Renowned Chinese actress and Melaka tourism ambassador Fan Bingbing has been honoured with the Melaka International Cultural Diplomacy Icon Award, recognising her growing role in strengthening cross-cultural dialogue between Malaysia, China and the wider region.
The award acknowledges Fan’s long-standing engagement with Melaka and her contribution to promoting cultural understanding through tourism, creative exchange and public engagement. In a post shared on social media platform X, the actress described the recognition as deeply meaningful.
“Culture connects the world,” she wrote. “Honoured to receive the Melaka International Cultural Diplomacy Icon Award. May dialogue, creativity and understanding continue to connect us across cultures.”
Fan, who holds an honorary Datukship conferred by Malaysia, has maintained close ties with Melaka for several years, frequently visiting the historic state for holidays, official engagements and cultural events.
During her recent visit, she also highlighted the presence of her cosmetics brand, Fan Beauty Diary, in Malaysia. She shared images of a casual visit to a Watsons outlet in Limbongan, Melaka, where her products are sold, thanking Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh for accompanying her.
“Small moments, big meaning,” she wrote, underscoring the symbolic importance of local retail visibility for her brand.
Fan’s regional activities continued in Singapore, where she officially launched Fan Beauty Diary at Watsons Jewel Changi Airport, marking the brand’s second physical overseas market after Malaysia.
Speaking to Singapore media during the launch, Fan offered candid observations about lifestyle differences in the city-state. She noted that Singaporean women tend to prioritise fitness and clean eating, describing them as “healthier” compared to their counterparts in China.
She also acknowledged the higher cost of living in Singapore, jokingly remarking, “It’s expensive here — I’m very real,” while praising the country’s food quality, urban planning and photogenic cityscape.
As a beauty entrepreneur, Fan said she adapts skincare recommendations to tropical climates, emphasising sun protection as essential. She suggested post-sun skincare, such as face masks, for consumers who spend extended time outdoors.
Fan also weighed in on the growing global popularity of C-beauty, or Chinese cosmetics, particularly in Southeast Asia. She described the Singapore market as “ascendant” and drew comparisons with South Korea’s beauty industry.
“K-beauty excels in packaging and visual impact, while C-beauty focuses more on ingredients and effective formulations,” she said.
The Singapore launch attracted significant fan interest, with about 220 attendees at a fan meet that required a minimum spend of S$499 on Fan Beauty Diary products.
Founded in 2018, Fan Beauty Diary follows a path similar to global celebrity brands built by figures such as Rihanna and Kylie Jenner, leveraging personal branding into large-scale beauty enterprises.
Despite a prolonged absence from mainstream Chinese productions following her 2018 tax controversy, Fan has re-established herself in acting. In November 2025, she won Best Actress at the Golden Horse Awards for her performance in the Malaysian film Mother Bhumi.
Balancing acting and entrepreneurship, Fan admitted, remains demanding.
“When I’m not filming, I’m usually working on my brand — thinking about products, testing them and promoting them,” she said.