A direct flight route connecting Xi'an City in northwest China's Shaanxi Province with Malaysia's Penang was launched on Monday, marking a new chapter in cultural exchanges between the two nations.
A group of 10 university students from Xi'an International Studies University and Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts were warmly welcomed upon arrival by the Chinese Consulate General in Penang and the Penang State government officials.
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Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together
Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together
Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together
Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together
Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together
Upon landing at the Penang International Airport, the flight was greeted with the traditional "water salute", followed by a warm reception at the arrival hall.
Penang State Executive Councilor for Tourism and Creative Economy Yeoh Soon Hin, and Ding Qiao, deputy consul general of China in Penang, posed for photos with the students.
As 2025 approached, the students joined tens of thousands of locals in a countdown celebration, with fireworks lighting up the night sky, heralding a year of hope and aspirations.
"We will be undertaking a one-month internship as assistant councilors in Penang State. As young Chinese people in the new era, we aim to use this opportunity to broaden our global perspectives, better tell China's stories, convey China's voice, and contribute to the enduring friendship between China and Malaysia," said Liu Hao, a graduate student at the School of Advanced Translation and Interpretation, Xi'an International Studies University.
The students, dressed in matching activewear, also participated in a New Year's Day city walk in George Town alongside local residents.
In the evening, they attended the Penang temple fair's lantern lighting ceremony and strolled through the beautifully decorated streets. The group also took photos with Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, and Zhou Youbin, Chinese Consul-General in Penang.
Penang State and Shaanxi Province enjoy a strong friendship, exemplified by collaborative projects such as the Penang State Assistant Councilor Internship Program, the Silk Road (China-ASEAN) Model United Nations Conference, and the creation of mural paintings in the typical style of farmers in Shaanxi.
As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the partnership between the two countries is set to deepen, offering broader opportunities for China-Malaysia cooperation.
Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together
Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together
Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together
Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together
Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together
