Malaysia begins exporting fresh durian to China

Malaysia has started exporting fresh durian to China, with 40 tons of the popular tropical fruit, including popular varieties like Musang King and Black Thorn, to be sent in three phases starting Saturday.

The first batch of 15 tons of fresh durian departed on Saturday. The second phase follows on Sunday with 10 tons, and the remainder will be sent in the third phase.

Previously, Malaysia was only able to export frozen durian to China. In June, the two countries signed an agreement that allows the export of Malaysian fresh durian to the Chinese market.

The move is an important milestone in bilateral trade cooperation, Arthur Joseph Kurup, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia, said at a ceremony to mark the occasion at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's cargo terminal.

"In the past, we could only export liquid nitrogen frozen durians to China. We expect the implementation of this new initiative will bring a significant increase in our durian exports to China," he said.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said at the ceremony that all the fresh durians will be transported via air cargo to the Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in central China's Henan Province, which serves as a major cargo hub in China.

"If the transportation takes a week, the value of durian will be significantly discounted. However, it is now possible to transport fresh fruits to China within a day, with the delivery to Zhengzhou taking around five hours. It's likely that the durian will be available in the Chinese market within 24 hours," Loke said.

Eric Chan Yee Hong, chairman of the Durian Manufacturer Association, believes that the inauguration of fresh durian trade will also benefit Malaysia's tourism.

"If they taste how delicious our fresh durian is, they may even buy plane tickets to come to Malaysia, which could also give a boost to our tourism industry," he said.

Malaysia begins exporting fresh durian to China

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will organize Chinese Military Culture Week in Brazil later this month, Chinese Defense Military spokesman Wu Qian said on Saturday.

"According to relevant work plans, the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission will send a PLA delegation on international communication to Brazil in late September to organize a Chinese Military Culture Week (CMCW). Under the theme of 'Safeguarding Peace for a Shared Future,' relevant activities will be held in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro, including policy dialogue, picture exhibition, military band performance, and China Day cultural exchange. The CMCW is intended to illustrate the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, elaborate the three major initiatives (the Global Security Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative), and demonstrate the fine traditional Chinese military culture and the culture of building a strong military in the new era. It will enhance China-Brazil strategic mutual trust and traditional friendship, and step up cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two countries," Wu said.

"This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. Exchange activities between the two militaries, such as high-level interactions, joint exercises and training, personnel training and multilateral cooperation, have deepened and enriched the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Brazil," said Wu.

PLA to organize Chinese Military Culture Week in Brazil