HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 July 2026 – XTransfer, the world’s leading B2B cross-border trade payment platform, is proud to announce it has been named, for the first time, to CNBC’s 2026 list of the World’s Top Fintech Companies (Payments Segment). The inclusion not only recognises XTransfer‘s ongoing commitment to empowering SMEs with secure, efficient and accessible cross-border payment solutions, but also highlights its growing influence in the industry.
XTransfer Named to CNBC’s World’s Top Fintech Companies 2026
The annual ranking, produced in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, recognises the most innovative and high-impact fintech firms globally.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our team and the trust our customers and partners place in us every day,” said Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer. “Cross-border financial operations can be complex, especially for SMEs. We focus on solving the real operational challenges behind international payments, reducing friction, improving visibility, and strengthening risk controls, so businesses can concentrate on growth.”
XTransfer‘s inclusion underscores the company’s growing role in the global payments ecosystem and its long-term mission to make cross-border trade payments simpler, safer, and more accessible for SMEs worldwide. XTransfer will continue to invest in compliance and product innovation, while deepening collaboration with top-tier financial institutions to help more businesses trade globally with confidence.
CNBC’s World’s Top Fintech Companies list evaluates thousands of firms across seven key segments, including Payments, Digital Assets, and Enterprise Technology. Companies were assessed based on quantitative KPIs, growth metrics, and industry influence, with data sourced from public reports, company submissions, and independent research.
Based on the results of the study, XTransfer is honoured to be recognised on CNBC’s World’s Top Fintech Companies 2026 list. View list here.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
XTransfer
XTransfer, the world’s largest B2B cross-border trade payment platform with over US$60 billion TPV in 2025, according to CIC. Founded in 2017 as one of the first payment platforms worldwide dedicated to B2B cross-border trade, we serve the largest customer base of over 890,000 registered SMEs globally.
We connect top-tier financial institutions directly to SMEs, the backbone of global trade, giving businesses of every size access to the same secure, compliant and seamless payment infrastructure once reserved for multinationals. As of March 31, 2026, we provide payment services across more than 200 countries and regions through partnerships with financial institutions, including some of the most established international banks around the world.
A six-role In-Home Service model brings maternal-and-infant support, freshly prepared meals, scheduled home visits, recovery services and household coordination into one experience
SINGAPORE – EQS Newswire – 31 July 2026 – Confinement care is familiar to generations of Singapore families. What is changing is the life around it: households are more private, expectations are more individual, couples share parenting in new ways, and mothers increasingly want traditional support without becoming the project manager of multiple caregivers and service providers.
SAINT BELLA’s In-Home Postpartum Care Program responds with a team-based model available across Singapore. Rather than asking one confinement nanny to carry every dimension of postpartum life, the program organizes six distinct roles around one family and one coordinated care plan.
A maternal-and-infant care nanny provides 24-hour one-on-one support with Nurse providing daytime visits for additional support; well-curated confinement food delivery; and a family physician, postpartum recovery specialist, service concierge and location manager participate through scheduled visits and coordination. Programs start at 28 days. The in-home service is scheduled to officially launch across Singapore in mid-August 2026.
From a single caregiver to a coordinated postpartum team
The traditional confinement nanny remains a valued part of Singapore’s postpartum culture. SAINT BELLA’s model is not built on rejecting that tradition. It begins with a different operational question: should one person be expected to manage newborn routines, maternal support, meals, recovery arrangements, family communication and the changing needs of an entire household?
In-Home Postpartum Care distributes those responsibilities. Each role contributes within a defined scope, while the service concierge serves as a central point of coordination. For the family, the benefit is not simply a longer list of services. It is the reduction of complexity at a time when the mother’s attention should not be consumed by schedules, vendors and handovers.
“The true luxury of postpartum care is not excess. It is the feeling that everything has been considered, that the right support arrives at the right time, and that the mother does not have to orchestrate it herself.”
— Danny Xiang, Founder of SAINT BELLA
Care that arrives without displacing family life
At home, recovery unfolds in the comfort of familiar surroundings, where mothers remain close to their partners, families and newborns during life’s most precious first weeks. Each family’s experience follows a personalized rhythm – shaped by their home, lifestyle and individual needs.
Each day is thoughtfully designed to nurture both mother and baby. Fresh, restorative meals are prepared according to SAINT BELLA’s signature four-stage postpartum nutrition philosophy, while a dedicated maternal-and-infant care nanny provides attentive support with newborn feeding, burping, soothing, bathing and age-appropriate developmental interaction. Alongside newborn care, mothers receive personalized non-medical postpartum support to encourage comfort, confidence and recovery.
The experience is further complemented by scheduled visits from postpartum recovery specialists, access to a family physician should additional newborn assessment be required, and dedicated check-ins from the location manager – ensuring every family receives seamless, coordinated care with the reassurance of an expert team throughout their postpartum journey.
Global standards, interpreted through Singapore
The Singapore program combines SAINT BELLA’s maternal-and-infant care framework with elements that are locally resonant. Its recovery offering may include services drawing on Singapore’s JAMU tradition, alongside selected international skincare and body-care approaches, subject to consultation and individual suitability.
