China: Malaysian PM to officiate at Halal Food Festival in China

Najib-Malaysia-FlagXI’AN – Five inter-governmental memoranda of understanding involving bilateral trade and political cooperation are expected to be signed between Malaysia and China during Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s visit to China.

“Those documents involve cooperation in defence, science and technology, as well as in trade industry,” Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Iskandar Sarudin told Malaysian journalist here on Monday.

He said the signing of the five memoranda would further strengthen bilateral relationships between two countries which was recently upgraded to a comprehensive strategic relationship.

Najib and his entourage will visit Xi’an and Beijing from May 27 to June 1 to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China.

In Xi’an, the prime minister will be accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China, Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting.

Najib is also scheduled to officiate the 3rd Malaysia-Xi’an Halal Food Festival Week, which will be held at Muslim Street from May 27 and visit Great Wall of Xi’an.

“This is the third time we organize Halal Food Festival here, and Malaysia is the only country that have been granted the opportunity to hold the event at the historic street,” said Iskandar.

He said some 35 Malaysian entrepreneurs would be participating in the festival this year.

“The first edition of the halal food festival in 2012 recorded some 50,000 visitors with only about 20 entrepreneurs showcasing their products,” he said, adding that Muslims were the biggest ethnic group in Xi’an, with about 50,000 of
the 81,500 people living in this province.

Najib and the Malaysian delegation are also expected to visit the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses here before leaving for Beijing. – Bernama