(From second left) Lee and Cheng show the souvenir, presented by the China Consulate.
KUCHING: Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin has been invited by the Consul-General of China in Kuching to go on a study visit to some cities in China that are using modern technology in their transport system.
He said the idea is good as the Sarawak government is looking into implementing modern mode of transport in the state.
He said Consul-General Cheng Guangzhong had shared a lot of ideas with him, especially on the modern transport in China such as the Automous Rapid Transpit (ART), which is being used in least six cities in China.
“He was kind enough to even assist to arrange for my visits to some of the cities that are already using ART.
“We have also discussed the modern riverine infrastructure and transport, which China has implemented to transport their goods and passengers to reduce traffic congestions,” he told reporters after receiving a courtesy call from Cheng.
Lee said it was good to look at the good model in China; how they implemented the LRT and utilised riverine transport to reduce congestion on the roads.
However, he would not be able to go for the study visit to China until all the staff of his ministry reported for duty.
“At the moment, I only have my permanent secretary with me. The other staff members who have been transferred from the other departments have yet to report for duty. I also have to look for some specialist staff members,” he said.
He added that over the last one month since his appointment to a full minister, a number of groups had come to see him – among them the shipbuilders, a bus consortium, the association of bus companies, the Vice-Chancellor of University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), and a group of senior academicians.
The delegate from Unimas, he said, briefed him on what the university could do in terms of research, especially on urban transportation.
Meanwhile, Cheng congratulated Lee on his appointment.
“I came to discuss cooperation between China and Sarawak in many areas, including city transportation and riverine transportation. There are great opportunities for us to cooperate in this area,” he said.