Tourism drive promotes scenic charm, serenity of Brunei
'Breathe in Brunei' at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre in China highlighted Brunei as a retreat to relax and recharge. - Brunei Tourism Development Department via BB/ANN
SHANGHAI: The Tourism Development Department at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism showcased its latest campaign, 'Breathe in Brunei' at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre in China for ITB China 2025, which highlighted Brunei as a retreat to relax, recharge and enjoy a slower pace away from the busy city life.
The campaign invites Chinese travellers to reconnect with nature and discover Brunei as a peaceful, rejuvenating escape. Inspired by feedback from Chinese visitors, the campaign positions Brunei as a peaceful destination – offering clean air, unspoiled natural beauty and calming moments.
ITB China is a three-day business-to-business (B2B) travel trade fair focused exclusively on the Chinese travel industry. The event serves as a platform for international travel suppliers to connect with China's outbound travel market. Leveraging pre-scheduled appointments, targeted networking opportunities and an engaging conference programme, ITB China facilitates business exchanges and industry insights. China remains one of the most promising outbound travel markets for South-East Asia and Brunei's participation at ITB China 2025 signals a proactive approach to tap into this potential.
Strengthening this effort, the recent introduction of visa-free entry for Chinese nationals of up to 14 days adds further value to this initiative, making it easier for Chinese travellers to travel to Brunei.
Brunei saw a sharp rise in Chinese tourist arrivals, with figures jumping from 17,008 in 2023 to 39,007 in 2024, underscoring growing appeal as a destination. As part of the 'Breathe in Brunei' campaign, the Tourism Development Department has partnered with Ctrip, one of China's top travel online platforms. To strengthen destination awareness and encourage future collaborations, a series of familiarisation trips for Chinese key opinion leaders, media and travel agents are in the plan for the remaining months of 2025 to expand the campaign's reach.
To strengthen its presence in the Chinese outbound travel market, the Tourism Development Department participated alongside Royal Brunei Airlines and five local travel and hospitality partners. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
China invites US influencers to showcase 'real China'
Successful applicants will visit five Chinese cities, including Beijing, where the Temple of Heaven is located.— Unsplash China is inviting American influencers to join a 10-day, all-expenses paid trip through the country this July, as part of Beijing's efforts to boost people-to-people exchanges and showcase the 'real China'. The initiative, titled 'China-global youth influencer exchange programme', seeks to enlist young social media influencers with at least 300,000 followers to collaborate with Chinese content creators, according to recruitment posts by Chinese state-affiliated media outlets, including the China Youth Daily. While relations between China and the US have deteriorated in recent months over issues including geopolitics, technology and trade, the program marks an effort to boost cultural exchanges. Last year, President Xi Jinping had called for more exchanges between Chinese and American universities, after previously announcing a plan to welcome 50,000 American students to China. Another post in College Daily, a publication particularly targeting Chinese students in North America, specified that applicants for the exchange programme based in the US should be active on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X, and should 'love Chinese culture' and 'have no history of bad behaviours'. It called on Chinese students overseas to encourage influencers in their circle to apply, and said the successful candidates will get China's official invite as well as special assistance from the state to process their visas. The trip intends to take the participants across five Chinese cities – Suzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Handan and Beijing, and will cover China's ecommerce hubs, the headquarters of companies such as Xiaohongshu Technology and BYD. The influencers will also partake in cultural activities such as taichi and be able to live-stream their trip to the Great Wall, according to the posts. Working with Chinese social media influencers on ideas, and getting their content promoted by China's state media will be part of the deal. Social media content from western influencers travelling through China post-Covid-19 have won praise from the state media for their authentic portrayal of everyday life in the country. In April, American streamer IShowSpeed's visit to China sparked widespread curiosity among fans about advancements in Chinese technology. Authorities have tapped social media influencers to check negative information and promote positive contents. In 2023, think-tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute analysed over 120 foreign influencers, mostly active on Chinese social media, received the state's help to grow their influence in return for content that praises and spreads Beijing's narrative. – Bloombberg
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
From rivalry to realignment, China shifts to seek better fortunes amid trade friction with US
BEIJING: Rather than being fixated on its trade dispute with the United States (US), China is refocusing its efforts towards bolstering ties with non-confrontational partners, including developing nations, to boost trade and investments. Clearly, Beijing is exploring all options to find new markets and export opportunities to mitigate the fallout from the continuing tariff war with Washington, hedging against downside risks by forging links with Southeast and Central Asia, the Gulf, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. China's renewed zest to reach out far and wide was not lost on some 119 journalists from all over the world who joined the three-month China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) programme in the Chinese capital. It was difficult for them not to notice that Chinese authorities -- deeply concerned over the welfare of the nation's 1.4 billion citizens -- realise the need to intensify efforts to reap more economic opportunities. This was clearly evident after China ramped up its presence in high-level summits, forums and trade expos to woo investments and explore trade opportunities as well as alternative markets after the US tariffs announcement in April. A busy calendar for economic diplomacy The list of engagements includes the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighbours, which set the tone for stronger regional engagement; the Hainan Free Trade Port Investment Conference; and the China-ASEAN Media Forum in Luoyang. Beijing also hosted the China-CELAC Ministerial Forum in May to deepen ties with Latin America, followed by the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha in June. From another perspective, such an evolving strategy opens up new space for ASEAN and the 15-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), including Malaysia, to play a bigger role in global trade. After US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping and record-high tariffs on China, Beijing began distancing