Inp.polri.go.id - Beijing. Vice President (VP) Ma'ruf Amin embarked on a working visit to China, with a primary focus on expanding the reach of Indonesian halal products. The trip, spanning several cities including Fuzhou, Nanning, and Shanghai, aims to bolster cooperation in the halal sector and strengthen bilateral relations. "This morning, the VP departed for China in a few days," announced the VP's spokesperson Masduki Baidlowi in his statement before leaving to accompany the VP in Jakarta, on Thursday (14/9/23). Accompanied by Mrs. Wury Ma'ruf Amin and a select delegation, the Vice President took off from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang aboard a Garuda Indonesia aircraft, bound for Fuzhou Changle International Airport in Fujian. During his stay in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, VP Ma'ruf Amin is set to hold crucial meetings, including with Zhou Zuyi, the Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Fujian Provincial Committee/Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Fujian Provincial People's Congress. "The VP reciprocates a visit previously extended by leaders from the Chinese Communist Party in Fujian Province during their visit to Jakarta," noted the spokesperson. Furthermore, the VP will convene with halal industry entrepreneurs in Fujian, focusing on the production of marine food products, beverages, and logistics for the frozen food supply chain. “This is very important as Indonesia aims to ascend as the world's foremost producer of halal goods. While Indonesia has predominantly been a consumer thus far, it is now poised to transition into a key producer. This rationale has motivated the VP's engagement with halal entrepreneurs in Fujian Province," the spokesperson added. Following his agenda in Fuzhou, the VP will extend his visit to Nanning City in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, where he will hold talks with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and meet with the Governor of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Lan Tianli. On Sunday morning (17/9/23), the VP will attend the Opening of the 2023 China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the 20th China-ASEAN Business Investment Summit at Osmanthus Hall, Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center (NICEC). VP Ma'ruf Amin's presence at CAEXPO 2023 offers a significant opportunity to address delegates and business leaders from ASEAN countries and China. His speech will focus on fostering business relations within ASEAN, particularly between Indonesia and China. In addition to participating in the expo, the VP will officially open the "City of Charms of Indonesia Pavilion" and the "Indonesian Commodities Pavilion" at NICEC, with Prime Minister Li Qiang expected to be in attendance. These exhibitions are aimed at showcasing Indonesia's rich cultural heritage and economic potential. Concluding the series of events in Nanning, VP Ma'ruf Amin is scheduled to engage in a joint interview with prominent Chinese media outlets, including People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group, and others. The interview will serve as a platform to discuss Indonesia-China relations and further promote the halal industry. In Shanghai, the VP will visit the Representative Office of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Research Institute (LPPOM) of the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) at Al Amin Co. Ltd. He will meet with officials from LPPOM MUI and Shanghai Al Amin Co. Ltd., as well as engage with halal industry entrepreneurs actively collaborating with LPPOM MUI. Through these meetings, the VP aims to encourage potential investors to explore opportunities not only in China but also in Indonesia, emphasizing Indonesia's goal of becoming the world's leading producer of halal products. "The VP hopes that they will invest in Indonesia. So that the wish as stated earlier, Indonesia as the largest producer of halal products in the world, can be achieved," said the spokesperson. Concluding his working visit to China, the VP is scheduled to attend a National Dialogue with Indonesian citizens in Shanghai. On Tuesday (13/9) at around 14.00 local time, the VP and his entourage will return to Jakarta. The Vice President's delegation includes prominent figures, namely the Head of the VP's Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, Director General of Protocol and Consular Affairs/Head of State Protocol of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andy Rachmianto; Deputy for Economic Policy Support and Increasing Competitiveness Guntur Iman Nefianto; Deputy for Administration Sapto Harjono Wahjoe Sedjati; Special Staff to VP Mohamad Nasir, Masduki Baidlowi, and Satya Arinanto; as well as the VP's Expert Team Nurdin Tampubolon, Johan Tedja Surya, Farhat Brachma, and Iggi Haruman Achsien. (ar/inp/pr/nm)