On October 29, Chinese Consul General in Penang Mr. Zhou Youbin attended the 147th anniversary celebration of Penang Chinese Town Hall (PCTH), and delivered a speech. Nearly 1000 guests attend the event including the Chief Minister of Penang Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) Mr. Goh Tian Chuan, Chairman of PCTH Mr. Tan Khoon Hai, Advisors Mr. Lim Gait Tong, Mr. Khor Teng How, and other PCTH executive committee and members. Deputy Consul General Mdm. Zhang Li accompanied Consul General Mr. Zhou Youbin at this event.  

    In his speech, Consul General Mr. Zhou Youbin hailed Penang Chinese Town Hall as a Chinese association with broad representation and influence in Penang and even in Malaysia. Since its establishment, it has played important roles in uniting the overseas Chinese and Chinese nationals in Malaysia, pooling the strength of Chinese community together, protecting the interests of Chinese community and inheriting Chinese culture. PCTH has also made positive contributions to supporting the development and construction of the motherland or country of origin, and enhancing the friendship between the two peoples of China and Malaysia. China and Malaysia are good neighbors facing each other across the sea. The development of China-Malaysia relations is inseparable from the support and efforts of overseas Chinese, and the all-round development of China-Malaysia cooperation will also bring more and better opportunities to overseas Chinese and Chinese nationals in Malaysia. It is hoped that everyone will fully leverage your respective strengths to share the opportunities brought by China-Malaysia cooperation and common development, and make new contributions to enhancing the understanding and friendship between the people of China and Malaysia. 

    Consul General Mr. Zhou Youbin introduced that the recently concluded 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is a meeting of great importance. It takes place at a critical time as we embark on a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advance toward the Second Centenary Goal. The new central leadership collective with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core was elected. The strategic arrangements made at and the important achievements of the 20th CPC National Congress will play a very important leading and promoting role in making China a modern socialist country in all aspects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts. In the future, China will be steadfast in deepening reform and opening up across the board and in pursuing high-quality development, and create more opportunities for countries around the world, including Malaysia. 

    Mr. Chow Kon Yeow and Mr. Tan Khoon Hai thanked Consul General Mr. Zhou Youbin for attending the event and expressed their appreciations for the contributions made by PCTH over the years. They said that PCTH is the most authoritative Chinese association in Penang. With dedication and hard work from the generations of the leaders of PCTH, it has made the outstanding achievements today and the direction of its development is to unite Chinese community, create opportunities, make contributions to the society and work for the wellbeing of the Chinese community and the society.