Padawan, Yibin bond over ART

KUCHING: The Padawan Municipal Council (PMC) has forged a new friendship city relationship with Yibin City in China’s Sichuan Province.

The partnership was solidified during a visit by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin on Monday (Sept 9).

Lee, accompanied by PMC officials, had previously visited Yibin City to launch the ART Roll-out Ceremony and Customer First Inspection Activity for the KUTS Project in Sarawak.

“The delegation then proceeded to the Yibin Municipal People’s Government office to witness the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding for establishing a friendly cooperation relationship between PMC chairman Tan Kai and Mayor of Yibin Municipal People’s Government Liao Wenbin,” said the ministry in a statement.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lee recalled proposing the friendship city relationship to Yibin’s mayor during a visit last year. He expressed satisfaction at successfully realising this proposal upon his return to Sarawak.

Highlighting Sarawak’s focus on digital and hydrogen economies, including the promotion of hydrogen-powered Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART), Lee noted that Yibin City is a key production site for ART.

“This project lays a solid foundation for cooperation between the two cities,” it added.

Lee also hoped for increased exchanges between PMC and Yibin Municipal People’s Government in areas such as culture, education, economy, and commerce.

During the ceremony, Tan Kai extended an invitation to Liao Wenbin to lead a delegation from Yibin to attend the Malaysia (Kuching)-China Cooperation Forum cum 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Gala Dinner in Kuching this December.