Kuala Lumpur: Malaysians have been invited to explore the “ice and snow” attractions of Heilongjiang, China’s northernmost province, during a recent tourism promotion event.
On Oct 15, the “Hello, China” Heilongjiang Ice and Snow Tourism Promotion Event was organised by the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, along with several local cultural and tourism bureaus, the Heilongjiang Ice and Snow Tourism Development Promotion Association, and nine renowned ice and snow tourism sites.
Themed “An Invitation to the Ice and Snow”, the event featured numerous activities, including the unveiling of the Heilongjiang Tourism Overseas Cooperation Promotion Center, the Kuala Lumpur promotion for Heilongjiang’s ice and snow tourism, and the First Working Conference and 2024 Annual Meeting of the Heilongjiang–Southeast Asia Travel Agency Alliance.
This exchange officially opened the door for Malaysian tourists to visit Heilongjiang during the winter season.
Notable attendees included Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general Lee Thai Hung, Counselor Zhao Changtao from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, and Ma Yan, deputy general manager of China Construction Bank (Malaysia) Ltd.
During the signing session, Heilongjiang’s ice and snow enterprises signed five key cooperation agreements with organizations such as the charter flight agency for Malaysia Airlines, the Malaysian Chinese Travel Association, Asia TV, Apple Travel, and Mango New Media.
These agreements cover various areas including ice and snow tourism, educational study tours, and cultural promotion, further deepening cultural and tourism cooperation between China and Malaysia.
Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general Lee Thai Hung giving his speech during the event
In his speech, Lee expressed optimism for future collaboration between the two regions.
“China and Malaysia have highly complementary tourism resources. We maintain close cooperation with Heilongjiang Province.
“Now, with the launch of direct charter flights and the implementation of visa-free policies, travel between our regions will be even more convenient.
“We are full of confidence in the future,” he stated.
Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism director He Jing highlighted the province’s status as a globally important ice and snow tourism destination, with a robust industry system encompassing ice sports, equipment, culture, and tourism.
“Despite the distinct differences in natural environments between Heilongjiang and Malaysia, the two regions’ tourism demands are complementary, and conditions are ripe for ‘mutual pursuit,'” she said, expressing confidence in the promising prospects for future cooperation.
Heilongjiang Ice and Snow Tourism Development Promotion Association president Guo Hongwei noted that last year, Ice and Snow World welcomed 2.71 million visitors, setting a new record.
This year, plans are in place to enhance the experience, especially with the upcoming Ninth Asian Winter Games in Harbin.
A view of the scenery in Harbin during winter.
