Carrying Forward the Tan Kah Kee Spirit: New Achievements in China–Malaysia Educational Cooperation
Kuala Lumpur, October 11 — The Night of Tan Kah Kee 2025 Dinner and Award Ceremony, organized by the Tan Kah Kee Foundation of Malaysia, was held in grand fashion on the evening of October 11, celebrating the remarkable contributions and enduring legacy of the late Mr. Tan Kah Kee.
The event was graced by H.E. Ambassador Ouyang Yujing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia, who delivered a keynote address. Distinguished guests included Datuk Tan Yew Sing, Chairman of the Tan Kah Kee Foundation; Mr. Tan Keng Kang, Vice Chairman of the Foundation; Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Ng Lay Swee, Founding President of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR); and Prof. Chen Yiming, Honorary Director of the Overseas Chinese Museum, together with more than 600 representatives from various sectors.
Professor Chen Xiaoyun, Chairman of Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST) and Chairman of Star Teenagers International Group, attended the event with the university’s top management. Professor Chen was invited to receive an award alongside Ambassador Ouyang Yujing, Datuk Tan Yew Sing, and other distinguished guests, followed by a commemorative photo session。
In his keynote, Ambassador Ouyang Yujing praised the noble character and extraordinary achievements of the late Mr. Tan Kah Kee. He highlighted that this year marks a milestone in China–Malaysia relations. Under the strategic guidance of both nations’ leaders, high-level exchanges have flourished and cooperation across multiple sectors has achieved significant results — elevating bilateral relations to unprecedented heights.
He expressed his hope that the Malaysian Chinese community would continue to uphold the essence of Chinese culture and contribute further to strengthening the bonds of friendship and collaboration between China and Malaysia.
In his speech, Datuk Tan Yew Sing reflected on the growth of the Tan Kah Kee Foundation and announced several new initiatives, including the “Path of Peace” musical series, the reopening of the Tan Kah Kee Memorial Hall, the establishment of Tan Kah Kee Reading Rooms, and the joint exhibition and seminar titled “Hearts United in the Flames: Tan Kah Kee and the Nanyang Volunteers.” These activities aim to honour and perpetuate the enduring Tan Kah Kee Spirit.
During the ceremony, Professor Chen Xiaoyun also shared updates on KLUST’s educational progress with Ambassador Ouyang Yujing. He expressed that it was the Tan Kah Kee Spirit that inspired the establishment of KLUST in Malaysia — to serve as a bridge of knowledge and a platform for international education.
Following its rebranding, KLUST continues to embrace the belief of “Integrity and Perseverance in Service and Education,” while innovating new models of learning and institutional development. The university remains steadfast in its mission to nurture talent, drive societal advancement, and promote technological and industrial growth.
Professor Chen emphasized that KLUST will continue to embody the Tan Kah Kee Spirit through concrete action — contributing to social progress and strengthening China–Malaysia educational collaboration. Ambassador Ouyang expressed his full support for KLUST’s initiatives and conveyed his high expectations for the university’s future contributions.
Later, Professor Chen held an engaging discussion with Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Ng Lay Swee and Prof. Chen Yiming, both award recipients, expressing his admiration for their lifelong dedication to education and sharing how deeply he was inspired by their commitment to the Tan Kah Kee Spirit.
That afternoon, at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC), the stage drama “The Legend of Tan Kah Kee: The Road to Peace” premiered. Professor Chen Xiaoyun and the KLUST delegation were invited to attend the performance, which vividly portrayed the patriotic life of Tan Kah Kee — his perseverance, courage, and devotion to education during turbulent times. The play depicted his efforts to establish educational institutions and support China’s resistance movement, leaving the audience deeply moved. At the end of the performance, Professor Chen took a commemorative photo with the actor portraying Tan Kah Kee and exchanged warm conversations.
As part of the commemorative series, on the morning of October 12, Professor Chen Xiaoyun and his delegation visited the newly reopened Tan Kah Kee Memorial Malaysia, which had undergone two years of renovation. They also attended the “Hearts United in the Flames: Tan Kah Kee and the Nanyang Volunteers” exhibition and the launch of the picture book “Mr. Tan Kah Kee,” co-organized by the Tan Kah Kee Foundation of Malaysia and The Kuala Lumpur And Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.
During the event, YB Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government of Malaysia, delivered an inspiring address. He shared that he is the grandson of a Nanyang Volunteer — Ni Zhi-xiang — who had responded to Tan Kah Kee’s call to join the Nanyang Volunteer Corps and safeguard China’s “lifeline of resistance” during the war.
YB Nga’s remarks were filled with patriotic emotion as he reflected on the selfless sacrifices of the Nanyang Volunteers and expressed his hope for the continued friendship and cooperation between Malaysia and China.
Following the ceremony, YB Nga Kor Ming met warmly with Professor Chen Xiaoyun and the KLUST delegation. He encouraged KLUST to continue honouring the contributions of the Nanyang Volunteers and to serve as a bridge in promoting the Tan Kah Kee Spirit — strengthening people-to-people ties and fostering cultural understanding between China and Malaysia.
The commemorative series received extensive media coverage, including prominent features in Nanyang Siang Pau and other major Malaysian outlets.
Although the celebrations have concluded, the Tan Kah Kee Spirit continues to shine brightly — guiding the way forward for China–Malaysia educational cooperation.
Under the leadership of Professor Chen Xiaoyun, Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST) remains steadfast in upholding this spirit through meaningful action and participation. Moving forward, KLUST will continue to serve as a bridge of friendship and collaboration, embedding the Tan Kah Kee Spirit deeply within its educational philosophy and practice.
With renewed dedication, KLUST strives to nurture well-rounded, globally minded talents who embody both patriotism and purpose — contributing to the long-term prosperity of China–Malaysia relations and writing a new chapter of friendship, progress, and shared success in the years to come.