DISEMBER 2025
Suzhou’s 20-Year Transformation Model For Tanjung Embang
SUZHOU, 12 December 2025 — The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, the Premier of Sarawak, advanced his working visit to China today with a meeting with the Suzhou Municipal Government and site visits to both the SMG and GCL headquarters.
Speaking at a Press Conference held in GCL Headquarters today, the Premier described the discussions as “highly successful”, noting that both sides exchanged ideas on potential collaboration between Suzhou’s globally recognised development model and Sarawak’s proposed industrial area to be developed together with China Jiangsu International (CJI).
He pointed out that Suzhou’s transformation that began as a collaboration with Singapore and evolving over the past 20 years from a small village into a world-class industrial zone offers a clear blueprint for Sarawak.
Today, Suzhou hosts major international companies and is powered by modern facilities supported by clean and renewable energy such as large-scale solar systems.
“We have learned how they started from scratch and built themselves into what they are today,” he said.
Drawing parallels to Sarawak’s own ambitions, the Premier noted that Tanjung Embang, currently a small village, can be developed into a centre for next-generation industries, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence.
With Sarawak’s resources, enhanced infrastructure and a strong low-carbon agenda, the state, he said, is steadily progressing toward a modern economy.
The Premier added that upon returning to Sarawak, he will convene a meeting to review and propose industrial parks aligned with the new economy in which is low carbon, high technology, and globally competitive.
“We must restrategise after this visit, as our ambition is to be the star of ASEAN,” he said.
He further reaffirmed that Sarawak’s economic diversification would continue to leverage clean and renewable energy to produce modern, high-value products, placing the state in a strong position to attract global investors and tourists alike.