Malaysian students at Tianjin University determined to strengthen China-Malaysia friendship

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar exchanged congratulations on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries on Friday. Xi mentioned that he had received a letter from Malaysian students studying at Tianjin University in China, who are determined to be messengers and promoters of China-Malaysia friendship and aspire to use their knowledge to help build the China-Malaysia community with a shared future. Xi also said he is pleased to see that the cause of friendship between the two countries will be carried on over generations.

Who are these students? Let's go to Tianjin University to find out.

Recounting their studying and living experiences in China, 87 Malaysian students at Tianjin University wrote a letter to President Xi. In the letter, they stated that as beneficiaries of the Belt and Road Initiative, they have witnessed China's progress and people's affection, and acknowledged the substantial benefits the initiative provides for young Malaysians. They are determined to contribute to the inheritance of the China-Malaysia friendship, the joint construction of the 21st century Maritime Silk Road, and the building of the China-Malaysia community with a shared future.

"President Xi Jinping mentioned our letter in the congratulatory exchange with our King. I'm now overwhelmed with joy," said Tan Pei Wei, a Malaysian student at Tianjin University.

Tan Pei Wei, from Pahang, Malaysia, is a junior at the School of Life Sciences at Tianjin University. After graduating from high school, driven by her love for life sciences, she chose to pursue a major in biological sciences in China. "Many universities came to our school for recruitment presentations. A teacher from Tianjin University introduced their research strengths in biological sciences, especially breakthroughs in synthetic biology, which immediately attracted me," she said. 

Tan said that she cherishes her time studying in China and hopes to understand China as much as possible while pursuing her dream in the biomedical field, thus promoting Sino-Malaysian exchange. "I want to travel to more places in China, to feel the profound culture of this country."

"To inherit the friendship between China and Malaysia, it is even more important for the younger generation to hold hands and take over the 'relay of friendship,'" said Soo Zhin Zhu, a Malaysian international student studying at the School of Life Sciences at Tianjin University.

Lim May, a fellow student at the School of International Education, is one of the founders of Youth Voice Studio at the university. "We narrate Chinese tales through the eyes of international students, and we tell the story of China and Malaysia," said Lim May.

In 2023, nearly 600 Malaysian students were enrolled at Tianjin University, ranking it among the top Chinese institutions for Malaysian student admissions. In recent years, the university has focused on the Belt and Road Initiative, significantly increasing student enrollment from Malaysia and various countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Tianjin University began its international student education program in 1954. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the program.