New cruise line to bridge Nansha and Malaysia

Guangzhou’s Nansha district will open a new cruise line to Penang, Malaysia, according to a memorandum of cooperation recently signed by the two sides.

Leaders from both sides including Tan Kok Wai (L4, special envoy of Malaysia to the People’s Republic of China) and Cai Chaolin (R3, Party secretary of the CPC Nansha district committee) witnessed the signing of the memorandum on cruise tourism cooperation. [Photo/gznsnews.com.cn]

The new cruise line, with terminals at Port Swettenham and the Nansha cruise ship home port, will promote both sides’ cultural tourism and trade under the frame of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The district in recent years made continual progress in creating a double first-rate business and living environment.

Its business environment index ranks 29 in the world according to a World Bank’s business environment system simulation.

In addition, it is a livable destination due to its clear air and abundant medical and educational resources.

“Nansha has vast potential for future development, and looks forward to larger-scale and higher-level cooperation with Malaysia, especially in tourism and cross-border e-commerce,” said Cai Chaolin, Party secretary of CPC Nansha district committee.

Penang is one of the world’s top 10 coastal resorts, and the deepwater port Swettenham is connected to 200 other port areas in the world.

“The advantage of cruise and port will foster mutual benefits,” said Tan Kok Wai, special envoy of Malaysia to the People’s Republic of China.

The newly-built Nansha port now services 12 destinations on nine routes to the Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines, the most routes to Southeast Asia in the country.

The construction of the home port started on Aug 26 in 2016, and its maiden voyage will be made on Nov 17 this year. It is estimated that inbound and outbound passenger visits will range up to 750,000 to one million per year.