Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together

A direct flight route connecting Xi'an City in northwest China's Shaanxi Province with Malaysia's Penang was launched on Monday, marking a new chapter in cultural exchanges between the two nations.

A group of 10 university students from Xi'an International Studies University and Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts were warmly welcomed upon arrival by the Chinese Consulate General in Penang and the Penang State government officials.

Upon landing at the Penang International Airport, the flight was greeted with the traditional "water salute", followed by a warm reception at the arrival hall.

Penang State Executive Councilor for Tourism and Creative Economy Yeoh Soon Hin, and Ding Qiao, deputy consul general of China in Penang, posed for photos with the students.

As 2025 approached, the students joined tens of thousands of locals in a countdown celebration, with fireworks lighting up the night sky, heralding a year of hope and aspirations.

"We will be undertaking a one-month internship as assistant councilors in Penang State. As young Chinese people in the new era, we aim to use this opportunity to broaden our global perspectives, better tell China's stories, convey China's voice, and contribute to the enduring friendship between China and Malaysia," said Liu Hao, a graduate student at the School of Advanced Translation and Interpretation, Xi'an International Studies University.

The students, dressed in matching activewear, also participated in a New Year's Day city walk in George Town alongside local residents.

In the evening, they attended the Penang temple fair's lantern lighting ceremony and strolled through the beautifully decorated streets. The group also took photos with Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, and Zhou Youbin, Chinese Consul-General in Penang.

Penang State and Shaanxi Province enjoy a strong friendship, exemplified by collaborative projects such as the Penang State Assistant Councilor Internship Program, the Silk Road (China-ASEAN) Model United Nations Conference, and the creation of mural paintings in the typical style of farmers in Shaanxi.

As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the partnership between the two countries is set to deepen, offering broader opportunities for China-Malaysia cooperation.

Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together

Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together

Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together

Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together

Xi'an-Penang direct flight inaugurated, students from both countries celebrate New Year together

China is accelerating the commercialization of marine scientific and technological achievements and fostering new quality productive forces by boosting support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the marine sector, with a focus on investment and financing to drive industry growth.

The development of marine industries is marked by substantial investments, high risks, and slow returns. However, with strong national support, some companies, such as Zhejiang Startest Marine Science and Technology Co., Ltd. in east China, have achieved notable success.

The company is a national high-tech enterprise specializing in the independent research and development of underwater sonar detection equipment and underwater information data systems.

It now holds more than 210 intellectual property rights for its designs.

"We are now fully capable of replacing similar foreign imported products with our own ones, thereby overcoming the bottleneck in production caused by foreign product embargoes," said Su Xiaoyang, president of Zhejiang Startest Marine Science and Technology Co., Ltd.

While some marine SMEs, such as Shenzhen HiCloud Data Center Technology Co., Ltd., China's first underwater data center equipment and service provider, have mastered core technologies, a gap remains compared to international standards. As a result, continuous investment is necessary for them to overcome critical technological challenges.

"The Underwater Data Center Pilot Project is a new infrastructure initiative requiring a significant initial investment and scale effects. However, both users and investors in the market still lack a comprehensive understanding of the project's strategic significance, including the technical risks associated with emerging technologies," said Pu Ding, general manager of the Underwater Data Center Pilot Project in Hainan under Shenzhen HiCloud Data Center Technology Co., Ltd.

To address the challenges faced by marine SMEs in securing investment and financing, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), along with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, has organized a series of roadshows since 2016. Over 200 marine SMEs and innovation teams have participated, securing more than 3 billion yuan (around 409.8 million U.S. dollars) in financing.

In addition to these efforts, the MNR, in collaboration with the Shanghai Stock Exchange, launched China Ocean Economy Stock Price Index in 2024, covering 20 marine and related industries.

"This is the first domestic comprehensive index in the marine sector, covering all the markets of Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing, and Hong Kong. It provides timely insights into the operational performance of listed companies in the marine industry and plays an important role in promoting the efficient allocation of financial capital to the marine real economy," said Feng Lei, deputy director of the Ocean Strategic Planning and Economic Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Small marine firms accelerate commercialization of sci-tech achievements under greater policy support