Image credit: South China Morning Post
KOTA KINABALU: Friendly China-Malaysia relations have led to significant progress in exchanges between the republic and Sabah, says China consul general Huang Shifang in Kota Kinabalu.
"Presently, more and more Chinese enterprises are choosing to invest and expand their operations in the region.
"Their collaborative efforts extend beyond the realms of tourism and infrastructure into high-end manufacturing, green energy, logistics and transportation, "she said during a media engagement at a hotel here.
Citing as example the Kibing Solar Group's involvement in the Sabah Kibing Solar and Sabah Kibing Silicon Kudat projects, Huang said both are worth a total investment of nearly RM3 billion.
The projects, she added, would realise an annual output of 1.2 million tons of silica sand and 900,000 tons of photovoltaic glass in the first phase, creating more than 2,000 new jobs, a majority of which would be taken up by locals.
This year, more than 600 locals under the Kibing Solar Group will be sent to China for further training and development as part of the projects.
Huang also cited the 12,000ha rubber plantation project between Bornion Timber Sdn Bhd and Guangdong Guangken Rubber Group Co. Ltd since 2009.
"During more than 10 years of cooperation, Guangken Rubber Group, with its rich experience in processing natural rubber, has jointly explored and established a good cooperation with Bornion Timber Company.
"It has realised complementary strengths in agricultural technology and capital management, which has become a role model of win-win cooperation, and the project has been rated by Sabah Forestry Department as an A+ grade project."
Huang added that Sabah's strategic location and rich resources have been amplified and harnessed in the post-pandemic era, revealing immense potential for mutually beneficial cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative framework.
"The Consulate General remains committed to serving as a bridge, facilitating deeper exchanges and cooperation between the two places across a wide range of sectors, to promote the high-quality common development and foster a new era of win-win cooperation within the context of building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future."
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/08/946816/warm-china-malaysia-ties-extend-greater-cooperation-sabah-consul-general