Strong interest from governments and cities in China to form relations with Penang, says CM

MANY provincial governments and cities in China have shown interest in establishing sister city and cooperative relationships with Penang.

However, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow noted that progress has been subdued despite the signing of memorandums of understanding and pacts 

Now, the Hefei Municipal Government and the Anhui Provincial Government are paying special attention to Penang, said Chow who is leading a small delegation together with State Speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang to China now.

With both China cites attaching great importance to the relationship between the two sides, Penang cannot underestimate this opportunity and must assist in developing substantial cooperation.

"It is time to make it meaningful," said Chow as reported by Buletin Mutiara.

Chow led a delegation to visit major technology companies in Hefei and also paid a courtesy visit to the Hefei Municipal Government, where he received a warm welcome from the leadership.

The leader mentioned that Hefei has made remarkable achievements in the rise of emerging industries in recent years. 

He visited many companies over the past two days, including BOE, USTC Silicon Valley, QuantumCTek, and Science Island. 

Chow believes that Anhui is a province, which is moving forward, especially in the field of science and technology.

"We have had the opportunity to witness Hefei's determination to promote the development of the science and technology industry, and we have also seen the efforts made by the municipal government in cooperation with the provincial government, which are worthy of our learning.

"We hope that the two sides will have deeper cooperation in technology exchange and the science and technology industry in the future."

He pointed out that Hefei has achieved great success in the past two or three decades and has also planned its development landscape for the future.

Chow also gave his counterparts in China the brief history of Penang, which is the second smallest state in Malaysia.

Despite being small, Chow said that Penang has achieved many economic milestones. – November 26, 2025