Honourable Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang,

Mr. Tan Kok Ping, Life Honorary President of Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) and Executive Advisor of Han Chiang Board of Directors,

Mr. Jagdeep Singh, Madam Chong Eng, and Mr. Soon Lip Chee, Penang State Executive Councilors,

Mr. Choot Ewe Seng, Advisor of Han Chiang Board of Directors,

Mr. Ooi Soo Hing, Chairman of Han Chiang Board of Directors,

Mr. Hong Yeam Wah, President of PCCC,

Mr. Ng Tee Soo, Chairman of Penang Teochew Association,

Han Chiang Board of Directors,

Dear guests, teachers, students, and friends from media,

Good evening! I am very glad to be invited to attend the inauguration ceremony of Han Chiang Primary School new building to witness a new milestone in the history of Han Chiang’s education development. I would like to take this opportunity to extend congratulations on behalf of the Consulate General of China in Penang!

Looking back on a century of vicissitudes of Han Chiang, from the sprouting of Han Chiang Primary School, to the growing up of Han Chiang High School, and then to the flourishing of Han Chiang University College of Communication, the three Han Chiang education institutions have established a unique and complete Chinese education system, and have continuously achieved leapfrog development. It takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to cultivate people. Han Chiang education institutions today have grown into a towering tree, and have cultivated countless outstanding talents for the society. Han Chiang’s alumni are all over the world. They play an active role in developing economic and promoting social progress, and have achieved fruitful results. All these achievements are inseparable from the hard work and unremitting efforts of generations of people from Han Chiang. Han Chiang education institutions adhere to the motto of “diligence, simplicity, justice, and courage”, never forget their roots, overcome various hardships, make persistent efforts to develop Chinese education and inherit Chinese culture, and demonstrate Malaysian Chinese people’s strong belief in traditional culture, profound love of national feelings and unyielding spirit of tenacity. This spirit is consistent with the pioneering spirit of the forefathers who made strenuous and unrelenting efforts to navigate rough seas, and endured great hardships to build the course. This spirit is also in line with the Chinese nation’s fine tradition of respecting teachers, valuing education and carrying values with culture.

The successful completion of the Han Chiang Primary School new building is the result of the joint efforts of the Board of Directors of the three Han Chiang education institutions, the Penang State Government, Han Chiang alumni, and all circles of the society. It is also a great gift from Mr. Tan Kok Ping. Mr. Tan Kok Ping is a well-known and respected overseas Chinese leader in Malaysia. He has never forgotten to repay favours to society when he achieves big success in his career. He has devoted himself to education and charity over the years, and has made important contributions to promoting the development of Chinese education, inheriting Chinese culture, and promoting China-Malaysia friendship. The successful completion of the new building further consolidates the foundation of the school’s software and hardware in teaching, and creates favorable conditions for connecting educational facilities, integrating resources, improving standards, and expanding influence. It will definitely attract more outstanding teachers and students to join the Han Chiang family, inject new vitality to the three Han Chiang education institutions, cultivate more talents and elevate the educational cause of cultivating virtues and educating people to a new level.

Last year has been a year of great significance for China. We celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and is marching toward the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. The Communist Party of China (CPC) will convene the 20^th National Congress of CPC which has far-reaching significance in the second half of this year. China’s new development has brought new opportunities to the world, and it has also brought new opportunities and injected new impetus into Chinese language education. Valuing and learning the Chinese language is the world’s major trends. Therefore Chinese education will surely draw more and attentions and more and more people will be attracted to teach Chinese language.  

China and Malaysia are friendly neighbors. The two countries are geographically and culturally close to each other and enjoy a long-lasting friendship. With the joint efforts of both countries, the exchanges and cooperation between China and Malaysia in various fields including culture and education have been continuously improved. Penang is a beautiful state that has a strong cultural ambience and passion for knowledge. The Penang State Government attaches great importance to education and talents, advocates “learning in Penang”, and is committed to transforming Penang into an international education center. This idea dovetails with China’s strategy of invigorating China through science and education and developing a quality workforce. The cooperation between Penang and relevant provinces and cities of China enjoys a bright prospect. The Consulate General of China in Penang will continue to support and pay attention to the development of Chinese language education in the consular district. We are willing to work with people from all walks of life in the consular district, including the three Han Chiang education institutions to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture and education, promote Chinese language education in Penang and the consular district, boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Malaysia, and foster closer people-to-people bonds between the two countries to write a new chapter of China-Malaysia friendship.

 The mighty river runs forever with imperishable significance. I wish for the three Han Chiang education institutions to make greater achievements! I wish all guests and friends good health, success in your work, and all the best!

Thank you!