According to a report in The Star Online, Dr Huang said he visited the area to see for himself if there was a need to issue a travel alert, after the US and Australian missions issued a terror alert for Jalan Alor.
“I had to check for myself whether the embassy should issue the alert too. I chose to go to Petaling Street because it is a cultural landmark and a favourite tourist spot for Chinese nationals.”
He said he distributed mooncakes there partly because China’s President Xi Jinping was doing the same in Seattle in the US, and added, “My visit had nothing to do with race or colour. It was not complex and not political.”
Dr Huang said this during a 90-minute briefing at the Chinese Embassy to mostly Mandarin-speaking journalists.
He explained that during his walkabout, a journalist asked him a hypothetical question: “If there is a massive anti-Chinese riot in Malaysia, will the Chinese government interfere?” to which he answered in generalities, saying, “The Chinese government has always pursued peaceful co-existence and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
“But if such a situation occurs, and it affects Chinese interests, Chinese people and Chinese enterprises, undermine good diplomatic ties, China will not sit idle.
“For the past 66 years, our diplomats have been repeating this statement. It is our universal value.”
He also said that China was opposed to “extremism, racism and terrorism in any form” as well as “disruption to public order.”
He added however that his statements were taken out of context and “blown out of proportion”, leading to a diplomatic row and friction among Malaysia’s ministers.
“I don’t hope to see this happening as China and Malaysia are close friends and partners,” he said.
He also informed the journalist that contrary to what was reported in the press, he had not been summoned yet by Wisma Putra. He did however have meetings with several ministers, who had collectively agreed that the close bilateral ties Malaysia and China have enjoyed for years should not be jeopardised over this “isolated” incident.
He reiterated that he believed Malaysia was a harmonious and stable country and added, “The statements I made in Chinatown were sincere. I was hoping to tell the world, including Chinese tourists who were coming in the tens of thousands, that Malaysia was safe despite the threat of a race riot the next day.”
“My praise and judgment is much more powerful and forceful than any positive statement by a Malaysian.
“After my explanation today (yesterday), I believe people with logical thinking will not doubt my sincerity and goodwill anymore.”
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