HANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 June 2026 – The inaugural AI+OPC Innovation and Development Conference was held from June 29 to 30 in Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, capital city of east China’s Zhejiang Province. Centered on one-person company (OPC), a new form of smart economy in the AI era, the conference program comprised one opening ceremony and two parallel breakout sessions.
Live from the 1st “AI+OPC” Innovation & Development Conference in Hangzhou
It gathered around 400 delegates from government departments, industry associations, financial institutions, AI enterprises and OPC startup operators across the country. Participants exchanged insights on AI innovation pathways and cross-industry integration strategies, injecting strong impetus into Hangzhou’s ambition to develop a national benchmark hub for AI+OPC entrepreneurship.
A series of key launches and milestone ceremonies took place during the opening segment. Official releases included the 2026 national OPC development observation report, Hangzhou’s 2026–2028 action plan and supporting policies to build a national AI+OPC entrepreneurship hub, and a catalog of actionable AI+OPC application scenarios. Attendees also received an in-depth interpretation of the specifications for AI-enabled OPC community services and evaluation.
The ceremony featured multiple landmark initiatives: plaque awarding for Hangzhou’s priority AI+OPC incubation communities and dedicated observation sites, the official launch of the AI+OPC Community Alliance initiative, and a kickoff marking the official construction of the national AI+OPC entrepreneurship hub.
The open forum session featured keynote speeches from distinguished industry and academic leaders. Speakers included Pan Yunhe, former executive vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at Zhejiang University; Liang Gui, former executive vice governor of Jiangxi Province and ex-director of the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; and Zou Ling, head of Hong Hub, Shangcheng District’s single-member unicorn startup acceleration community, who shared cutting-edge insights from varied perspectives.
A panel dialogue followed, bringing together representatives from Moshu OPC Community (Beijing E-Town), the School of Future Science and Engineering at Soochow University, Qingju Hub · Future Digital Intelligence Port (Shangcheng District), and Puhua Capital for in-depth industry exchanges.
Complementary concurrent events held throughout the conference included an OPC capital-industry matchmaking salon, a symposium on industry-education integration for AI-powered OPC sectors, and a national exchange forum for AI+OPC community practitioners.
OPC has emerged as a vibrant new engine driving economic vitality and underpinning high-quality development. Against the backdrop of a new development era, the inaugural Hangzhou AI+OPC Innovation and Development Conference unites OPC innovators nationwide.
Drawing on the creative energy of millions of independent super-individual operators, the event delivers sustained digital momentum to fuel Hangzhou’s super-individual economy, while rolling out replicable local practices and actionable Hangzhou solutions to advance high-quality growth of smart economies nationwide.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Rated AAA on the China national scale by Lianhe and recently ranked 398th on Forbes Global 2000, up from 1007th in 2022 · Milestone marked by a gong ceremony at the Connect Hall, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, on 30 June 2026
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY and HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 June 2026 – OTP Bank Plc. (“OTP Bank” or “OTP”), the leading banking group in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), today marked the establishment of its EUR 7 billion Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange” or “HKEX”) with a commemorative gong ceremony at the Connect Hall, Hong Kong Stock Exchange. OTP is the first European Union financial institution to open an EMTN programme on the exchange.
Official OTP Bank Gong Ceremony
The EUR 7 billion programme was established on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 28 May 2026, following approval of its base prospectus by Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) on 27 May 2026, allowing the issuer to raise debt in multiple tranches, currencies, structures and maturities over time. For OTP – which holds an AAA issuer rating on the China national scale from Lianhe Ratings, the highest available – it establishes a permanent platform for trading with certain OTP bonds, and later for raising capital from Asian institutional investors.
On 16 June 2026, OTP priced the programme’s inaugural issuance: a EUR 1 billion Tier 2 note, listed in Hong Kong and Luxembourg. It is OTP’s largest-ever bond transaction and, as at the issue date, the largest euro-denominated Tier 2 note issued by a bank in the CEE and wider CEMEA region. The offering drew a peak order book of EUR 4.1 billion – the largest in OTP’s history – and priced at a coupon of 4.625%.
The listing builds on OTP’s growing presence in Asian capital markets. In 2025 OTP issued its first Dim Sum green bond, raising CNH 900 million and becoming the first Hungarian institution to issue a public offshore renminbi green bond, following a CNY 300 million bond in 2024. The Bank has operated a representative office in Beijing since 2017, became a full member of the Asian Financial Cooperation Association (AFCA) in 2024, and maintains a strategic partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
Sándor Pataki, Director of Investor Relations and Capital Markets Operations of OTP Bank, said: “Listing our EMTN programme in Hong Kong is a clear demonstration of OTP Bank’s long-term vision and strategic commitment to international capital markets. Hong Kong excels itself as one of the world’s leading international financial centres, serving as a vital bridge between East and West. For OTP Bank, this is not only an opportunity to access liquidity, but also to deepen relationships and build lasting trust with investors in this dynamic region. The demand we have seen for OTP’s credit, including the record order book for our inaugural issue off the programme, reflects the growing interest in high-quality European issuers.”
