MELAKA: Popular Chinese actress Datuk Fan Bingbing, who was conferred the Darjah Pangkuan Seri Melaka (DPSM), has pledged to continue promoting the historic city to global tourists.
“I will be here (in Melaka) next month to promote tourism, and I will be travelling here frequently,” she said after receiving the honorary award, which carries the title “Datuk” during the investiture ceremony in conjunction with the birthday of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam yesterday.
Fan said she was elated with the honour and deeply appreciated the recognition by the Melaka government.
“This is such a precious gift to me,” she said.
The actress, best known internationally for her roles in X-Men: Days of Future Past and I Am Not Madame Bovary, also kissed her medal in front of media personnel after the ceremony to express her happiness of receiving it.
She now joins the ranks of international stars previously honoured by Malaysia for their contributions to tourism promotion, including Bollywood actor Datuk Shah Rukh Khan and Hong Kong superstar Datuk Jackie Chan.
On Aug 21, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh told The Star the award was in appreciation of Fan’s influence in drawing visitors to Melaka and creating unprecedented visibility for the state on the global tourism stage.
“She has helped catapult the historic city into the global tourism spotlight, and we deeply appreciate her efforts,” Ab Rauf said.
