Malaysia Records 1.8 Million Chinese Tourist Arrivals In First 5 Months
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the policy, which took effect in 2024, had driven a sharp rise in arrivals, from 1.6 million in 2023 to 3.4 million last year.
'Among these efforts, we invited more than 100 imams from China and Europe to experience first-hand Malaysia's Muslim-friendly tourism concept, which is suitable for people of all backgrounds and religions,' he told the Dewan Rakyat during the oral question-and-answer session today.
He was replying to Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH–Balik Pulau), who had asked about the ministry's measures to attract Muslim tourists from China.
Khairul Firdaus added that the ministry, together with the travel agency association, was actively pursuing promotional campaigns targeting Chinese tourists, particularly those seeking Muslim-friendly experiences.
In response to a separate question from Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PN–Dungun) on ensuring the east coast states also benefit economically, the deputy minister said integrated promotions were being undertaken via Tourism Malaysia and the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC). These, he said, highlighted attractions such as the Crystal Mosque to audiences in ASEAN, Europe, China, Japan and South Korea.
'However, it is also closely linked to the culture of the local community and when we are able to promote these elements, it will create spillover benefits for industries such as homestays, handicrafts and traditional foods,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
11 minutes ago
- The Star
China's early South American soybean buys squeeze US out of peak export window
China has moved early to lock in soybean supplies from Brazil for September and October, sidelining US exporters from what is traditionally their most lucrative selling period. The shift underscores Beijing's growing trade reliance on South America and comes amid renewed political and commercial tensions with Washington. According to market analysis from Brazil's Safras & Mercado, traders reported Chinese purchases of roughly 8 million tonnes of soybeans for September and 4 million tonnes for October, about half of the country's projected demand for the two months. All volumes are sourced from South America, with Brazil capturing the lion's share. The move effectively shortens the US 'window' for soybean shipments to China, which typically runs from September to January before the Brazilian harvest arrives. Last year, China imported 105 million tonnes of soybeans, 22.13 million of them from the US, illustrating how pivotal this early-season slot has been for American farmers. The decision to buy more soybeans from South America comes as Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures hover near five-year lows, with reduced Chinese buying expected to keep prices under pressure. When asked about the soybean purchases and their impact on US producers, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, did not directly address the trade volumes. Instead, he said Bejing hoped 'the US side will work with China to implement the important common understandings reached by our heads of state' and called for dialogue 'on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit' to promote sustainable bilateral relations. The Chinese embassy in Brasilia did not respond to requests for comment. On Monday, US President Donald Trump publicly urged Beijing to quadruple its soybean purchases from the United States, a dramatic call just days before a tariff truce between the two countries was set to expire. Posting on social media, Trump claimed China was concerned about soybean shortages and said he expected 'quick' orders from Beijing. The remarks briefly sent Chicago futures higher, but market watchers quickly questioned whether such a deal was realistic. Meeting the request would require China to source most of its soybean imports from the United States, an unprecedented shift that would displace established Brazilian volumes. It remains unclear whether increased Chinese agricultural purchases would be a condition for a lasting trade deal between Beijing and Washington. In the meantime, China has not booked any US soybeans for the fourth quarter, and some feed manufacturers are reportedly testing alternative suppliers, including Argentina, to secure cheaper South American protein meals. In Brazil, the news of both the early Chinese commitments and Trump's gambit was met with quiet confidence among exporters. In a statement, the Brazilian Soybean Producers Association said on Monday that it was monitoring the impact of a potential trade deal on crops, but that the combination of strong September and October sales could be an opportunity to further cement Brazil's role as China's primary supplier. As the US risks losing ground in the Chinese market, Brazil and China are also working on longer-term trade integration. On Sunday, the Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo reported that officials from both countries were said to be drafting a bilateral protocol to recognise environmental certifications and traceability systems for key agricultural exports, particularly beef and soybeans. The plan would align methodologies for measuring emissions, land use and animal welfare, allowing Chinese authorities to formally recognise Brazilian sustainability seals such as 'Carbon Neutral Meat' and 'Low Carbon Soy'. Measures include integrated digital tracking, QR codes linking to environmental data and shared databases. The protocol aims to smooth trade flows, add value to certified products and pre-empt future non-tariff barriers. A Chinese technical delegation is expected in Brazil later this year to inspect systems on the ground before finalising the deal. The talks come against a backdrop of US tariff hikes on Brazilian goods and growing political friction between Washington and Brasília, even as China expands its list of authorised Brazilian exporters in other sectors, from coffee to processed foods. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Mosque in Batu Kawah receives brand-new funeral van, thanks to foundation
Dr Sim (centre) joins others in a photo-call, taken during the symbolic handing-over of the funeral van to the mosque committee. KUCHING (Aug 17): Masjid Darus Sakinah of Kampung Sinar Budi Baru in Batu Kawah here has received its first-ever 'van jenazah' (funeral van), donated by Yayasan OBYU. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian performed the official handing-over ceremony at the mosque today. 'This is a very historic moment for Masjid Darus Sakinah, as this is the first 'van jenazah' ever received by the mosque. 'The contribution of a unit of Foton View C2 2.8L (Manual) Diesel Year 2024 worth RM140,949.10, is indeed most timely and meaningful,' said the Batu Kawah assemblyman in his speech. He added that the van, along with the mosque's fully-equipped 'bilik jenazah' (funeral room) would greatly ease the burden off the bereaved Muslim families. 'With complete and proper facilities, funeral arrangements can now be carried out in a more efficient manner, in accordance with the syariah (Islamic requirements). 'I therefore sincerely hope that Masjid Darus Sakinah will make the best use of this contribution with great care and responsibility, so that it may serve the community for many years to come,' he added. Dr Sim also commended Yayasan OBYU, a non-profit organisation under OBYU Holdings Sdn Bhd, for its continuous contributions. 'Today marks the third donation from Yayasan OBYU, and it is indeed a testament to their dedication in uplifting the welfare of society,' he said. The Deputy Premier further highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative. 'We really want not only 'Sarawak Maju dan Makmur' (Progressive And Prosperous Sarawak), but also 'Batu KawaH Maju dan Makmur'. 'The mosque expansion is one part of it, but we're very lucky to have OBYU coming in with the car component. 'That is the best example of how, when we come together, we can achieve wonders. 'This 'van jenazah', even though it looks simple, is very important for the village because the whole Batu Kawah had none before. 'That's why this facility, together with the bilik jenazah', are such a complete package,' he added. Also present were OBYU Holdings founder and advisor Tan Sri Bustari Yusuf, Yayasan OBYU chairman Datu Dr Hatta Solihi, Yayasan OBYU trustee Dato Ahmadi Yusoff, Kampung Sinar Budi Baru headmanWain Sulaiman, and Masjid Darus Sakinah Kampung Sinar Budi Baru committee chairman Sarum Putit. donation Dr Sim Kui Hian funeral van Kampung Sinar Budi Baru
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Chery becomes first Chinese carmaker to export over 5 million vehicles
KUALA LUMPUR: Chery International Group has become the first Chinese car company to export more than five million vehicles worldwide. It has also maintained the No. 1 position for passenger car exports for 22 consecutive years. In July, Chery International achieved the "Double 500" milestone, emerging as the fastest-rising carmaker on both the Fortune Global 500 and the Fortune China 500 lists. The group is now ranked 233rd globally, up from 385th in 2024. It is ranked 59th in China, up from 100th in 2024. These achievements were driven by the Omoda/Jaecoo brand in 44 markets across Asean, Europe, Australia and South America. In just over two years, Omoda/Jaecoo amassed a 37 per cent share of Chery International's total export volume, with cumulative global sales surpassing 570,000 units. It is the fastest emerging brand globally to exceed the half-million mark in sales. Omoda/Jaecoo models have also made significant strides in the new energy vehicle (NEV) category. In the first quarter of this year, NEV models accounted for 13,023 units, a sharp rise from 2,325 units in the same period in 2024. In the first half of 2025, NEVs accounted for 40 per cent of its total exports. Omoda/Jaecoo's global momentum is equally evident in Europe, where it has become the fastest-growing Chinese automotive brand and the first ever to sell over 10,000 units in Spain within 11 months in the market. In Malaysia, the brand grew quickly after the Jaecoo J7 was launched in July 2024. The company announced that more than 17,000 of its vehicles are now on Malaysian roads. According to the Road Transport Department, Omoda/Jaecoo remained among Malaysia's top five automotive brands in the first half of 2025. Moving forward, Omoda/Jaecoo's global export strategy will focus on deeper investments in key markets in Europe, South America and Asean. Malaysia will serve as the centralised right-hand drive hub to support the brand's global ambitions.