As Asian investors increasingly look to Europe to diversify their portfolios, Central and Eastern Europe offers a distinctive proposition: emerging-market growth rates combined with the low-risk profile of the European Union. The region’s attractiveness is reinforced by its convergence towards the eurozone. Three of the five countries in which OTP is the market leader sit at the heart of Europe’s euro-convergence story – Bulgaria, which adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, Slovenia, which adopted the euro years ago, and Hungary, OTP’s flagship market, where the recently elected government aims to create the conditions for euro adoption around 2030.
OTP combines what rarely comes together in European banking: high growth, strong profitability and an ultraconservative balance sheet built for resilience. OTP Group is one of the largest and fastest-growing banking groups in the region, recently ranked 398th on the Forbes Global 2000 list, up from 1007th place in 2022. It pairs an annual organic loan growth of around 15% with a disciplined acquisition record and high profitability – a 2025 return on equity of 21.6% – and with an ultraconservative balance sheet: a leverage ratio well above its European peers, strong capital and liquidity, and one of the most resilient outcomes in the European Banking Authority’s latest stress test. In 2023, OTP became the first European bank to enter Uzbekistan, bringing the total population across OTP’s markets to 110 million.
Sándor Pataki, Director of Investor Relations and Capital Markets Operations of OTP Bank, added: “We believe the combination of growth, profitability and stability is what makes OTP an attractive name for fixed-income investors. This is also reflected in our recent ranking among the world’s top 500 companies by Forbes.These achievements are the result of a consistent strategy: prudent growth, diversified funding sources, and a strong focus on long-term partnerships. Over the decades, OTP Bank has built a solid track record in international debt capital markets, and today’s milestones further strengthen that foundation. Looking ahead, we see significant opportunities to deepen our engagement with Asian investors and institutions. We are confident that this listing will serve as a cornerstone for long-term cooperation, mutual growth, and shared success.” Hashtag: #OTPBank #Banking #Finance #HongKong #Hungary
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
OTP Bank
OTP Group provides universal financial services to 17.5 million customers across 11 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with 40,000 employees and total assets of USD 138 billion. OTP has ranked No. 1 in Central and Eastern Europe by Tier 1 capital in The Banker’s Top 100 CEE Banks for three consecutive years (2023-2025); it was named the second best-performing bank in Europe by S&P Global Market Intelligence and the Best Bank in Central and Eastern Europe by Global Finance. The Group has risen to 398th on the Forbes Global 2000 in 2026 (from 1007th in 2022). OTP Bank has been listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange since 1995. The Bank holds an AAA issuer rating on the China national scale from Lianhe and is rated BBB by S&P.
獲聯合資信授予中國境內AAA評級，並於《福布斯》全球企業2000強（Forbes Global 2000）榜單排名中，從2022年的第1007位躍升至第398位 · 里程碑於2026年6月30日在香港交易所金融大會堂舉行的敲鑼儀式中慶祝
匈牙利布達佩斯及香港特別行政區- Media OutReach Newswire – 2026年6月30日 – 中東歐地區領先的銀行集團OTP Bank Plc.（簡稱OTP銀行或OTP）今日於香港交易及結算所有限公司（簡稱香港交易所或港交所）的金融大會堂舉行敲鑼儀式，慶祝其總值70億歐元歐洲中期票據（簡稱EMTN）計劃在香港交易所正式設立。OTP亦因此成為首家於香港交易所設立EMTN計劃的歐盟金融機構。
是次上市進一步彰顯OTP持續拓展亞洲資本市場的策略佈局。2025年，OTP成功發行首筆點心綠色債券（Dim Sum Green Bond），募集9億元離岸人民幣（CNH），成為首家公開發行離岸人民幣綠色債券的匈牙利金融機構；此前，OTP亦曾於2024年發行3億元人民幣債券。OTP自2017年起於北京設立代表處，並於2024年成為亞洲金融合作協會（AFCA）正式會員，同時與中國工商銀行（ICBC）保持策略合作夥伴關係。
OTP兼具歐洲銀行業中罕見的三大優勢：高增長、強勁盈利能力，以及為韌性而構建的極度保守資產負債表。OTP集團是該地區最大且增長最快的銀行集團之一，於2026年《福布斯》全球企業2000強（Forbes Global 2000）榜單排名中躍升至第398位。OTP實現約15%的年化有機貸款增長，配合嚴謹的收購記錄及高盈利能力 – 2025年股本回報率達21.6%，同時維持遠超歐洲同業的槓桿比率、強勁的資本與流動性，並在歐洲銀行管理局（EBA）最新壓力測試中取得最具韌性的結果之一。2023年，OTP成為首家進入烏茲別克的歐洲銀行，使其業務覆蓋市場的總人口增至1.1億。
Sándor Pataki補充道： “我們相信，增長、盈利能力與穩定性的結合，正是OTP深受固定收益投資者青睞的原因。此優勢亦體現於我們近期躋身《福布斯》全球企業2000強前500名的卓越表現。這些成就是我們一貫策略的成果：審慎增長、多元化資金來源，以及對長期夥伴關係的堅定專注。數十年來，OTP銀行已在國際債務資本市場建立穩固往績，今日的里程碑進一步強化了這一基礎。展望未來，我們看到與亞洲投資者及機構深化合作的廣闊機遇，並深信此次上市將成為長期合作、共同成長與互利共贏的基石。”
FLORENCE, ITALY – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 June 2026 – At the Greenworks European Dealer Conference, Greenworks announced the rollout of its 24V PowerAll power tool range across Europe, marking the completion of its rollout across the United States, Asia-Pacific and Europe. It marks a new phase in its strategy, with power tools becoming a core pillar alongside its established garden tool business. According to Grand View Research, Europe accounted for 23.5% of global power tool revenue in 2025. A German dealer noted that the shift to integrated battery systems has changed customer purchasing behaviour, reflecting broader industry evolution.
