YOU peng zi yuan fang lai, bu yi le hu – this popular saying by Confucius to express delight and joy at having friends from afar was used by the Chinese when they received their Malaysian guests led by MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat in Beijing last week.

The political and business delegation of more than 70 members including prominent businessmen like Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Shah Syed Nor Al-Bukhary, Tun Daim Zainuddin, Tan Sri Ng Teck Fong and Datuk Chew Chee Kin, and MCA delegates like party secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng, vice-president Datuk Kong Cho Ha, vice-president Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, vice-president Tan Kok Hong, National Youth chairman Datuk Wee Ka Siong, Wanital National chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun and treasurer-general Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng.

The group’s six-day visit to Beijing was in response to an invitation extended to MCA by the Communist Party of China (CPC).

This year marks the 35th year of Sino-Malaysian diplomatic relations and is also the 60th anniversary for MCA and the CPC’s rule in China.

On Tuesday, China’s People’s Political Consultative Conference chairman Jia Qinglin, who received the delegation at the Great Hall of the People here, repeated that he represented Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is also the CPC’s general secretary, for the meeting.

Jia is China’s fourth most senior official and is regarded as the country’s top political adviser,

The 45-minute meeting with Jia is considered the highlight of the trip, besides the courtesy call to the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.

Described as fruitful by Ong, the delegation’s Beijing visit, which concluded yesterday, has led to closer cooperation in various areas including:

> ESTABLISHMENT of more direct flight routes;

> INVITING top-notch Chinese univerisities including those in Hong Kong to set up branch campuses in Malaysia;

> CHINA agreeing to follow up on the proposal for Bank of China in Kuala Lumpur to offer low interest rate loan facilities to Malaysian SMEs;

> EXPLORING and developing the vast Chinese halal market;

> GETTING Chinese investments into Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Senai International Airport and other projects;

> REACTIVATING the barter trade between both countries in palm oil and rice;

> CHINA giving the green light for export of medicines certified by the Malaysian government;

> SETTING up of private hospitals in China by Malaysian medical groups and longer duration of doctors exchange programmes;

> FURTHER increase in total bilateral trade between both countries; and

> THE setting up of a network of incubators for Chinese entrepreneurs and investors who are keen to invest in Malaysia.

Ong emphasised on several occasions during the trip that the proposals to the Chinese leaders and agreements between both sides in the areas of cooperation were ultimately to benefit the lao bai xing (common people).

The discussions and meetings were aimed at generating more opportunities for both countries in facing the current financial and economic downturn, which could lead to thousands of job cuts.

What the lao bai xing want is simple – anjuleye (to live and work in peace and contentment), and it is important for the government to provide them with a sense of social and economic security in these uncertain economic times.

Perhaps it’s time to go back to the basics.

And it’s a belt-tightening time too, as Shen Liantao, chief consultant with the China Banking Regulatory Commission, wrote in his column for Caijing, one of the leading finance magazines here.

So the delegation’s visit was not only meaningful but also timely, as stated by Liu Hongcai, vice-minister of the CPC’s Central Committee International Department when asked after the appreciation dinner hosted by Ong here.

Liu said the delegation provided such a good opportunity to meet so many leaders and decision makers.

“The time is right as China is now weathering the economic challenges and must work closely with Asean countries,” he said.

Liu said government officials at various ministries and entrepreneurs from both countries could strengthen ties and enhance exchanges to pave ways for dealing with the current economic slowdown.

I wish The Star readers an ox-spicious year and gong xi fa cai!

-Celeste Fong, THE STAR-