Chinese visit to Penang school was cultural programme - minister

 

The visit of Chinese nationals to a school in Penang on Monday which went viral on social media was said to be a cultural and sports programme and not conducted by the Chinese Navy.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said there was misinformation spread online and the visit involved 165 lecturers and students from the Naval University of Engineering China to Chung Ling Private High School in George Town.

“I want to stress that, first of all, the programme was held in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Malaysia and China.

“Second of all, it was a cultural and sports exchange programme between the university and the private school, which have obtained approval from the relevant authorities,” Fadhlina said.

She was speaking to reporters after officiating the closing of the National Education Management Conference in Kepala Batas, Penang, today.

The four-day conference themed “Pendidikan Manusiawi Memacu Pendidikan Negara Madani” was attended by 674 principals of secondary schools across the country.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek

Fadhlina said her ministry is paying full attention to the issue and to avoid prolonged misunderstandings and slander, the school involved also filed a police report.

National sovereignty

Earlier today, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil reportedly said the issue of a threat to national sovereignty did not arise following the docking of two Chinese naval ships at Penang Port.

He said warships from other countries often dock at Malaysian ports but are done following protocols set by Wisma Putra and with the knowledge of the Defence Ministry.

Last Saturday, the Penang state government announced the arrival of 1,000 Chinese navy trainees to the state on two naval vessels, the Qi Jiguang Training Ship and the JinggangShan Ship from Zhanjiang for a friendly visit.

- Bernama