November 11, 2009 17:15 PM

China's President Visits Melaka

MELAKA, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing arrived here Wednesday to visit the Historical City.

The couple arrived at 2.15pm and were received by Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob; Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and state executive councillors.

Also present was Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, the minister-in-attendance.

Soon after their arrival, Hu and his wife visited the Straits of Malacca at Pulau Melaka here, the longest and busiest straits in the world. They were photographed there together with Mohd Khalil, Mohd Ali and state executive councillors.

The Straits of Malacca had been sailed by Admiral Cheng Ho, a sailing pioneer who had directed seven sailing and maritime expeditions, and was famous in the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean for 28 years (1405-1433).

The sailing of the Muslim admiral, who was also known as Zheng He, had much impact on maritime history and bilateral ties and cultural exchanges between China and more than 30 countries he visited, including with Melaka.

Melaka had historical ties with the land of the Great Wall of China for more than 600 years and President Hu is the second Chinese leader to visit Melaka after President Jiang Zhemin who also visted the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple in Jonker Walk about 15 years ago.

President Hu and his wife, who are on a two-day visit beginning yesterday, then visited the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock here.

The museum showcases the lifestyle of the Baba and Nyonya community at the end of the 19th century.

The museum building was the residence of three genrations of a Baba and the design of the old building is a fusion of eastern and western culture.

It was built in 1896 and has an open internal courtyard and the furniture is made of rosewood following British, Chinese and Dutch designs.

After spending about 20 minutes at the museum, Presdeint Hu and his wife left for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to depart for Singapore.

-- BERNAMA

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