SHANGHAI: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s (pic) four-day working visit to Shanghai, China, concluded successfully, further strengthening economic diplomacy, halal trade, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) cooperation between Malaysia and China.
The mission achieved several milestones, including total sales worth RM1.24bil recorded at MIHAS@Shanghai 2025 within the first three days since Nov 5, as well as the signing of several strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between Malaysian agencies and companies and their Chinese counterparts.
Among the key achievements was the MOU between Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) to strengthen cooperation in academics, research and culture between the two nations.
The agreement aims to establish strategic collaboration in academic development, research and capacity building, in line with Mara’s global education agenda, Bernama reported.
Ahmad Zahid said Mara intends to leverage SJTU’s expertise in engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, medicine and maritime studies through the establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee.
The committee will focus on data analytics, green technology and research commercialisation through joint seminars, professional training and benchmarking programmes.
Malaysia also launched the CIDB Holdings (CIDBH) Information Centre in Shanghai to strengthen standards compliance, transparency and trust in Malaysia-China trade relations, particularly in the construction sector.
Plans are underway to establish another CIDBH Information Centre in Beijing.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the initiative reflects Malaysia’s commitment to ensuring transparent upstream certification of imported products in accordance with national quality and integrity standards.
Malaysia’s participation in the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), officiated by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, is expected to pave the way for Malaysian products to further penetrate the global market.
During the working visit from Nov 4 to 7, the Deputy Prime Minister, who chairs the National TVET Council, announced 2,500 new TVET placements in China next year.
He also officiated the Guangqi Institute, which will serve as a joint training hub focusing on semiconductors and advanced electronics.
Last year, a total of 5,125 placements were offered to Malaysian youths to undergo TVET training at leading Chinese institutions and industries.
Ahmad Zahid also launched the Malaysia-China TVET Industry-Education Alliance, which strengthens collaboration between institutions and industries in both countries through the “Train-Intern-Job Placement” approach.
The co-funding value of training equipment under this initiative amounts to RM10mil, involving 15 Chinese TVET institutions.
The sectors involved include rail transit by China Railway State Asset Management Co Ltd, e-commerce and logistics by SF Express, cybersecurity by Hangzhou Anheng Information Technology Co Ltd, and participation from major industry players such as Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, Chery Automobile Co Ltd, and iSoftStone Information Technology (Group) Co Ltd.
Meanwhile, the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia and the Port Klang Free Zone also enhanced bilateral trade and logistics networks, expanding Malaysia’s market reach and investment opportunities in the region.
Ahmad Zahid expressed optimism that the programmes and agreements secured during his visit would bring significant benefits to Malaysia and its people.
China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years since 2009, with total bilateral trade amounting to RM484.12bil in 2024, representing 16.8% of Malaysia’s global trade value of RM2.879 trillion.
In the halal sector, Malaysia recorded halal exports worth RM61.79bil in 2024, a 15% increase from the previous year.
China is also Malaysia’s second-largest halal export destination, with total exports valued at RM7.04bil in 2024.
