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KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Addullah Ahmad
Badawi launched an exhibition titled "Envoy of Peace from China" Tuesday night,
in commemoration of the great Chinese maritime explorer Zheng He. This
year marks the 600th anniversary of the western voyages of Zheng He who led huge
fleets of Chinese ships on seven major expeditions from 1405 to 1433,
establishing mutually beneficial trade and diplomatic relations with over 30
Asian and African countries and regions.
Zheng He came to Malacca not to conquer the land or impose hegemony
there, but for the purpose of building friendship and conducting trade, Badawi
said in his opening speech.
He also thanked former Prime Minister Abdul Razak for taking the first
step to establish diplomatic relations with China 31 years ago.
The Sino-Malaysia relations are now strategic, strong and beneficial,
Badawi said.
Zheng He, who visited Malacca at least five times during his seven
major expeditions, was the founder and witness of the profound friendship
between China and Malaysia, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Wang Chungui said.
"I believe that, as long as we take the road of peace and friendship as
paved by Zheng He, China and Malaysia will be good neighbors, good partners and
good friends for ever," Wang said.
Jointly sponsored by the Chinese
Ministry of Culture and Malaysian Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, the
exhibition highlights the spirit of peace and friendship embodied in Zheng Heand
expresses China's wish to carry out dialogue and exchanges with all other
countries in the world.
Malaysia is the first stop for the global commemorative activities. The
exhibition will also be staged in Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia and East
Africa in two or three years, tracing the routes that Zheng's voyages covered
600 years ago.
Present at the opening ceremony were more than 1,000 delegates,
comprising Chinese and Malaysian officials, delegates from foreign missions
based in Kuala Lumpur and people from various communitiesof Malaysia.
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