KUALA LUMPUR: The China-Asean Expo (Caexpo) made an appearance at the recently concluded three-day Malaysia-China Summit 2024 in a showcase of trade cooperation between the two countries.
Caexpo featured exhibitors from China that garnered the interest of over 1,000 guests and a huge number of leads.
One of the exhibitors is Dongxing City Zhongyuetai International Food Co Ltd, whose sales general manager Luo Quan said its yam-based food products will soon hit the shelves in Malaysia as early as March next year.
According to a statement, other participating exhibitors shared that on average, they get to connect with dozens of prospective clients per day.
This included local corporations that have showed great interest in the innovative capabilities of China's companies.
Several prospective clients will also conduct a site visit to the companies in China to explore further cooperation.
For the exhibition here, the Caexpo secretariat curated a list of China's companies from various sectors, including education, culture, green innovation, digital technology, talent development and food industries.
It has also gone beyond commerce, encompassing culture with performances by China Conservatory of Music that embody the beauty of Malaysia-China cultural exchanges.
The exhibitors included Nanning Jianning Water Investment Group Co Ltd, China-Asean Information Harbour Co Ltd, Guangxi Shenghe Big Data Service Co Ltd, Guangxi Water Clear Technology Development Co Ltd, Guizhou Hankol Junfeng Liquor Co Ltd, Bright Future Talent Technology (M) Sdn Bhd, Guangxi Weini'erle Information Technology Co Ltd, Dongxing City Zhongyuetai International Food Co Ltd and Guilin Yongfu Lvzhiyuan Agricultural Products Co Ltd.
A sense of hope and opportunity filled the air of the three-day exhibition as it enabled companies to embark on new expansions.
The cross-border engagements also inject vitality into both markets, while laying a stronger foundation for broader international cooperation.
The Caexpo at MCS 2024 also received visits from Malaysian dignitaries such as Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir and Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Meanwhile, the Caexpo secretariat launched a commemorative badge for the exhibition, with its white-headed leaf monkey mascots, named He He and Mei Mei, dressed in traditional Malay costumes.
Loke, in the statement, said China has been a steadfast partner in Asean' journey.
"From transformative infrastructure projects to cutting-edge investments, Chinese companies have contributed to the region's progress."
He added that over the decades, Malaysia's partnership with China has been an integral part of the country's development.
"China is Malaysia's largest trading partner and a major source of investment in key sectors, from electronics to green technology, with a relationship that goes beyond business to embody shared aspirations, mutual trust and progress."