“Europe is one of the world’s core markets for power tools and a key pillar of Greenworks’ globalisation strategy. We will continue to improve our local operating system, deepen collaboration with partners and, through the Greenworks Power ecosystem” said Chen Yin, CEO of Greenworks.
The 24V PowerAll platform is built around a unified battery ecosystem designed for both DIY and professional users. It includes a Home DIY product line for everyday household tasks and a Pro line for high-intensity professional applications, serving users from homeowners to electricians, builders and maintenance professionals. The platform covers more than 200 compatible products, enabling one battery to power drills, saws, lawn mowers, pressure washers and vacuum cleaners across multiple categories. It also enables cross-category energy sharing, strengthening long-term user retention and brand engagement.
Based on 24V lithium-ion technology and brushless motor systems, the platform delivers stronger power, longer runtime and higher efficiency. A shared battery architecture also reduces user costs while increasing convenience and cross-category usability. Greenworks has also introduced USB-C fast charging with advanced GaN technology, improving charging efficiency for tools and portable devices.
In Europe, Greenworks is strengthening localisation across channels, supply chain, product portfolio and brand operations. The company continues to expand its European presence while enhancing its Greenworks Commercial offering for professional landscaping and urban maintenance. The European Operations Center in Florence, Italy, plays a key role in improving logistics efficiency and supporting faster response times across regional dealer networks.
Greenworks will continue investing in lithium-ion battery innovation and brushless motor technologies to support sustainable electrification across global markets.
Hashtag: #Greenworks
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
倫敦, 英國 – Media OutReach Newswire – 2026年6月30日 – 斯里蘭卡著名海濱酒吧Smoke & Bitters於2026年度Asia’s 50 Best Bars「亞洲50最佳酒吧」頒獎典禮舉行前，榮獲Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award「Michter’s待客藝術獎」。
此獎項由超過300位Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy「亞洲50最佳酒吧」評審委員會成員投票選出，旨在表彰於過去18個月內提供最卓越服務、為亞洲區賓客體驗樹立新典範的酒吧。
Smoke & Bitters位於斯里蘭卡南部海岸迪克韋勒（Dikwella）的Pehembiya海灘，自2020年1月開業以來名氣日漸上升。於2025年度，Smoke & Bitters在Asia’s 50 Best Bars「亞洲50最佳酒吧」位列No.14，並在The World’s 50 Best Bars「世界50最佳酒吧」第51-100名榜單上名列No.67，成為斯里蘭卡首間登上世界排行榜的酒吧。此外，Smoke & Bitters更連續四年在Asia’s 50 Best Bars「亞洲50最佳酒吧」榜單上榮膺The Best Bar in Sri Lanka「斯里蘭卡最佳酒吧」。
除了餐飲與雞尾酒理念外，待客之道亦是Smoke & Bitters體驗的核心所在。其團隊展現了斯里蘭卡熱情好客的文化，呈獻輕鬆而細緻的服務，營造出悠閒自在的海濱氛圍，讓每位賓客都能領略到真誠款待。這種隨性與細心兼具的平衡，已成為該酒吧的標誌性特色，也是其贏得Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award「Michter’s待客藝術獎」的重要基石。
Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award「Michter’s待客藝術獎」是Perrier贊助的第11屆Asia’s 50 Best Bars「亞洲50最佳酒吧」頒獎典禮舉行前率先公布的兩大特別獎項之一。2026年度Asia’s 50 Best Bars「亞洲50最佳酒吧」的壓軸活動為7月28日在澳門Wynn Palace永利皇宮舉行的實體頒獎典禮，屆時將以紅地毯酒會揭開序幕，隨後將會正式揭曉2026年度The Best Bar in Asia「亞洲最佳酒吧」殊榮得主。
本年度盛會旨在促進酒業社群的對話與創意交流，一系列精心策劃的活動包括展示澳門多元餐飲文化的Bartenders’ Feast「調酒師盛宴」，以及Meet the Bartenders「會見調酒師」專屬媒體圓桌會等。頒獎典禮亦將透過50 Best「50最佳」的YouTube 頻道作現場直播，讓世界各地的酒吧專才和愛好者能於線上參與這項盛事。
關於Asia’s 50 Best Bars「亞洲50最佳酒吧」
Asia’s 50 Best Bars「亞洲50最佳酒吧」於2016年創立，是The World’s 50 Best Bars「世界50最佳酒吧」品牌旗下首個區域性盛事，旨在展示亞洲區最優秀及最具創新精神的酒業人才。年度榜單由Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy「亞洲50最佳酒吧」評審委員會投票產生，該委員會由亞洲各地最具專業知識且遊歷最廣的酒吧從業員、酒類媒體和調酒專家組成。評審委員會成員遍佈亞洲數十個城市，反映不同地區酒吧業的發展程度及重要性，以及亞洲飲品文化的多元面貌。Asia’s 50 Best Bars「亞洲50最佳酒吧」、The World’s 50 Best Bars「世界50最佳酒吧」、North America’s 50 Best Bars「北美50最佳酒吧」及Europe’s 50 Best Bars「歐洲50最佳酒吧」均由William Reed擁有及籌劃，該集團亦是The World’s 50 Best Restaurants「世界50最佳餐廳」、The World’s 50 Best Hotels「世界50最佳酒店」及The World’s 50 Best Vineyards「世界50最佳葡萄園」的主辦機構。
伦敦, 英国 – Media OutReach Newswire – 2026年6月30日 — 2026年度Asia’s 50 Best Bars”亚洲50最佳酒吧”颁奖典礼举行前夕，斯里兰卡著名海滨酒吧Smoke & Bitters荣获Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award“Michter’s待客艺术奖“。
此奖项由超过300位Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy”亚洲50最佳酒吧评审委员会”成员投票选出，旨在表彰于过去18个月内提供最卓越服务、为亚洲地区宾客体验树立新典范的酒吧。
Smoke & Bitters位于斯里兰卡南部海岸迪克韦勒（Dikwella）的Pehembiya海滩，自2020年1月开业以来，知名度稳步提升。2025年度，Smoke & Bitters在亚洲50最佳酒吧位列No.14，并在The World’s 50 Best Bars”世界50最佳酒吧”第51-100名榜单上名列No.67，成为斯里兰卡首家登上世界排行榜的酒吧。此外，Smoke & Bitters更连续四年在亚洲50最佳酒吧榜单上荣膺The Best Bar in Sri Lanka”斯里兰卡最佳酒吧”。
Michter’s待客艺术奖是巴黎水Perrier赞助的第11届亚洲50最佳酒吧颁奖典礼举行前率先公布的两大特别奖项之一。2026年度亚洲50最佳酒吧的压轴活动为7月28日在澳门Wynn Palace永利皇宫举行的颁奖典礼，届时将以红毯酒会揭开序幕，随后将会正式揭晓2026年度The Best Bar in Asia”亚洲最佳酒吧”殊荣得主。
本年度盛会旨在促进酒业社群的对话与创意交流，一系列精心策划的活动包括展示澳门多元餐饮文化的Bartenders’ Feast”调酒师盛宴”，以及Meet the Bartenders”会见调酒师”专属媒体圆桌会等。颁奖典礼亦将通过50 Best”50最佳”的YouTube 频道进行现场直播，让世界各地的酒吧业内人士和爱好者能于线上参与这项盛事。
关于Asia’s 50 Best Bars”亚洲50最佳酒吧“
Asia’s 50 Best Bars”亚洲50最佳酒吧”于2016年创立，是The World’s 50 Best Bars”世界50最佳酒吧”品牌旗下首个区域性盛事，旨在展示亚洲区最优秀及最具创新精神的酒业人才。年度榜单由Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy”亚洲50最佳酒吧”评审委员会投票产生，该委员会由亚洲各地最具专业知识且游历最广的酒吧从业员、酒类媒体和调酒专家组成。评审委员会成员遍布亚洲数十个城市，反映不同地区酒吧业的发展程度及重要性，以及亚洲饮品文化的多元面貌。Asia’s 50 Best Bars”亚洲50最佳酒吧”、The World’s 50 Best Bars”世界50最佳酒吧”、North America’s 50 Best Bars”北美50最佳酒吧”及Europe’s 50 Best Bars”欧洲50最佳酒吧”均由William Reed拥有及筹划，该集团亦是The World’s 50 Best Restaurants”世界50最佳餐厅”、The World’s 50 Best Hotels”世界50最佳酒店”及The World’s 50 Best Vineyards”世界50最佳葡萄园”的主办机构。
The acclaimed island bar becomes the first Sri Lankan venue to receive this prestigious hospitality award
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 June 2026 – Sri Lanka’s celebrated coastal venue Smoke & Bitters has been named winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award in the run-up to Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026.
