KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) — The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) announced the 12th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show is set to return from March 2 to 6 at AsiaWorld-Expo under the “Two Shows, Two Venues” format.
“This year’s twin jewellery shows bring together some 4,000 exhibitors from over 40 countries and regions, with nearly 70 per cent coming from outside Hong Kong.
“The HKTDC presents the world’s largest one-stop jewellery marketplace to highlight Hong Kong’s status as an international trade capital and jewellery sourcing hub,” said its Deputy Executive Director, Jenny Koo in a statement.
Organised by the HKTDC, the marketplace will feature a wide range of jewellery raw materials, while the 42nd Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, to be held from March 4 to 8 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, will showcase finished jewellery pieces.
The twin shows will feature more than 40 themed and industry pavilions, including the debut of the World Gold Council’s Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, which will showcase innovative gold craftsmanship.
In addition, the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd will participate as a pavilion for the first time, while the Zhushan Turquoise pavilion from Hubei will also make its debut.
The Hall of Fame at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show will return this year with more than a 40 per cent expansion in scale, featuring renowned international jewellery brands.
More than 20 seminars and networking sessions will be held, covering industry trends, digital marketing and jewellery technologies.
One of the sessions will examine how artificial intelligence can be applied from design to commercialisation to drive the development of the jewellery industry.
2026 marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN and the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It also coincides with the Year of the Horse in Chinese Spring Festival. On February 5, the “Steeds Herald Spring, Blessings Fill ASEAN” – Spring Festival @ ASEAN Headquarters 2026 was successfully held at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The event, supported by the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to ASEAN, and the ASEAN Secretariat, was hosted by the Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and jointly organized by Guangxi Daily (Guangxi International Communication Center), Guangxi Radio and Television, Guangxi Tourism Development Group, and Guangxi Cultural Industry Group. More than 250 guests attended the event, including envoys from the 11 ASEAN countries and external partners such as the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil, senior officials from the ASEAN Secretariat, representatives from mainstream ASEAN media, local university faculty and students, and representatives from Chinese-funded enterprises.
This marks the first time that Chinese Spring Festival cultural activities have been held at the ASEAN Headquarters. With the deepening of globalization, the traditional festival of Spring Festival is not only a time for family reunions for the Chinese people, but also a new bond for dialogue between different civilizations. The Chinese Spring Festival embodies the philosophy of “harmony and coexistence”, which aligns perfectly with the ASEAN countries’ pursuit of “unity and cooperation”. Furthermore, the sustainable development concept of “rejuvenating the old and welcoming the new” resonates strongly with the ASEAN region’s vision of “common prosperity”.
The event invited guests from around the world to gather together, celebrating the Spring Festival for the Year of the Horse, savoring the flavors of the Chinese Spring Festival, and appreciating the beauty of the arts. The opening performance, “The Beauty of China: Guangxi’s Zhuang Ethnic Charm”, featured a symbolic dance and connected it with a classic excerpt from the Caidiao Opera “Liu Sanjie”, including the “Antiphonal Song”, creating an artistic masterpiece that blends Eastern poetry with innovative ingenuity. The Chinese instrumental performance, “Chinese Chic Performance for Celebrating the Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse”, featured erhu and suona as the main instruments, playing classic melodies such as the theme song from “Journey to the West” and “Black Myth: Wukong”, converging into a “National Trend IP Music Festival”. When Guangxi ethnic instruments, the maguhu (horse-bone fiddle) and the bolie, met Indonesian gamelan, Chinese and Indonesian musicians jointly performed classics like “Jasmine Flower” and “Folk Songs Like Spring River Water” making the phrase “high mountains and flowing water meet a kindred spirit” more concrete and creating a lasting artistic resonance.
During the event, Guangxi Daily (Guangxi International Communication Center), Guangxi Radio and Television, together with ASEAN media such as TVRI, El John TV, and Harian Inhua, jointly launched the China-ASEAN Spring Festival Short Video Exhibition Week. Using short videos as a link, the event showcased the joyous scenes of China and ASEAN countries celebrating the Spring Festival together from multiple dimensions, inviting netizens around the world to jointly celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival as a global festival through the Internet.
