Melaka, November 2025 – Birkin International Hotel became the setting for the Cheng Ho International Conference 2025 (CHIC 2025), where government representatives, academics and international delegates gathered to discuss historical ties and emerging collaborations between Malaysia and China. The conference was organised by the Melaka State Government through Institut Tun Perak (ITP), in partnership with the Cheng Ho Cultural Museum, Zheng He Research Association Beijing and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
The event brought together several senior state leaders, including State Secretary YB Datuk Wira Azhar bin Haji Arshad; Mr Zheng Xuefang, Minister at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia; YB Datuk Haji Rais Yasin, EXCO for Housing, Local Government, Climate Change and Disaster Management; YB Datuk Wira Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman, EXCO for Tourism, Heritage, Arts and Culture; and YB Datuk Wira Lim Ban Hong, Advisor on China Affairs to the Chief Minister.
CHIC 2025 highlighted ongoing research into the historical connections formed during Admiral Cheng Ho’s voyages to Melaka, while also presenting new academic findings from Malaysian and Chinese scholars. A major announcement during the conference was the signing of a Letter of Intent between ITP and Guangxi Minzu University to strengthen research cooperation.
A Memorandum of Understanding was also exchanged between Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) and Nanjing University of Industry Technology, opening the pathway for the establishment of Cheng Ho College — Malaysia’s first institution dedicated to studies inspired by Cheng Ho’s legacy. The college will focus on high-growth fields including e-commerce, electrical and electronic engineering, artificial intelligence, electric vehicle technologies and aeronautics, while serving as a platform for joint research and academic exchange between both countries.
In addition, the State Government announced plans to host the Cheng Ho Festival 2026, aimed at strengthening Melaka’s cultural identity and showcasing its maritime heritage on a regional stage.
Birkin International Hotel is pleased to support an event that reinforces Melaka’s role in heritage, education and cross-border collaboration.
