Two young singers from Sabah showcased their talents on an international stage at the Tian Lai Xin Sheng 2026 Global Auditions held in Beijing, China. Among over 700 participants from more than 10 countries and regions, 10-year-old Chloe Chong Zi Han from Keningau and 11-year-old Rainie Wong Jing Ru from Kota Kinabalu achieved notable success.

Chloe, a student at Yuk Kong Chinese Primary School in Keningau, earned a Special Gold Award with a score of 98.76 and was recognized as one of the “Global Top 100 Young Singers.” Rainie achieved a score of 99.46, placing her just ahead in the competition rankings. The auditions marked Chloe’s first overseas singing performance, a milestone she navigated with the support of her family and vocal coach Susheena Yap.

Yap highlighted the additional challenges faced by the contestants, which extended beyond performance pressure. Participants had to acclimate to Beijing’s weather, endure long waiting periods backstage, and maintain concentration in an unfamiliar setting. Despite these obstacles, both singers demonstrated resilience and adaptability.

Beyond the competition, Rainie participated in a five-day, four-night vocal training camp and was selected to perform alongside young Chinese singers for the Tian Lai Xin Sheng television program, which is set to air on BRTV in October. She described the experience as an opportunity to connect with other young performers through music, transcending language barriers.

Keningau Hakka Association president Kapitan Anthony Chong Kong Ming commended the achievements of Chloe and Rainie, viewing them as evidence of the growing potential among young talent in Sabah. Vocal educator JinV Wong, who was the sole Malaysian judge invited to the event, noted that Sabah’s multilingual environment might provide local singers with a distinctive advantage. He suggested that early exposure to multiple languages could enhance their ability to perform across various musical genres and with diverse linguistic styles.

For both Chloe and Rainie, their time in Beijing offered valuable international exposure and opened new possibilities to further develop their singing careers on a global platform.