On the same day, the “Spring Blessings for Success at the Year of the Horse” Chinese Spring Festival Cultural Exhibition and the “Instant Joy Market” Spring Festival Cultural Market were held simultaneously at the ASEAN Headquarters. Guests from various countries experienced the hospitality of “Tea Harmonies the World” through immersive experiences that included playing, appreciating, and tasting, creating “Ancient Charm and Blessings” calligraphy and painting rubbings, admiring the exquisite paper-cutting art, and enjoying a feast of Spring Festival delicacies from all directions.
The most surprising experience for the guests was exploring the smart future using Guangxi’s cutting-edge AI technology. Guests from various countries experienced intelligent translation devices and wore AR glasses, immersing themselves in barrier-free communication and exploring the thousand-year-old legend of the Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape. Hardy Chung, a reporter from Harian Inhua, remarked that China’s AI technology not only accurately depicted the beautiful scenery of the Spring Festival but also vividly expressed the touching story of ASEAN and China being connected by mountains and seas and sharing good neighborly friendship, presenting a beautiful picture of cooperation towards the future.
On February 4th, two “Instant Blessings” Pop-Up Events were held at the Halim Station of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and the Mall Central Park in Jakarta, Indonesia, creating a festive atmosphere for the Chinese Spring Festival. Performers from Guangxi presented a variety of acts including song, dance, opera, and puppetry, attracting many locals to participate in interactive activities, join in the “Guangxi Kemusan Dance”, and share the joy of the Spring Festival. Yi Yan, a social media blogger traveling and living in Indonesia, exclaimed, “This year’s Spring Festival atmosphere in Jakarta is different!”
This event attracted more than 20 media outlets, including People’s Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group, China News Service, TVRI, METRO TV, bolong.id, and Vietnam News Agency to report on the event and widely spread the concepts of peace, amity, and harmony in the Spring Festival to people at home and abroad.
Source: The Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Caption: Group photo of guests attending the carnival
Credit by Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC)
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Feb 6 (Bernama) — Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) strengthened bilateral relations with Cambodia by hosting a Diplomatic Dinner Reception in collaboration with the Embassy of Malaysia in Cambodia, held in conjunction with Malaysia Healthcare Week Phnom Penh 2026. This inaugural diplomatic engagement in Cambodia for 2026 forms part of the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, themed “Healing Meets Hospitality”. The evening brought together 200 guests, including diplomats from embassies residing in Cambodia, government ministries, corporate representatives, healthcare stakeholders, and local media, providing a platform to deepen dialogue on regional healthcare collaboration. The reception highlighted healthcare as a meaningful bridge between nations, supporting patient mobility, professional exchange, mutual trust, and sustainable partnerships beyond traditional economic cooperation. The engagement also reflected Malaysia’s readiness to support Cambodia’s growing demand for outbound medical travel. As healthcare awareness increases and the need for specialised treatments rises, Malaysia offers Cambodian patients a trusted option that combines clinical quality, cost-effectiveness, and ease of access. The Malaysian Embassy’s involvement underscored Malaysia’s commitment to healthcare diplomacy as a key pillar of bilateral relations.
More than a single event, the reception signalled Malaysia Healthcare’s long-term approach to engagement in Cambodia. It demonstrated a commitment to building enduring relationships with government and industry stakeholders, aligned with broader regional integration and people-to-people connectivity.
This inaugural engagement in Cambodia under MYMT 2026 also reflects Malaysia Healthcare’s wider strategy of strengthening its presence in key regional markets through sustained collaboration rather than one-off promotional activities. The evening encouraged open conversations on evolving patient needs, healthcare trends, and opportunities for future cooperation between healthcare ecosystems in both countries.
