KOTA KINABALU: The relationship between Malaysia and China can extend beyond simply exporting durians, said Chinese consul-general in Kota Kinabalu Dr Huang Shifang today.
"When the news 'fresh durian can be exported to China' was released, it became headlines in both countries' media, bringing great joy to business and people.
"China welcomes Malaysia to export more high-quality agricultural products to China."
She said this after explaining the outcome of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China at a hotel here.
She added the most important outcome of the plenary session was the adoption of a resolution to deepen reforms to advance Chinese modernisation.
To strengthen ties, China and Malaysia have agreed to further promote people-to-people exchanges.
As part of this commitment, China will extend visa exemptions for Malaysians until the end of 2025, while Malaysia will reciprocate by offering the same benefit to Chinese citizens until the end of 2026.
Giant pandas, seen as ambassadors of Chinese-Malaysian friendship, will be central to a new joint research project focused on panda protection.
China and Malaysia have also agreed to jointly nominate the lion dance for inclusion in Unesco's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
"I believe that as long as we work together to implement the joint statement on building a China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future, Chinese-Malaysian relations will usher in an even more glorious next 50 years."