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RENN Asia Wellness (RENN), a home-grown brand focusing on Nutritional and Functional Medicine (NFM), is pioneering Malaysia-China cooperation in this field with the opening of a centre in Guangzhou, China.

In collaboration with Jian Shi Tang (JST) of Guangzhou and adopting its Malaysian-developed NFM clinical framework, RENN will operate a first-of-its-kind wellness centre at the prestigious Leatop Plaza in Tianhe District of Guangzhou.

This collaboration places Malaysia among the first in the region to export a full chronic-disease management model to China, starting with diabetes care.

China is grappling with one of the world’s largest diabetes epidemics, estimated at more than 140 million adults. Rising complications and healthcare expenditures have accelerated the search for preventive and functional medicine solutions capable of reducing long-term disease progression.

Despite strong national efforts, persistent gaps remain in preventive and functional care models, particularly those that integrate nutrition, root-cause investigation, lifestyle medicine, personalised diagnostics, and long-term monitoring. The introduction of a Malaysian-developed NFM framework is seen as a strategic complement to China’s evolving healthcare reforms.

The Malaysian-led NFM initiative offers a structured, root-cause focused alternative. Rather than merely managing symptoms, NFM emphasises personalised assessment, lifestyle and nutrition intervention, metabolic optimisation and preventive care. By doing so, it aims to stabilise or even reverse elements of metabolic dysfunction, a critically needed tool in China’s fight against chronic disease.

RENN Asia will supply not only the NFM protocols and programme design but also experienced Malaysian practitioners as advisers for the initial launch phase. This approach ensures that the first centre accurately reflects the rigorous standards and holistic philosophy developed in Malaysia through years of clinical experience.

“Bringing a Malaysian-refined NFM framework into China shows that we can be a provider of practical healthcare solutions to other nations. Our role is not only to export knowledge, but to support JST in building a system that can sustainably transform community health outcomes in Guangzhou and eventually across China,” said Jonathan Chew, Founder and CEO of RENN.

“For JST, we see tremendous potential in RENN Asia’s NFM framework. Its emphasis on personalised assessment and root-cause intervention aligns with the future direction of healthcare in China,” said JST lead medical practitioner Dr Dai Qi Ming.

Both organisations plan to scale the partnership to other chronic conditions once the diabetes programme demonstrates stable outcomes. Future expansion areas include cardiovascular disease, liver and metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, and allergy-related conditions — all of which contribute significantly to China’s rising chronic disease burden.

The joint initiative aims to generate long-term impact by reducing avoidable complications, lowering treatment costs, and improving clients’ independence and quality of life. Through this collaboration, Malaysia’s contribution extends beyond clinical expertise to knowledge export, professional capacity building, and regional health innovation.

Taylor’s Education Group (TEG), has launched Lexel International Schools, a new model of international education designed to make globally benchmarked learning more accessible to Malaysian families. Lexel, a merging of the words “lexicon” and “excellence,” has been designed to inspire students to build their own bodies of knowledge and pursue excellence in everything they do.

This initiative builds on the 2024 strategic partnership between TEG and Gamuda Land, combining Taylor’s academic excellence with Gamuda Land’s township development expertise. The collaboration integrates affordable private education into master-planned communities, enhancing quality of life and long-term value. Lexel’s first campus at the township of Gamuda Gardens offers students a unique campus with well-lit, large classrooms, labs, as well as a library, multi-purpose hall, and canteen, amid the town centre and with easy access to township amenities including an Olympic-length swimming pool, Wellness Centre, indoor badminton courts, and extensive parks, walking trails, and water features.

Malaysia’s private and international school sector has grown rapidly over the past decade. Between 2019 and 2024, local student enrolment in international schools increased by 34%, driven by a growing middle class and rising demand for globally relevant, English-medium education. At the same time, Malaysia’s national plan continues to strengthen its position as a regional education hub, with the government targeting 250,000 international students by 2025.

Despite this growth, many families face barriers such as high tuition fees and limited proximity to reputable schools. Lexel International Schools bridge this gap by offering internationally benchmarked education at an accessible price point, supported by holistic facilities and community infrastructure within Gamuda Land’s township.

Speaking at the launch, Karl Engkvist, President of Taylor’s Education Private Limited, emphasised the strategic importance of expanding access to international education as part of Taylor’s long-term growth and social impact agenda. “Taylor’s has always been committed to shaping the future of education in Malaysia and beyond. Lexel International Schools represents a strategic step in delivering high-quality international education at an affordable price point. By leveraging our academic expertise and operational excellence, we are creating a scalable model that aligns with our vision to educate the youth of the world and prepare them for global opportunities.”

The new Lexel campus at Gamuda Gardens expands Taylor’s education ecosystem beyond its nine established institutions in Southeast Asia, which collectively serve more than 34,000 students annually. Lexel upholds academic excellence by drawing on proven frameworks from Taylor’s institutions in Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, supported by the expertise of Taylor’s University School of Education. This approach ensures world-class facilities and quality education while keeping fees significantly lower.

Wong Siew Lee, Chief Operating Officer of Gamuda Land, underscored the role of education in driving sustainable community development and long-term value creation. “For us at Gamuda Land, building a township has always been more than constructing homes or designing beautiful parks. It’s about building a place where life can truly happen for a community.”

“That is why weaving reputable education partners into our masterplan is such an important part of what we do. We’ve always believed that a great township is defined by the people and partners we bring in. Whether it’s education, retail, wellness, or lifestyle — the right partners help us create places where our residents have everything they need, right here at home,” Wong added.

In 2026, Lexel plans to open its second flagship campus in Gamuda Cove, further strengthening its presence and expanding access to affordable international education. Beyond these two campuses, the brand also aims to grow nationwide and into regional markets, creating a network of schools that deliver consistent quality and inclusivity.