Nutrition remains equally central. Meals are prepared fresh and delivered using a phased approach intended to support the changing needs of the postpartum period. The emphasis is not on rigid restriction, but on warm, considered nourishment and a rhythm of care that can be adapted to the mother.
Caring for the mother, not just the baby
SAINT BELLA also brings its Bella Arts concept into the residence through curated music, reading and art-inspired experiences. These elements distinguish the program from a purely functional care arrangement. They recognize that postpartum recovery is not only a schedule of meals, sleep and physical milestones; it is also an emotional passage in which a woman may need quiet, beauty and a sense of continuity with herself.
This philosophy is captured in SAINT BELLA’s belief that care for the baby begins with care for the mother. By combining familiar confinement values with a coordinated contemporary service model, In-Home Postpartum Care Program proposes a new standard for families who want the depth of traditional support, delivered with greater structure, privacy and personal choice.
In-Home Postpartum Care Program is available across Singapore, with programs starting at 28 days. Program inclusions, home suitability, professional visits and service availability are confirmed through an individual consultation.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About SAINT BELLA Group
Founded in 2017, SAINT BELLA Group provides premium postpartum care, recovery, in-home family services and women’s nutrition products across Asia and international markets. Its philosophy, “Loving You Is Loving Life,” places the mother’s dignity and long-term wellbeing at the center of family care.
Singapore availability: private-residence service across Singapore, subject to home assessment and scheduling. All professional services are delivered within applicable local licensing and practice requirements.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 July 2026 – Lanson Place Parliament Gardens in Melbourne has been named as the Best New Hotel at the 2026 Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) awards, the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands and operator of the award-winning GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme. The prestigious recognition highlights the property’s stellar performance and rapid growth since opening in late 2024, underscoring its success in offering guests personalised, attentive service.
Lanson Place Parliament Gardens recognised for the Best New Hotel at the 2026 GHA Awards (Photo Credit: Lanson Place)
“We are incredibly proud that Lanson Place Parliament Gardens has been recognised as the Best New Hotel at the 2026 GHA Awards,” said Michael Hobson, Chief Executive Officer of Lanson Place. “This recognition is a wonderful validation of the vision behind every Lanson Place property, namely to offer comfortable, private sanctuaries with a relaxed but unmatched tradition of service.
Being part of the GHA has allowed us to share that vision with an even wider community of travellers, while also giving our own guests access to the valuable benefits of DISCOVERY membership. Being named Best New Hotel is also particularly meaningful as we joined the GHA less than a year ago. This award belongs to every member of our team and marks a strong signal of what lies ahead for Lanson Place.”
Marcus Packham, General Manager of Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, added: “This thrilling accolade serves as an endorsement of the passion and dedication of all our team members who go above and beyond, day in and day out, to create a true home away from home for every guest in the heart of Melbourne. We look forward to welcoming new guests from around the world so they can experience for themselves what distinguishes us.”
The awards recognised outstanding achievements across GHA’s portfolio of 1,000 hotels spanning 55 brands in 100 countries. The accolades celebrate excellence in performance, guest engagement and satisfaction, technology, sustainability, loyalty and collaboration across the alliance.
Lanson Place DISCOVERY Limited Time Offer
To coincide with this achievement, Lanson Place DISCOVERY members can currently enjoy triple DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) when staying at Lanson Place properties in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Melbourne, from now until 31 August 2026, making every stay even more rewarding.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Lanson Place Hospitality Management Limited
Lanson Place is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wing Tai Properties Limited (Wing Tai), a publicly listed company in Hong Kong (HKEx stock code: 369). The transformative hospitality management company currently manages eight properties under the Lanson Place brand, comprising Personal Hotels and Residences in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Melbourne. Additionally, it manages Two MacDonnell Road in Hong Kong as well as Yiju Apartment in Shenzhen, China.
Lanson Place provides comfortable, personal sanctuaries for both short-term and extended-stay guests at central locations in major global cities. Infused by a family-like service tradition, Lanson Place creates warm and sheltered places with a club-style feel where communities form and bond. Guests can enjoy a true home-away-from-home experience.
The Group aims to grow the Lanson Place brand across the Asia-Pacific region and continues to explore both investment and management opportunities in major gateway cities.
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) is the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands with 55 brands and 1,000 hotels across 100 countries. Its award-winning loyalty programme – GHA DISCOVERY – provides 36 million members with recognition, D$ rewards and exclusive experiences across its hotels and partners, both with and without a stay.
Through membership in GHA, brands expand their global reach, drive incremental revenue and reduce dependence on third-party channels, all while maintaining management independence and individual positioning. For more information, visit globalhotelalliance.com or ghadiscovery.com.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 July 2026 – SkinLab The Medical Spa has been named runner-up in the Beauty and Cosmetics Retailer category at the 2026 Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) Awards, one of the most established recognition programmes in the industry. The award recognises retailers who demonstrate strength across three main criteria: commitment to customer-centric experiences, a cohesive brand presence through a diverse product range, and innovative use of technology and strategy to drive measurable business impact.
