Kota Kinabalu: Sabah China Chamber of Commerce President Datuk Frankie Liew called on Chinese entrepreneurs to seize the current opportunities in China-Malaysia cooperation and actively participate in developing Sabah’s agriculture and food industries.
He suggested that both governments strengthen policy communication and establish clearer, more sustainable cooperation frameworks to support long-term and state bilateral collaboration.
He also shared Malaysia’s – especially Sabah’s – strengths and potentials in the food and agricultural sectors.
“I urge both China and Malaysia to enhance cooperation in agriculture, food trade, and supply chain development, with the goal of driving high-quality regional economic growth,” he said in his speech at the China (Chongqing) – Asean Logistics Industry Cooperation Conference: Food and Agricultural Products Session & Trade Matching Meeting on Thursday, China.
Frankie highlighted that 2025 marks the 51st anniversary of China–Malaysia diplomatic relations. He noted that over the past half-century, the two countries have established deep friendship and strong cooperation in political, economic, and cultural fields. He emphasised that Malaysian Chinese, with their shared heritage and emotional ties to China, serve as an important bridge between the two nations.
He described China–Malaysia relations as having evolved beyond trade, saying the two countries are “brothers bonded like family.”
He also stressed that despite global economic uncertainties, Malaysia has always stood firmly with China because “true friends and partners support each other through storms and challenges.”
When speaking about agricultural cooperation, he pointed out that both China and Malaysia are major agricultural economies that place great emphasis on food security and sustainable agricultural development.
Malaysia’s premium tropical fruits - such as durian, jackfruit, and mango - have successfully entered the Chinese market and are well received. Although China is exploring domestic cultivation of similar varieties, differences in climate and soil conditions mean Malaysia still holds a unique quality advantage.
He sincerely invited Chinese enterprises and research institutions to treat Malaysia, especially Sabah, as a strategic overseas cooperation base.
“We are not just an export destination - we are partners that can grow together with Chinese enterprises.
“Sabah welcomes Chinese companies to participate across the entire agricultural value chain - from planting and R&D to processing, packaging, and logistics - to build a high-quality agricultural supply chain serving both China and global markets,” he said.
At present, the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce has already initiated cooperation with various Chinese companies involving rice, rubber, durian, and other agricultural products.
This includes varietal improvement, technological innovation, smart farming management, and deep processing, with the aim of creating a fully integrated, mutually beneficial, and win-win model.
Frankie emphasised that agricultural cooperation between China and Malaysia is not just about economic interests but also about addressing global food security challenges.
“Only through equal, mutually beneficial, and independently controllable cooperation can we withstand future risks and challenges, ensuring food security and well-being for both nations,” he said.
The conference was jointly organised by the China (Chongqing) Pilot Free Trade Zone Administrative Committee, the RCEP Industrial Cooperation Committee, and other units.
It aimed to foster industrial matching, logistics cooperation, and trade facilitation between China and Asean countries in the agricultural and food sectors. Government representatives, entrepreneurs, industry associations and experts from across China and multiple Asean countries convened to discuss agricultural trade, food safety, cold-chain logistics, and cross-border supply chains.
Also present at the event was RCEP Industrial Cooperation Committee President Xu Ningning.
