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The Star

It’s thorny, pungent, perhaps even foul smelling to some, but it does a darn good job at breaking the ice.
And in this case, it made it onto the dining table of top leaders from two nations, highlighting its “soft power” in fostering warmer ties between countries.
Pictures of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida enjoying some creamy durian have warmed the hearts of many.
“This is durian diplomacy!” Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Takahashi Katsuhiko tweeted about the occasion on Sunday when Kishida was on a working visit to Malaysia.
It’s the most efficient way to get to know Malaysia, he added.
In a video posted by the ambassador, a smiling Anwar was seen encouraging Kishida to try the durian when both were having refreshments that day.
Kishida gamely sliced off a small portion and displayed it to the camera before popping it into his mouth. His jaw suddenly tightened as he tasted the fruit. Then he broke into a smile.
“It’s good, it’s good,” Kishida said to chuckles and applause from Anwar and the other guests.
Durian fever: China’s Wang Yi raves over Malaysian Musang King cheesecake
The episode may have been a brief, lighthearted moment in a trip packed with discussions on trade, security and territorial claims, but current and former diplomats said that such exchanges can be critical in forging strong relations.
“Anything that generates warmth among leaders and eases discussions, dialogue and engagement, so that things don’t get tense, are very much encouraged,” said former foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar.
“It’s these things that can lead to deep friendships between world leaders,” said Syed Hamid, who was foreign minister from 1999 to 2008.
He has had his fair share of introducing foreign dignitaries to the spiky fruit, whose reputation is far bigger than most Malaysians realise.
“One time, we hosted then South African president Thabo Mbeki in Malaysia and he and his entourage asked to try durian because they heard so much about it.
“So, we had a durian-tasting session,” he added.
Like many who’ve tried durian for the first time, the South African officials loved its creamy, sweet texture but could not get over its smell, said Syed Hamid.
“Back in my day, trying out durian was something we invited all the foreign dignitaries to do, but we wouldn’t serve it to them if they did not ask for it.”


Officials from Asean countries are familiar with the fruit but it may be alien, even daunting, for those from more far-flung places in the world, he added.
“When we offer our unique products, it reflects our culture and it can break the ice so that it becomes easier to talk about more difficult things,” said Syed Hamid.
A foreign ministry official, who is involved in setting up these unique exchanges such as durian-tastings, concurred with Syed Hamid’s assessment, saying that these experiences are how countries project “soft power.”
Malaysia has its durian diplomacy, China loans pandas, Thailand shares its cuisine while Japan and South Korea exports films and pop music, said the official.
These cultural products may seem small compared to trade agreements and defence treaties, but they go a long way towards increasing commerce and interpersonal relationships between different countries, said the official.
“When diplomats have serious sessions that are interspersed by little, unique experiences such as durian-tasting – where you have to brave something that smells so alien to taste something out of this world – it produces memorable relationships.”
‘All about the taste’: Japan’s ex-foreign minister on new life as a durian cheerleader
Austrian ambassador to Malaysia Andreas Launer attests to how durian can have this effect.
“I believe that the love of durian is the ultimate proof of successful integration of foreigners into Malaysian society and culture. It took a while, but in the meantime, I also think: ‘Durian sangat sedap!’ (durian are delicious),” quipped Launer.
Egyptian ambassador to Malaysia Ragai Nasr said durian tastings are a brilliant and effective diplomatic strategy to showcase a unique Malaysian product.
“Eating this magnificent fruit creates an amicable atmosphere for a diplomatic exchange of ideas between leaders. I am now a fond and regular consumer of the most tasteful and best durian I have eaten in my life.”
This article was first published by The Star


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How Japan’s Kishida was charmed by durian on trip to Malaysia: ‘it’s good’

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left) tastes durian during a meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim. Photo: X/@sadiqasyraf

Durian fever: China’s Wang Yi raves over Malaysian Musang King cheesecake

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, right, and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi after their meeting in Malaysia on Tuesday. Photo: via AP

A worker cleans a durian fruit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. File photo: AFP

A construction site for the East Coast Rail Link, a China-backed railway project, part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, in Bentong, Malaysia, in January. Photo: Reuters

From Japanese foreign minister to ‘King of Fruits’ promoter: Taro Kono on his new life as a durian cheerleader

Durian, the stinky so-called ‘King of Fruits’ has a surprising new champion - Japan’s former foreign minister Taro Kono. Photo: AFP 

Taro Kono, formerly the foreign minister of Japan, has turned his hand to promoting durian, the stinky so-called ‘King of Fruits’. Photo: Bloomberg 

A variety of durian called ‘Musang King’ at a shop in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP

Durian frenzy sweeps Hong Kong as Malaysia’s Musang King competes with Thai imports for popularity

A Malaysian durian seller shows off the golden yellow fruit. Photo: EPA

durian buffet at pier 1929. Photo: Handout

JPG for ONLINE

epa09307828 A customer (L) looks on durian seller in Shah Alam, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28 June 2021. Malaysia Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin unveils additional 30.35 billion euro stimulus package as country extends total lockdown. EPA-EFE/FAZRY ISMAIL

Thailand wants durian exports to China investigated after substandard fruit found at Shanghai vendor

A group of durian is displayed for purchase. Shutterstock: FIle

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

East Asia

Malaysian PM Anwar encouraged his Japanese counterpart to try the spiky fruit during their meeting as he sought to project the country’s ‘soft power’
Former diplomats said such unique experiences produce ‘memorable relationships’ between leaders when discussing contentious issues


Malaysian PM Anwar encouraged his Japanese counterpart to try the spiky fruit during their meeting as he sought to project the country’s ‘soft power’.


Japan

Anwar Ibrahim

Fumio Kishida

Diplomacy