Lee said education is an important sector for bilateral collaboration. Vocational training has gained strong momentum for growth since the launch of the Malaysia-China International Industry and Education Cooperation Center.

He added that under this new initiative, nearly 1,000 Malaysian students have come to China for vocational training.

"The Shanxi tour is also one of the latest moves under this program," Lee said.

The journey covered such Shanxi local schools as Taiyuan Tourism College, Shanxi Vocational University of Engineering Science and Technology, and Jinzhong Vocational & Technical College.

"My deepest impression of this trip is that many vocational schools in Shanxi have devoted much energy to turning traditional cultural assets into modern creative arts," Lee said. "This is a regional characteristic you seldom see elsewhere."

He added that the practice in Shanxi's vocational education sector is a typical case worth studying. "We are considering further cooperation in exchange of such an experience," he said.

The collaboration has entered the implementation stage after PIA signed a framework agreement for cooperation with Taiyuan Tourism College on July 5.

In addition to exchanges, the two schools will launch joint teaching programs in the future, according to Xie Yuhui, president of Taiyuan Tourism College.

Hao Hong contributed to this story.