Sarawak eyes opportunities in China’s infrastructure advancements

KUCHING: China’s remarkable advancements in large-scale construction and technological development in recent years present opportunities for Sarawak to boost its infrastructure and overcome technical bottlenecks.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said in view of this, Sarawak should actively take advantage of the spillover effects of China’s progress, especially through the extensive participation of Chinese contracting companies in major infrastructure projects across the state.

“These efforts have tangibly improved the lives of Sarawakians and opened up more new opportunities and resources for the Sarawak economy,” he said.

He said this in his text-of-speech read out by Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Henry Harry Jinep during the ‘Beneath the Mid-Autumn Moon: Malaysia and China – A Bond of Friendship, A Future of Success’ dinner at a local restaurant here last night (Sept 20).

Tiong, who is also the Bintulu MP said that at present, while many countries are facing the challenge of saturating economic markets, Sarawak’s market still holds a great deal of untapped potential.

“As a result, many international companies, including Chinese firms, are coming to Sarawak to seek business opportunities and invest in setting up factories,” he said.

He also called on Chinese business organisations, especially the Malaysia-China Import and Export Chamber of Commerce Kuching, Sarawak to seize the opportunity and actively participate in trade cooperation across various sectors, and jointly promote greater economic collaboration between Sarawak and China, paving the way for prosperity and fruitful results.

On a related note, he said in recent years, Sarawak has ventured deeper into the global green economy.

“Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has stated that Sarawak has become a leader in Southeast Asia in addressing climate change, particularly in the production and use of clean energy.

“Nearly 70 per cent of Sarawak’s energy supply comes from renewable hydropower.

“This has not only helped Sarawak reduce carbon emissions but has also enabled us to further explore green hydrogen production and large-scale floating solar projects,” he said.

At the same time, he said Sarawak-China cooperation has also achieved remarkable success in various fields.

“For example, the hydrogen-powered Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) project in Kuching, which was manufactured by a Chinese company, transported to Malaysia for assembly and testing, stands as a milestone in Malaysia-China collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.

“Currently, the first batch of ART trains has completed pre-testing, physical inspection, and off-line procedures in China,” he said.

He added the 38 trains ordered by the Sarawak government will be gradually delivered in a semi-assembled form, to alleviate traffic congestion in Kuching.

“Notably, Sarawak is one of the first pioneers outside of China to adopt this zero-emission public transport system,” said Tiong.