SHANGHAI, Nov 8 (Bernama) — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s 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 a total sales of RM1.24 billion recorded at MIHAS@Shanghai 2025 within the first three days since 5 Nov, as well as the signing of several strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Malaysian agencies and companies with Chinese industry players.
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 Malaysia and China.
The agreement aims to establish strategic cooperation in academic development, research, and capacity building, in line with MARA’s global education agenda.
Ahmad Zahid said MARA intends to leverage SJTU’s expertise in engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), computer science, medicine and maritime studies through the proposed 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.
In addition, Malaysia also launched the CIDB Holdings (CIDBH) Information Centre in Shanghai to strengthen standards compliance, transparency and trust in Malaysia-China trade relations, especially in the construction sector.
Plans are also underway to establish another CIDBH Information Centre in Beijing.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, 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 eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), officiated by Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, will also 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 places were offered to Malaysian youth to undergo TVET training in leading Chinese institutions and industries.
The Deputy Prime Minister also launched the Malaysia-China TVET Industry-Education Alliance (MC-IEA) 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 RM10 million, 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 Malaysian Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCCIM) and the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) also strengthened 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 RM484.12 billion in 2024, representing 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s global trade value of RM2.879 trillion.
In the halal sector, Malaysia recorded halal exports worth RM61.79 billion in 2024, representing an increase of 15 per cent from the previous year.
China is also Malaysia’s second-largest halal export destination, with a total export value of RM7.04 billion in 2024.
— BERNAMA
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