KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof will make his first official visit to China since his appointment on Dec 2, 2022.
Fadillah’s visit to Beijing and Shanghai from Nov 12 to 19 is poised to further strengthen cooperation in the areas of research and development (R&D) as well as capacity building in the field of commodities, especially in promoting the Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme at the global level.
“This year, Malaysia and China celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership while in 2024, both countries will commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
“This visit will therefore provide the opportunity for both countries to discuss and exchange views on programmes and activities to be organised next year,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement today.
It said that while in Beijing, Fadillah is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on China Premier Li Qiang and hold a meeting with Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong.
“These meetings will provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss and exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest,” it said.
While in Shanghai, Fadillah will receive a courtesy call from Shanghai mayor Gong Zheng and engage in a high-level roundtable meeting with major stakeholders and leaders of the palm oil industry.
Engagements with the Malaysian diaspora in Beijing and Shanghai will also be part of Fadillah’s programmes.
Fadillah will be accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin and senior government officials during the visit.
China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for the past 14 years.
In 2022, Malaysian agricommodity product exports to China contributed as much as 12.8 per cent of Malaysia’s total agricommodity exports, with a value of RM26.46 billion, marking an 11 per cent increase compared to 2021.
The export value of palm-based products to China in 2022 was RM16.41 billion, while the export value of Malaysian palm oil to China in the same year was RM8.44 billion.
