From May 27 to June 2, the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association of Malaysia (NRMCA), led by its President Mr. Dan Ahern, conducted a seven-day visit to China, hosted and organized by the China Concrete & Cement-based Products Association (CCPA). The 42-member delegation consisted of key executives from 21 Malaysian enterprises across sectors such as ready-mixed concrete, precast components, cement, admixtures, testing, and trade.

During the visit, a high-level exchange forum was held in Beijing between CCPA and the NRMCA delegation to explore bilateral collaboration and industry development. The itinerary also included visits to leading Chinese enterprises such as Shanghai Construction Building Materials Technology Group Co., Ltd. and BCEG Advanced Construction Materials Co., Ltd. Themed around “Smart Concrete: Automation, Digitalization, and the Path to Low-Carbon Construction,” the technical exchange sessions and site tours—including a visit to the iconic Shanghai Grand Opera House project—offered the delegation a first-hand look at China’s innovations and practical experience in major concrete infrastructure projects. This milestone visit marks a new level of engagement and cooperation between the Chinese and Malaysian concrete industries.

China-Malaysia Concrete Industry Exchange Held in BYPCE

On the morning of May 30, the China-Malaysia Concrete Industry Exchange Meeting was held at Beijing Yugou Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as BYPEC). Attendees included Wu Wengui, Executive President of CCPA; Xu Yongmo, Honorary President; Wang Yulei, Vice President of CCPA and Chairman of BYPEC; Zhang Qinghuan, Deputy Secretary-General of CCPA; Chen Xialu, Deputy Director of the CCPA International Cooperation Center; and other officials. The meeting was moderated by Cao Wei, Assistant at the CCPA International Cooperation Center.

Wu Wengui, Executive President of CCPA

Wu Wengui emphasized in his opening remarks that in April this year, leaders of China and Malaysia jointly proposed ushering in a “Golden 50 Years” of bilateral relations and promoting a high-level strategic partnership. The NRMCA delegation's visit not only serves as an in-depth connection between the concrete and cement-based products industries of both countries, but also reflects practical progress in strategic industrial cooperation. He expressed hope that this visit will serve as a starting point for establishing a regular exchange mechanism and promote deeper cooperation between industry associations and enterprises in both nations.

Dan Ahern, President of NRMCA

Dan Ahern expressed sincere appreciation for CCPA's warm reception and thoughtful arrangements in Shanghai and Beijing. He noted that Chinese companies, both in terms of technology and management, offered valuable insights for Malaysian enterprises, and he looked forward to more exchanges and collaborations with CCPA and its member companies in the future.

Low Ching Hun, Vice President of NRMCA

Low Ching Hun presented an overview of the Malaysian association, its key initiatives supporting sustainable development, current industry conditions, challenges facing Malaysia’s ready-mix sector, and opportunities for cooperation with Chinese enterprises.

Zhang Qinghuan, Deputy Secretary-General of CCPA

Zhang Qinghuan, gave a comprehensive introduction to CCPA’s core work in industry research, technological innovation, standardization, education, and international cooperation, along with an update on the current status of China’s concrete and cement-based products industry.

Following the presentations, several Chinese member enterprises shared technical insights with the Malaysian delegation, such as Zhao Lihui, Director of the Equipment R&D Center at BYPCE, Luo Zhiqi, Director of the Mixing Equipment Division at SANY's Pumping Research Institute, Wang Baochuan, General Manager of Anhui Dongchen New Materials Technology Co., Ltd., delivered presentations on topics including BYPCE's prefabrication equipment, intelligent batching plant solutions, and lightweight high-strength aggregates for diverse applications.

Xu Yongmo, Honorary President of CCPA

Xu Yongmo closed the meeting by answering questions from the NRMCA delegation and highlighting the trends and direction of China’s concrete industry. He noted China's strengths in equipment manufacturing, green low-carbon technologies, and standards development. He encouraged the creation of long-term cooperation platforms to help raise the industrial level in Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian market, while also creating new overseas opportunities for Chinese enterprises. He formally invited NRMCA and Malaysian stakeholders to attend the 2025 China International Concrete Expo in Guangzhou from September 5–7, hosted by CCPA, as a platform for further exchanges and diversified collaboration.

CCPA and NRMCA exchanged gifts

Before and after the exchange forum, the NRMCA delegation visited several key enterprises, including Shanghai Construction Engineering Building Materials Technology Group Co., Ltd. Third Component Factory and First Branch Jiangchuan Mixing Station, and also the vice president unit, BCEG Advanced Construction Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Daxing Factory and Jianwei Branch, as well as the construction site of the Shanghai Grand Opera House, one of the city’s landmark projects.

This landmark exchange between China and Malaysia is not only a milestone in bilateral concrete industry dialogue but also a forward-looking model for international industrial cooperation. Moving forward, CCPA will continue to play a bridging role, using this opportunity to deepen collaboration with Malaysia and other global counterparts, and to accelerate the internationalization of China’s concrete and cement-based products industry.

Zhang Ming, Vice President of Shanghai Construction Building Materials Technology Group Co., Ltd., accompanied the delegation during the visit.

Chen Xiwang, Deputy General Manager of BCEG Advanced Construction Materials Co., Ltd., accompanied the delegation during the site inspection.

Shen Jianjun, Director and Chief Project Officer of the Shanghai Grand Opera House Construction Command Center, accompanied the delegation during the visit.

The delegation received a detailed briefing from Dr. Zhao Yuchao, Head of the New Technology Center at Shanghai Construction No. 4 (Group) Co., Ltd.’s Engineering Research Institute, on the UHPC structure and key construction challenges.

Group photo of the NRMCA delegation in front of the "Chinese Fan"