Malaysia-Beijing Group of Companies started its business primarily in the travel industry by taking over Bhanli Tour & Travel Sdn Bhd and changing its name to Malaysia-Beijing Travel Services Sdn Bhd (MBTS). The foresight of Dato’ Ng Kek Kiong, Managing Director of MB Group of Companies, led him to believe strongly in the immense potential of the China market given the country’s ancient history and huge population base of 1.3 billion.

Although Malaysia and China established diplomatic relations in 1974, the relationship then was confined to official exchanges only while Malaysian citizens besides those aged 60 and above, were not allowed to visit China. In the early 1980’s...