TIANJIN, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Work will begin on China's first zero-waste seawater desalination plant in 2017 and it will come into use in 2019, according to the project operator on Thursday.

Malaysia's Xianda (Tianjin) Seawater Resources Development Co., Ltd. reached agreement on construction and operation of the plant with Tianjin Municipality where the plant will be located.

The agreement is one of the cooperation programs that China and Malaysia agreed during Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's current visit to China.

China and its largest trade partner in ASEAN on Tuesday signed agreements on railway, energy, defense, and joint development of Malaysia's navy.

The zero-liquid discharge seawater desalination project was a highlight of the Malaysia-China Economic Summit in 2013 when the two countries upgraded their bilateral relations to comprehensive strategic partnership.

Located in Tianjin's Nangang Industrial Zone, the plant will provide treated seawater for industrial consumption, while producing salts and other chemicals and keeping the nearby environment clean.

The project will cost 15 billion yuan (2.2 billion U.S. dollars) with the first phase requiring 5.5 billion yuan. It will be built by Xianda, and owned and operated by the company for fifty years with government support.

Chinese government has put environmental protection high on the agenda, offering plenty of opportunities for foreign companies like Xianda to participate, said Mah Sau Cheong, chairman and CEO of Xianda Group.

"We will expand the engagement in China by enhancing investment and more technology transfer while strengthening environmental protection," he added. 

Editor: Mu Xuequan