Durian fest in China to ‘share happiness with the Chinese’

QINZHOU (China): “Malaysia’s durians are the best in the world!” said Communist Party of China Qinzhou committee secretary Wang Gebing during a courtesy call by a Malaysian delegation led by Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek here on Friday.

Though Malaysia was awaiting approval for the Chinese government to export fresh durian to China, especially the popular Musang King, Wang said the “king of fruits” had always been loved by the Chinese, especially the people of Qinzhou.

Shabery, who is in China in conjunction with the highly-anticipated Malaysian Durian Festival 2017 in Guangxi, replied that the durian had always been a symbol of love and happiness in Malaysia, and that the Malaysian government decided to hold the festival to signify the sharing of happiness with the Chinese people.

“During an earlier visit last year, I asked everybody I met in China, do you like durian?

“I was surprised with the positive response, which was why I proposed to hold a durian festival here.

“This time, I brought durian as well and bird’s nest industry players to bring happiness and share things that Malaysians like.

“Which is why we wanted to convey our gratitude for the warm relationship with China, by holding this durian festival,” he told Qinzhou’s highest-ranked leader.

The minister was accompanied by Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Zainuddin Yahya, Malaysian Consul-General to Nanning Bong Yik Jui, ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Mohd Sallehuddin Hassan and other senior officials. Bernama