The Malaysian youth Sunday began a friendship drive to china to mark the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

President of the Malaysia Chinese Association (MCA) Ong Ka Ting flagged off the drive to Kunming, southwest China, joined by 23 vehicles with 78 Malaysian youth.

The MCA, the largest political party of the Malaysian Chinese, is one of the 14 component parties of the ruling National Front which has ruled the nation since its independence in 1957.

Speaking on the occasion, Ong, also minister of housing and local government, said the expedition, sponsored by MCA youth wing, would not only promote friendship and mutual-understanding between the two peoples, but also demonstrate braving spirit of the Malaysian youth.

The convoy is scheduled to cover some 8,000 KM to arrive in Kunming on Oct. 16 and spend three days there. It will return on Oct. 24. It will stop over in Thailand and Laos during the journey.

In Kunming, the expedition members will hold a dialogue with local youth leaders on the development of youths and encourage Chinese youths to visit the country.

China and Malaysia enjoy good relations in the past three decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties on May 31, 1974. The friendly cooperation in various fields has expanded rapidly in the past decade and more.

Year 2004 is announced as Sino-Malaysia Friendship Year by the governments of the two countries.

Source: Xinhua