Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI) Honourary Advisor Datuk Francis Goh advised PCCCI members and the Chinese community to take active steps to capitalise on China's 'One Belt one Road' initiative.

"We must first strengthen ourselves in order to consolidate and form a strategic alliance in order to pull or invite China investors to come to the State. Otherwise, we will lose the opportunity by having the big Chinese investors come but only looking at our weaknesses, especially in financial strength.

"In order to form a strategic alliance partnership with China, we should be able to provide them the strength in terms of assets that we possess, especially through our unique languages, including Mandarin usage by local Chinese where it would be easy for cooperation between all parties."

He said this in his speech during the swearing in and Installation of the new office bearers of the PCCCI at Putera Bukit Padang, Saturday.

The "One Belt, One Road" initiative by China refers to a road network extending from China all the way to Europe and Scandinavia as well as a maritime "Silkroad" or shipping lanes that will span from China right up to Venice, Italy.

Goh, who is also MCA Penampang division chief, said PCCCI members and Chinese entrepreneurs must be aware of the technological advances in doing business with China, including the usage and introduction of Ali-pay services where in the near future, the physical shop lot will be taken over by e-commerce.