Ahmad Zahid Arrives In China For Four-day Working Visit

SHANGHAI, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrived here on Tuesday for a four-day working visit to China.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, arrived at Hongqiao International Airport at 11.14 pm, where he was received by Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad and Malaysian Consul-General in Shanghai Mohd Shahafeez Shaharis.

Upon arrival at his hotel, he was welcomed by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, MATRADE chief executive officer Datuk Seri Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, and MATRADE Trade Commissioner Norman Nasri.

During his visit to Shanghai, Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to officiate the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS)@Shanghai 2025, attend the opening ceremony of the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), and witness the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), one of China’s nine leading universities.

The Deputy Prime Minister is in Shanghai at the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China to attend the CIIE, which will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC).

An initiative of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, CIIE provides a platform for countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative to showcase and export goods and services to China.

This marks the first time a deputy prime minister has attended the expo and Malaysia’s second participation at the highest level since the event’s inception in 2018. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attended the 7th CIIE last year.

As part of his working visit, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council chairman, is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the 2nd Malaysia-China International TVET Industry-Education Cooperation Forum and the 4th Malaysia-China Vocational Education Exhibition, where he will deliver the keynote address.

The Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH) chairman is also scheduled to officiate the CIDBH Information Centre and the Pavilion of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) prior to his departure on Friday.

For 16 years since 2009, China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner, with total trade between the two countries valued at RM484.12 billion in 2024, representing 16.8 per cent of Malaysia’s total global trade of RM2.88 trillion.

In the halal sector, Malaysia’s exports reached RM61.79 billion in 2024, marking a 15 per cent increase from the previous year.

 In 2024, China was Malaysia’s second-largest halal export destination, with exports valued at RM7.04 billion.

-- BERNAMA