Voted for by more than 300 members of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy, this award recognises an establishment that has delivered exceptional hospitality over the past 18 months, setting a new benchmark for guest experience across the region.
Located on Pehembiya Beach in Dikwella on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, Smoke & Bitters has risen steadily since opening in January 2020. In 2025, it ranked No.14 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars and No.67 on the extended list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, becoming the first bar in Sri Lanka to feature on the global ranking. The venue has also been named The Best Bar in Sri Lanka on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for four consecutive years.
The brainchild of co-founders Don Ranasinghe and Lahiru Perera, Smoke & Bitters was created to showcase Sri Lanka’s culinary heritage and ingredients through a contemporary cocktail and dining experience. Their commitment to authenticity means all dishes are cooked using traditional wood fire – either smoked or chargrilled – as signified by ‘Smoke’ in the name, while ‘Bitters’ reflects bitters from indigenous Sri Lankan herbs and spices which dominate a cocktail menu inspired by myriad global cultures.
Beyond its culinary and cocktail philosophy, hospitality lies at the core of the Smoke & Bitters experience. Reflecting Sri Lanka’s culture of warmth and generosity, the team delivers service that is relaxed yet attentive, creating an easy-going beachfront setting where guests feel genuinely welcomed. This balance of informality and care has become a defining feature of the bar and underpins its recognition with the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award.
The drinks menu draws inspiration from early Tiki pioneers while integrating local ingredients and techniques. Signature serves such as the Bananarama combine smoked wild bee honey with Rockland arrack, banana peel, falernum and smoked hellfire bitters, reflecting the bar’s flair for layering smoke and spice. The playful Mai Chai blends Ceylon chai tea with rum, triple sec, spiced orgeat and chai syrup, lifted by elemakule tiki bitters, while Pani Like Dodang balances Sri Lankan sweet orange and gin with ginger honey, triple sec, salt and pepper, mint and orange bitters. The bar has become recognised for its ingredient-led cocktails built around seasonal local produce such as rambutan, mangosteen and woodapple, underscoring its commitment to celebrating Sri Lanka’s natural bounty.
Emma Sleight, Director of Content & Creative for Asia’s 50 Best Bars, says: “Smoke & Bitters has played a pivotal role in redefining perceptions of Sri Lanka’s bar scene. Its commitment to local ingredients, open-fire cooking and heartfelt hospitality creates an experience that feels both deeply personal and globally relevant. Congratulations to Don, Lahiru and the entire team on this well-deserved recognition.”
Don Ranasinghe & Lahiru Perera, Co-Founders of Smoke & Bitters say: “It’s honestly pretty crazy to receive the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award and see Sri Lankan hospitality being recognised on this level. We’ve always believed there’s something really special about the way people welcome and look after you on our island, so this means a huge amount not just to our team, but to the wider hospitality community in Sri Lanka as well. From day one, Smoke & Bitters has been about creating a warm, relaxed space genuinely rooted in our culture—so to be recognised for our hospitality is incredibly meaningful.”
Matt Magliocco, Executive Vice President for Michter’s, says: “Congratulations to Don Ranasinghe, Lahiru Perera, and the entire Smoke & Bitters team on winning the Art of Hospitality Award. Smoke & Bitters has become recognised as a destination for thoughtful hospitality, and we’re delighted to celebrate this well-deserved achievement.”
The Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award is the first of two special accolades to be announced ahead of the 11th edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier. The 2026 edition will culminate in a live awards ceremony at Wynn Palace, Macau on 28 July, featuring a red-carpet celebration and the official unveiling of The Best Bar in Asia 2026.
This year’s programme is designed to encourage dialogue and creative exchange within the drinks industry, with curated events such as the Bartenders’ Feast, highlighting Macau’s vibrant food and beverage culture, and Meet the Bartenders, an intimate media roundtable. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the 50 Best YouTube channel, allowing bar professionals and enthusiasts around the world to take part virtually.
About Asia’s 50 Best Bars
Asia’s 50 Best Bars is the first regional event of The World’s 50 Best Bars brand, created in 2016 with the purpose of showcasing the best and most innovative talent in the drinks industry in this region. The annual ranking is based on the votes of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy, comprising the most knowledgeable and travelled members of the bar industry, drinks media and mixology experts from across Asia. The Academy spans dozens of cities across the continent, reflecting the relative development and importance of bar scenes in different locations and the diversity of the drinking scene in Asia. Asia’s 50 Best Bars, The World’s 50 Best Bars, North America’s 50 Best Bars and Europe’s 50 Best Bars are owned and organised by William Reed, the group behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, The World’s 50 Best Hotels and The World’s 50 Best Vineyards.
