Ab Rauf received a courtesy visit from Melaka Tourism Ambassador Fan Bingbing
MELAKA: Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh received a courtesy visit from leading Chinese film star Fan Bingbing who will be appointed as Melaka Tourism Ambassador in conjunction with the Year of Visiting Melaka 2024 (TMM2024) at his office here today.
Bingbing wearing a pink nyonya cape with her management team arrived at the Melaka Chief’s Office in Seri Negeri here at about 9.45am.
In the approximately 30-minute meeting, Ab Rauf and Bingbing exchanged views on the form of promotion that can be done by the international celebrity who has great influence in social media.
He said the appointment of the lead actor in the drama The Empress of China as Melaka Tourism Ambassador this Saturday was seen as a catalyst for the Melaka tourism sector, especially in an effort to attract more Chinese tourists.
“Bingbing initially came to Melaka to travel but on the recommendation of his manager, he will help promote Melaka as he has a considerable influence on social media.
“His presence throughout the four days until Sunday in Melaka will be utilized by promoting attractive tourist destinations and thus provide added value to attract tourists from China,” he told reporters after the courtesy call session.
Ab Rauf said Bingbing also expressed his commitment to help promote Malacca as a major tourist destination among Chinese tourists considering the history of diplomatic relations between Malacca and China dating back to the days of Admiral Cheng Ho’s voyages.
He said in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations this year, the actress was also interested in helping to further strengthen existing relations, especially through the tourism sector.
Bingbing, who has 63 million followers on Weibo (a social media platform in China similar to X) and 4.1 million Instagram followers, is usually highlighted as the face of Chinese culture at the global level.
In addition to Chinese films, he has also starred in the Hollywood superhero film, ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’, as well as French and Korean films.
In 2017, Fan Bingbing graced the cover of Time magazine and she was also named among the 100 Most Influential People.