For SkinLab, this reflects two decades of building a holistic beauty ecosystem spanning medical aesthetics, skin health, and wellness, under Dr Kelvin Chua, Senior Medical Director and Founder of SL Aesthetic Group. Treatments are personally developed by Dr Chua to address different skin concerns, such as acne, pigmentation, sensitivity, rosacea, dryness, and ageing. The medical spa also offers a range of skincare products formulated for Singapore’s humid climate and to support long-term skin health.
With 10 outlets islandwide, SkinLab has cared for more than 100,000 customers through this model of doctor-designed care. As no two skin conditions present the same way, each treatment can be customised to individual needs and preferences.
SkinLab has also been recognised by Harper’s BAZAAR, HerWorld, and Singapore Women’s Weekly for treatments targeting deep hydration, rejuvenation, and complexion correction. Behind these treatment outcomes are medical-grade technologies, including the LDM Triple, a triple-frequency ultrasound that targets multiple skin depths simultaneously; FDA-approved Lumenis M22 IPL system for photorejuvenation and pigmentation; Onda Pro with Coolwaves™ technology for body contouring; and the globally-recognised HydraFacial.
The medical spa continuously invests in technology that improves the customer experience, including using AI-assisted skin analysis to support consultations alongside chatbot-based scheduling to reduce waiting time and streamline appointment bookings.
SkinLab’s commitment to holistic care extends beyond treatment sessions, promoting skin health literacy educational content and workshops with doctors from sister brand SL Aesthetic Clinic.
“This award is a valuable milestone that reflects how far SkinLab The Medical Spa has grown as a brand,” says Dr Chua. “From the very start, our brand was designed with the customer at the centre, and that principle continues to guide every treatment developed and every experience delivered moving forward. The brand remains committed to advancing medical-led facial treatments that address a wide range of skin concerns more effectively.”
Looking ahead, SkinLab The Medical Spa remains committed to advancing its medical-led approach to skin health, continuing to explore and adopt clinically validated technologies to deliver more individualised care while reinforcing its commitment to clinical excellence across all its outlets.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About SkinLab The Medical Spa
SkinLab The Medical Spa brings together the attentive, understated service of a world-class spa with medically grounded aesthetic science. As the dedicated medical spa brand of SL Aesthetic Group, SkinLab focuses on non-invasive facial treatments for acne, pigmentation, sensitive skin, and overall skin rejuvenation, delivering evidence-based care that supports long-term skin health.
Founded in the 2000s, SL Aesthetic Group is a healthcare and aesthetics group specialising in skin and hair health, women’s wellness, and holistic medicine. Its portfolio includes SL Aesthetic Clinic, a doctor-led medical aesthetics practice; SkinLab The Medical Spa; TrichoLab, a specialist hair and scalp centre; PROLOGUE, a women’s wellness and lifestyle medical clinic; and Euphie Skin Solutions in Malaysia. Across its network of clinics and outlets, the Group offers a comprehensive range of FDA-approved aesthetic and medical treatments, all supervised by trained and certified healthcare professionals holding Certificates of Competency (COC) recognised by the Aesthetic Practice Oversight Committee (APOC).
SkinLab The Medical Spa operates 10 locations across Singapore, including its flagship medical spa at Wheelock Place, while SL Aesthetic Group has a network of more than 20 clinics and outlets across Singapore and Malaysia.
HKSTP Hosts Showcase Featuring Clinical Progress from 10 Park Companies and Real-Life Patient Stories
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 July 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) today hosted the HKSTP Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Showcase 2026 at the Charles K. Kao Auditorium, Hong Kong Science Park, with support from Invest Hong Kong. The event brought together more than 200 representatives from the healthcare, academic, investment and regulatory sectors, both locally and from overseas. A major milestone announced at the event was that HKSTP partner company Hong Kong Regen Medtech Limited (HKRM) has become the first facility in Hong Kong to be recognised by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (PPBHK) as an allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) PIC/S GMP manufacturing facility, enabling the production of advanced therapy products for clinical trials.
HKSTP hosted the HKSTP CGT Showcase 2026, bringing together local and overseas I&T enterprises, medical experts, researchers, investors and patient representatives to explore the clinical translation and broader development of cell and gene therapy.
Mr Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said in his remarks: “Cell and gene therapy is one of the fastest-growing fields in life and health tech. The establishment of Hong Kong’s first stem cell production facility certified to PIC/S GMP standards at Hong Kong Science Park marks a significant milestone for the city’s life and health tech ecosystem. The significance of this certification goes far beyond technology alone. It signifies not only that production has met the highest international safety standards, but also that patients and their families can choose locally manufactured cell therapy products with confidence and complete trust. This is a tangible achievement that will enable every Hong Kong citizen to benefit directly. As the orchestrator of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem, HKSTP has been proactively connecting the life and health tech community with partners, investors and academia. Through a diverse range of incubation programmes, we provide our park companies with seed funding, innovation space, world-class infrastructure and regulatory support, helping them overcome challenges in the journey from laboratory research to clinical translation and turning scientific breakthroughs into real therapeutic outcomes for patients. We will continue to drive ecosystem development and fully support local I&T enterprises in bringing research achievements ‘Made in Hong Kong’ to the global stage.”
