China celebrities arrive in Sabah to shoot reality TV show

 

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew (right) garlanding Raymond Lam upon arrival at KKIA. - NSTP/ courtesy of State’s Tourism Ministry

KOTA KINABALU: A group of seven celebrities from Zhejiang TV China — including a Malaysian-born singer-actor — have arrived in town for the shooting of a reality show called "Star Chasers".

The celebrities are singer-turned actor Raymond Lam, actors Wu Chi-Lung, Ding Zhou Jie, Chen Li-Nung, Cai Wen Jing, and Zhou Jie Qiong, as well as Ah Niu, who hails from Malaysia.

The group was greeted by a large group of ecstatic fans upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) on Sunday at 6pm.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew and the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) staff were also on hand to garland them with native bead necklaces.

The celebrities began location shooting at Masakan Sedap Restaurant in Hilltop, Luyang, on the same evening.

They then had a short stay at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru before departing for Manukan Island for the next shoot.

The tour continued with a visit to Shangri-La Rasa Ria in Tuaran.

During the sojourn, the celebrities explored Mari Mari Cultural Village, Cabana Retreat Resort, and 101 Firefly Eco Park before returning home tomorrow.

Liew said the team's nine-day trip to Malaysia, including Sabah, was coordinated by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.

"As (Sabah's) Tourism Minister, I welcome the team of celebrities to Sabah.

"I am happy that they have selected Sabah as one of the three Malaysian states (after Melaka and Pahang) for their show.

"They are aware that Kota Kinabalu is one of the best spots in the world for viewing a beautiful sunset."

Liew said she was optimistic that their upcoming reality show in China would make Sabah known to a wider audience there, and encourage more Chinese nationals to choose the state for their holiday destination.

"While Sabah is better known to the people in first-tier cities in China, there is a need to promote the state to (other) cities."

-nst online.