Malaysia and China are set to strengthen their collaboration in developing smart city pilot projects, with a strategic focus on establishing command centers in Malaysia's secondary urban areas. This initiative, solidified during a bilateral meeting in Guilin, China, aims to leverage China's advanced urban platforms and expertise to foster more connected, efficient, and sustainable cities.
The partnership, discussed between Malaysia's Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and China's Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong, will see the creation of living laboratories in cities like Ipoh and Seberang Perai. These projects will test cutting-edge smart technologies, energy-efficient designs, and community-centric housing models. Malaysia plans to integrate smart infrastructure, including energy-efficient systems, home automation, smart metering, and IoT-based building management, drawing inspiration from China's sophisticated urban platforms. Enhancements in digital connectivity for residents will be a key feature, with integrated applications for various services, security, and community engagement.
Beyond technological integration, the collaboration emphasizes green features such as solar energy, waste separation, and water-saving technologies, alongside social innovations for elderly-friendly and family-centric housing. This holistic approach aims to create urban environments that are not only technologically advanced but also inclusive and livable.
Minister Nga also extended an invitation to China to participate in the ASEAN+3 Real Estate Conference (AREC) 2026, scheduled for July 29, 2026, in Kuala Lumpur. This conference will include South Korea and Japan as strategic partners, further broadening regional cooperation in urban development. An exchange training program for Malaysian and Chinese government officials on urban planning and public policy was also proposed, fostering mutual learning and best practice sharing.
In his capacity as President of the UN-Habitat Assembly, Minister Nga encouraged China to increase its engagement in the global urban agenda. He advocated for the integration of the New Urban Agenda into the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a move to be highlighted at the Fourth Ministerial Meeting on Urbanisation and Climate Change (MM4) on November 11, 2025, in conjunction with COP30 in Belém, Brazil. This advocacy underscores Malaysia's commitment to a global approach to urban challenges and sustainable development.
The collaboration aligns with China's broader smart city development strategy, which has seen significant investment and deployment of advanced technologies across its major cities. For instance, Hangzhou's City Brain has demonstrably reduced congestion, showcasing the tangible benefits of AI-driven urban management. Similarly, Shenzhen's smart city data platform exemplifies the integration of data for efficient city operations. This partnership between Malaysia and China is poised to create a dynamic exchange of knowledge and technology, paving the way for more resilient and intelligent urban futures in Malaysia and potentially across the wider ASEAN region.