Hong Kong’s First PIC/S GMP Stem Cell Production Facility Bridges a Critical Gap from Research to Clinical Application
One of the highlights of the event was HKRM, an HKSTP partner company, recently obtaining Hong Kong’s first PIC/S GMP licence for stem cell production and operating the related manufacturing facility at Hong Kong Science Park, marking a key step in advancing the clinical translation of advanced therapies in Hong Kong. PIC/S GMP is internationally recognised as the gold standard for pharmaceutical manufacturing quality. Facilities must undergo rigorous international assessment to ensure that every batch is produced in a strictly controlled environment.
Mr Stanley Sy, HKRM Co-founder and CEO, said: “HKRM’s attainment of Hong Kong’s first PIC/S GMP certification for stem cell production marks not only an important milestone in the company’s development, but also signifies that Hong Kong now has the critical infrastructure needed to further support the clinical translation of advanced cell therapies. A stringent, internationally recognised manufacturing quality system helps ensure product consistency and traceability, while strengthening the confidence of medical and regulatory authorities in locally manufactured cell-based products. Based at Hong Kong Science Park, HKRM is grateful for the longstanding support of HKSTP. We also look forward to working with research and clinical partners in the Park to bring more promising therapeutic solutions from Hong Kong to the international stage.”
Patients, Families and Doctors Share First-hand Stories of the Journey from Cell Banking to Clinical Breakthroughs
The event also featured first-hand experiences from patients, their families and doctors on their treatment journeys. Park company Mononuclear Therapeutics (MonoTx) operates Hong Kong’s first AABB-accredited public cord blood bank and haematopoietic stem cell apheresis facility at Hong Kong Science Park, with more than 2,000 cord blood units in storage.
Dr Wendy Cheng, Chief Operating Officer of MonoTx, joined Professor Leung Tak Yeung and Professor Ronald Wang of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to share research findings and patient cases with patient families.
Professor Leung Tak Yeung’s team at CUHK is studying a treatment for foetuses with severe alpha-thalassaemia by processing the mother’s stem cells through MonoTx and infusing them into the foetus, to investigate whether the foetus can develop immune tolerance to the mother’s stem cells and thereby improve clinical outcomes.
Professor Ronald Wang’s team is using cord blood to treat neonatal brain injury. Preliminary findings suggest that cord blood infusion within 48 hours of birth may help repair brain injury and improve the child’s developmental outcomes later in life.
360 Life Sciences Companies Gather at Hong Kong Science Park, Reinforcing Hong Kong’s Position as an International Health and Medical Innovation Hub
Hong Kong Science Park is home to more than 360 life sciences companies, while the number of cell and gene therapy (CGT) enterprises continues to grow, spanning frontier fields such as stem cells, gene editing, personalised cancer vaccines and CAR-T immunotherapy, and addressing diseases including cancer, heart failure and neurodegenerative disorders. HKSTP will continue to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international health and medical innovation hub by accelerating the translation and application of more locally developed R&D outcomes for the benefit of patients, the industry and society. In doing so, it aims to make innovative therapies more accessible and enable Hong Kong to play an even greater role on the global life and health tech stage.
Hashtag: #HKSTP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 14 unicorns, more than 17,000 research professionals and over 2,400 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.
Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined.
Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more.
Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues to contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.
More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 July 2026 – Green SM today officially launched its fully electric taxi service in Copenhagen, marking the company’s first entry into the European market. The launch represents an important milestone in Green SM’s international expansion, following the successful rollout and operation of its services across Vietnam and several Asian markets.
The launch ceremony was attended by Mr. Do Quang Thai, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Kingdom of Denmark, together with representatives from leading Danish organizations, including 3F, Dansk Erhverv, DPT and Carnegie Investment Bank, alongside strategic partners and industry stakeholders from the transport, technology, energy, finance and infrastructure sectors.
As one of the world’s leading cities in sustainable urban mobility, Copenhagen was chosen as Green SM’s first European market. Here, the company aims to complement the city’s existing transport network by offering another reliable, fully electric mobility option for residents and visitors alike.
In Denmark, the company operates a fully electric fleet of VinFast VF 6 and VF 8 vehicles, serving a wide range of everyday urban travel needs. Unlike many ride-hailing platforms that primarily connect passengers with independent drivers, Green SM directly owns and manages its fleet and oversees driver operations to help ensure consistent service quality and customer experience. During the initial phase of operations, Green SM will focus on establishing a reliable local operation, ensuring full compliance with Danish regulations, and continuously improving its service based on feedback from customers, drivers, and other stakeholders.
Delivering a safe, professional, and consistent customer experience begins with Green SM’s drivers. Before serving customers, every driver completes comprehensive training in road safety, customer service, operating procedures, and electric vehicle operation. Together with ongoing training and a robust local operations system, this helps ensure every journey reflects the high standards Green SM is committed to delivering.
