SICHUAN – A technical delegation from Sarawak’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) has conducted an inspection visit to the renowned Yakang Highway in China’s Sichuan province. The delegation was led by the Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who also serves as the Minister for MIPD.
The working visit, arranged by the Yakang Expressway Operation Company under the Shudao Group, focused on examining innovative and environmentally conscious construction techniques for roads and tunnels. The knowledge gained is intended for application in Sarawak’s own mountainous regions and environmentally sensitive zones.
Stretching 135 kilometres between Ya’an and Kangding, the Yakang Highway is recognised for its traversal of extreme geographical and geological challenges. A remarkable 82 percent of the route consists of bridges and tunnels, establishing it as a benchmark for building high-efficiency roads in difficult terrain while prioritising safety and ecological preservation.
Datuk Amar Douglas stated that the insights from this visit are highly pertinent to Sarawak, which shares similar topographical and construction hurdles with the Sichuan region. He observed that the Chinese project demonstrates how modern engineering can coexist with the natural environment, with roads and tunnels integrated harmoniously into mountain landscapes while conserving the ecological setting.
This approach, he noted, aligns directly with the principles of Sarawak’s *Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030* and represents a model the state aspires to emulate. During the site tour, the group visited the Tianquan Service Area, which uniquely houses a dedicated Highway Museum.
They received comprehensive briefings on operational management, maintenance protocols, and sophisticated real-time monitoring systems covering traffic flow, weather conditions, and tunnel safety. The delegation also inspected several landmark structures along the route, including the *13.4-kilometre Erlangshan Tunnel*.
This structure holds the distinction of being the longest highway tunnel in China and traverses multiple active seismic fault zones. Further examinations included the Labahe Tunnel Cluster, which showcases advanced excavation methods designed to minimise environmental disruption.
The group also studied the *1,100-metre Luding Da Du He Xing Kang Suspension Bridge*, a key link that has significantly improved transport connectivity and safety for remote interior communities. The Deputy Premier confirmed that the inspection provided invaluable perspective on constructing highways in challenging areas without compromising on safety, sustainability, or technological integration.
He emphasised that Sarawak can learn from the Chinese approach to balancing developmental needs with environmental stewardship. Future infrastructure projects in the state, including planned highways, tunnels, and bridges, should reflect these same core principles, he concluded.
The delegation included MIPD Deputy Ministers Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo and Datuk Majang Renggi, MIPD Permanent Secretary Datu Chiew Chee Yaw, Sarawak Public Works Department Director Datu Ir Dr Cassidy Morris, and other senior officials from both MIPD and JKR.
