IPOH: The city is seeking to strengthen ties by expanding cooperation with Nanning, China, as the two cities celebrate the 20th anniversary of their friendship.
State housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng said the relationship will go beyond symbolic gestures to partnerships in trade, culture, tourism, and technology.
“Two decades ago, Ipoh and Nanning signed an agreement to become Friendship Cities, not just on paper, but to open a chapter in a friendship that transcends distance, culture, and language,” she said at the anniversary closing ceremony here on Sunday (Aug 10).
Ng said the ties had grown stronger over the years, with trade exhibitions, cultural exchanges, and even mutual support during the pandemic helping to cement trust between the two cities.
She said a high-level Nanning delegation visited Ipoh last year to explore collaboration in industrial park development, green energy, cultural tourism, and vocational education.
“Nanning companies also participated in the Perak International Expo, creating new market opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
“I also led a Perak delegation to Nanning for the China–Asean Expo, visiting key agencies and facilities to gather insights for smart city development, improving public service efficiency, and expanding the digital economy across Perak’s 15 local authorities.
“Looking ahead, cooperation could be expanded in three key areas, cultural and creative industries, smart city and AI development, and tourism,” she said.
Ng said Ipoh’s recognition as a Unesco Creative City of Music opens vast opportunities for joint branding and cultural tourism, while Nanning’s China–Asean AI Innovation Centre aligns well with Perak’s Smart City Action Plan 2040.
She also urged both sides to take advantage of the Malaysia–China visa exemption agreement to boost tourism, especially with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 on the horizon, and to promote the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme as a lifestyle option for long-term visitors.
“Twenty years is a proud milestone, but more importantly, it is a new beginning.
“Let us make Ipoh–Nanning a model of friendship between cities that brings real benefits to the people,” she added.
