TO strengthen cultural and tourism ties between Penang and Hangzhou, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai recently received a delegation from the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Film, Television and Tourism.
Wong said the Penang government has, in recent years, actively tapped into the China market by strategically expanding its international aviation network and introducing direct flight routes linking key Chinese cities, significantly enhancing the state’s accessibility for China travellers.
“Today, Penang’s network of direct flights to China is extensive and well-established. In addition to high-traffic routes to Guangzhou and Hong Kong, we have progressively introduced regular direct flights from Xiamen, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing and Qingdao, as well as charter flight services to Kunming and Guiyang. These air links have created a robust connectivity network, laying a solid foundation for cultural, tourism and economic exchanges between Penang and China,” he said.
Wong said the meeting with Hangzhou’s cultural and tourism delegation was especially meaningful.
“Penang is renowned for its rich Southeast Asia heritage, multicultural legacy and world-famous street food. Hangzhou, meanwhile, is celebrated for its timeless Jiangnan charm, picturesque lake landscapes and thousands of years of cultural heritage. Both cities possess distinct tourism strengths that complement one another. During our discussions, both sides recognised the strong synergy between our tourism offerings and agreed there is tremendous potential for deeper exchanges and joint tourism promotion,” he said.
Beyond tourism, Wong said Penang and Hangzhou also share complementary strengths in science, technology and innovation.
“Hangzhou is China’s leading hub for the digital economy and artificial intelligence innovation, and is home to industry giants such as Alibaba and DeepSeek. It possesses advanced computing capabilities, a mature digital ecosystem and abundant technological resources, placing it at the forefront of China’s smart industry development.
“Penang, on the other hand, is a globally recognised hub for semiconductor and chip manufacturing, serving as Southeast Asia’s key precision manufacturing centre with decades of expertise in high-end electronics and a strong industrial foundation.”
Wong said the partnership between Penang and Hangzhou holds tremendous potential, with both cities well positioned to explore cross-sector integration, resource sharing and mutually beneficial collaborations.
Pic courtesy of the state Tourism and Creative Economy office (PETACE)