KUALA LUMPUR: Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu hosted a courtesy visit from Fan Xiaojun, China's Vice Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee yesterday.

Fan, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress met Mohamad at Pertubuhan Peladang Tower here.

Also present were ministry officials, including Secretary-General Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Azah Hanim Ahmad, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture Datuk Nor Sam Alwi, Director-General of the Department of Veterinary Services Dr Akma Ngah Hamid, and other senior officials.

Mohamad emphasised the importance of the fresh durian export protocol, which was signed earlier this year, followed by the first shipment in August 2024.

He noted that this milestone reflects the strong agricultural partnership between the two countries and marks a significant achievement for Malaysia in expanding agricultural trade internationally.

Malaysia also expressed its readiness to host the second Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting in 2025 under the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Agricultural Cooperation.

The meeting would focus on crops, livestock, fisheries, and agricultural technology.

Fan Xiaojun expressed China's support for Malaysia's proposals and reaffirmed China's commitment to enhancing agricultural cooperation.

He also assured the delegation that the discussed matters would be shared with relevant agencies in China.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/12/1144358/malaysia-china-discuss-enhanced-agricultural-cooperation