Airfreight carriers urge action over China goods routed through Malaysia to dodge US tariffs
The group said it had urged the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry to step in and ensure rigorous checks on certificates verifying the origin of goods.
AFAM highlighted that some brokers in China are marketing these services online, potentially encouraging illegal relabelling of products.
'These actions, if true, are highly unethical and risk seriously undermining Malaysia's international trade reputation.
'They may also jeopardize Malaysia's standing as a trusted and responsible trade partner in the global supply chain,' it said in a statement.
The association said it has issued a strong advisory to local importers and exporters against engaging in any form of origin fraud.
AFAM also affirmed its support for the Malaysian government's diplomatic efforts to handle US trade tensions and protect the country's standing.
Earlier today, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said his ministry will become the sole issuer of Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin (NPCO) for all exports to the US from tomorrow over this issue.
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Meanwhile, county tourism is emerging as a vital contributor to efforts to increase consumption's role in the Chinese economy, attracting young people from first-tier cities seeking cost-effective, experiential getaways and at the same time fostering sustainable growth in lower-tier regions. Reports from several travel platforms have highlighted it as a hot trend this year, with posts on RedNote, China's leading lifestyle app, touting the middle-class appeal and affordability of horse riding and tennis lessons in county-level cities. The ITB China Travel Trends Report 2024/25 noted that rural counties are increasingly popular destinations among younger travellers drawn to authentic experiences such as ecotourism and cultural festivals. Huang said she had welcomed several batches of friends from Beijing who had visited Haiyan for sightseeing in the past couple of years. 'They really enjoyed the stay here as it is cheap and relaxing,' she said. In a plan aimed at revitalising rural areas during the period from 2024 to 2027, the State Council, China's cabinet, outlined measures to 'fully promote rural consumption', including the development of county-level commercial systems, providing a key focus for unleashing rural consumption potential. But researchers remain cautious about whether the rise of consumption in lower-tier markets is sufficient to revitalise overall consumer activity. Liu, the Beijing professor, noted that compared to big cities, lower-tier cities lag behind in infrastructure and the overall consumption environment, including consumer rights protection, limiting their consumption potential. 'Whether the consumption boom in these regions can sustain China's shift to a consumption-driven economy is hard to answer, but it is undoubtedly a crucial supplement,' he said. Fudan University economist Shi Lei said that while growth is evident, county-level consumption still faces constraints, primarily due to insufficient local financial resources, with many areas, including regions mainly populated by ethnic minorities, relying on fiscal transfer payments from higher-level governments to sustain development. 'In the long term, the potential arising from underdevelopment should be recognised,' he said. 'But short-term performance should not be overestimated.' -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
