China's first ever zero-waste seawater desalination plant is expected to be launched next year, according to Xinhua News Agency, citing information from the project operator.
As work is set to begin next year, experts estimate that the plant, to be located in Tianjin Municipality's Nangang Industrial Zone, will come into use in 2019.
The construction and operation of China's desalination project is a joint venture of the said municipality and Malaysia's Xianda (Tianjin) Seawater Resources Development Co.
The seawater desalination plant is one of the endeavors agreed upon by Chinese and Malaysian officials during Prime Minister Najib Razak's most recent visit to the country.
The desalination project was previously highlighted during the Malaysia-China economic summit in 2013. During the occasion, the Asian countries "upgraded their bilateral relations to comprehensive strategic partnership," the article said.
The plant, once on operation, will be tapped to provide treated sewater for consumption in order to keep environment clean while producing salts and other chemicals.
According to reports, the endeavor will cost around 15 billion yuan. The first phase of the project, to be built by Xianda, is estimated at nearly 5.5 billion yuan.
Xianda will be owning and operating the company for the next 50 years while the government will be backing it up and providing support.
Xianda Group CEO and Chairman Mah Sau Cheong shared that China's move to prioritize environmental protection has given plentiful opportunities for foreign firms like hers.
"We will expand the engagement in China by enhancing investment and more technology transfer while strengthening environmental protection," he said.
Apart from this undertaking, China has inked deals with Malaysia, its largest trade partner among other ASEAN countries, on energy, defense, and railway.
On Tuesday, the two nations have also joined hands to develop the naval forces of Malaysia.