ASEAN-China SPS meeting agrees to boost trade, adopt technology and use electronic certification to enhance food security and safety standards
PUTRAJAYA: The Ninth ASEAN-China Sanitary and Phytosanitary Cooperation Meeting has reinforced collaboration on food, agriculture and forestry sectors.
Delegates agreed to enhance trade facilitation while adopting new technologies and China’s electronic certification platform through the ASEAN Single Window.
The cooperation extends to coordinating sanitary and phytosanitary mechanisms and standards across member nations.
Both parties will expand training programmes and human capital development initiatives in the agricultural sector.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security confirmed the meeting endorsed continued implementation of the ASEAN-China SPS Action Plan for 2026-2027.
“This plan serves as the primary reference document for ASEAN-China cooperation on sanitary and phytosanitary matters,” the ministry stated.
Key cooperation areas include facilitating trade without compromising food security and safety standards.
The collaboration also focuses on safeguarding health, harmonising standards and sharing best practices to prevent livestock and crop disease spread.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu attended the meeting in Chongqing, China.
The biennial meeting alternates hosting duties between China and ASEAN member states.
Participants acknowledged ASEAN-China commitments made during recent summits in Kuala Lumpur and the Philippines.
These commitments support developing a resilient, competitive and inclusive agricultural sector across ASEAN.
The shared vision aims to guarantee regional food security and prosperity through strengthened cooperation. – Bernama
