Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad: China Is Our Excellent Example

The Great Wall of China embodies the Chinese nation’s unremitting spirit of self-improvement, solidarity, and unyielding patriotism. It has become an icon of the Chinese nation and an important symbol of Chinese civilization.

Throughout the ages, the Great Wall has played its proper role in promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations of the world.

On November 22, 1985, Mahathir Mohamad, then Prime Minister of Malaysia, visited China for the first time and set foot on the Badaling Great Wall in Beijing.

It was an early winter, and the vast clear, blue skies accentuated the great, majestic, sacred, and formidable image of the Great Wall.

Standing on the Great Wall, Mahathir was overwhelmed with excitement. He laughed heartily while admiring the magnificent architecture.

Mahathir, known as the “father of modernization in Malaysia” has insisted on the “Asian values” and called for China to play an important role in regional organizations.

“China can play a very big role not least because it is a very big country. They can play a role in growing the economy of the world by their own action. China has much that it can contribute towards the development of the world, so, we feel that China is a good model for us and we can learn a lot from China."

During Mahathir’s nearly 30 years in office, he visited China eight times. He said, Today’s China has become a powerful country and is respected by all. China has earned that with its hard work, diligence, and the fulfillment of dreams and goals.