Latest news with #Hainan-Asean
The Star
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
New regional centre strengthens China-Asean economic link
Hainan Daily Press Group Deputy Editor-in Chief, Niu Xiaomin (3rd from left) and Bernama Chairman, Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai launching the Hainan International Media Centre. Looking on is (from left) Nanyang Siang Pau, Editor-in-Chief Evie Loh, Kwong Wah Yit Poh, Executive Editor-in-Chief Tee Hor Yean, Eng Teck and Datuk George Yong Ket How.—SAMUEL ONG/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to strengthen China–Asean ties gained momentum following the opening of Hainan International Media Centre (HIMC)'s regional hub for Asean here. The centre serves as a bridge to engage with the Southeast Asia region to develop an international land-sea trade corridor. It also plays a critical role in sharing Hainan's development narrative, including tourism, commercial expansion and policy reforms. Hainan Daily Press Group deputy editor-in-chief Niu Xiaomin said Malaysia was chosen because it is home to a sizeable population of Chinese descendants, particularly the Hainanese community, which has preserved deep-rooted cultural ties and continues to uphold strong traditions. He hoped the stories of Malaysian Chinese and Chinese citizens could serve as a cultural bridge, strengthening people-to-people ties between the two nations while promoting mutual understanding and highlighting shared values across the region. He also said that Hainan would officially become a free trade port on Dec 18, allowing for some 74% of goods entering the island to enjoy zero-tariff benefits. "This marks a new starting point for Hainan's journey towards a higher level of openness to the outside world," he said at the launch of the HIMC–Asean Liaison Centre here on Friday (Aug 1). The event also saw the establishment of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor Asean Economic and Trade Station, and the Haifeng International Film and Television Base Asean Centre. Several agreements on media collaboration were also signed with Bernama, Nanyang Siang Pau and Kwong Wah Yit Poh to jointly produce programmes and conduct activities about Malaysia and Hainan. Partnerships were also established between HIMC and the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia, Mila University and Lingshui Yingli Wanxiang Digital Media Industry. The HIMC–Asean Liaison Centre also serves as the Malaysia office for Guangxi International Communication Centre and the International Communication Centre of Guizhou Radio and TV Station. Also present were Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Kwong Wah Yit Poh executive editor-in-chief Tee Hor Yean, Nanyang Siang Pau editor-in-chief Evie Loh, the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia president Datuk George Yong Ket How and HIMC senior advisor for Hainan-Asean international communication Dr Pua Eng Teck. Later in the day, Niu led a delegation to visit Star Media Group. They were briefed on the media company's history, operations and commitment to journalistic integrity while engaging in a fruitful meeting with its group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt to explore opportunities for collaboration.
The Star
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Bernama inks collaboration with HIMC to promote tourism, drive economic growth
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) formalised a strategic collaboration with Hainan International Media Center (HIMC) to enhance the promotion of Malaysia's tourism industry and stimulate economic growth. Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said the news agency is prepared to play an active role in showcasing distinctive local tourism offerings to attract more international visitors, especially from China. 'This marks the first collaboration between Bernama and HIMC to showcase Malaysia's tourism industry and investment landscape through media platforms. "They are eager to discover and help highlight local products and notable tourist destinations in Malaysia, such as the scenic beaches of Penang and Terengganu, to audiences in China," he told Bernama after the signing ceremony here on Friday (Aug 1). He said Malaysia would also serve as a strategic partner in promoting tourism in Hainan province, which offers more affordable travel options compared to other destinations. The partnership was formalised under the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor Cultural Cooperation Alliance, which brings together HIMC and several Malaysian organisations, including Bernama, Kwong Wah Yit Poh, Nanyang Siang Pau, MILA University, the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia, and the Malaysia Asean-China Economic and Trade Development Promotion Association. The alliance aims to foster closer collaboration between media and cultural organisations in Malaysia and China, focusing on supporting content co-production, talent development and policy coordination. Additionally, the alliance places a strong emphasis on youth collaboration, with institutions such as MILA University in Malaysia and the Lingshui Haifeng International Film and Television Base in Hainan, which cooperate on exchange programmes, creative workshops, and training initiatives to nurture regional talent. Meanwhile, HIMC's Senior Advisor on Hainan-Asean International Communication, Dr Pua Eng Teck, said Malaysia was chosen as a strategic hub due to its strong historical and cultural ties with the Malaysian Chinese community, particularly in the fields of business, culture and information exchange. 'Kuala Lumpur is the central city of Malaysia, offering strategic geographical advantages and greater opportunities to foster people-to-people and business-to-business connections,' he said. Beyond business collaboration, Dr Pua also highlighted the benefits for students, especially those from China pursuing higher education in Malaysia. 'HIMC plays a key role not just in promoting cultural ties, but also in supporting educational exchange. It provides a strong platform for Chinese students studying in Malaysia to engage more deeply with local communities and institutions,' he added. – BERNAMA
