China ready to look into key issues raised by M'sia, including TVET and halal industry - M'sian Ambassador

BEIJING: A total of 11 key issues spanning various sectors were discussed during Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's courtesy call on Chinese Premier Li Qiang held at Villa 12, Diaoyutai National Guest House, here yesterday.

Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad reported that all topics raised by Ahmad Zahid received positive responses from Li Qiang, including collaborations in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the halal industry.

Noman said the Chinese Government also expressed its readiness to fine-tune and address each issue raised by Malaysia to benefit both nations.

He said Ahmad Zahid welcomed proposals from China to help Malaysia in TVET, considering that currently, the focus of the TVET mobility programme between the two countries was more on the involvement of lecturers and academics.

"As informed by the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday, previously, China provided 2,000 TVET training slots for Malaysian students. Following discussions with Li Qiang, this quota has been increased to 5,125," said Norman during a press conference today.

According to him, the collaboration extends beyond government-to-government to include entities like Majlis Amanah Rakyat and other Chinese organisations.

He said Ahmad Zahid also expressed Malaysia's desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the halal industry, including non-food sectors such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Ahmad Zahid, he said, also highlighted Malaysia's commitment to using China as a model for eradicating extreme poverty.

"Malaysia is committed to replicating China's efforts in sustainable development and reducing poverty, learning from China's significant success in narrowing the poverty gap," he said.

Ahmad Zahid is currently on his first official visit to China since he assumed the position of Deputy Prime Minister in December 2022. The visit was at the invitation of Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.

Malaysia and China established official bilateral relations on May 31, 1974, and this visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic ties.

In anticipation of the 50th anniversary, Norman, on behalf of the Malaysian Embassy in China, hoped the country would attract more investments from China, and that bilateral cooperation would expand beyond skilled labour to include strategic partnerships in various fields.

-- BERNAMA

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