Customers can book rides through the Green SM app, available on the App Store and Google Play. Fares are displayed before each trip is confirmed, and electronic receipts are issued automatically at the end of every journey. To mark its launch in Copenhagen, Green SM is offering new customers five (5) vouchers worth 25% off each trip, up to a maximum discount of 100 DKK per ride throughout the Grand Launch period from July 30 to September 30, 2026.
Richard Nabil Chahine, CEO of Green SM Europe, said: “Cities shape the future of mobility long before companies do. Copenhagen is one of those cities. That is why beginning our European journey here carries special meaning for Green SM. We come with deep respect for the standards already established here, drawing on what we have learned from serving millions of journeys across Asia. Our ambition is simple: to become a trusted mobility partner by delivering safe, professional and fully electric journeys that people can rely on every day. If we earn that trust, growth will naturally follow.”
Green SM’s expansion into Europe reflects the company’s long-term approach to international growth. Rather than prioritising rapid expansion, Green SM focuses on building well-structured local operations, adapting its services to local market needs, and earning trust through consistently reliable service.
With its fully electric fleet and low-emission operating model, Green SM hopes to contribute to Denmark’s long-standing ambitions for more sustainable mobility while providing another practical transport choice for everyday journeys.
Founded in Vietnam in 2023, Green SM currently operates in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Kazakhstan. Through its fully electric fleet, technology platform and consistent operating standards, the company is steadily expanding internationally while adapting its services to local market needs.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 July 2026 – The Sagrada Família in Barcelona reached a historic milestone last month with the blessing and inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ. The ceremony completed the central spire of architect Antoni Gaudí’s masterwork after 144 years of construction. TVBS partnered with Japan’s NHK to provide live coverage, becoming the only Taiwanese media organization granted access to report from inside the basilica.
TVBS, NHK, HTC together documented a defining milestone in the Sagrada Família’s history. TVBS cultural ambassador Lin Chi-ling joined the reporting team in Barcelona.
The collaboration marks a significant moment for Taiwan’s international media presence, as the completion of Gaudí’s vision draws global attention to one of the world’s most visited cultural landmarks. NHK has documented the construction of the Sagrada Família for decades, building a relationship of trust with the basilica’s team that enabled joint coverage.
TVBS crews filmed in areas rarely accessible to media, including the crypt where Gaudí is buried, architectural workshops, and key structural sections of the basilica. The team conducted interviews with architects and experts involved in the project during preparations for the inauguration ceremony. Construction on the church began in 1882, one year before Gaudí took over as chief architect.
Taiwanese actress Lin Chi-ling joined the reporting team in Barcelona as a cultural ambassador for the project. Lin met with architects and experts to explore the basilica through the perspectives of architecture, aesthetics, and cultural heritage. Her involvement added a cultural dimension to the coverage beyond conventional architectural reporting.
The coverage brought together partners from Taiwan’s technology and financial sectors. HTC, through its VIVE Arts initiative, contributed its immersive experience “Gaudí, the Atelier of the Divine.” The virtual reality program allows audiences to explore Gaudí’s architectural world in new ways, transcending geographical and physical boundaries.
TS Financial Holding Co., Ltd., which has long supported arts and cultural exchange, sponsored the live broadcast. The company cited values of integrity, innovation, and sustainability in joining the project. The cross-sector collaboration extended Taiwan’s cultural advocacy onto the international stage, connecting the 144-year architectural endeavor to audiences in Taiwan and Chinese-speaking communities worldwide.
TVBS integrated AI-powered real-time translation technology throughout the live coverage, facilitating multilingual communication across international production teams. The project showcased Taiwan’s ability to connect industries and communities across borders. TVBS, NHK, HTC, and TS Financial Holding Co., Ltd., together documented a defining milestone in the Sagrada Família’s history.
Hashtag: #TVBS
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Signs four new projects with longstanding partner Sun Group and five with owners new to Ascott, adding over 3,200 units
Deepens presence in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, expands along the coast in Da Nang and Phu Quoc, and enters Quy Nhon for the first time
Debuts The Crest Collection in Vietnam, with signings spanning seven brands
Expects signing momentum to continue in 2H 2026
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 July 2026 – The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a Singapore-headquartered global hospitality company wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), has signed management agreements for nine properties totalling more than 3,200 units in Vietnam in the first half of 2026, its fastest pace of growth in the country to date. Four of the projects are with Sun Group, a longstanding partner, and five with owners new to Ascott. The signings expand Ascott’s Vietnam portfolio by more than 30% to about 12,000 units across 42 operational and pipeline properties in 14 cities. Vietnam is now Ascott’s third largest country by pipeline in Asia, and the newly signed properties will open progressively from 2028.
Set on the Quang An Peninsula with direct frontage to West Lake in Hanoi, Diamond Crown Westlake by The Crest Collection will offer one- to four-bedroom residences, suites and duplex units in one of Hanoi’s most sought-after lakeside addresses. The property marks the brand debut of The Crest Collection in the northern part of Vietnam.
