Kota Kinabalu: Gannan navel oranges are being positioned as a new bridge of agricultural and economic cooperation between Sabah and China, as Ganzhou City eyes deeper trade ties with Malaysia through the Belt and Road Initiative.
Speaking at the 2025 Sabah-China Trade and Economic Exchange Conference, Wen Mingsheng, Director of the Fruit Industry Center in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, said the expo offers a key platform to connect producers in China with Southeast Asian markets.
He said Malaysia’s role as an important Belt and Road node makes it a natural gateway for Ganzhou’s agricultural products to reach wider international markets.
“We welcome Malaysian partners to visit Ganzhou for cooperation. Whether it involves bulk purchasing, brand representation, industrial-chain investment or technology exchange, we are ready to provide full support and share the benefits of industry development,” he said.
Wen said Ganzhou is continuing to enhance its international logistics, distribution and after-sales systems to ensure Gannan navel oranges can reach Malaysian consumers efficiently.
“At the same time, we warmly welcome friends to visit Ganzhou and experience the ecological beauty of our ‘sea of oranges’ and enjoy the journey from tree to table, deepening mutual understanding and trust,” he added.
He described navel oranges as both a product and a symbol of cooperation.
“Orange blossoms bloom year after year, and cooperation knows no bounds. Using navel oranges as a medium, we hope to uphold the principles of mutual benefit and work hand in hand with Malaysian partners to expand cooperation in agricultural trade, agricultural technology exchange and cultural-tourism integration,” he said.
Wen said Ganzhou has strengthened the industry through improved traceability systems and intelligent sorting technologies to ensure each orange meets international standards.
He also highlighted the Gannan Navel Orange Protection Regulations, which provide legal assurance and a standardised environment for global partnerships.
He noted strong potential for cooperation despite the geographical distance, pointing out that Gannan navel oranges, rich in vitamins and dietary fibre, align with Malaysian demand for healthy food.
“We hope these navel oranges will bring natural sweetness to Malaysian households while serving as a friendly bridge connecting Ganzhou and Sabah,” he said.
