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When 62-year-old Malaysian Supreme Head of State Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin was told on Tuesday that he is indeed a true man while gazing at the snow-covered Great Wall, he felt excited and smiled happily.
"Late Chairman Mao Zedong once said, 'He who does not reach the Great Wall is not a true man'. You are indeed a true man for you have just climbed the Great Wall, particularly in snowing weather," Guo Zaoshun, a local official in charge of the Badaling Great Wall, told the distinguished guest, who is the 406th head of state the Badaling has received since 1954.
Built 2,000 years ago, the 6,300-kilometer Great Wall was the greatest military defense project in ancient China. The 3,741-meter-long Badaling section, first built approximately 500 years ago and dotted by 19 beacon towers, is one of the most popular tourist attractions for guests from home and abroad, including quite a number of political dignitaries from other countries, suchas US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Sirajuddin arrived in Beijing Monday noon for a state visit to China from Feb. 28 to March 6, at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Sirajuddin toured the Great Wall Tuesday morning. Looking around at the impressive view of the Great Wall in white snow, Sirajuddin took photos with his wife and his lovely granddaughter,with great interest.
"Now I am visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World and seeing is believing the achievement of the Chinese people in the past," Sirajuddin praised the Great Wall.
He meanwhile wrote in visitors' book, "...Today...I am also witnessing the achievement of the 'Eighth Wonder of the World', the China of today -- How you can manage to govern, to administer, and look after the people and country is amazing indeed. Your leadership in Asia is appreciated and will be studied by the present and future generations."
(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2005)
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