As Malaysia leads the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026, initiatives such as this bring to life the spirit of “Healing Meets Hospitality”, combining high-quality medical care with warmth, empathy, and cultural understanding. Through these efforts, MHTC continues to foster long-term partnerships that enhance healthcare standards and improve patient outcomes across the region.
SOURCE: Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Name: Mohamad Shahizam Fauzi Head, Communications Tel: +603 8776 6168 Email: shahizam.f@mhtc.org.my
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) — North Atlantic France SAS has completed the acquisition of ExxonMobil France Holding SAS’s (ExxonMobil) entire stake in North Atlantic Energies, formerly known as Esso Société Anonyme Française SA, representing 82.89 per cent of the company’s share capital and voting rights.
In accordance with French securities law, North Atlantic France announced on Nov 28, 2025, that it will file a simplified tender offer for the remaining shares of North Atlantic Energies not already held by the company, at a price of 28.93 euros per share, and intends to implement a squeeze-out procedure if the required conditions are met. (1 Euro = RM4.66)
The board of directors of North Atlantic Energies has appointed Ledouble SAS, represented by Agnès Piniot and Romain Delafont, as an independent expert to provide a fairness opinion on the financial terms of the offer.
In a statement, North Atlantic France said it will file the offer with the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) after completion of the independent expert’s work and following the publication of North Atlantic Energies’ 2025 annual results, scheduled for March 26, 2026.
The filing is expected in the second quarter of 2026, and the offer will only open after the AMF issues its compliance decision.
North Atlantic has been a market leader in Newfoundland and Labrador’s retail gas, convenience, and fuel sectors for nearly 40 years. Serving domestic, commercial, and industrial clients—including global marine bunkering customers—North Atlantic is known for delivering quality products and services.
The company is committed to strategic growth, green energy solutions, and fostering economic development, while providing innovative fuel and convenience retail initiatives across Canada and beyond.
BATU CAVES, Selangor, Feb 3 (Bernama) — Tourism Malaysia, is taking part in this year’s Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves by establishing a dedicated presence within the exhibition area coordinated by the Thaipusam Taskforce. This initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public engagement while enhancing early visibility for the VM2026 campaign during one of Malaysia’s most significant cultural and religious celebrations.
Members of the public are invited to stop by Tourism Malaysia’s VM2026 booth located opposite the Jalan Ulu Yam signboard to find out more about upcoming activities, attractions and promotional initiatives under the VM2026 campaign.
As a gesture of hospitality, Tourism Malaysia is distributing 10,000 complimentary beverages, sponsored by Spritzer Malaysia, to visitors. The refreshments were distributed to festival-goers, providing comfort and convenience to the large crowds in attendance throughout the festival.
To further enliven the atmosphere, the booth will feature cultural stage performances coordinated by the Thaipusam Taskforce team. These performances showcase Malaysia’s artistic vibrancy and form an important element of the VM2026 campaign, which positions cultural heritage as a core tourism asset.
Tourism Malaysia’s participation in Thaipusam forms part of a broader series of community outreach initiatives under the ongoing VM2026 campaign. These efforts aim to position Malaysia as a premier global destination anchored in diversity, culture and authentic local experiences, in line with the aspiration to welcome 47 million visitors in 2026.
Throughout 2025, Malaysia’s tourism industry continued to demonstrate strong momentum, with international visitor arrivals reaching 42.2 million, an increase of 11.2 per cent compared to 2024. Cultural celebrations such as Thaipusam exemplify Malaysia’s rich multicultural diversity and provide a strong foundation for the success of the VM2026 campaign.
About Tourism Malaysia
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC). It focuses on promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination and has, since its establishment, played a significant role in strengthening the country’s presence and competitiveness in the global tourism landscape.
Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) underscores Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable tourism development, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The campaign aims to showcase the nation’s diverse natural attractions, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant tourism offerings, while driving inclusive growth and long-term value for local communities and industry stakeholders.
For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia’s website http://www.tourism.gov.my and social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok.