The signings come as Vietnam cements its position as one of Asia’s most dynamic travel markets. International arrivals reached a record 21.2 million in 2025 and grew a further 15% to 12.3 million in the first half of 2026[1]. Domestic tourism adds further depth to the market, with 135.5 million domestic trips in 2025 and 81 million in the first half of 2026 alone[2]. New expressways, airport upgrades and expanded flight connectivity are opening up destinations along the coastline, while companies adopting China-plus-one supply chain strategies are driving extended-stay demand in industrial and administrative hubs. In addition, the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Phu Quoc in November 2027 is accelerating infrastructure investment across the island.
Designed for extended stays in one of North Vietnam’s most dynamic growth corridors – Hai Phong, Citadines Riverside Hai Phong will sit along a landscaped riverside promenade within the Hoang Huy Green River urban development. The property will offer 140 units, ranging from studios to one , two , and three bedroom apartments.
The new signings position Ascott across this growth. Four signings deepen its presence in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, where corporate and bleisure travel underpin extended-stay demand. Three signings in Phu Quoc expand its offerings on the island ahead of the summit, while a new property strengthens its position in Da Nang, one of the country’s leading beach destinations. Ascott also enters Quy Nhon, an emerging central coast city named by Tripadvisor among the world’s top 25 trending destinations for 2026. In brand terms, the signings mark the Vietnam debut of The Crest Collection, Ascott’s heritage-focused luxury brand, with one property each in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The remaining signings span Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Somerset and Harris.
Prominently positioned along the pristine Non Nuoc Beach, Somerset Non Nuoc Da Nang Resort will offer 549 serviced apartments and villas, set alongside a beach club as well as specialty dining options.
Mr Kevin Goh, Chief Executive Officer, Ascott, said: “Vietnam is one of the most exciting hospitality growth stories in Asia. Demand is rising in the cities, along the coast and across traveller segments, and our flex-hybrid model gives us the versatility to capture it through asset-light growth. Property owners value that our platform can serve both long and short stays, and operate formats as diverse as serviced residences, hotels, resorts and social living properties. With these new signings, we are reinforcing our leadership in serviced residences and extended stay while extending into the leisure destinations and luxury segments where new demand is taking shape.”
Ms Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer, Ascott, said: “Vietnam’s hotel development pipeline is moving quickly into construction, particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and owners are selecting their operating partners now. In these conversations, Ascott’s operating track record in extended stay is a clear differentiator, offering owners resilient returns through market cycles, while our multi-typology brand strategy allows us to deploy the right brand and format for each opportunity. The depth of owner confidence underscores the opportunity in Vietnam, and with active discussions underway across several markets, we expect the signing momentum to continue into the second half of the year.”
A Deepened Sun Group Partnership and New Owner Relationships The four signings with Sun Group deepen a partnership that began with Ascott Tay Ho Hanoiand grew to include Oakwood Ha Long. In Phu Quoc, Ascott will manage three properties totalling 1,400 units within a single integrated development in Sunset Town, set in the Ong Quan Mountain precinct in the island’s south. The properties will serve travellers across generations and lengths of stay: premium serviced residences under Ascott, social living spaces with co-working facilities under lyf, and family-friendly resort accommodation under Harris. Guests will be within easy reach of Bai Kem Beach, Sun World Hon Thom and the fast-developing Harbour District, with direct access to Sun Group’s expanding ecosystem of entertainment, retail and connectivity on the island.
The fourth Sun Group signing brings The Crest Collection to Ho Chi Minh City’s premier luxury and commercial district, moments from Nguyen Hue Walking Street and the Saigon Opera House and connected to the city by Metro Line 1. The property will be a flagship for the brand in Southern Vietnam, serving business travellers, affluent leisure guests, diplomatic visitors and long-stay residents.
Among the owners new to Ascott, DOJI Group, one of Vietnam’s five largest private enterprises with core businesses spanning gold, gemstones and luxury real estate, will bring Diamond Crown Westlake by The Crest Collection to Hanoi’s Tay Ho district. Set on the Quang An Peninsula with direct frontage to West Lake, in an enclave long favoured by expatriates, diplomats and affluent residents, the property will offer one- to four-bedroom residences, suites and duplex units in one of Hanoi’s most sought-after lakeside addresses. Intertruck Co., Ltd will bring Citadines Riverside Hai Phong to the heart of the city’s new administrative centre in Thuy Nguyen, as Hai Phong grows into northern Vietnam’s industrial and government hub. In Ho Chi Minh City, an Oakwood property enters Thao Dien, one of the city’s most established residential districts.
Along the central coast,Somerset Non Nuoc Da Nang Resort will sit on the pristine Non Nuoc Beach, with golf courses nearby and easy access to Hoi An Ancient Town. Offering serviced apartments and villas alongside a beach club, specialty dining and children’s facilities, the resort brings Somerset’s residential-style serviced living to the Da Nang and Hoi An coastline. Further south, Citadines Quy Nhon Resort marks Ascott’s entry into a new city, with the beachfront mixed-use resort positioning Ascott early in the destination gaining attention on the back of infrastructure upgrades and rising visitor arrivals.
