TIANJIN: Malaysian-owned XianDa Group plans to invest RMB15 billion (RM8 billion) to open the world’s first integrated zero-liquid discharge desalination plant here.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the plant would produce one million tonnes of clarified water and 600,000 tonnes of desalinated water per day.
He said this is one of the Malaysia’s most exciting investments in China.
“This project, driven by Malaysians, supported by Malaysian investors and using Malaysian technology, shows the contribution we can make to China’s incredible growth story,” he added in his speech at the ground breaking ceremony of the XianDa seawater desalination and salt making project here yesterday.
His speech was read by International Trade and Industry Ministry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Also present was Tianjin Municipality Party Secretary Sun Chunlan, Defence Minister and Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Enersave Group Chairman Mah Sau Cheong and Victor Wee, Chairman of the Board of Enersave Tianjin Branch.
Najib, who arrived in China on Tuesday, had to interrupt his six-day official visit to return to Malaysia on Wednesday night, to pay his last respects to the late Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah.
The prime minister said with this project, XianDa has not only been able to help preserve the ecosystem of the Bohai Bay, but also produce enough salt to transform 200 square kilometres of salt plains into more productive land.
He also commended the Tianjin City Government, saying its foresight and ambition made this investment possible.
“The drive towards sustainable and environment friendly industrial development has allowed Malaysia to show what we can offer to China through the world’s first integrated zero-liquid discharge desalination plant,” Najib said.
He also praised the Central Government, which has awarded Tianjin “Pioneer Status” in the “Development of the Marine Economy” and selected XianDa as one of the top three projects that demonstrates how seawater resources can be harnessed to benefit the local economy. — Bernama