Recently, a 60-member Malaysian delegation led by Mr. Eric Yap, chairman of the International Preparatory Committee for Malaysia "International Youth Culture and Arts Festival" (IYCAF), visited Zhonglou district to promote the exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, arts and other fields.

Mr. Hong Bingzhong, chairman of the CPPCC Zhonglou District Committee and chairman of the District People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, met with the delegation.

At the meeting, Mr. Hong briefed the delegation on the history and culture as well as economic and social development of Zhonglou district. Mr. Yap gave an introduction to the achievements of the IYCAF in the fields of culture and education. The two sides signed a memorandum on comprehensive cooperation in education, culture and arts.

During the visit, the delegation visited the Yincun Characteristic Village and the Changzhou Art Vocational School of Jiangsu Province, where they enjoyed a traditional Chinese musical performance and tried out the classical instruments of guzheng (Chinese zither), erhu (Chinese two-stringed fiddle) and bamboo flute. The teachers and students from the SRJK (C) Chong Cheng Primary School, Penang visited the Miduqiao Primary School, Zhonglou and the Middle School Affiliated to Changzhou Institute of Educational Sciences.

The International Preparatory Committee for Malaysia "International Youth Culture and Arts Festival" was established in 2017. It is endorsed by the Malaysian Ministry of Education and is meanwhile the largest multiracial and the most international youth culture and arts event performances linked platform. The committee has established alliances with members in China, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Canada and Australia.