KUALA LUMPUR: Any trade agreement signed with other countries will not affect Malaysia’s longstanding and sincere relationship with Beijing, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said Malaysia will continue to champion cooperation with China, Asean and the global diaspora to spur innovation, attract investment and create opportunities for Malaysians.
“(Chinese) Ambassador (to Malaysia) Ouyang Yujing, don’t worry about any trade agreement signed with any country. Our relationship with China will endure.
“When Asean and China grow together, everyone wins – our youth, our businesses and our communities.
“Together, we will shape a future that is more prosperous, stable and inclusive for all,” he said in his keynote address at the Global Chinese Economic and Technology Summit 2025 at Wisma MCA yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid also highlighted Malaysia’s success in raising the profile of its halal products in the Chinese market through strategic government-industry collaboration, with export value rising to RM3.2bil over five days, marking a significant milestone.
He credited Malaysia’s participation in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) and the China International Import Expo (CIIE) as key drivers of this growth.
“At Mihas, there were approximately 15 million connections made in the exhibition halls.
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“China is the only country that invited Malaysian exporters to showcase halal products, and we prioritised these products because of strong interest from buyers.”
He said Malaysian halal exports have grown steadily, reaching RM3.29bil in five days, and instructed Matrade to participate in the CIIE annually to allow more local enterprises from diverse communities to present their products in China.
Ahmad Zahid also emphasised the enormous market potential for downstream durian products in China.
“The durian sector is not just about diplomacy – it represents a major economic opportunity.
“Malaysia must actively explore and develop this market, and industry players should work together to build a stronger downstream durian industry that maximises its potential,” he said.
The DPM also touched on tourism, suggesting that Malaysia could benefit if Chinese visitors were granted a six-month free visa in support of Visit Malaysia 2026.
“With over five million tourists expected from China next year, this is an idea worth exploring,” he said, adding that discussions will first need to take place with the Home Ministry and Immigration Department.
Highlighting Asean’s next growth curve, he identified three key drivers with the digital economy as the first, where AI, big data, cloud computing, fintech and smart cities were reshaping business operations.
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Malaysia is upgrading connectivity, strengthening digital skills and helping SMEs scale beyond national borders, while China’s leadership in e-commerce, digital payments and smart infrastructure offered opportunities for joint ventures, technology transfer and investment, he added.
Ahmad Zahid listed the second driver as the green transition, with global demand for renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing and clean mobility rising.
He said Malaysia welcomed closer collaboration with China and other countries in solar technology, electric mobility, green manufacturing and smart agriculture to create new industries, jobs and a more resilient Asean economy.
Finally, Ahmad Zahid highlighted the role of the global Chinese diaspora as a key engine for growth, saying their networks, capital and experience connected Asia to the wider world.
He said Malaysia proposed expanding talent mobility, giving youth access to internships, industrial training and technical education collaboration with leading Chinese institutions, and strengthening supply-chain resilience by leveraging diaspora networks to diversify sourcing, open new logistics corridors and fully utilise RCEP and the upgraded ACFTA 3.0.
