Xinhuanet Malaysia channel formally launched

Tian Shubin, president of Xinhuanet, addresses the audience during the launching ceremony of the Malaysia channel in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 20, 2014. The launching ceremony of the Malaysia channel of Xinhuanet was held in Beijing on Thursday. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

BEIJING -- A launching ceremony of the Malaysia channel of Xinhuanet was held on Thursday.

Tian Shubin, president of Xinhuanet, said the common interests between the China and Malaysia would be more extensive in the future, and a deepening China-Malaysia strategic cooperation is in line with the expectation of the two peoples.

He hoped that the channel wound serve as an authoritative media platform for both countries to get to know each other better, as well as a bridge and link in promoting bilateral friendships and exchanges.

The channel would provide authoritative news as well as comprehensive and useful information on trade, tourism and eduction to meet the diversified demands of internet users, he added.

Ong Chong Yi, Minister Counselor (Economic) of Malaysian Embassy in China, extended his warm congratulations on the launch of the channel, hoping that there would be closer cooperation between Malaysia and Xinhuanet.

"The launching ceremony of the channel is a good start for 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Malaysia diplomatic ties," he said.

He hoped that entrepreneurs would find business opportunities in Malaysia through the channel.

Xia Baowen, channel general manager, said the channel would introduce Malaysia to people around the world by providing comprehensive and authoritative news and information.

More than 80 guests from China and Malaysia attended the ceremony, including Cong Wu, Counselor of the Information Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Le Beng Seng, Counselor of Embassy of Malaysia in China, Wu Yihong, ex-chief of the Middle East Regional Bureau of Xinhua News Agency, and Liu Jiawen, deputy editor-in-chief of Xinhuanet.

The channel started trial run on Jan. 1, 2014. It was the first national channel targeting Malaysia opened by Chinese mainstream media.

It will introduce Malaysia to Internet users in Chinese, English and Arabic.