inquiries to be forged in other provinces in China. We will follow up and most certainly expand for the general benefit of BRI understanding among the 68 countries which have inked with China as BRI participants or member nations,” he added.

A delegation of 30 students and educators who participated in the BRI International Mandarin Elocution Contest For The Youth (1st Stop) 2018 a day earlier, visited SJKC Union.

They were treated to a repertoire of Chinese cultural and martial arts performance by SJKC Union pupils.

SJKC Union then signed several sister school agreements with private elementary and high schools in Shunde.

It also witnessed the collaboration signing between YBNM and the China Cultural Heritage Association.

Ong, who is also Malaysia-China Silk Road Business Chamber president, had set up YBNM for domestic and universal social and cultural development efforts and initiatives.

The following is a selection of pictures shot at SJKC Union:

A Chinese  martial arts weapons fighting performance
A Chinese dance performanceAn An orchestra performanceA Taekwon-do display
 A stool dance performance

 SJKC Union pupils standing to pay their respects to the guests

 (Tan Sri) Ong delivering his address to SJKC Union students, teachers and educators from China

 SJKC pupils

 SJKC Union pupils

 SJKC Union pupils

 Collaboration agreement signing

 Collaboration inked with handshakes

Collaboration inked with handshakes


A group photo for memory

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