On October 30th, 2024, CDUT, as the rotating chair of the Chengdu International Sister Cities Higher Education Institutions Alliance (the Alliance), warmly welcomed Ms. Connie Tan Hooi Peng, State Legislator of Penang, Malaysia. Accompanied by Leng Xiaoming, Deputy Director of the Asia & Africa Division at Foreign Affairs Office of Chengdu Municipal People’s Government, Tan led a delegation to explore avenues for collaboration. Representing CDUT, Lang Xianguo, Director of the Department of International Exchanges & Cooperation, and Party Secretary of the College of International Education (Oxford Brookes College, OBC), and Li Shan, Dean of OBC, hosted discussions with the delegation.
During the discussions, Lang presented an overview of CDUT’s internationalization strategy and its achievements, while Li elaborated on OBC’s international education programs and developmental goals. Leng highlighted the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations, celebrating this milestone as a testament to the enduring friendship. China and Malaysia are long-standing neighbors, trusted partners, and champions of win-win cooperation. Over the past five decades, both countries have achieved remarkable progress in politics, economics, and cultural exchange, setting a model for China-ASEAN relations. He called for enhanced educational exchange to further strengthen the bonds among young people, particularly between Chengdu and Penang.
Ms. Tan commended CDUT’s success in fostering international education, Sino-British collaborations, and our efforts in training international students. She shared insights into Penang’s cultural heritage and its thriving Chinese community, which has preserved a robust Mandarin education system in schools. Highlighting the strong interest among overseas Chinese youth in studying in China, Ms. Tan extended a warm invitation for CDUT to participate in the International Education Fair Malaysia. She expressed a commitment to advancing partnerships between CDUT and Penang’s universities, including Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on the scope and framework of potential collaborations.
A graduate of Oxford Brookes University’s Faculty of Law, Ms. Tan has been a member of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) since 2013 and has served as a Penang State Legislator since 2023. Penang and Chengdu have maintained sister city relations since 2018, with growing cooperation in trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. Today, Penang is an increasingly popular destination for Chinese students studying abroad.
As the rotating chair of the Alliance, CDUT continues to lead initiatives in international education and cultural exchange. Having successfully hosted the 2024 University Presidents Exchange of Chengdu International Sister Cities Higher Education Institutions Alliance, CDUT remains committed to expanding global partnerships and strengthening cultural exchange with sister cities worldwide.
Penang, also known as Pulau Pinang and Penang State, is one of Malaysia’s 13 federal states, located in the northwest of Peninsular Malaysia. Often referred to as the “Emerald of the Indian Ocean,” Penang was a significant port of call on the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Its capital, George Town, was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2008 and is the second largest city in Malaysia and a thriving hub of urbanization and industrialization. Dubbed the “Silicon Valley of the East,” Penang is home to a burgeoning high-tech sector, attracting global electronics manufacturers to its free industrial zone. Penang is also one of Asia’s leading hubs for conventions and exhibitions. Its agriculture thrives on crops such as oil palm, rice, rubber, and tropical fruits, making it one of Malaysia’s most renowned durian-producing regions. With a flourishing tourism industry, Penang is acclaimed both domestically and internationally as one of the “Best Islands to Visit” and celebrated as the “Culinary Paradise of Asia.”
