PUTRAJAYA, Aug 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and China Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the maritime and shipping sector.

Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, signed the MoU on behalf of Malaysia and China was represented by its Minister of Communications, Li Shenglin. Speaking to reporters later, Chan said the MOU was a follow-up to the earlier Maritime Transport Agreement signed with China on Sept 9, 1997.

"The MoU is broad and the focus will be on areas we can cooperate in, especially maritime and shipping.

"Under the agreement, both countries will endeavour to establish arrangements for the exchange of information and technical know-how in the maritime sector," he said.

Chan said maritime agencies and authorities from both countries would discuss ways to widen the scope of cooperation in maritime-related activities.

"The possible areas of cooperation are shipping safety and maritime transport security, maritime training and certification and marine technology.

"Other areas include maritime policy, shipping cooperation and port management and development," he said.

Meanwhile, Li said talks prior to the signing of the MoU were friendly and cordial. "Of course, after this we hope to cooperate in more areas within the maritime sector," he said.