This year's Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), held from Tuesday to Friday, attracted global exhibitors, with China as the largest source of its overseas exhibitors.
The Halal industry, a multi-billion dollar sector in Malaysia, spans food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and more. As the world's largest trade fair of its kind, MIHAS attracted exhibitors from 66 countries and regions this year, with over 50 from China.
At the MIHAS opening, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted this international recognition, referring to his recent meetings with global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"All these leaders have given special attention to the halal industry, and recognition to the role of Malaysia's government and the authorities in promoting this, and are seeking our cooperation and collaboration," said Ibrahim.
In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between two countries, Chinese Muslim enterprises are eager to showcase their products in MIHAS to global halal customers.
"We just met a group of people from Indonesia, as well from Singapore and Thailand as well. So, I think this exhibition here is attracting all the people around the world who want products with halal. And I think we are also quite focused on this group of people," said Dennis Wang, general manager of Sichuan Huiji Food Company.
For smaller businesses, the annual MIHAS presents them with a valuable chance to go global.
"Because we have a restaurant in Ningxia, we're also looking for a partnership to open a restaurant here in Southeast Asia. So, I met someone from Cambodia. They are interested. So, we are open for, imagine like, a whole world of opportunities that we can explore with them," said Vinsee Siew from Beau Olam Group.
In recent years, Malaysia has witnessed the opening of many popular restaurants operated by Chinese Muslims. The halal industry, valued at three trillion U.S. dollars globally, is bringing benefits to the people of both China and Malaysia.
Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country in Southeast Asia, is one of the key players in the global halal trade. MIHAS has been an annual event since 2004.
China sends most participants to Malaysia Halal Showcase
The three astronauts of China's recently-returned Shenzhou-20 mission on Friday shared the experiences of their dramatic 204-day space mission, including detailing the emergency procedures which were implemented to bring them safely home after their return capsule was struck by space debris.
The trio -- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie -- met with the press in Beijing on Friday afternoon, marking their first public appearance since returning to Earth in November.
When detailing the emergency response mechanisms which were enacted prior to their scheduled return, the astronauts explained that upon discovering a triangular crack on the spacecraft's viewport window, they immediately took photos for documentation and transmitted them to the ground team, who swiftly activated an emergency plan to get the trio home safely.
Experienced mission commander Chen Dong explained how the crew had complete faith in their colleagues on the ground to find a solution to these unforeseen circumstances which led to their return being delayed.
"First, we must trust the ground team, who would anticipate everything and develop the safest return plan for us. Second, we must believe in ourselves; as well-trained astronauts, we have the ability to manage various unexpected failures. I believe that with the collaboration of astronauts and researchers on the ground, our space home will surely go farther, more steadily, and for a longer time," he said.
Following their extended stay in space as a result of the debris incident, the Shenzhou-20 crew spent a total 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest duration by a single group of Chinese astronauts.
During their mission, they completed multiple payload operations, conducted extensive scientific experiments, and carried out four extravehicular activities.
"Our crew worked together with the ground team in unity and coordination, completing four extravehicular activities, several payload entry and exit tasks, and a large number of scientific experiments. It was a fulfilling yet challenging mission. The path to exploring the heavens is long and arduous, but I firmly believe that China's space missions will succeed," said Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot who was making his first spaceflight during the mission.
"From the ground to space, from learning to application, I have deeply felt the solid progress of Chinese space endeavors and the quiet dedication of countless personnel behind the scenes. In the future, I will accomplish each mission with full commitment, living up to the trust of the motherland and the people," said fellow astronaut Wang Jie, who was also making his debut spaceflight.
After returning to Earth on Nov 14, the trio successfully completed their isolation recovery and rehabilitation and will now resume normal training following health assessments.
The crew's return, originally scheduled for Nov 5, was postponed due to safety concerns, with the astronauts later using the return capsule belonging to their successor crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission to get back to Earth. China later launched the unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft which will serve the future return of the crew now aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
Shenzhou-20 astronauts share experiences after safely returning from debris incident
