Expo to be platform for world to know China better

KUALA LUMPUR - The Expo 2010 Shanghai China is expected to reflect today's real picture of China's economic development and national strength and help rectify the wrong perception others have on it.

Koong Heng Sze, chairman of the coordination committee of Malaysia's Seven Clan Associations, told Xinhua here on Wednesday that the expo could serve as a platform for foreigners to gain better understanding about China.

Koong, who was invited by China to join the grand event in May, said that China has been involved in international affairs all these while and can certainly contribute to globalization.

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He also said that besides promoting economic and trade development under the concept of "prosper thy neighbor", China can also drive the world towards building a peaceful and harmonious society.

Formed in 2002, the coordination committee of Malaysia's Seven Clan Associations is tasked to coordinate operations of seven Malaysian clan association and protect their rights and benefits.

During the interview, Koong said that he was proud for being invited to visit the expo by China.

He said that after a few decades of development and continued opening-up, China has achieved much in terms of economic development, creating excitement among many overseas Chinese.

Koong said that a few Chinese associations in Malaysia, including the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Chinese Associations, Malaysia-China Friendship Association and Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce,will organize group trips to the expo.

Each delegation is believed to comprise 80 to 100 delegates, added Koong.

Themed "Better City, Better Life", many pavilions at the expo focus much on going green, emphasizing elements such as energy efficiency, water conservation and carbon-free.

Koong said the Chinese pavilion at the expo, which highlights being environmental friendly, showed that China is actively pursuing the environment agenda drawn by the United Nations.

As China has put in much effort to develop green technology, Koong hoped that the Chinese associations in Malaysia could bring back the relevant knowledge from China.

Meanwhile, Koong said that the business community in Malaysia would actively search for business opportunities during the expo, pushing the bilateral trade between China and Malaysia further upwards.

On people-to-people interaction, Koong said that the coordination committee would look into the feasibility to cooperate with the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia to arrange for student visits to the expo.

The returning students from the expo could share their experience with Malaysians of other races, raising their understanding about China, added Koong.