About the host destination partnersWynn Macau and Wynn Palace
Wynn Macau is a luxury integrated resort in Macau with two iconic towers featuring a total of 1,014 spacious rooms, luxury retail, 11 food and beverage outlets, two spas, a salon and a pool. The resort proudly boasts three distinct entertainment experiences, including the choreographed Performance Lake, blending lofty plumes of water, gracefully choreographed, powerful LED lights and fire effects.
Wynn Palace is Wynn’s second luxury integrated resort. Located in the Cotai area, it features a 28-storey hotel with 1,706 exquisitely furnished rooms, versatile meeting facilities, renowned luxury retail, 12 food and beverage outlets, an upmarket food hall featuring 6 standalone restaurants and a variety of additional food offerings, Macau’s largest spa, a salon and a pool. The resort also features a variety of entertainment experiences, including the dazzling eight-acre Performance Lake, the unique SkyCab, an immersive entertainment center, largescale floral sculptures and an extensive collection of Western and Asian art displays.
Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Michter’s celebrates an extraordinarily rich heritage tracing back to 1753. The Michter’s team spares no expense in its efforts to produce the greatest American whiskey possible, with tremendous attention given to every step in the production process. Michter’s has received extensive critical acclaim for its line of Bourbon, Rye, Sour Mash, and American whiskeys.
Our Partners
Wynn Resorts Macau – Official Host Destination Partner
Perrier – Official Water Partner, sponsor of The Best Bar in Asia
SevenRooms – Official Booking Platform Partner, sponsor of SevenRooms Best Bar Design Award
Doordash – Official Delivery Partner
Michter’s – Official American Whiskey Partner, sponsor of Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award
Nikka Whisky – Official Whisky of the World Partner, sponsor of Nikka Highest Climber Award
Ketel One – Official Vodka Partner, sponsor of Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award
Three Cents – Official Mixers Partner, sponsor of Three Cents Best New Opening Award
Siete Misterios – Official Mezcal Partner, sponsor of Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award
NOAM – Official Beer Partner
Roku Gin – Official Gin Partner, sponsor of Roku Industry Icon Award
Altos Tequila – Official Tequila Partner, sponsor of Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award
Cointreau – Official Orange Liqueur Partner, sponsor ceremonial scarves
Rémy Martin – Official Cognac Partner, sponsor of Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award
Langjiu – Official Baiju Partner
Torres Brandy – Official Brandy Partner, sponsor of a Best in Destination Award
Monkey Shoulder – Official Scotch Whisky Partner, sponsor of a Best in Destination Award
Disaronno – Official Italian Liquor Partner, sponsor of a Best in Destination Award
Amaro Lucano – Official Amaro Partner
Campari – Official Bitters Partner
Mancino Vermouth – Official Vermouth Partner
Back to the Roots – Official Root Beer Liqueur Partner
World Cup Fever Returns: Learning Emotional Management on the Pitch
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 June 2026 – The four-yearly World Cup is in full swing, and the football fever once again sweeps the globe. The pitch has long been known as a “proving ground” for heroes; even for world-class players with years of experience, the joy of scoring a goal is often balanced by the sight of others in tears, frustrated by a defeat. The prowess of these players will be etched into the hearts of countless children, inspiring a lifelong love for the sport.
Save the Children Hong Kong firmly believes that the football pitch is more than just a venue for competition—it is an ideal classroom for Social-emotional Learning. For eight-year-old Kai-long, the setbacks and failures experienced on the pitch have proven far more vital to his personal growth than mastering technical skills or perfecting “step-overs”.
The Play to Thrive programme empowers children to master emotional management and communication skills while staying active in sports. Compared to a “Zidane turn”, these are the skills that will truly serve them for a lifetime.
On the training ground, eight-year-old Kai-long’s skills are clearly “a cut above the rest”. From the way he carries the ball to the power of his strikes, he already carries himself like a mini professional. During internal matches, he frequently finds the back of the net, scoring multiple goals for his side.
However, the moments that truly bring a smile of approval to the coaches and teachers are not Kai-long’s technical displays, but his small yet heart-warming gestures. For instance, he is seen helping teammates by steadying the inflatable goalposts during shooting drills. Even when knocked down during a match, if the coach does not blow for a foul, Kai-long doesn’t complain; he simply brushes it off with a smile and gets straight back to chasing the ball.
When Excellence Becomes a Burden: Children Trapped by the Need to Win
“He has a personality that tends to be quite fixated on winning and losing. Because of his own performance, or because his classmates’ performance didn’t meet his expectations, he would sometimes experience emotional ups and downs,” explains Mr. Lui, the PE teacher. He admits that while Kai-long’s football skills are outstanding, his stubborn nature previously caused friction with teammates and classmates. Mr. Lui noted that since Kai-long was already a member of the school’s reserve team, he recommended him for the Play to Thrive programme not to “learn football”, but in the hope that he would learn how to get along with others.
