‘Samalaju steel plant holds great job prospects’

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Cheng delivers his speech online.

KUCHING: The construction of a steel manufacturing plant in Samalaju with a production capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum would not only provide high-quality steel and clean energy, but also create thousands of jobs in Sarawak, said Chinese Consul-General in Kuching Cheng Guangzhong.

He stated that during his two-and-a-half years in the state, he had witnessed deeper cooperation on trade, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, digital economy, tourism and culture, as well as closer personnel exchanges between China and Sarawak.

“My high appreciation goes to the Sarawak government for its tremendous efforts and remarkable achievement in promoting beneficial cooperation.

“Early this month, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry approved the construction of a 10-million-tonne steel complex in Samalaju, Sarawak and the general contractor of this project is Metallurgical Corporation of China.

“This project will provide high-quality steel, clean energy and create thousands of jobs in Sarawak,” he said in his speech during the Sept 27 online celebration for the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Cheng noted that this year, the Covid-19 pandemic had brought many changes to the patterns of cooperation between China and Sarawak.

“We will never forget the precious support given by the Sarawak government and Sarawak people to China in many ways, which has strengthened our confidence in defeating the epidemic.

“After the outbreak of Covid-19 in Sarawak, the Chinese Consulate General has been working hard to help Sarawak, including sharing China’s diagnosis and treatment plan of Covid-19 together with our prevention and control experience,” he said, adding that the consulate had coordinated with and donated several batches of anti-epidemic materials to Sarawak including 800,000 masks and over 10,000 protective suits.

Cheng revealed that China and Sarawak had also successfully held many video conferences to share experiences and knowledge during the pandemic, such as a webinar with a Fujian medical team which was first held on March 25, followed by three video conferences to date.

“In August, the Shandong Province, Sarawak government and the Chinese Consulate General in Kuching successfully held an online conference during which in-depth exchanges on joint efforts in fighting the epidemic, practical cooperation, and resumption of production were conducted,” he added.

Cheng pointed out that the achievements of the People’s Republic of China could not have been made without the valuable contributions of overseas Chinese, including in Malaysia, and that the progress of China-Malaysia relations could not have been possible without the dedication of the Chinese community in Sarawak.

“The China Consulate General in Kuching will, as always, support the Chinese communities in Sarawak and hope you would continue to support China-Malaysia cooperation. I believe that with our joint efforts, the mutual beneficial cooperation between China and Sarawak would rise to a new level.”

He also said 2020 marked the 46th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia.

Malaysia remained an important member of Asean and an important country along the ‘Belt and Road’ route, he said.

“China and Malaysia are good neighbours, good friends, and good partners. Since the establishment of our diplomatic ties 46 years ago, cooperative relations and deep friendship have been achieved. China has become Malaysia’s largest exporter and importer,” he said.

According to Cheng, the 127th China Import and Export Fair was successfully held online in June, which had Chinese and Malaysian companies signing several cooperation projects involving cross-border transaction volume exceeding US$1 billion; thus making tangible contributions to the economic development of the two countries.

“A friend in need is a friend indeed. With the epidemic raging this year and the downward pressure on the global economy mounting, China and Malaysia have worked together to climb mountains and cross trenches together, delivering benefits to the health and wellbeing of the two peoples,” he said.

The online video conference was held together with China enterprises, overseas Chinese students and Chinese citizens in Sarawak.

In addition to the online celebration with China nationals in Sarawak, the Chinese Consulate General in Kuching sent festival souvenirs to Sarawak government dignitaries and others to share the festive joy and celebrate the friendship between China and Malaysia.