M'SIA, CHINA CAN EXPAND ON COOPERATION IN BARTER TRADE

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and China can expand on their
barter trade cooperation in palm oil and rice, says Malaysian Chinese
Association (MCA) president Ong Tee Keat.

The move will help many small-and medium-sized plantation owners, especially
in the light of the downward pressure on palm oil prices, he said.

Both countries can also explore other areas of cooperation, he said.

"Malaysia and China need to cooperate even more closely as both countries
celebrate 35 years of diplomatic relations this year," Ong, who is also
Transport Minister, said in a blog posting from Beijing.

The minister is heading a 21-member delegation to China. MCA is a component
party of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

The highlight of the visit is the meeting with Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and a member of the powerful
Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Ong said it was also agreed that there are areas that both countries can
work on multiple fronts, including strategic positioning of Sino-Malaysia as the
gateway to East Asia, and using Malaysia as a window to the Middle East.

These include areas such as trade, education, culture and politics.

One of the earliest good news is the plan to woo one of the top three
universities from China, including Hong Kong, to set up branch campuses in
southern state of Johor, the minister said.

Besides offering the opportunity to Malaysians to obtain qualifications from
prestigious top-notch universities, Ong said this effort will help facilitate
research and harness future talents to power the industry in the southern state.

Ong said Chinese companies have also been invited to invest in seaport
expansion, development in Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port and development of the
Senai International Airport as an aviation hub.

The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (in southern state of Johor) alone is completing
14 new berths and plans are afoot to further expand the port, he said.

The port is estimated to handle 12 million TEUs by 2012.

"Participation of Chinese companies in these large development projects will
not only facilitate the movement of goods from China into the Asian market and
the Middle East, but promises to create tens of thousands of new jobs to
Malaysians.

"The potential for Chinese companies to tap into Malaysia's expertise and
strategic location as the corridor to the Middle East is very high," he added.

The delegation also visited China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs
Corporation Limited, the largest oils and food importer and exporter in China
and leading food manufacturer.
-- BERNAMA