BEIJING: About 200 Malaysians gathered at the Malaysian Embassy here to celebrate National Day despite the long journey many had to endure go to the venue.
Among them was student Sheikh Ibrahim Ismail, 24, who proudly wore his finest Baju Melayu.
He and other Malaysians carpooled and travelled about 30km to get to the embassy here.
The second-year student at Beijing Jiaotong University was filled with excitement as it was his first time celebrating this significant day abroad.
"I am very happy to be able to celebrate National Day here, and there's a special feeling since our beloved homeland is so far away. I am very grateful to have this opportunity to celebrate our National Day with fellow Malaysians.
"In the lead-up to this event, I carefully prepared what I wanted to wear today. I even decorated my songkok with the Malaysian flag to make it more festive and to show my Merdeka spirit," he said during the celebration in Beijing today.
Chong Hui Ling, 24, who hails from Negri Sembilan, wore a black silat outfit adorned with additional accessories to embody the spirit of National Day.
She said she even watched an online tutorial to learn how to properly wear the attire as part of her preparations.
"I'm thrilled to attend a Merdeka event in Beijing for the first time and to celebrate Merdeka here.
"My outfit today is silat-themed, complete with extra accessories. I borrowed some of them and learned how to tie the knots from YouTube. Since I wasn't very familiar with it, I had to learn.
"It's really exciting to be here with everyone. This experience is very special to me," she said.
The event, which began at 8am, was vibrant and festive, featuring a variety of Malaysian delicacies that brought a taste of home to the celebration.
Clad in their traditional attire, attendees sang the national anthem and recited the Rukun Negara, accompanied by a flag-raising ceremony.
A live broadcast of the National Day celebration in Putrajaya further enhanced the celebratory atmosphere.
Malaysia's Deputy Chief of Mission in Beijing, Norfarina Mohd Azmee, said this year's National Day is significant as it marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
She said 2024 saw numerous high-level visits and joint activities, reflecting the strong ties between the two nations.
"What is especially heartwarming is that all the Malaysians arrived early in the morning, demonstrating their strong spirit and appreciation for Malaysia's presence at the embassy.
"There are no challenges because of the unwavering support and commitment of Malaysians. Any event can be successfully organised with the support of each Malaysian who is excited to celebrate this day," she said.
Norfarina added that this year's theme, "Malaysia Madani, Jiwa Merdeka," is vital for fostering a sense of patriotism, especially among Malaysians in Beijing, as it embodies the spirit of
independence.
"The emphasis on mindset and spirit while being abroad is very timely. When you are far from home, fellow Malaysians become like your closest family," she said.