Operating Momentum and Upcoming Openings Ascott currently operates 16 properties across seven cities in Vietnam. The most recent is Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection on the northern coast, where a wellness-focused resort tower opened in April. From 2027, Ascott Tay Ho Hanoiwill launch 1,165 guestrooms and 10 food and beverage concepts in phases. Confirmed concepts include Maison Kayser, the acclaimed French bakery and café making its Hanoi debut, and Ukai, the established Tokyo-based dining group with restaurants ranging from Michelin-starred teppanyaki to traditional tofu-focused kaiseki. The property’s International Convention & Wedding Centre is already operational, with 13 event venues including Hanoi’s largest pillarless ballroom. The centre has hosted high-profile events such as the official Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026 Ceremony, and the Vietnam debut of The Famous CFC, the international fan engagement programme of Chelsea Football Club, for which Ascott is Official Hotels Partner.
Harris Resort Cam Ranh, a 693-unit all-in-one resort on Cam Ranh’s Long Beach, is scheduled to open in 1Q 2027, introducing the brand’s family-friendly hospitality experience to one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing leisure and aviation hubs. The resort will offer a beach club, specialty dining, recreational facilities and dedicated meeting spaces. It will be followed in 3Q 2027 by the 369-unit Citadines Selavia Phu Quoc, a beachfront property on the island’s southwest coast with an onsen spa and a ballroom for some 500 guests, positioning it to welcome delegations for the APEC summit that November.
Mr David Cumming, Regional General Manager, Indochina, Ascott, said: “In more than 30 years in Vietnam, we have moved from investor to asset-light hospitality operator with a strong team on the ground. We share this local expertise with property owners, reading demand early and moving quickly on it. As Vietnam pursues an ambitious growth agenda, Ascott is growing alongside it, from the people and systems that run our properties to the global experiences we bring into the country. With a strong pipeline ahead, our focus now is delivery, opening on schedule and running properties that perform.”
Building on Record Southeast Asia Signings Ascott’s growth in Vietnam builds on its strongest year of signings in Southeast Asia, with more than 7,300 units signed across the region in 2025, up 55% from 2024. This placed Ascott among the top three hospitality companies in the region by new signings for the year, according to Horwath HTL.
[1] Source: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism / National Statistics Office of Vietnam, January and July 2026.
[2] Source: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, December 2025 and July 2026.
Ascott specialises in managing and franchising a wide range of lodging options, including serviced residences, hotels, resorts, social living properties and branded residences, catering to the varying needs and preferences of global travellers. Through the Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and curated experiences, enhancing every aspect of their travel journey.
As a wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott generates fee-related revenue by leveraging its expertise in both lodging management and investment management. It also drives the expansion of funds under management by growing its sponsored CapitaLand Ascott Trust and private funds.
CapitaLand Investment (CLI) is a leading global real asset manager with a strong presence in Asia. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CLI operates in over 40 countries, connecting institutional capital to investment opportunities through its on-the-ground expertise and deep local capital networks. Its portfolio spans strategic investments in commercial, lodging and living, logistics and self-storage, data centres and real estate credit, aligned with its high conviction themes. CLI is focused on scaling its asset-light, recurring fee income across fund management, commercial and lodging management, delivering sustainable long-term value through disciplined capital management and responsible investing. For more information, please visit: www.capitalandinvest.com.
De Beers 集團突破傳統珠寶推廣模式，創新地邀請沙漠鑽石真我人物「Real People」詮釋沙漠鑽石的獨特魅力。這些來自不同領域的真實人物——他們並非明星或專業模特兒，而是敢於追尋真我、以自身故事點亮個性的代表人物——用各自的人生歷程，生動演繹了沙漠鑽石所代表的真實、個性與由心閃耀的魅力。這一突破性的表達，讓天然鑽石與真實情感產生了更加深刻的共鳴，亦呼應了現今消費者對真誠、多元故事的嚮往。（拍攝鳴謝：Numéro 中文版）
Largest category marketing investment in 15 years supports Desert diamonds’ debut in Asia, opening a brilliant new chapter for natural diamonds
SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 July 2026 – De Beers Group hosted the Desert diamonds Asia launch event in Shanghai on 29th July, marking the official arrival of the Desert diamonds beacon in China, embodying the spirit of “authenticity, individuality and inner radiance”. This is the first new beacon launched by the Group in over a decade. Backed by its largest category marketing investment in 15 years, the campaign champions a renewed perspective for natural diamonds and aims to unite the industry, further underscoring the strategic role of China in shaping future demand for natural diamonds and supporting the industry’s long-term growth.
De Beers Group Desert diamonds Asia launch event in Shanghai.; Lynn Serfaty, General Manager of Natural Diamonds at De Beers Group, delivers an inspiring address in an interactive session with wellness coach Lear Tsui.
First unveiled in 2025 at the JCK Las Vegas Show, the Desert diamonds beacon marks a new chapter in the celebration of natural diamonds. Drawing inspiration from the desert landscapes that echo the ancient desert routes of Dunhuang and the lingering charm of the Silk Road, Desert diamonds pays tribute to the untamed authenticity of natural diamonds, celebrating a spectrum of colours from warm whites to champagne tones and amber hues. Desert diamonds jewellery has been seen on international stages – worn by celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Bad Bunny, Doja Cat, and Aryna Sabalenka. By bringing the beacon to China, De Beers Group aims to meet the growing consumer demand for self-reward, emotional gifting, and milestone celebrations — reaffirming the enduring desirability of natural diamonds for a new generation of consumers.
