I am indeed disturbed reading various reports on China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang on his recent visit to Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur and his speech made there.

I am quite sure there has been a serious misunderstanding on the matter because Huang has been so steadfast and passionate enhancing relations between China and Malaysia since his first day in Kuala Lumpur.

Having known all the Chinese ambassadors to Malaysia in the past, I feel Huang is the most successful in pushing for and enhancing the collaboration in all fields between our two countries. And he has done it in such a short time.

As a close personal friend of him, I can vouch that Huang is indeed very proud, and talks about it all the time, about the good and close relationship among all the races in Malaysia.

In his conversation with everbody, he keeps on mentioning as to how lucky are Malaysians of Chinese origin in Malaysia, as compared with other Asean countries.

He speaks of the fact that in Malaysia, our Federal Constitution and the government itself allows full freedom for each race to live their own way of life and keep to their language, culture and tradition.

Huang also talks about how beautiful it is that all Malaysians accept and are proud of this diversity.

I also remember the time when we were really down and out during the loss of MH370. We were having those huge problems with the unfair media and public opinion in China. This was effecting our various businesses with China, especially in tourism.

And it was Huang who stood up very bravely and openly, defending us and correcting the wrong impression being created.

Malaysians owe a lot to Huang for normalising the situation and bringing back again real warmth and closeness between our two people and two countries.

I really hope all Malaysian would make Huang’s stay in Malaysia as warm and as welcome as possible and facilitate him in enhancing further the relationship between our two countries.

He is a first class diplomat and I am sure he knows what he is doing. We wish him well.

ABDUL KADIR SHEIKH FADZIR is president of Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan).