Sabah–china Trade Ties Reach New Heights At Cooperation Exchange

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 23): Trade and economic relations between Sabah and China entered a new phase of growth on Saturday as business leaders, government representatives, and major industry players convened at the 2025 Malaysia (Sabah)–China Trade and Economic Cooperation Exchange, held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).

President of the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), Datuk Frankie Liew, said the event marked another milestone in Sabah–China relations, reflecting the “deepening and widening” cooperation across industries such as agriculture, construction materials, healthcare, food, tourism and consumer goods.

Liew said the event drew enthusiastic participation from delegations representing Jiangxi Province, Zhengzhou (Henan) and Jilin Province, with exhibits ranging from fruits and traditional Chinese medicine to bags, daily necessities and general merchandise.

“The scale and quality of participation this year are unprecedented,” he said during the opening ceremony.

He noted that the Sabah Chinese business community, with its strong cultural and educational foundation, plays a strategic role in connecting Chinese enterprises with global markets.

Liew highlighted that over the past few years, the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce has been committed to promoting trade cooperation between Sabah and China.

Liew recapped a series of Sabah–China trade milestones achieved in recent years.

“In 2023, together with several partner chambers, we successfully hosted the 1st Sabah Chinese Economic Conference, uniting local Chinese business leaders and international Chinese enterprises, which clearly demonstrated the capability of Sabah Chinese businesses in organizing and driving international trade exhibitions and conferences,” he said.

Following this, in 2024, the Sabah Ministry of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development hosted the Malaysia (Sabah) – China Economic Forum and Expo, themed “Sabah Takes Off: A Win-Win New Future”.

“We also successfully held the 1st Sabah-China Business Summit, further strengthening cooperation between Sabah and China in industry, trade, and investment. That same year, we took a bold step overseas to Zhuhai, Guangdong, China, hosting the groundbreaking Sabah-Zhuhai Trade and Economic Conference, which received enthusiastic support from both governments and business communities,” said Liew.

He emphasized that the 2025 Trade and Economic Cooperation Exchange is an extraordinary event, once again reflecting the growing and strengthening trade and cooperation ties between Sabah and China.

At Saturday’s event, several China-based companies formalised cooperation agreements with Sabah partners. The organisations included the Jiangxi Provincial Agricultural International Exchange Association, Fuzhou Rural Revitalization Promotion Association, Xingan County Bag Industry Association, Henan Bairong Trade Co., Ltd, Jiangxi Tianmengyuan Food Co., Ltd, Jiangxi Ya Wei Ceramic Co., Ltd, Jiangxi Fengxinda Agriculture Co., Ltd (navel oranges), and Jiangxi Tongtianle Technology Industrial Co., Ltd (TCM products).

“These partnerships mark breakthroughs in trade achievements between Sabah and Jiangxi, opening a new chapter of deeper and broader cooperation,” Liew said.

He also announced a RM2,000 contribution each to five local Chinese schools — SJK Chung Hwa Likas, SJK Che Hwa Kolombong, SK(C) Anglo Chinese Kota Kinabalu, SM Lok Yuk Likas, and Papar Middle School — as part of the community’s effort to support Chinese education.

Meanwhile, Sabah Chinese Economic Conference chairman and former chief minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee said Malaysia–China friendship has endured from the ancient Maritime Silk Road to today’s Belt and Road Initiative.

He said Sabah’s strategic position in ASEAN, strong maritime connectivity, and emerging strengths in green energy, digital infrastructure, tourism, wellness, and modern agriculture align well with the industrial characteristics of Henan, Jiangxi and Fuzhou.

“With the right timing, geographical advantage, and harmony among people, we are entering a ‘Golden Decade’ of Malaysia–China trade relations,” he said.

Fuzhou Rural Revitalization Promotion Association vice president and secretary-general Cai Xiaodong said the Association aims to use Sabah as a gateway for its members to enter ASEAN markets.

“Going overseas and seeking cooperation is the shared dream of modern entrepreneurs,” he said, adding that the Association’s 200-plus members cover all sectors of agriculture and rural industry.

He said Fuzhou — home to four million people and a major agricultural hub — still has significant potential to expand its agricultural trade abroad.

Wen Mingsheng, Director of the Fruit Industry Center, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, said Sabah and Malaysia are key nodes for Gannan navel oranges entering international markets.

“We welcome Malaysian partners to Ganzhou for cooperation in purchasing, branding, investment and technology exchange,” he said.

He highlighted the city’s efforts to strengthen product traceability, implement intelligent sorting systems, and adopt protection regulations for Gannan navel oranges to ensure quality and international competitiveness.

“Although separated by thousands of kilometres, our cooperation potential is vast. We hope navel oranges become a symbol of friendship between Ganzhou and Sabah,” he added.

The event concluded with acknowledgements to co-organisers and committee members, with special recognition given to Asa Yeo of China-Malaysia Business Operations Management (Henan) Co., Ltd for her role in coordinating the participation of large China delegations.

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