Organized by Beijing International Exchange Association Sustainable Development Committee (SDC), and co-organized by Aipu International Sdn. Bhd. and Seeds of Love Civilization (a board member of SDC), the forum spotlighted cutting-edge innovation while emphasizing the preservation of cultural legacy.
Distinguished guests in attendance included YAB Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, Dato' Seri Law Choo Kiang, Speaker of Penang Legislative Assembly, Ms. Zheng Fang, Consul of Chinese Consulate General in Penang, Mr. Liu Wei, President of SDC, Mr. Zeng Fang, Director of Foreign Affairs of China National Democratic Construction Association (CNDCA), Ms. Tao Zhen, Executive Director of the Silk Road Promotion Center for International Production Capacity Cooperation, Dato’ Seri Hong Yeam Wah, President of Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC), Mr.Lau Keng Ee, Political Secretary of the Chief Minister of Penang, Ms. Sun Yan, Co-Executive President of the Promotion Association for Global Youth Innovation Leaders Community (PILC).
In his welcome speech, Liu Wei, President of SDC, emphasized that as an organization dedicated to promoting international exchanges and cooperation in sustainable development, SDC has always prioritized friendly collaboration with Malaysian partners to foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two nations. He expressed confidence that this forum would catalyze exemplary China-Malaysia cooperation projects, serving as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, delivered a special address, stating that technological innovation and cultural heritage are not opposing concepts but closely interconnected. He highlighted that the Penang Hanwang Forum not only showcases Penang’s strengths in technology and culture but also provides an open platform for global collaboration, injecting new vitality into the region’s sustainable development.
Nariya Lim, Chairperson of the forum organizing committee, extended a warm welcome to attendees, noting that Penang—a multicultural city where history meets innovation—demonstrates its unique advantages in technology and culture through this forum while offering a global cooperation platform.
The opening ceremony was attended by Chow Kon Yeow, Liu Wei, Zeng Fang, Sun Yan, Tao Zhen, Nariya Lim, Thaga Chuang, and advisors of the forum organizing committee: Lilian Lee, Herbert Zhang, Ricky Lee, and Alex Lim.
The forum was moderated by Teresa Chuang, Secretary-General of the International Exchange Committee of the International Scientific Exchange Foundation of China, Honorary Vice President of SDC, and Jason Fan, Executive Secretary-General of PILC and Deputy Secretary-General of SDC.
Tao Zhen, Executive Director of the Silk Road Promotion Center for International Production Capacity Cooperation, delivered a speech titled "Green Development of Chinese Enterprises under the Belt and Road Framework".
Other speakers included Sun Yan (PILC), Li Jingyu (Ocean University of China), Ren Weijia (Spacety Co-Founder & CTO), Dr. Ooi Shu Geok (PMAM President), Zhang Xuting (INSOME Founder & CEO), and Li Yuexin (Knower and Doer Program Convener).
A youth leadership dialogue on "Belt and Road: Future Leadership & Action" was held, joined by Zeng Fang (CNDCA), Dato' Seri Hong Yeam Wah (PCCC), and Leon Lee (ACCCIM).
Additional group discussions covered topics such as Green Development of Chinese Enterprises through BRI, Commercial Aerospace, Youth Leadership, New Architecture & Lifestyle and Ecology of Love. Led by Wealey Wang, dialogue facilitator of the forum, participants engaged in in-depth discussions, culminating in actionable insights and collaborative plans.
The forum also featured a cultural performance by Penang Symphony Orchestra (PSO), Malaysia’s oldest orchestra, founded in 1981 by Dato Dr. Woon Wen King, 85, one of the world’s oldest active conductors.
Wang Niejing, a Chinese nature-inspired musician, who debuted the forum’s theme song "City of Light", uplifting the atmosphere to its peak.
Prior to and after the forum, Liu Wei led delegations to the Chinese Consulate General in Penang, Invest Penang, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Ideal Property Group, Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Penang Chinese Town Hall, MCCC Penang Branch, Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press.
During the visits, discussions centered on China-Malaysia investment, business environment, and industrial collaboration, with participation from Zeng Fang, Tao Zhen, Sun Yan, and entrepreneurs in energy, smart tech, and clean tech.
The event garnered extensive coverage by Kwong Wah Yit Poh (founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen), amplifying its reach across Southeast Asia.
As a tribute to the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic ties, the 3rd Penang Hanwang Forum built on the successes of its predecessors (2015 Penang Hanwang Conference & 2023 2nd Forum), fostering deeper cooperation in science, technology, and culture while expanding mutual trust and future collaboration prospects.
About the Penang Hanwang Forum:
Launched in 2015, this biennial forum promotes sustainable development through technology-culture synergy, with past editions addressing post-pandemic recovery and ASEAN-China collaboration.