More than 100 representatives from Malaysian and Chinese media, film, cultural, arts organisations and youth communities attended the event.
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 December 2025 – The Malaysia premiere of “UPanda Cinema” and the launch of the China-Themed Program Showcase Season were successfully held today in Kuala Lumpur. The initiative is jointly guided by the State Council Information Office of China, the National Radio and Television Administration of China, and the Ministry of Communications of Malaysia, and co-organised by the China Intercontinental Communication Center (CICC), Astro Malaysia, and Mango Media Sdn. Bhd.
“The Malay-language ‘UPanda Time’ China Program Showcase Season will offer Malaysian audiences a culturally rich and engaging viewing experience,” said Li Zhuang, Deputy Director-General, External Promotion Bureau, The State Council Information Office of China. He expressed hope that traditional Chinese culture would help strengthen people-to-people ties and enable both countries to better tell the story of China–Malaysia cultural exchange and mutual learning. He added that deeper audiovisual cooperation, including co-production, content exchange and talent development would further broaden channels for mutual understanding. He also highlighted that youth exchanges can serve as an important driving force in solidifying these bonds and opening new pathways for the next ‘Golden 50 Years’ of China–Malaysia relations.
Zheng Xuefang, Minister of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, attended the ceremony and remarked, “China and Malaysia share centuries of friendship, with culture serving as an enduring bridge between our peoples. The launch of ‘UPanda Cinema’ marks a meaningful step in implementing our leaders’ consensus and deepening cooperation in film, television and culture. We believe the diverse programs showcased will help Malaysian audiences better understand China’s history, heritage and development, further strengthening mutual learning and people-to-people ties as we work toward the next ‘Golden 50 Years’ of China–Malaysia friendship.”
Representing the Malaysian government, YB Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications of Malaysia, highlighted that Malaysia and China share longstanding cultural ties that continue to strengthen mutual understanding between our peoples. “UPanda Cinema’ offers Malaysian audiences wider access to Chinese content and opens new opportunities for collaboration in film and television. Our screen industry has attracted over RM1 billion in investments, supported more than 160 projects, created 16,300 jobs, and generated an economic multiplier effect of RM3.5 billion. We look forward to deepening cooperation and advancing a new chapter of bilateral friendship,” said YB Teo Nie Ching.
At the ceremony, representatives from the External Promotion Bureau of the State Council Information Office of China, the Embassy of China in Malaysia, the Ministry of Communications Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia, Astro Malaysia, and CICC jointly officiated the launch of the China-Themed Program Showcase Season.
The showcase season will be broadcast on Astro’s television channels through the Chinese New Year in 2026, featuring a curated selection of outstanding Chinese programs. More than 100 hours of China-themed content will be presented, including
- Drama Series: Flourished Peony, Romance in the Alley
- Documentaries: Master Class, Rediscovering Home Truths
- Animation: MooBoo Cops
- And more programs curated to present a rich cultural viewing experience.
In addition, CICC signed two major film and television cultural cooperation projects with Mango Media Sdn. Bhd. and Juxta Films:
- China–Malaysia Themed Short Drama Co-creation Program,
- China–Malaysia Film and Television Cultural Exchange and Cooperation Agreement
These agreements aim to advance bilateral collaboration in micro-drama co-creation, filming-based partnerships, and industry development. A new China–Malaysia co-produced light-variety program, “Melody Bridge”, was also announced.
The ceremony also featured a performance by Malaysian dancers, incorporating the traditional intangible-heritage craft “Wau Bulan” (Moon Kite) to form the silhouette of a giant panda, symbolising the enduring friendship between Malaysia and China.
First launched in 2021, “UPanda Cinema” (“UPanda Time”) is an international audiovisual platform that collaborates with major local media outlets across more than 20 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, India, South Africa and Central Asian regions, reaching an audience of over 130 million worldwide. The platform actively promotes media partnerships, program distribution, copyright exchange, cultural activities, and creative collaborations globally.
