KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 -- China on Monday officially opened a consulate office in Malaysia's resort city of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah state on North Borneo.

China's Ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang, who announce the opening on behalf of the Chinese government, said the consulate in Kota Kinabalu represents the fast development of bilateral relationship between China and Malaysia, as well as China's commitment to all-around cooperation with Malaysia.

China's Consul-General in Kota Kinabalu Chen Peijie said the consulate will be committed to closer cooperation between China and Thailand's Sabah state.

Sabah, famous for its beach and rain forests, has become a main attraction for Chinese tourists in recent years.