Abang Johari (sixth left) and his entourage in a group photograph with CREC officials.

BEIJING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on his second and final day of visit in Beijing yesterday called on the office of China Railway and Engineering Corporation (CREC) to gain better insight into train and light rail technologies in China.

The Chief Minister has announced plan to build a light rail transit (LRT) system to connect Kuching with Serian, Kota Samarahan and Damai and this current visit to China is part of the effort to explore the potential and suitable technology for the LRT system.

Top in the choice of technology is hydrogen power which is sourced from water and converted into electricity via fuel cells.

Abang Johari also visited a yet to be completed medium-slow speed maglev train station near Beijing. He took a test ride on the train which uses electricity and magnet to levitate and move.

Today, the Chief Minister will fly South to Wuhan in Hubei Province on the second leg of his visit to China.

Abang Johari is in the Chinese capital for a five-day working visit started Tuesday to further explore new technologies in light rail, train and building construction.

Soon after his arrival in Beijing on Tuesday, the Chief Minister and members of his entourage proceeded to the China Harbour Engineering Co. Ltd where discussion was focused on the development of an efficient and emission-free public transportation system.