Chinese Actress Fan Bingbing to Receive Honorary Datukship in Melaka for Tourism Promotion

Chinese actress Fan Bingbing is set to receive the honorary title of Datuk Kehormat in Melaka, Malaysia, recognizing her significant role in promoting the state as a global tourism destination. Appointed as Melaka's Tourism Friendship Ambassador in May 2024, Fan's efforts have led to a remarkable surge in Chinese tourist arrivals, which tripled from 204,818 in 2023 to 664,687 in 2024, alongside generating over 1.5 billion impressions on China's WeChat platform. The investiture ceremony coincides with the birthday celebrations of Melaka's Yang di-Pertua Negeri, and Fan's contributions are seen as a major boost to Melaka's international appeal and cultural tourism push. Despite some initial controversy over the campaign's costs and Fan's past legal issues in China, the state government and organizers regard her involvement as a valuable milestone in digital tourism promotion. Fan, known internationally for roles such as in 'X-Men: Days of Future Past,' has recently been active in Malaysia, participating in events and product launches. Her upcoming projects include a Malaysian film, highlighting her ongoing engagement with the country's entertainment and tourism sectors.