Departing from traditional jewellery marketing, De Beers Group has creatively invited “Real People” to interpret the unique allure of Desert diamonds. These “Real People” are not celebrities or professional models, but pioneering individuals from diverse fields who dare to pursue authenticity and illuminate their individuality through their own stories. They vividly embody the authenticity, individuality and inner radiance that Desert diamonds represent, through their personal journeys. This groundbreaking approach forges a deeper resonance between natural diamonds and genuine emotions, echoing today’s consumer desire for sincere and diverse narratives.
Lynn Serfaty, General Manager, Natural Diamonds, De Beers Group, said, “From red carpets to everyday life, consumers want a natural diamond that tells their personal story – a unique symbol for life’s most precious moments. Following its global success, we are confident in bringing Desert diamonds, a natural inspiration from the desert to China.”
She added: “Our research shows that Desert diamonds resonate strongly with Chinese consumers: 95% desire to own them, 94% find them distinctive, and 96% consider them innovative. Consumers increasingly see jewellery as a key expression of emotional connection and self-affirmation. The authenticity, individuality and inner radiance they seek are the soul of Desert diamonds. I’m delighted to see the industry is uniting to reignite passion for natural diamonds and shape a brilliant future.”
Desert diamond “Real People” features stand-up comedian Liu Yang, Peking Opera performer Guo Yu’ang, racing driver Shi Wei, and wellness coach Lear Tsui.
Departing from conventional advertising fronted by celebrities, De Beers Group has for the first time selected four “Real People” through authentic storytelling, breaking away from the traditional celebrity endorsement model. Each of them interprets the campaign’s theme — “Authenticity” — through their unique life stories: embracing every mark of life with truth, the singular stance of being born one of a kind, and the brilliant light that shines from deep within.
In China, consumers are increasingly drawn to jewellery that is authentic, rare, and everlasting — a clear shift toward self-expression through pieces that reflect authenticity, individuality, and inner radiance. De Beers Group observes that today’s consumers seek not only the timelessness of natural diamonds but also designs that are distinctive, personal, and value-driven — Desert diamonds perfectly embodies this exceptional realm of effortless refinement.
Chow Tai Fook, Chow Sang Sang and TSL | Tse Sui Luen present exquisite jewellery designs inspired by the colours and spirit of the desert landscape.
Leading retailers Chow Tai Fook, Chow Sang Sang and TSL | Tse Sui Luen, which are the strategic partners of the Desert diamonds campaign, have been developing collections that showcase the desert-inspired palette, underscoring the industry’s strong confidence in the campaign. The retailers will debut their Desert diamonds jewellery collections at the launch and lend their firm support to the campaign in future marketing initiatives.
Created to resonate with a new generation, this campaign targets young consumers through a holistic media and digital strategy. Today’s young consumers are proudly embracing tradition, finding meaning in their cultural roots. The creative storytelling parallels each diamond’s natural journey with the wearer’s own path, allowing the authenticity, individuality and inner radiance of Desert diamonds to strike a chord, and reinforcing that every Desert diamond and every individual is one of a kind. This narrative also echoes a timeless legacy of diamonds as the indestructible stone, a symbol of resilience and everlasting brilliance, and qualities this generation deeply admires. The campaign will steadily ramp up marketing investment, harnessing robust media and social influence to establish Desert Diamonds as the preferred choice of discerning consumers.
Beyond engaging consumers and retailers, the Desert diamonds campaign supports national efforts to drive quality consumption and product innovation. It aligns with the Shopping in China initiative, which promotes high-quality goods with strong provenance, traceability and sustainability. De Beers Group is leveraging the launch to drive natural diamond category education in China and champion premium natural diamond jewellery. With a focus on brand building, quality assurance, product innovation and sustainable development, Desert diamonds provides Chinese consumers with a trustworthy, high-quality choice, supporting the high-quality development of China’s consumer market and the initiative’s goal of stimulating domestic consumption.
Building on its global momentum, Desert diamonds has become a powerful cultural phenomenon. In the U.S., it has captured attention on red carpets and through high-profile celebrity engagements, with warm-toned diamonds growing increasingly visible across fashion, music, and entertainment. Retailers who took part in the initial U.S. campaign reported higher foot traffic and a surge in enquiries tied to life milestones – clear signs of growing consumer desire for these naturally warm diamonds at life’s defining moments. By drawing a parallel to the wearer’s own journey, the campaign positions Desert diamonds not just as gems, but as emotional keepsakes rooted in the earth and elegant symbols of true individuality and enduring meaning.
Please follow the official accounts to find more information regarding Desert diamonds.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers London and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology services. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach to sustainability that underpins our efforts to create meaningful impact for the people and places where our diamonds are discovered. Building Forever focuses on three key areas where, through collaborations and partnerships around the globe, we have an enhanced ability to drive positive impact; Livelihoods, Climate and Nature. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
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