This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. The relationship between the two countries has become increasingly close, and people-to-people exchanges have been strengthening. Under the leadership and promotion of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, China and Malaysia have achieved fruitful results in cooperation across various fields, including trade, economics, and culture.
In order to promote China’s outstanding cultural arts overseas, encourage the widespread dissemination of Chinese culture along the Silk Road, and enhance cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and Malaysia, on September 6, the Malaysia Jiangsu General Chamber of Commerce and the Malaysia Huaxing Art Troupe jointly organized a “Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Malaysia: Chinese Quyi Silk Road Happy Songs Mid-Autumn Special” performance at the ZEPP Theater (BBCC) in Kuala Lumpur.
Image 1: President Sun Jianwei (fifth from the left in the back row) poses for a group photo with guests and the performance team.
The event received strong support and collaboration from several organizations, including the Malaysia China Cultural and Arts Association, the Chinese Quyi Artists Association, and the China Coal Mine Art Troupe. It brought together 17 top artists from the Chinese quyi (traditional folk arts) scene. The performance was led by the renowned quyi artist and President of the International Rap and Talk Art Alliance, Mr. Jiang Kun, and the master of traditional Chinese music and contemporary five-string pipa representative, Mr. Fang Jinlong. The lineup also included top national-level Chinese artists such as Dai Zhicheng, Liu Quanhe, Liu Quanli, Zheng Jian, Ying Ning, as well as renowned Chinese tenor Wei Jindong. Excellent young quyi artists who had previously performed spectacularly on China’s CCTV Spring Festival Gala, including Ye Peng, Wang Lei, Liu Wei, and Guo Hongbin, also performed. Additionally, famous Xiangsheng comedian Jia Xuming and Li Zhuowen, winner of the “Guoyue Dadian” Grand Championship, were part of the performance, bringing the audience a unique and distinctly Chinese quyi show.
Moreover, Chinese “Er Ren Zhuan” artists Zhao Haiyan and Yan Guangming presented the rarely seen art of Er Ren Zhuan (a comedic performance style) in Malaysia, while Ji Yong, the head of the Beijing Grand Canal Hanlin Art Troupe, showcased his extraordinary skills in mouth acting, which was both lifelike and highly entertaining.
Image 2: Jiang Kun and Dai Zhicheng – Xiangsheng “The Joy Within”
Image 3: Fang Jinlong and Li Zhuowen – Traditional Chinese Music Performance “Xuan Niao” and “Yi Jiang Nan”
Image 4: Ying Ning and Wang Lei – Shuanghuang (Chinese Comic Dialogue Duet) “Joyous Celebration”
Image 5: Zhao Haiyan and Yan Guangming – Er Ren Zhuan “Zhu Bajie Gouging the Ground”
Image 6: Guo Hongbin – Kuai Ban (Chinese Clapper Talk) “Flower Chant Tongue Twister”
Image 7: Liu Wei and Ye Peng – Xiangsheng “A New Chapter of Idioms”
Image 8: Ji Yong – Mouth Acting “The Hundred Birds Singing”
Image 9: Zheng Jian and Jia Xuming – Xiangsheng “The Grand Tale of Water Margin”
Image 10: Liu Quanli and Liu Quanhe – Humorous Skit “The Photography Enthusiasts”
Image 11: Wei Jindong – Songs “Night on the Grassland” and “Lovely Rose”
The event attracted a large number of spectators from both China and Malaysia, who came to enjoy the wonderful performances of Chinese quyi. The excitement was high throughout the show. The performers expressed their warm greetings to the Malaysian audience and sent auspicious blessings. In addition to presenting the unique quyi culture of China, the performers humorously interpreted the local cultural and humanistic characteristics of Malaysia, causing laughter and applause from the audience, effectively bridging the emotional connection between the people of China and Malaysia.
“This is the first time I’ve seen such a performance, and it was absolutely amazing, far beyond my expectations,” said a Malaysian Chinese audience member, who highly praised the show.
During the exchange, Chairman Jiang Kun fully acknowledged the enthusiasm of the Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association for developing cultural initiatives. He mentioned that he hopes to hold a performance themed “Joy in Malaysia” annually in the future. Xiang Yun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Quyi Artists Association, shared his fondness for performing in Malaysia and expressed admiration for the Malaysian Chinese community’s protection and inheritance of Chinese traditional culture.
The success of this performance could not have been achieved without the strong support of Mr. Sun Jianwei, Chairman of the Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, as well as Dato’ Sri Chuah Poh Khiang, Vice President of the Malaysia Chinese Cultural and Arts Association. They provided solid support to ensure the smooth running of the event. Special thanks were also given to Yanghe Distillery Co., Ltd. and Ma Xing Group, who were the event’s title sponsors, along with support from Perfect Group, Nanhai Capital Limited, Pearl Holidays Travel Ltd., Tan Sri See Hong Chen, Yao Digang, Wang Xing Yao, Ni Jie, Zhao Weijun, Daniel Wang, Wu Ben Hua, the Sianjiang Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Association, Datuk Tee Guan Pian, Yau Teck Chong, and numerous other organizations and passionate entrepreneurs who made this event possible.
During the glorious moment of the event, the Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association extended its sincere respect to Mr. Ouyang Yujing, the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia (accompanied by his wife), Mr. Xiang Yun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Quyi Artists Association, and Mr. Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Malaysia (represented by his political secretary, Simon Ooi Tze Min). The presence of these distinguished guests not only added luster to the event but also reflected the deep friendship between China and Malaysia in cultural exchange and cooperation.
Coinciding with the upcoming 17th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Conference to be held in Malaysia in 2024, this performance received widespread support from the Malaysian Chinese community. The Malaysia Chinese Chamber of Commerce, as a co-organizer of the event, collaborated with the Malaysia Chinese Association Hall General Assembly to inject more strength into this cultural feast. Representatives from major chambers of commerce and enterprises gathered to witness this momentous cultural event of historical significance.
Additionally, various local community organizations, youth groups, and educational institutions actively participated in this grand occasion. The Malaysian Surname General Association, the Seven Major Community Associations, the Eight Major Youth Chinese Associations, as well as representatives from the Chinese Education Association and Principal’s Staff Union, were all invited to attend the performance. A total of 1,300 tickets were distributed free of charge, reflecting the spirit of shared cultural and artistic enjoyment. Many enthusiastic Malaysian citizens received tickets through media platforms.
The “Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of China-Malaysia Diplomatic Relations and the Chinese Quyi Silk Road Joyous Mid-Autumn Special Performance” not only showcased the unique charm and profound depth of Chinese quyi to Malaysian audiences but also deepened mutual understanding and feelings between the peoples of the two countries. The event fostered China-Malaysia cultural exchange, building a bridge for the continued development of the deep friendship between the two nations.
