By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: More than 5,000 participants from across Sabah took part in the 7km “Jom! Malaysia-China 2026 Run” to mark the 52nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
The participants, comprising people from various ethnic communities, employees of Chinese-invested and local companies, representatives of government agencies, members of associations, teachers, students and running enthusiasts, were flagged off at Padang Merdeka yesterday.
The route took them to Likas Bay and back.
The event also featured a photo exhibition, showcasing historical photographs highlighting key milestones since diplomatic ties were established in 1974.
The exhibition covered diplomacy, trade and investment, education, culture, tourism and local-level cooperation.
Runners who completed the race stood a chance to win one of 249 cash prizes and attractive gifts worth more than RM43,000 in total.
The top prize was a one-year running shoe package sponsored by Skechers Malaysia, valued at RM5,508. The winner will receive a pair of running shoes worth RM459 every month for 12 consecutive months.
The Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah president Dr Oh Ei Sun said this year’s event was the seventh edition of the run.
He said it had grown into one of Sabah’s best-known mass participation sporting events with strong support from government agencies, Chinese-invested enterprises, local businesses, chambers of commerce and various sectors of society.
“Beyond promoting a healthy lifestyle, it has also become an important platform for strengthening Malaysia-China friendship, cultural exchanges and tourism cooperation,” he said.
Dr Oh said the photo exhibition was introduced to help the public, especially younger generations, better understand the history and achievements of bilateral cooperation.
He said the initiative reflected the belief that friendly relations between nations are built on close ties between their peoples, while close ties between peoples are built on mutual understanding and genuine connections.
Among the distinguished guests who attended the event were Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Sabah Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk Richard Yong We Kong, Senator Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Consul General of China in Kota Kinabalu Dr Zhu Xinglong, Tourism Malaysia Strategic Planning Division Senior Deputy Director Mohd Shahrir Hadzin and Skechers Malaysia Wholesale and Franchise director Ram Tang.
More than 5,000 runners took part in the 7-kilometre friendship run.
