CHINA'S PRESIDENT VISITS MALACCA

MALACCA, 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 Ruler of Melaka Mohd
Khalil Yaakob; Chief Minister, Mohd Ali Rustam and
state executive councillors.

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

Soon after their arrival, Hu and his wife visited the Straits of Malacca at
Pulau Melaka(a man-made island in Malacca Town), 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 Malacca.


Malacca 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
Malacca 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 Nov 10,
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