Kuching, China’s Chaozhou forge culinary ties to preserve, promote gastronomy heritage

Wee (fourth right) and Cai (fourth left) along with other distinguished guests in a photo during a visit to Chaozhou, China on March 13, 2026.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, March 13: Kuching and China’s Chaozhou are exploring stronger collaboration through food culture as both cities seek to preserve and promote their rich culinary heritage while deepening international cooperation in gastronomy.

The move followed a courtesy call by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng on Chaozhou Mayor Cai Danqun, marking a significant step towards strengthening ties between the two cities in the field of gastronomy.

According to a media release today, the meeting reflected the growing friendship between Kuching South and Chaozhou, both recognised under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as Creative Cities of Gastronomy.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed ways for the cities to work more closely in promoting their culinary heritage while strengthening global cooperation through food culture.

Wee described the visit as meaningful, noting that both cities share strong cultural connections through their food traditions and heritage.

Chaozhou is renowned for its rich culinary history and craftsmanship in cuisine, and the influence of Chaozhou culture has spread widely across Southeast Asia. Elements of this heritage can also be seen in Kuching’s multicultural food culture.

He said gastronomy plays a vital role in connecting people, preserving heritage and supporting local livelihoods.

“Kuching’s gastronomy reflects the rich diversity of Sarawak, where Malay, Chinese, Dayak, Indian and many indigenous communities contribute to a vibrant and unique culinary landscape,” he said.

During the discussion, both cities identified several areas where cooperation could be strengthened. These include encouraging exchanges between chefs, culinary professionals and food entrepreneurs to share knowledge, culinary techniques and food traditions.

Both cities also expressed interest in collaborating to document, preserve and promote their culinary heritage, including traditional recipes and local ingredients that represent the identity of their communities.

In addition, the cities will explore opportunities to participate in each other’s food festivals, culinary exhibitions and gastronomy-related programmes.

They also discussed collaboration in education, research and training related to gastronomy, culinary innovation and sustainable food practices.

As part of efforts to strengthen cooperation within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Wee also extended an invitation to Cai and his delegation to visit Kuching for the 3rd Annual Assembly of the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy, scheduled to be held from Aug 3 to Aug 7, 2026.

The international gathering will bring together gastronomy cities from around the world to exchange ideas, share best practices and explore collaborative initiatives centred on gastronomy as a driver of sustainable urban development.

Alongside the assembly, a UCCN Pavilion will also be held in Kuching from Aug 3 to Aug 9, 2026, offering participating cities the opportunity to showcase their culinary traditions to the public and international delegates.

Wee also invited chefs and food entrepreneurs from Chaozhou to participate in the pavilion by presenting authentic Chaozhou delicacies.

“This would allow the people of Sarawak to experience the unique flavours of Chaozhou cuisine while strengthening culinary exchange between the two cities,” he said.

He expressed confidence that cooperation between Kuching and Chaozhou would continue to grow.

“Food has the power to bring people together. Through gastronomy, our cities can build stronger friendship and deeper cultural understanding,” he added. — DayakDaily