itself from Washington, turning instead to multilateral platforms, trade corridors, and South-South partnerships From courting Southeast Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, to Africa, Central Asia and Latin America, China is actively expanding its global reach. More recently, it also sought closer ties with New Zealand, which will implement on a trial basis a visa waiver in November for Chinese travellers from Australia holding valid visas The ASEAN Advantage The ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur last month, the RCEP Local Government Forum in Anhui and outreach to oil-rich Gulf countries via ASEAN platforms further underscored this new orientation. In this changing global environment, ASEAN and RCEP find themselves in a favourable and complementary position, more so with China's trade with ASEAN already surpassing its trade with the US in recent years. Now, with RCEP in full force, there's even greater momentum for bolstering intra-Asian trade. The Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimates RCEP could boost regional incomes by over a staggering US$240 billion annually by 2030. China has signalled its commitment to the ASEAN-led framework, praising the bloc's neutrality and centrality in regional affairs. Chinese investments in ports, tech infrastructure, semiconductors and clean energy across Southeast Asia reflect this shift. Looking beyond the West What makes this shift momentous is not just China's pivot but also the opportunity for developing regions to balance superpower rivalry with multilateral gains. By engaging with Latin America through the CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) forum and consolidating economic partnerships with Africa and ASEAN, China is expanding the Global South's role in shaping trade flows. While the US imposes new tariffs, restricts chip technology and limits access to rare earths, China appears increasingly justified in managing its risks by working with partners more focused on mutual gains. A Foreign Ministry official here aptly quoted a Chinese proverb: "A single win is not good, but a shared win is better." It also reflects China's success in galvanising its human resource of more than 700 million workers through sheer tenacity and industriousness – traits which have entrenched its prowess in manufacturing as a global benchmark. Malaysia's role in a shifting trade landscape Closer to home, for Malaysia, China's shifting tides offer both opportunities and responsibilities. With its strategic location, diverse economy and mature trade infrastructure, Malaysia is well-placed to benefit from redirected Chinese investments and supply chain shifts. The recent ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries-China summit in Kuala Lumpur, alongside Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's engagements with China and Gulf leaders, marked a turning point, reinforcing Malaysia's role as a regional connector. Malaysia can attract more manufacturing and tech investments, and as the ASEAN chair, Malaysia also carries the duty to promote unity and openness within the bloc. Nevertheless, rising US-China trade tensions still pose risks to regional stability and global trade flows. Markets did rally after the constructive June 5 phone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, offering temporary relief amid heightened tension. Both countries had earlier agreed on a 90-day tariff rollback deal on May 12. Trump signalled interest in visiting Beijing, while Xi emphasised mutual respect. Observers believe this 'trade chill' offers a brief pause. China's pivot toward ASEAN, RCEP and the Global South, upholding their win-win policy or 'Shuāngyíng', will continue unabated. For Malaysia, this moment is a strategic opening—not only to benefit from trade shifts but also to help shape a more balanced and inclusive regional order.
Barnama
4 hours ago
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore & Vietnam: June 23, 2025
The Indonesian government has strongly condemned a Canadian-based website for listing several islands within Indonesia's territory for sale, declaring the practice illegal and misleading. Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Nusron Wahid said Sunday that no private ownership or sale of entire islands is permitted under Indonesian law, following reports that Private Islands Inc., a website based in Ontario, Canada, was advertising islands in Indonesia to international buyers. State asset fund Danantara is stepping in to provide capital support for state-owned enterprises (SOEs), marking a shift away from direct state-funded injections. While the move is expected to ease the fiscal burden, experts have raised concerns about a potential lack of transparency. MEKONG RIVER ENVIRONMENT -- VIENTIANE TIMES The United Kingdom and the Mekong River Commission partnership will strengthen climate resilience efforts and improve water resource management in Laos. The partnership will enhance regional climate adaptation, water governance, and biodiversity protection. This will benefit communities across the Lower Mekong Basin. 2. LAO TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT ECONOMY -- VIENTIANE TIMES Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone urged provinces to increase domestic food production and reduce imports. The move is to promote a self-reliant economy and transition from a consumer society to a production-oriented market. MYANMAR FOR LOWLAND COFFEE GROWERS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The government will provide technology to families interested in growing coffee on a small scale or for commercial purposes in lowland areas where coffee is widely grown. Authorities are trying to promote more lowland organic coffee cultivation, mostly robusta and liberica varieties. EXPERTS TO FIX DAMAGED BUILDINGS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Chinese cultural heritage preservation experts have completed the inspection of ancient buildings damaged by the earthquake in the Mandalay region. They also discussed with Myanmar authorities regarding renovation of damaged heritage buildings, repair processes and long-term plans. SINGAPORE 1.'SAFETY FOREMOST IN OUR MINDS': FAISHAL IBRAHIM REASSURES SINGAPOREAN STUDENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST -- THE STRAITS TIMES The Government is monitoring developments in the Middle East closely and is working with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to remain in touch with Singaporean students in the region. THREATENS US BASES IN RESPONSE TO STRIKES ON NUCLEAR SITES -- CNA/AFP Iran on Sunday (Jun 22) threatened US bases in the Middle East after massive air strikes that Washington said had destroyed Tehran's nuclear programme, though some officials cautioned that the extent of damage was unclear. VIETNAM POLICY OFFERS HIGHER LOANS FOR FARMERS -- VIETNAMPLUS Farmers are allowed to borrow up to about RM51,000 (US$12,000) starting July 1 without any collateral. The new policy is to promote agriculture and rural development and also simplifies loan applications for farming communities. CHI MINH TO HOST TAEKWONDO TOURNAMENT -- VIETNAMPLUS Vietnam will host the international CJ 2025 Taekwondo Tournament in Ho Chi Minh City from June 26–29. This is the first time that Vietnam is holding a G1-level tournament where more than 100 athletes from 15 countries will participate. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
