Malaysian students and teachers have expressed strong interest in expanding programs of exchange with China, highlighting the value of cultural and educational exchanges in deepening bilateral ties.
In separate interviews with China Global Television Network prior to Chinese President Xi Jinping's current state visit to Malaysia which started on Tuesday, several students and faculty members at Xiamen University Malaysia shared their growing interest in enhancing personal and professional development as well as bonds with China.
Yap Li Jun and Kenneth Cheung, two MBA students at Xiamen University Malaysia, emphasized the importance of learning from China's successful business models and cultural practices.
"I would love to join about cultural [programs] or entrepreneurs to learn from the good leader [leadership] in China," Jun said.
"If I have the chance to do cross-cultural [exchange] again, I will definitely do it. China made my career and I would love to have the opportunity to do again," Cheung said.
Toa Chean Khim, a faculty member at Xiamen University Malaysia, expressed the hope for more advanced technological exchange programs.
"Hopefully like in the next few years, we can have something [like] advanced technological exchange, knowledge [exchange] or maybe something like exchange programs [which] also can [be made], so that we can have some of the knowledge exchanges," he said.
There are also students who believe that programs of exchange with Xiamen University's main campus in China could be particularly beneficial.
"I think it's a chance [of exchange] between universities like Xiamen University's main campus and also Shanghai Jiaotong University," said Ng Ke Xin, a student at the university.
"I would like to go for Xiamen University in the main campus because it has programs about media and also the film industry. So I'd like to experience something there myself," said Cheah Siew Ping, another Malaysian student.
Malaysian youth hope for more exchange programs to further learn about China
