Page 7 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (111)

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Rice noodles bridging mountains and seas

一根米线跨山海

China and Southeast Asian countries share numerous restaurant. This beloved dish draws food enthusiasts
commonalities in their culinary cultures. In southern from around the world and also offers a comforting
China, rice and its cultivation culture, aided by tools taste of home for Vietnamese friends.
like stone mills and cooking techniques such as steam- Living abroad, Muhammad Akma, the Malaysian
ing and boiling, transform into various rice-based foods Consul General in Kunming, often finds comfort in the
differing in shape, texture, and flavor. Rice noodles memory of a bowl of Laksa from his homeland. He recalls
are a unique presence among them. Across Southeast its rich coconut aroma blending with the fresh and spicy
Asia, the shared essence of rice cultivates a spectrum of soup base, the intensity of shrimp paste complementing
distinct culinary traditions. As chopsticks and spoons the fresh scent of lemongrass. Accompanied by various in-
delicately twirl, slender rice noodles, infused with a gredients, it truly embodies an authentic Malaysian flavor.
symphony of sour, spicy, and fresh flavors, awaken the The Orussey Kuy Teav restaurant in Phnom Penh,
palate. This delightful experience transcends mere cu- Cambodia, boasts a history of over 40 years, drawing a
linary enjoyment, serving as a vibrant and far-reaching steady stream of diners daily. A bowl of Cambodian Kuy
dialogue between diverse civilizations. Teav artfully blends rice noodle techniques with roots in
Vietnamese rice noodles, a traditional staple and China’s Chaoshan region with the abundant local ingre-
beloved daily delicacy, are intrinsically linked to Vi- dients of Cambodia. This harmonious fusion reflects the
etnam’s long-standing rice cultivation civilization. culinary ingenuity and shared heritage of both nations.
Hailing from an overseas Vietnamese family, Feng Juan Every bite serves as a delicious testament to the enduring
serves Vietnamese grilled pork rice noodles at her small connection between Cambodia and China.

Shared flavors, enduring bonds

一口美味情谊长

Golden, plump Cambodian mangoes now grace Chi- are eager to collaborate with Chinese enterprises to
nese tables. Vietnamese coffee and bread fill the streets integrate the latest agricultural technologies, bring even
of Kunming with their inviting aroma. And the shared more high-quality Malaysian durian products to China,
sweetness of Malaysian durians delights palates in both and introduce the exquisite taste of Musang King to a
nations. These exquisite flavors, bite by bite, paint a de- wider audience.”
licious picture of the deepening bonds and vibrant cul- Malaysia is home to over 200 durian varieties. Be-
tural exchange between China and its Southeast Asian yond the widely recognized Musang King, other nota-
neighbors. ble types like Black Thorn, Sultan King, and Kampung
Ho Chi Minh’s former residence on Huashan South durians are also highly sought after. Chan Ming Fung,
Road in Kunming draws numerous visitors from both CEO of Malaysia’s Enest Group Berhad, explained that
China and Vietnam. Adjacent to it stands the Nan- his company has been comprehensively engaged in the
laisheng Cafe, a historic Kunming establishment. The entire durian industry chain since 2015, with products
coffee and baguette bread served here evoke fond already reaching markets in China, Singapore, and
memories for long-time residents, while the cafe itself many other nations. “Now that fresh Malaysian durians
quietly bore witness to Ho Chi Minh’s years of revolu- are approved for entry into the Chinese market,” he
tionary activities in China. Today, many young people said, “we will accelerate our international market ex-
frequent the cafe, eager to connect with its deep histori- pansion, focusing primarily on China. Only by deeply
cal significance. integrating into the global market can Malaysian duri-
In a durian orchard in Raub, Pahang, Malaysia, an, the ‘King of Fruits,’ truly flourish.”
Liew Chun Sing, a third-generation Chinese durian In May 2021, fresh Cambodian mangoes made their
expert from OVD Agricultural Land Development Sdn first shipment to China, quickly becoming a “new fa-
Bhd, was meticulously inspecting the growth of the vorite” on Chinese consumers’ tables. Kampong Speu
durian trees. “Caring for these trees is like raising chil- province is one of Cambodia’s main mango-producing
dren,” he said. “Every fruit embodies the persistence of regions. When mangoes enter their optimal harvesting
our ancestors.” period, the various plantations become busy.
Over 600 years ago, during his visit to Malaysia, Chhing Chamroeun (transliteration), General Man-
the ancient Chinese navigator Zheng He encountered a ager of Cambodia’s Ploy Green Land (PGL) company,
tropical fruit he described as “with thorny skin, sweet explained that fresh mangoes are transported to their
and delicious.” His entourage named it “Dueryan.” workshop for washing, sorting, and packaging. She
More than six centuries later, Liew Chun Sing’s family noted that these mangoes are swiftly moved to China
business, much like many local Chinese businesses, not via cold chain, effectively opening up new markets. In
only thrives by cultivating this crop but also regards 2018, Ms. Chamroeun first visited Kunming to attend
it as a profound symbol of the enduring friendship be- the China-South Asia Expo. Through the expo, she
tween China and Malaysia. recognized the promising potential for Cambodian ag-
Currently, while OVD primarily cultivates Musang ricultural products to enter the Chinese market, leading
King durians, it also develops eco-tourism centered her to attend the event multiple times since. She further
around the durian orchard. detailed that in addition to agricultural product trade, PGL
“Our aim is for visitors to experience the authentic also provides consulting services to foreign investors, in-
sweetness of durian, tasting it directly from the branch cluding guidance on modern agriculture and infrastructure
and allowing that delight to resonate deeply,” said development. Ms. Chamroeun expressed her eagerness for
Angie, an executive at OVD, her voice brimming with the continuous expansion of business with China, espe-
confidence in the Chinese market’s vast potential. “We cially fostering cooperation with Yunnan.