KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian halal sector has emerged as a key pillar of Malaysia–China cooperation, with Malaysian producers gaining increasing traction in the Chinese market, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid Hamidi highlighted that Malaysia is strengthening its long-term partnership with China to enhance global supply chain resilience, expand opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and accelerate the growth of the halal economy.
He added that bilateral cooperation is entering a more results-driven phase, guided by the need for speed, strategic alignment, and stronger industry linkages amid intensifying global economic competition.
The initiative underscores Malaysia’s commitment to leveraging bilateral relations to boost global trade, enterprise growth, and capture emerging markets in halal products and services.
Companies producing halal products are not limited to Muslims; they also include Chinese industrial players, he noted at the Global Chinese Economic & Technology Summit (GCET 2025).
“China remains our largest trading partner for the 16th consecutive year,” he said.
He also said that agriculture and food supply chains are also emerging as key areas of strategic collaboration, pointing to the growing Chinese demand for Malaysian durians.
“Durian diplomacy is not just diplomacy; it’s a durian business. We have to collaborate with Chinese businessmen to grow more plantations of Musang King durian in Malaysia,” he said.
Zahid said such collaborations deliver real economic impact on the ground.
“To me, this is a non-ceremonial event. They open their markets for our SMEs, create career pathways for our students and strengthen real linkages for our industries,” he said.
He also acknowledged China’s rapid advancement in high-impact technologies and called on Malaysia to intensify joint development efforts.
“China is moving rapidly in artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and technical education.
“Malaysia must adapt and co-develop, and green innovation will equip our youth with the capabilities needed for the industry of tomorrow,” he added.
