PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in maritime research, science, technology, expertise exchange and marine ecosystem management.
The matter was discussed during a meeting between Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (pic) and Sun Shuxian, China’s Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Administrator of the National Oceanic Administration, in Putrajaya on Monday.
In a statement yesterday, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry said the meeting helped to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation in natural resource management and environmental sustainability, based on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
“Following the current haze issue, Arthur also recommended exploring cooperation in forest fire management and cloud-seeding operations by leveraging China’s expertise and advanced technology.
“On international negotiations, Malaysia took note of China’s bid to host the secretariat of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction in Xiamen,” the ministry said in a Bernama report based on the statement.
Arthur also reaffirmed Malaysia’s open position on China’s offer to host the BBNJ Secretariat, assuring it of appropriate support, subject to guidance from the Foreign Ministry and consideration of the interests of coastal states in the region.
