Search

“We’ll buy all your coconuts!”

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Mr Lim Hong Min (centre) presenting a souvenir to China’s Kuching Consul-General Cheng Guangzhong during the latter’s visit to New Sarawak Tribune at Jalan Nipah, Kuching yesterday. Fourth left is Sarawak Press Sdn Bhd General Manager, Mr Bobby Tham. PHOTOS: MOHD ALIF NONI

KUCHING: The new People’s Republic of China’s Kuching Consul-General Cheng Guangzhong visited the New Sarawak Tribune office at Jalan Nipah here yesterday. This was the first visit by the republic’s consul-general in Kuching since the consulate-general was established in the State in 1994.

Mr Cheng was accompanied by two consuls, Ms Jiang Ying and Ms Hu Qiao.

On arrival, they were greeted by the daily’s General Manager Mr Lim Hong Min and Financial Controller Ms Shirley Wong.

Mr Cheng and his consuls were taken on a tour of the newspaper editorial room where they talked to the sub-editors, reporters and DTP artists. The consul-general who assumed his Kuching position in the middle of March this year threw some interesting questions to those in the room.

Later at the conference room, Mr Cheng had a lively discussion with the daily’s editorial staff.

Mr Cheng who was a Minister Consul in India for about four years prior to coming to Sarawak said China is desirous and willing to assist Sarawak to develop its vast land. He said many entrepreneurs in China would invest in the resource-rich state.

Among the Kuching consulate’s roles, he said, was to bring China investors to Sarawak. He said although there were already some very big projects here by China companies like the US$3 billion steel plant in Samalaju Industrial Park in Bintulu, he is confident that more China investments will land in Sarawak especially in Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) Initiative.

Tourism, he added, was a sector worth Sarawakians’ time and efforts as hundreds of millions of Chinese travelled out of China every year. He said many people in China did not know Sarawak. Promotion of the state to these potential tourists is therefore important.

The 9th China’s Kuching Consul-General said fruits in Sarawak would find a big, ready market in China as tropical fruits are not grown there.

Coconuts and durians for example will sell very well in China. “Not joking, we’ll buy all your coconuts!”,  he said.

Consul Ms Jiang Ying said she liked Sarawak laksa and durians.  I think they’re the best in Malaysia,  she said.

Mr Cheng expressed China’s Kuching consulate’s gratitude to New Sarawak Tribune’s fair reporting on China and the consulate’s activities.

He added that the consulate would continue to organise China tours for local journalists and cultural shows by China artistes in the state for Sarawak audiences.

head of Japan and South Korea, the People’s Republic of China is the biggest foreign investor in Sarawak. By 2017, the Asian giant has invested over US$30 billion (RM120 bln) in the State. With flourishing bilateral ties and under China’s One-Belt-One Road (OBOR) Initiative, Sarawak is expected to see more investments from Beijing in the coming years.

Economic, cultural ties between China and Sarawak which date back more than a century have always been good. It helps that the great grandparents, grandparents or many present day Sarawakians came from China.

Twenty-four years ago, in 1994, China set up its first consulate-general office in Malaysia in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. Since then, economic activities, educational and cultural exchanges have picked up pace.

Trade volumes have steadily increased, facilitated by the presence of the consulate which expedites the issuance of visas and provides speedy information to local residents, businessmen and tourists alike.

In January, 2013, China’s Industrial and Commercial Bank Corporation (ICBC) which has over 400,000 employees worldwide established a branch in Kuching. In the same year, the republic’s oldest bank, the Bank of China, opened a branch at Kuching’s NAIM Building along Jalan Rock.

Sarawak’s exports to China in 2016 amounted to RM77 billion while imports from China came to only RM5.3 billion – heavily in favour of Sarawak.

Sarawak mainly exports timber, timber products, natural gas, palm oil, bird’s nests, rubber, pepper and durians. Its imports from the republic include machinery, air-conditioners, IT products, clothes and other manufactured goods.

China’s investments in Sarawak have shown signs of picking up especially in recent years after inter-visits by both sides intensified.

Sarawak’s large land tank, bountiful natural resources, political stability, racial harmony and business-friendly government are among factors that appeal to China’s corporations and entrepreneurs.

Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), the State’s signature development initiative started in 2008 in Central Sarawak targeting RM200 billion investments, 1.5 million jobs, has successfully attracted a number of China investments.

Among them are the RM12 billion steel plant in Samalajau Industrial Park (SIP) in Bintulu and RM13.3 billion methanol plant in Tanjong Kidurong.

Xi’an LONGi Silicon Materials Corp, the world’s largest manufacturer of solar products is investing RM1.076 billion in an integrated solar plant at Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone, Kuching.

Guangdong Guangken Rubber Group Company is pumping in RM83 million for a large-scale rubber plantation and a rubber processing factory in Debak, Betong.

China’s US$100 billion OBOR Initiative is not a mere political gimmick or economic slogan as billions have been invested and massive infrastructures, factories have been built along the route.

Sarawak with a small 2.7 million population but a favoured destination as a good neighbour, good friend and good partner should capitalise on the opportunity to reap maximum economic benefits for its people.

A coal-fired power plant in Balingian.
PART of the RM83m large-scale rubber plantation and a rubber processing factory in Debak, Betong.
THE RM1.076b LONGi solar products factory at Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone, Kuching.
THE RM13.3b methanol plant in Tanjong Kidurong, Bintulu.
THE proposed RM8b 1285 MW Baleh hydropower dam which is now under construction.
His Excellency Mr Cheng Guangzhong shaking hands with a New Sarawak Tribune DTP artist.
Mr Cheng Guangzhong answering a question. From left are New Sarawak Tribune Sub-Editor Adeline Liong and Consul Hu Qiao.
Mr Lim Hong Min (centre) presenting a souvenir to China’s Kuching Consul-General Cheng Guangzhong during the latter’s visit to New Sarawak Tribune at Jalan Nipah, Kuching yesterday. Fourth left is Sarawak Press Sdn Bhd General Manager, Mr Bobby Tham. PHOTOS: MOHD ALIF NONI
Mr Cheng Guangzhong (right) presenting a souvenir to Mr Lim Hong Min.
A group photo before proceeding to an editorial tour at New Sarawak Tribune Building. From left are Silvia Tzeng, Hu Qiao, Shirley Wong, Lim Hong Min, Cheng Guangzhong, Zarina Abdullah, Alexandra Lorna and Jiang Ying.
Mr Cheng Guangzhong talking to a New Sarawak Tribune Sub-Editor, Millert Bylon. On his left is Consul Jiang Ying.

Download from Apple Store or Play Store.