The Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur followed the popular Malaysian tradition of hosting an Open House on June 18 for the Eid al-Fitr festival.

Some 600 guests including cabinet ministers and senior officials were invited to the celebration and enjoyed a variety of halal Chinese food and traditional local Malay delicacies. They also enjoyed traditional Chinese and Malay performances including magical face-changing, a highlight of Sichuan Opera.

In his speech to guests,Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian expressed appreciation for the Open House concept as well as for the openness and togetherness Malaysians demonstrate as they celebrate festivals.

Mohamad Ariff bin Md Yusof, speaker of the lower house of Parliament of Malaysia, thanked the embassy for hosting the event because it demonstrated China's appreciation of Malaysian culture and tradition.

Relations between Malaysia and China date back hundreds of years, and China will remain an important partner of Malaysia for its further development, he said.

The Open House concept involves welcoming guests and even strangers to visit the homes of those celebrating the holiday to wish them well and enjoy a feast prepared by the hosts to foster closer intercommunal ties. It is widely practiced in Malaysia.