MELAKA: Chinese movie star Fan Bingbing is coming to town to be made Melaka’s tourism ambassador.
Announcing this, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the Shangdong-born actress will pay a courtesy call on him on June 14 when she will receive her official appointment.
The following day, locals would have an opportunity to meet and greet the actress at a special session at Encore Melaka performing arts centre, he added.
“This is an arrangement made by the state government in her honour,” he said yesterday.
Ab Rauf said the 42-year-old’s task would be to promote Visit Melaka Year 2024 starting from June 15.
He said the state government hoped that Fan would be able to woo tourists from China and other parts of Asia to Melaka.
Impressive empress: Fan is expected to launch a giant mural based on a character she played at Jonker Walk.
Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman said his team was rushing to complete a giant mural of Fan at the Melaka-China Friendship Botanical Square at the iconic Jonker Walk.
He said a portrait of Fan in her movie role as an empress of China will be depicted as Princess Hang Li Poh, the daughter of the Chinese Ming Emperor, who married Melaka’s Sultan Mansur Shah.
Shadan said the 3m mural will be launched by Fan during her visit.
Hotelier Alvin Kessler said he was making efforts to invite the actress to launch a preview of the grand San Pedro Festival at the Majestic Hotel.
The festival is a cultural and religious event celebrated every year by the Portuguese in Melaka.
“The celebration this year coincides with Visit Melaka Year 2024 and the hotel is kicking off the celebration with several activities, including folk dances and offering authentic Kristang (local Portuguese) dishes,” he said.
Kessler said the celebration at the hotel, which was formerly a mansion of a local businessman, will be held from June 28-30.
Local community leaders will also be invited to witness the unique Portuguese celebration.
