The Asian Century: The Transnational Journey of a Durian

BEIJING, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "Belt and Road, Durian Leads the Way." In June 2024, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, China opened its market to the import of fresh Malaysian durians. Durian has become a "sweet bond" between the two countries, building a solid bridge for the people of China and Malaysia to share a better life and pursue common development.

The first episode of the Asian Century documentary's Malaysia chapter focuses on "The Transnational Journey of a Durian". In the Musang King durian-producing region of Raub, Malaysia, farmer Anto carefully ties ropes around each durian on a rare sunny day during the rainy season, safeguarding this precious sweetness. The durian pulp produced here will soon be shipped via cold chain to Qinzhou Port in Guangxi, China, where Malaysian durian trader Vance Chiang is anxiously awaiting its arrival. Within weeks, freshly ripened whole durians will also make their way directly to thousands of dining tables across China. Vance Chiang is also planning a reverse "sweet journey"—introducing specialty fruits from Yulin, Shaanxi, China, to the Malaysia market.

Under the Belt and Road Initiative, bilateral trade between China and Malaysia reached $212 billion in 2024 — nearly a thousand-fold increase since the establishment of diplomatic relations. China has remained Malaysia's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. The two nations have consistently upheld free trade, advancing hand in hand to weather challenges and share the fruits of prosperity. This profound friendship, rooted in mutual respect and win-win cooperation, is a vivid embodiment of the China-Malaysia community with a shared future.

The Asian Century is a social and cultural documentary centered on the theme of building an Asian community with a shared future. Through authentic, multidimensional, and comprehensive storytelling, it showcases the shared historical roots, cultural bonds, and developmental aspirations of Asian nations.

SOURCE The Asian Century