File picture of Liow.
BEIJING: Aviation safety, air navigation planning and human resources development are among the topics to be discussed at the inaugural Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation here.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who is here for the event, said the meeting was very important as Asia Pacific is the world's largest aviation market.
"In the past, there were only conferences at director-general level," he said, adding that this was the first time ministers from various countries are meeting on civil aviation issues.
"It creates a platform for us to engage the experts, forge better networks and enhance cooperation to ensure a safe and continuous growth of the aviation sector in the region," he said on Tuesday (Jan 30).
Over 30 ministers overseeing civil aviation matters in their respective countries will attend the two-day meeting which begins on Wednesday (Jan 31).
During his three-day working visit here, Liow will also have bilateral meetings with his counterparts from China and other countries, the International Civil Aviation Organisation president as well as leaders from the Communist Party of China.
Members of his delegation include Civil Aviation Department director-general Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman.
On Tuesday morning, Liow made a courtesy call on China's Transport Minister Li Xiaopeng.
They talked about several issues related to aviation, railway development and port alliance as well as the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.
Under the port-alliance collaboration between Malaysia and China, there are a total of 21 ports (nine in Malaysia and 12 in China) working together to push the growth of seaports.
"We also discussed the development of Kuantan Port and Melaka Gateway, a joint project between the two nations for service vessels cruising the Straits of Malacca.
"On the rail network, we touched on the East Coast Rail Link and the double-track project from Gemas to Johor Baru.
"These projects will create an impact on Malaysia's economic growth," he pointed out.
Liow also said China appreciated the effort of the Malaysian Government to continue with the search mission of the ill-fated MH370 aircraft.
"The next of kin will be updated on the mission. We have agreed to reveal search results on a weekly basis via our special website," he said, adding that China would be sending a special team to Putrajaya to discuss the ongoing search mission.
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