KOTA KINABALU: China is watching the global Covid-19 pandemic before it fully reopens its international borders, says one of its diplomats here.

       "It is difficult to say when it will reopen as the authorities in China are looking at the overall global situation,” said China's outgoing consul-general Liang Caide.

       He noted that like everyone else, China is eager to fully reopen its international borders but it is not able to if the number of Covid-19 cases in China as well as other countries remains high.

       “On China’s part, we must make sure that the steps taken are strict so that we can control the spread of the virus and protect our people,” he added.

       China is known for adopting a strict zero-Covid-19 approach in its management of the pandemic.

       Meanwhile, Liang lauded the longstanding good relationship between China and Malaysia, including Sabah, economically, socially and culturally.

       “We hope that the current challenges faced will only bring us closer in future,” he said here after receiving a courtesy call from Kota Kinabalu Journalist Association (KKJA) committee members at the consulate-general of China here on Wednesday (April 6).

       Tourists from China made up some 40% of Sabah's international tourists prior to the imposition of travel curbs following the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020.

       With Malaysia having reopened its borders on April 1, Sabah tourism players have said it is going to be a slow recovery without China doing the same with its international borders.

       Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (SATTA) president Datuk Winston Liaw said they now rely on local tourists and visitors from Singapore and South Korea to come later this month.

       Earlier at the meeting, KKJA chairman Jimmy Goh thanked the consul-general and the China government for its continuous assistance to Sabah throughout the pandemic.

       He also thanked Liang for working together with the association and the state government in bridging cultural and economic gaps between China and Sabah.

       "Our close relationship has brought more understanding between us towards the cultures in China and the diverse cultures of Sabah.

       “We hope Liang’s return to China will not be the end of our friendship,” Goh added.