Visiting Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar on Saturday attended a ceremony to rename the Malay Studies Chair at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) in his honor, showcasing the growing popularity of the Malay language in China.
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, King Sultan Ibrahim is on a state visit to China from Sept 19 to 22.
The academic chair, now titled the Sultan Ibrahim Chair of Malay Studies, was inaugurated as an honorary position in 2007 between the Chinese and Malaysian governments.
Since then, the chair has played a crucial role in advancing Malay language education in China, as well as in promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Having a dedicated chair in Malay studies in China has been considered a testament to the continued interest in the Malay language among native Chinese speakers.
The renaming event at the BFSU also highlights the enduring friendship between China and Malaysia.
"Up to now, we have educated 390 alumni. They're now working in different areas such as culture, education and foreign affairs, trade and economics, contributing to our relations and friendship between our two peoples," said Jia Wenjian, president of BFSU.
A Malaysian instructor with a Beijing-based international education institute said the event is expected to further enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two sides.
"Our Malaysian students are able to come to China and expand their learning opportunities. But also more than that, I also think that it gives the opportunity for Chinese students and learners who come to Malaysia and to have that opportunity to understand each other. So I think this is not just an event, it is actually monumental for a continued partnership between the two nations," said Joanna Johami, instructional leader of the Daystar Academy Beijing.
Data showed an estimated 10, 000 Malaysian students studied in China in 2023, with the number expected to rise in the coming years.
Beijing-based Malay Studies Chair renamed during state visit by Malaysia's king to China