Consequently, what moved Mr. Lui the most was not Kai-long’s “goal-scoring show”, but his reaction during a match when other students deliberately moved the inflatable goalposts. Instead of complaining or losing his temper as he might have done in the past, Kai-long continued to play with a smile on his face. “Previously, he might have called it unfair or had an emotional outburst, but today he didn’t complain; he even found it quite funny. He is no longer fixated on winning or losing.”
In the eyes of his father, Chung, Kai-long has been a child with extremely high expectations of himself and a drive for perfection since he was young. “Whether it is schoolwork or his behaviour, he hopes to be a good role model and be very well-behaved.” However, Chung also mentioned that this perfectionist streak serves as a source of pressure for Kai-long.
Interpersonal Skills Are More Important Than Footballing Ability
Chung admits that Kai-long used to be very fixated on winning and losing: “In the past, if he lost a game of football against his elder brother, he would be resentful; when he was younger, he even tried to hit him.” While it is natural to crave goals and seek victory on the pitch, Chung also believes that how one treats others and interacts with peers is a vital part of growing up, which is why he enrolled Kai-long in Play to Thrive.
“Football is a natural educational tool,” says Ms. Wong Shek Hung, Director of Hong Kong Programmes at Save the Children Hong Kong. She explains that experiencing victory, defeat, and frustration is inevitable in sports, providing the perfect opportunity for children to learn emotional management. She adds that Play to Thrive originated from a community football programme developed by Save the Children UK for children in Jordan and Indonesia.
The core of the programme lies in integrating Social-emotional Learning into football training to help children build five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Furthermore, the programme is open to all children regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background, allowing them to master self-awareness, emotional regulation, and team communication skills within a diverse and inclusive environment.
No Ordinary Football Training
As this is unlike conventional football training, every coach is required to undergo professional training covering “Child Safeguarding” and emotional support knowledge. Ms. Wong Shek Hung notes that during the “debriefing” session at the end of each practice, coaches guide the children to reflect on their experiences on the pitch, attempting to translate these moments into emotional literacy. The ultimate goal is “to let children learn how to become ‘masters of their own emotions’.”
Demonstrating Personal Growth and Cultivating Leadership Skills
Mr. Lui noticed that after joining the programme, Kai-long not only showed progress in his personal emotional management but also learned how to consider things from others’ perspectives. During PE lessons, Kai-long has become more willing to take the initiative to help his classmates and has learned to accept teammates with different abilities, even proactively coaching others. “He gets along with his classmates much more harmoniously now; the barriers that existed before have disappeared,” Mr. Lui remarked. He further revealed that Kai-long’s form teacher, having observed this growth, officially appointed him as a class monitor for the second term.
His father, Chung, observed that since joining the programme, Kai-long has demonstrated a level of resilience rarely seen before. He recalled a match where Kai-long served as both captain and goalkeeper; even when facing conceded goals and falling behind, “his first instinct wasn’t to feel discouraged, but rather to keep encouraging his teammates from the back to keep running and keep attacking.”
Ms. Wong Shek Hung reaffirmed that this is precisely the philosophy of Play to Thrive: “We emphasise ‘Football Second, Growth First’, ensuring that even if children lose a match, they learn to handle their emotions, communicate, and cooperate throughout the process.”
Building Resilience: Transforming Lives Through Football
Ms. Kalina Tsang, CEO of Save the Children Hong Kong, stated that she has always believed football is a powerful tool for building resilience in children: “We have always been concerned about children’s physical and mental well-being. Football is more than just a sport; beyond honing technical skills, it can be used to build a child’s resilience. By combining football training with Social-emotional Learning, and under the guidance of professionally trained coaches, Play to Thrive ensures that the sweat shed by children on the pitch is transformed into self-awareness and emotional management skills.” Ms. Tsang also noted that Kai-long’s growth perfectly embodies the programme’s success. She said, “We are deeply gratified to see Kai-long progress from initial emotional fluctuations to confidently cooperating with teammates and facing victory or defeat positively—improving both on a personal level and in his interactions with peers.”
As for Kai-long himself, it is difficult for an eight-year-old to describe his transformation in detail. But when asked what was different about him, he said with an innocent smile, “I used to blame my teammates for not passing the ball, but now I’ve learned not to. I tell them: ‘It’s okay, pass it again next time. We’ll win the ball back together.’”
Launched in Hong Kong in 2023, the Play to Thrive programme is a service that integrates Social-emotional Learning with football training. It aims to create a safe and supportive space for schoolchildren, promoting their physical, social, and mental health through sport. The programme currently operates across various districts in Hong Kong, including community teams in areas such as Sham Shui Po and Tin Shui Wai. The school-based project collaborates with over 30 primary schools across the territory, integrating football training into school life to help students recognise and manage their emotions, build healthy interpersonal relationships, and enhance their confidence and resilience. In response to the current situation where up to 39% of primary and secondary students in Hong Kong face mental health challenges, the programme places special emphasis on SEL to help children master effective communication and emotional management both on and off the pitch.
