IPOH, Feb 17 — A delegation of 30 “Green Asian Group” members from China arrived in Ipoh today on bicycles in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014 (VMY 2014), as part of an effort to know Malaysia better.

The youngsters, all students from various universities in China, had chosen Malaysia ahead of other countries as their preferred destination for an educational thesis based on tourism in Asia.

Malaysia Interaction Culture Association (MICA) secretary Camess Foong said the delegation arrived on Feb 10 and started their fun ride in Penang for three days, before heading to Parit Buntar and spending a night in Kuala Kangsar.

“Today they continued their journey and arrived in Ipoh to spend a night before continuing their ride to Slim River and onwards to Kuala Lumpur before returning to China.

“They had chosen Malaysia as their destination in conjunction with VMY 2014 while MICA are coordinating their ride in Perak,” she told reporters after receiving the delegation upon their arrival, here, today.

Foong said the objective of the programme was to promote cultural ties between Malaysia and China.

The event which started last year involved cycling activities to create better relationship with cities like Guangzhou, Xiamen, Wengzhou and Hangzhou and promote VMY 2014 by distributing leaflets, souvenirs and information regarding destinations and uniqueness of Malaysia.

Zhou Xiaohua, 28, an automotive engineering student from the Xiamen University who headed the delegation was impressed with the various culture and people in Malaysia.

“I just found that Malaysians are very friendly and the food is also fantastic. I am not a regular cyclist but this ride in enjoyable. However, the weather here is so hot and quite challenging,” he said.

Lock Han, 21, from the Canton Foreign Language University, visiting Malaysia for the first time was also impressed with the uniqueness and culture practiced by the various races.

“This situation is very different compared to our country, and the food here in Malaysia is amazing too. I had tried laksa and fried noodles. This is the first time I am participating in this kind of activity. Cycling in the hot and humid weather is quite challenging for me but I don’t give up,” she added. — Bernama