KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) — The harvest season is in full swing in Longkong Town of Fengdu County, a major orange-producing hub in west China’s Chongqing Municipality, as freshly picked fruit moves rapidly from orchards to nationwide markets through an increasingly modernised supply chain.
At the Common Prosperity Orange Orchard in Nanzhu Village, crates of oranges are transported directly to Fengdu Orange’s integrated production base, where the fruit is cleaned, polished, dried, graded and packaged before being shipped across the country.
According to a statement, to ensure smooth operations during the peak harvest is Bai Xiaohua, director of a local agricultural development professional cooperative, who coordinates picking schedules between orchards and processing facilities while personally overseeing quality control.
Raised among orange trees, Bai founded the cooperative in 2018 to organise scattered growers and promote standardised, large-scale citrus production through unified management.
To strengthen technical capacity, Bai conducts monthly on-site training sessions for farmers and has actively introduced modern practices. After completing professional agricultural programmes and study visits across China, he obtained a drone operation licence in 2020 and pioneered the use of drones for orchard management, which has since been adopted across the cooperative.
His efforts reflect the broader upgrading of Fengdu’s orange industry. Longkong Town now has 25,000 mu of orange orchards, producing more than 30,000 tonnes annually with an output value of 110 million Chinese yuan. Its citrus received National Geographical Indication trademark certification in 2011. (100 Chinese yuan = RM56.58)
Nanzhu Village was named a national speciality product demonstration village in 2019, while Fengdu oranges have been exported to the Middle East and other markets, establishing a strong regional brand.
Countywide, Fengdu Orange covers 52,500 mu, with an annual output reaching 70,000 tonnes and a total income of 150 million Chinese yuan. Through cooperative organisation, digital tools and brand development, the local orange industry is evolving from a traditional speciality into a modern agricultural value chain driving sustained rural prosperity
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) — Mary Kay Inc, a global leader in beauty and skincare direct sales, has entered 2026 with strong momentum, earning the No. 2 spot on Forbes’ 2026 Best Customer Service list.
The recognition follows a standout 2025, during which the company amassed 25 global awards spanning corporate excellence, brand performance, innovation, and social impact.
The Forbes ranking highlights Mary Kay’s customer-centric approach, from seamless digital support to personalised beauty guidance.
“Every interaction with our customers is an opportunity to make someone feel seen, supported, and valued,” said Mary Kay chief executive officer, Ryan Rogers in a statement.
He added that being ranked No. 2 validates the company’s people-powered culture and the dedication of its Independent Beauty Consultants and customer service teams.
Forbes evaluates brands using 3.8 million customer ratings annually, assessing responsiveness, empathy, and service excellence across more than 3,500 brands.
In 2025, Mary Kay was recognised for its corporate excellence, earning accolades such as Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women and America’s Greatest Workplaces, receiving the Forbes Diamonds Award in Poland, and winning the Enterprise of Excellence Award in China.
The brand’s global leadership in skincare and cosmetics was further confirmed by Euromonitor International and Nielsen, ranking Mary Kay No. 1 in multiple markets across Latin America and Mexico, as well as recognition in Europe and China for innovation, social impact, and sustainability initiatives.
Mary Kay’s continued accolades underscore a focus on innovation, direct selling excellence, and meaningful social impact, reinforcing the company’s mission to deliver memorable customer experiences worldwide.
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
