Summary
- Penang delegation met Zhongshan officials to strengthen friendship city ties.
- George Town and Zhongshan established formal cooperation in 2012.
- Discussions covered tourism, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
- Both cities share historical links through Sun Yat-sen.
- Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link could improve travel connectivity between Zhongshan and Penang.
GEORGE TOWN, August 22 — Penang is seeking deeper tourism and cultural cooperation with Zhongshan, China, building on a friendship city relationship established in 2012.
State tourism executive councillor Wong Hon Wai led a delegation to Zhongshan for talks with municipal officials on expanding exchanges.
Wong highlighted both cities’ historical connection through Sun Yat-sen, who visited Penang five times and convened the 1910 Penang Conference.
He said improved regional transport could also strengthen tourism links. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link has reduced travel from Zhongshan to Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport.
To about 50 minutes, where direct flights to Penang are available. Penang said it hopes to expand cooperation beyond existing cultural and tourism initiatives.