In 2025 alone, the community and school projects of Play to Thrive held a total of 744 training sessions, with total service hours exceeding 1,000 hours. The programme reached 1,120 children and their families across Hong Kong, establishing close partnerships with 32 schools and 4 non-profit organisations. In terms of impact assessment, participant satisfaction was high, with satisfaction rates for the community and school projects reaching 80% and 75%, respectively.
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Save the Children Hong Kong
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Hong Kong and around the world, we do whatever it takes – every day and in times of crisis – so children can fulfil their rights to a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. With over 100 years of expertise, we are the world’s first and leading independent children’s organisation – transforming lives and future.
Established in 2009, Save the Children Hong Kong is part of the global movement which operates in around 100 countries. We work with children, families, schools, communities and our supporters to deliver lasting change for children in Hong Kong and around the world.
XI’AN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 June 2026 – The world’s first commercial multimodal large language model (LLM) for cultural tourism, called BoGuan, has entered broad application in Xi’an, China. This model generates commercial returns by supporting the creation of digital IP for intangible cultural heritage, the development of cultural tourism applications, and the improvement of short drama production. This is injecting new momentum into both China’s heritage preservation initiatives and the cultural tourism industry.
A visitor tries out the BoGuan-powered AI photography app
Xi’an is one of China’s oldest cities and one of its most popular international tourist destinations. Shaanxi Culture Industry Investment Group (SCG) is working with partners like Huawei, China Telecom Shaanxi, and China West Airport Group (CWAG) to promote cultural tourism using digital technologies including AI and 5G-A.For example, BoGuan is used to support a new AI travel companion agent that had been made available to over 4 million users by March of this year.
In September 2025, SCG and Huawei unveiled the BoGuan Large Model, the world’s first commercial multimodal LLM for cultural tourism. It is also China’s first industry-specific model dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage. This model is built on intelligent computing infrastructure and a high-quality dataset. The dataset has over 1.2 PB of data, including 31 million images, 4.4 million minutes of video footage, 2.18 million minutes of audio recordings, 510 3D models, and 960 million pieces of structured text.
BoGuan can generate highly-accurate multimodal content, such as museum-quality content about cultural relics. This allows it to support the creation of new digital relic presentations, the digitalization and preservation of traditional craftsmanship, and the creation of digital IP for intangible cultural heritage. Zhang Beiyuan, a dough sculpture artisan, said, “With this model, I can complete a dough sculpture that used to take two or three months in less than a week.” BoGuan is also used to create digital IP like the popular cartoon character Tang Biaobiao, which is designed by integrating local cultural heritage elements with the stone carvings of the Six Steeds of Zhao Mausoleum. The sales of related digital collectibles and creative products have exceeded CNY2 million.
In addition to supporting cultural heritage preservation, BoGuan has been used to develop a range of cultural tourism apps, such as AI photography and AI travel companion agent. Visitors can directly talk with this agent on the GO-SHAANXI app to create and adjust travel itineraries and get real-time performance recommendations at attractions. The Zhiying Camera mini program provides paid services that instantly integrate user photos with AI-generated scenes from history, allowing visitors to “travel back to ancient times.” These new consumption options unlock the business value of quality cultural tourism data. Furthermore, SCG is using BoGuan to integrate short drama production with cultural tourism and improve production efficiency and quality in Xi’an, a renowned short drama hub.
Additionally, China Telecom Shaanxi and Huawei have deployed a 5G-A network based on three component carrier aggregation (3CC) technology at Xi’an’s Grand Tang Mall, a popular tourist attraction. The network delivers peak uplink and downlink rates of 600 Mbps and 3.5 Gbps, respectively, about 10 times faster than common 5G networks. During the 2026 May Day holiday, this network supported concurrent access for 23,000 users, guaranteeing smooth video watching and social media experiences. Furthermore, 5G-A-powered HD live streaming at the Grand Tang Mall has become an important way for the attraction to bring in new visitors. According to public data, the average user dwell time of these live streams has nearly doubled and the average transaction value has increased by 62%.
Edric Chu, General Manager of Huawei’s Shaanxi Rep Office, giving a speech
Edric Chu, General Manager of Huawei’s Shaanxi Rep Office, said, “Artificial intelligence is not simply a stack of technologies. It has become a key enabler that can activate thousands of years of cultural heritage, reshape travel experiences, and inject new momentum into the industry. Moving forward, Huawei will continue working with our partners to enhance cultural heritage preservation with digital and intelligent technologies, and stimulate development within the cultural tourism industry.”
Hashtag: #Huawei
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