On December 22, 2021, Chinese Consul General in Penang Mr. Lu Shiwei attended the 130th Anniversary Celebration of Kek Lok Si Temple and the Grand Opening Ceremony of Kek Lok Si Charitable Hospital (KLSCH). More than 200 representatives from all walks of life including Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali, Deputy Health Minister I and on behalf of Malaysian Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Mr. Liow Tiong Lai, Former Health Minister, Mr. Selva Mookiah on behalf of Former Health Minister Mr. S. Subramaniam, Venerable Jit Heng, Yayasan Kek Lok Si (Charity Foundation) Board of Directors Chairman and KLSCH Board of Directors Chairman, and Venerable Chi Chern, representative from Malaysian Buddhist Association, attended the ceremony.
Consul General Mr. Lu Shiwei stated in his speech that Kek Lok Si Temple is a century-old ancient temple well-known in Southeast Asia. Over the years, the eminent monks and social elites have made unremitting efforts from generation to generation to enable the Kek Lok Si Temple to continuously expand with the construction of new buildings. The architectural style of the Temple is integrated with diverse cultures, which embodies the inclusiveness and harmony of Buddhism. The Temple has witnessed the inheritance and development of Chinese Buddhist culture outside China. The completion of the KLSCH is the result of the joint efforts of people from all walks of life to promote public welfare and charitable cause, and and also reflects the spirits of being happy to give.
Consul General Mr. Lu Shiwei said that the year 2021 is an extraordinary year for China. We celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Through continuous struggles, we have made great historic achievements. One of the important experiences learned from the review of the CPC’s historical experience over the past century is that the Party has remained committed to great unity and solidarity, united all forces that can be united, and mobilized all positive factors available, in order to promote harmony between different political parties, ethnic groups, religions, social strata, and compatriots at home and abroad. This has allowed us to pool strength to the greatest extent possible for our common goals.
Consul General Mr. Lu Shiwei also stated that harmonious religious relations are conducive to social harmony, ethnic solidarity, the development of human civilization and the progress of the times. China fully implements policies on freedom of religious beliefs, attaches importance to encouraging religious groups including Buddhism to play positive roles, and promotes harmonious religious relations. China upholds the spirit of great unity and solidarity, builds broad consensus, brings together the brightest minds, so that all Chinese people, both at home and overseas, can focus their ingenuity and energy on the same goal!
KLSCH is a non-profit hospital initiated and established by Yayasan Kek Lok Si, and is the first Buddhist charitable hospital in Malaysia.