Progress in China-Malaysia durian negotiations 

Malaysia’s efforts to gain access to the Chinese market for its fresh durian exports appear to be reaping rewards, with further meetings between officials from both countries being held to discuss the issue.

According to a report from the South China Morning Post, Chan Foong Hin, Malaysia’s deputy minister of agriculture and food security said in a social media post that his department had met a Chinese customs delegation in Malaysia on 5 October and signed a six-point statement covering durians.

“The Chinese side agrees to speed up its risk assessment of Malaysian fresh durian, and both sides will cooperate on promoting quarantine inspection work,” the statement read.

According to Malaysian media reports, Nor Sam Alwi, deputy director general of the Malaysian Department of Agriculture, expressed hopes for approval next year to coincide with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China.

Malaysia gained access to China for frozen durian pulp in 2017 and whole frozen durian in 2019.