State will adopt China’s green technologies – Abg Johari
KUCHING: The state government will adopt green technologies from China in its continuing efforts to conserve the environment, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He related that during their fact finding trip to Beijing, China last week, he and his delegation were greeted with clear blue skies, an indication of the Chinese government’s serious effort to curb air pollution.
“There is no smog and dust, only clear blue skies in Beijing. China has committed itself to the preservation and conservation of the environment,” said Abang Johari during the Farewell Reception for Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching, His Excellency Fu Jijun and his wife Liu Sha, at Imperial Hotel on Sunday night.
Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak had learnt a lot from China in terms of environmental conservation which had led the state to pursue digital economy.
A recent Internet conference in China, said Abang Johari, revealed that the country was aiming for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to be at 55 per cent from digital economy.
He added that in 2016, digital economy contributed 35 per cent to China’s GDP at about USD3.43 trillion.
“Digital economy is the way China is moving forward and for us to move our economy,” said Abang Johari, adding that it would also open up new opportunities by creating new jobs for the younger generation.
Another way of going green for Sarawak, he added, is the usage of hydrogen-powered buses and the light rail transit system in Kuching.
He said the Germans as well as the Chinese have managed to be on the forefront of technologies and producing similar results by using hydrogen gas technologies.
However, the state government opted to go with the Chinese due to the much lower cost for the setting up of a hydrogen production plant and bringing in hydrogen buses.
On another note, he applauded Fu for his tremendous contributions to the state’s economic and bilateral cooperation with China during his (Fu’s) tenure in Kuching over the last two years.
“Through your effort, we got to know China very well,” he added.
Fu, who also gave a speech, thanked Abang Johari for his unrelenting efforts and great contribution to the mutual cooperation between China and Sarawak.
He also applauded the various Chinese associations and federations in the state for their efforts in promoting social unity and harmony, Chinese education and culture in Sarawak.
“I am very glad to have the opportunity for sharing your achievements. I hope to come back again since I already regard Sarawak as my second home,” he added.
Also present at the farewell dinner were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Fu’s wife Liu Sha, former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Minister of Local Government Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawal legal counsel Dato Sri J.C Fong, Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Serian Divisions president Dato Richard Wee, Sarawak Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Lee Khoi Yun and Federation of Chinese Associations president Hii Teck Yun.
There is no smog and dust, only clear blue skies in Beijing. China has committed itself to the preservation and conservation of the environment. Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister