KOTA KINABALU: Tourism promotional activities between Sandakan and Chaozhou in China will be further enhanced as both parties vow to cooperate more closely despite the termination of direct flights.
Sandakan Municipal Council president Walter Kenson urged local tourism players to further strengthen collaboration with their counterparts from Chaozhou after a fruitful visit by the Chaozhou Tourism Association.
The group, headed by secretary-general Chen Lipeng, comprised vice-president Lin Yang and committee members Chen Paizhao, Cai Yuhao, and Huang Senyao. It was the first time the association visited Sandakan early this week.
The delegates visited major attractions like the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Kinabatangan River, Agnes Keith House Museum, Puu Jih Shih Temple, and St. Michael’s Church as part of their familiarisation tour.
“Sandakan is a special experience for us Chaozhou people, and the food is simply fantastic – particularly the seafood bak kut teh, curry crab, and the seafood variety,” said Chen Lipeng.
“Even though the direct flight between Kota Kinabalu and Jieyang Shantou has been grounded since the second half of last month, we can still travel there through other airports in Guangdong. Generally speaking, it was a very pleasant and memorable experience,” he commented.
Chen also thanked Sandakan for the warm welcome and invited local people to travel to Chaozhou.
President of the Sandakan Tourism Association Teo Chee Kim emphasized the complementary nature of the two cities. “Chaozhou is renowned for its history and cuisine, while Sandakan is renowned for its biodiversity, wildlife protection, and seafood. This offers a good foundation for collaboration and cultural exchange,” Teo explained.
He also expressed gratitude to Datuk Edward Khoo, chairman of the Sandakan Teo Chew Association, for facilitating the visit.
“I hope that this familiarisation tour has given our Chaozhou visitors a greater appreciation of the beauty of Sandakan. We look forward to welcoming more tourists from their city shortly,” Teo said.
Teo also said the visit was culturally significant because Sandakan is inhabited by a successful Teochew community with ancestral origins from Chaozhou. “This connection is more than tourism.
It’s about renewing cultural connections and creating people-to-people ties between people who share a common heritage but are residing in different parts of the world,” he further added. Also present for the visit were Sandakan Tourism Association secretary Jodee Koh, vice secretary Catina Chia, and treasurer Cindy Loo.
