JOHOR BARU: The Johor government is committed towards making the Johor Sultan's suggestion for China to set up a consulate office here a reality.

       Johor Unity, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Dr Chong Fat Full said he met with Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah in Putrajaya over the matter on Oct 4.

       Dr Chong said in April 2018, Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar proposed a China mission to be set up in Johor to strengthen the relationship between the state and the republic.

       Sultan Ibrahim also said the consulate office could also provide value-added services to China nationals already working or doing business here.

       Dr Chong said Sultan Ibrahim's suggestion was for the benefit of Johor-China relations.

       "In February this year, China Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said that the China government is studying His Majesty's suggestion.

       "I took the initiative to meet with the Foreign Affairs Minister and Deputy Minister to follow up on the matter recently," he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 11).

       "This suggestion is timely at this juncture as it would indirectly help the trade relations of Johor and China as well as benefit other sectors such as tourism and culture," he added