Nearly 2,000 people joined a friendship run here Sunday to mark the establishment of bilateral ties between Malaysian and China as well as to promote greater relations among the two peoples.

　　The event was held in the capital of Malaysia's Sabah state in North Borneo, of which the beautiful beaches, tropical rain forest, mountain trails and cultural diversity are increasingly attracting tourists from China.

　　Oh Ei Sun, president of the Sabah Malaysia-China Friendship Association that hosted the event, said the great participation showed the local government and people were keen to further ties with China, and to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative.

　　"We hope such healthy and positive event could help the participants to have deeper understandings on the friendship between China and Malaysia, especially with Sabah," he said.

　　Liang Caide, Chinese consul-general in Kota Kinabalu, said the event is a meaningful way to mark the 44th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia.