Category: What’s News Asia

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 September 2026 – Green SM has officially launched its electric motorbike service in Jakarta, adding two-wheeled mobility to the all-electric transportation ecosystem the company is developing in Indonesia. With both electric taxis and electric motorbikes, Green SM in Indonesia will offer convenient, modern, fast, and accessible mobility options tailored to the everyday transportation needs of urban residents.

As one of the region’s most dynamic cities, with high demand for motorbike-based mobility, Jakarta presents strong demand for transportation solutions that are flexible, efficient, and well suited to the fast pace of urban life. Against this backdrop, Green SM’s electric motorbike service places a strong emphasis on customer experience, fleet quality, safety, convenience, and transparent, reasonable pricing. Through the service, Green SM aims to bring all-electric mobility closer to the everyday lives of Jakarta residents.

The company will deploy modern, smart, fully electric motorbikes from VinFast. Green SM is committed to delivering a high-quality experience through a professional, well-trained driver team and transparent fares. Customers can book the service directly through the Green SM app, choosing either standard ride-hailing or the Green Now feature for faster bookings.

Beyond delivering practical value to customers, Green SM’s expansion is also expected to create new income opportunities for two-wheel service drivers through flexible rental options designed to suit different needs and financial circumstances. Drivers can choose a rent-to-own option starting at just IDR 39,000 per day, with guaranteed earnings of up to IDR 160,000 per day and the opportunity to own the vehicle after two years. Alternatively, they can opt for a flexible 3, 6, or 12-month rental term, with a deposit of just IDR 150,000, guaranteed earnings of IDR 160,000 per day for the first two months, plus performance bonuses.

Drivers also gain access to brand-new VinFast Evo and Feliz II electric scooters, which offer significantly lower operating costs than gasoline motorcycles, as well as attractive revenue-sharing and support policies. They can also receive up to five free battery swaps per day through the V-Green battery-swapping network, helping further reduce operating costs and maximize their earnings.

To mark the launch of its electric motorbike service, Green SM is offering special promotions for customers. From September 16 to September 22, 2026, customers using Green SM’s electric motorbike service for the first time will receive 75% off, up to IDR 10,000, on their first ride. From the second ride onward, customers will receive 25% off, up to IDR 10,000 per ride, with no limit on the number of rides during the promotional period.

Green SM is also expanding the “Green Your Move, Refresh Your City” campaign, in support of initiatives led by the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) under the theme “Ecosystem & Air Protection” (Perlindungan Ekosistem & Udara). The campaign continues to promote green mobility as part of everyday life, particularly by providing local residents with a range of fully electric mobility solutions – from electric cars to electric motorbikes – to meet diverse mobility needs.

Mr. Pham Nhat Minh Hoang, Global Chief Executive Officer of Green SM, said: “The launch of our electric motorbike service in Jakarta is a strategic step in Green SM’s international expansion. We aim to build a comprehensive fully electric mobility ecosystem encompassing both electric cars and electric motorbikes, enabling us to meet a broader range of everyday mobility needs. At the same time, Green SM seeks to be a long-term partner to Indonesia in its green transition and efforts to achieve its emissions reduction goals. By bringing high-quality, fully electric ride-hailing services closer to local communities, we hope to make it easier for more people to embrace greener mobility choices, working together with communities to build cleaner, greener, and more livable cities.”

According to life-cycle assessments of vehicles, electric cars and electric motorbikes can generate approximately 75% lower emissions than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Globally, Green SM has completed approximately 850 million rides, covering nearly 6 billion kilometers, helping reduce more than 800,000 tons of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of approximately 36 million trees.

With the addition of its electric motorbike service in Indonesia, Green SM is further strengthening an important component of its green mobility ecosystem. From electric taxis serving longer journeys to electric motorbikes providing fast and flexible mobility across urban areas, Green SM is building a comprehensive mobility system that is convenient and environmentally friendly.

Through this expansion, Green SM is also reaffirming its commitment to supporting Indonesia’s green transition and emissions reduction efforts in the transportation sector, working alongside local communities to build cities that are greener, cleaner, and more livable.

Hashtag: #GreenSM

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Following strong turnouts in Malaysia and Taiwan, tantan brings its fitness-led community experiences to Bangkok and Taichung in the coming months

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 September 2026 – tantan, one of APAC’s largest dating platforms, is taking its fitness, fun and dating offline across the region with its community fitness initiative, bringing singles together through running, workouts and lifestyle experiences designed to spark genuine connections beyond the screen.

Since launching its fitness and lifestyle event series in Q3 2025, tantan has seen consistent demand for offline experiences. Across recent events, including its Singapore Halloween activation and the fitness gatherings that followed, approximately 80 per cent of available spots were filled within the first two days of registration, with the latest events reaching capacity within a day. Turnout has also remained high, with close to 90 per cent of registered participants attending.

The events have drawn a broad mix of participants, with recent registrations comprising approximately 60 per cent men and 40 per cent women. Female participation continues to climb, with female app sign-ups rising by around five per cent in the seven days following each offline event.

“We have always believed that meaningful connections can start online, but what we are seeing now is that offline can be a powerful driver of community growth. Our events are not only attracting strong participation, they are bringing new people into the tantan community, with female app sign-ups rising after each event. For us, the numbers show that giving people a reason to meet in real life can create momentum that lasts beyond the event itself. Offline is becoming an important part of how we build our communities, not simply an extension of what happens on the app,” said Willynn Ng, Regional Head of International Markets at tantan.

The growing appetite for interest-led social experiences also reflects a wider shift in how people are looking to meet. According to Eventbrite data, experiences using “meet-cute” language grew by 117 per cent in the first half of 2026, while hobby-based events centred around meeting people, going solo and finding a community are gaining momentum across wellness, nature, crafting and other lifestyle categories.

For tantan, the appeal of offline fitness lies in giving people a natural reason to connect. Rather than meeting with the sole intention of dating, participants bond over a shared activity, challenge or interest, making interactions feel more organic and less transactional.

Bringing the Initiative to More Communities across APAC

tantan is adapting the format to local communities and interests as it rolls out across the region.

In Malaysia, tantan hosted Run & Mingle on 6 September in collaboration with RSS Run Club, a Malaysian community-driven running and fitness group, bringing together 43 participants. Women made up 80 per cent of attendees, while around 80 per cent of participants were single. The strong female turnout is particularly notable given that female participation has traditionally been harder to drive at offline dating events, highlighting the growing appeal of fitness-led social experiences as a more approachable way to meet.

In Thailand, tantan will be the Official Dating App Partner of the BREW Vertical Fun Run on 20 September at ICONSIAM in Bangkok, held as part of the Iconic Coffee Festival. Organised with ICONSIAM and Brew Run Club, the event transforms the destination into a vertical running experience across seven levels, with each floor offering a different coffee, pastry, brand or social moment. Around 300 participants are expected to take part, with games and challenges planned at the end of the run to create natural opportunities to interact.

In Taiwan, tantan is taking its fitness community beyond Taipeiwith Taichung’s first ever “Bar Run” from 23 to 24 October. Organised in collaboration with a local pub 龍蛇酒雜 (LONG SER 9 ZA), the event is expected to attract approximately 3,000 to 3,500 participants, combining fitness, socialising and nightlife in a city-wide experience. Participants can roam the neighbourhood, visit partner bars for exclusive drinks, collect stamps and play games, turning the city into a social playground to explore, connect and have fun.

Across these markets, tantan’s approach is simple: fitness creates the common ground, while connections happen naturally along the way.

With more fitness and lifestyle experiences planned across APAC, tantan aims to build a community where digital discovery and real-world experiences work together, turning shared interests into shared experiences and, ultimately, more opportunities for meaningful connections offline.

Hashtag: #tantan

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tantan

Reintroducing itself to Singapore and the broader Southeast Asian market, tantan comes refreshed with a new brand identity and the ‘Date Different’ vision. Headquartered in Singapore, tantan serves young, socially active and culturally curious singles across key markets including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as the United States and Canada. The platform is committed to fostering genuine connections through community first experiences, inclusive values and ongoing product innovation. Tantan International operates independently across Asia Pacific and North America.

For more information, please visit thetantanapp.com

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BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 September 2026 – The Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE), in collaboration with Government representatives from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, alongside members of the Chinese and international diamond industry, convened in Beijing on Sept. 15^th to sign the Beijing Declaration on Natural Diamonds and Sustainable Development (hereinafter referred to as the “Beijing Declaration”).

The Beijing Declaration recognises the global nature of the diamond industry and acknowledges the connection from the positive socioeconomic impact felt in diamond-producing countries to China’s consumers of diamond jewellery, who are increasingly looking for authenticity and individuality in their jewellery choices.

Hosted by the Shanghai Diamond Exchange, the event and signing ceremony in Beijing brought together government representatives of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, with senior figures from China’s jewellery industry and the global natural diamond industry. In the spirit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, participants held in-depth exchanges on the current state of the global natural diamond industry, including consumer and retail trends in China, the socioeconomic impact of the natural diamond industry across diamond-producing countries in Africa and future industry cooperation priorities.

Natural diamonds are born of the earth, and behind their value they deliver tangible socioeconomic returns for African diamond-producing nations: driving economic growth, providing jobs, livelihoods and skills development, and supporting conservation and biodiversity. The Beijing Declaration acknowledges natural diamonds’ unique geological origin, rarity and enduring value, as well as their deep-rooted cultural meaning within Chinese traditions as symbols of purity, beauty and eternal commitment. Through the Beijing Declaration, the industry acknowledges that these positive impacts deserve to be better understood by more Chinese consumers.

Rooted in the long-term friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa, the Beijing Declaration sets forth a shared vision for advancing sustainable development of the natural diamond industry, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

The Beijing Declaration builds a shared vision for deepening exchange and cooperation across the natural diamond value chain. It proposes support for African diamond-producing countries in enhancing local value creation capacity, strengthening skills training and promoting economic diversification; further enhancing transparent and objective consumer communication on the origin of natural diamonds and their socioeconomic impact; deepening market links between African diamond-producing countries and Chinese consumers; and, relying on existing bilateral and multilateral China-Africa cooperation mechanisms, further expanding exchange and cooperation to jointly promote more inclusive and sustainable economic development.

As an important element of the global natural diamond industry, China’s consumer market is steadily maturing. As a State Council-approved national diamond trading platform, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange plays an important role in connecting the global natural diamond supply chain with Chinese consumers, providing integrated customs, tax and certification services, and serving as a permanent member of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB). Chinese consumers are extending their attention to natural diamonds to authenticity, traceable provenance, cultural meaning and enduring value.

The key advocates of the Beijing Declaration were:

• Mr. Lin Qiang, President of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange
• H.E. Prof. Lekoko S. Kenosi, Ambassador of Botswana to the People’s Republic of China
• Ms. Nosiphiwo Mzamo, Chief Executive Officer, South African State Diamond Trader
• H.E. Ms. Tonata Itenge-Emvula, Ambassador of Namibia to the People’s Republic of China

The signing was witnessed by global industry representatives including Mr. Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, Ms. Amber Pepper, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council and Ms. Emma Wade-Smith on behalf of the World Diamond Council.

Major Chinese jewellery retail brands were also represented at the signing ceremony, including Chow Tai Fook, Lao Feng Xiang, Chow Sang Sang, Lukfook Jewellery, CHJ Jewelry, Chow Tai Seng, Sino Gem and Kimberlite.

Mr. Lin Qiang, President of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange, said:

“We are delighted to welcome delegations from leading African diamond-producing countries to Beijing. Natural diamonds deliver profound socioeconomic benefits to these nations. As China continues its evolution as a major player in the global diamond industry, we are thrilled to lay important foundations for enhanced collaboration between China and African diamond-producing nations. Today represents a meaningful new beginning: for closer connections, deeper mutual understanding and expanded partnerships. The Shanghai Diamond Exchange will keep fulfilling its role as a platform and bridge. We look forward to future interactions that unlock opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, and to bringing the authentic stories and genuine value of natural diamonds to growing numbers of Chinese consumers.”

Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said:

“‘Building Forever’ lies at the heart of De Beers’ approach in Africa. We want every diamond discovered to bring real, positive impact for the people and the land where we find these precious stones. We welcome the Beijing Declaration as a new framework to help us better link African diamond-producing countries with Chinese consumers. We are committed to working across the global diamond industry so that natural diamonds can continue to support jobs and livelihoods and protect the natural environment.”

H.E. Prof. Lekoko S. Kenosi, Ambassador of Botswana to the People’s Republic of China, said:

“For Botswana, diamonds represent far more than luxury gemstones; they are an important resource for national development. Discovered shortly after our independence, diamond resources have financed broad access to quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and livelihood opportunities for generations of Batswana people. We have built local industrial capabilities across sorting, cutting and polishing, and our ambition stretches further: to embed greater technology, expertise and economic value within our borders, diversifying our national economy while safeguarding our precious natural heritage through conservation initiatives such as the Okavango Eternal partnership. A diamond may leave Botswana’s soil, yet the human capital, enterprise development capacity and environmental stewardship its revenue creates remain at home. When Chinese consumers select a diamond to mark marriage, family milestones or personal celebration, their choice connects directly to livelihoods, youth opportunity and national development ambitions within producing nations. We do not ask consumers to bear responsibility for our development, but we urge that this full human story of origin be made visible through informed consumer understanding. The signing of the Beijing Declaration opens a promising new chapter for our bilateral ties, enabling diamonds to serve as a bridge of shared progress between our peoples.”

H.E. Ms. Dipuo Bertha Letsatsi-Duba, Ambassador of South Africa to the People’s Republic of China, said:

“I am very honoured to witness this historic moment of the Beijing Declaration. The Declaration establishes a positive and constructive cooperation framework for signatory countries, provides an open basis for dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding, and enables African producers and relevant parties in China’s natural diamond industry to further recognize the value of natural diamonds in economic growth, employment and sustainable development. Consumer confidence is crucial, especially for natural diamond products with emotional value. We are deeply proud that natural diamonds can lay the foundation for this cooperation and hope the Beijing Declaration will become one of the best multilateral interactions between China and African diamond production partners.”

Signatory governments to the Beijing Declaration, together with industry representatives from natural diamond trading, manufacturing and retail, will continue follow-up exchange and cooperation to further translate the vision set out in the Declaration into concrete actions. Future cooperation directions include promoting industry market data cooperation, carrying out consumer-facing education programmes on the origin and industry impact of natural diamonds, conducting cross-border exchange on global best practices, and exploring more cooperation opportunities through existing China-Africa sustainable development cooperation mechanisms.

Hashtag: #Naturaldiamonds #Diamonds #SustainableDevelopment #BeijingDeclaration

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About Shanghai Diamond Exchange

Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) was authorized to set up by China’s State Council in October, 2000 as a key factor market and the only channel for the import and export of diamond in China. SDE has been operated in compliance with the recognized practices of international diamond industry, providing a fair, just and safe transaction venue with closed-door management for the world diamond dealers. It plays an important role in promoting the healthy development of China’s jewelry industry, and also helps improve the diamond industry chain of China.

SDE is a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), and has a permanent seat in its executive board made of seven people. SDE President Mr. Lin Qiang is the current Vice President of the WFDB. In 2009, SDE was moved into the new China Diamond Exchange Centre building that covers a total floor area of 49,000 square meters. It is a special venue supervised by the Chinese Customs as a bonded zone. SDE provides “one-stop” services to its members with the settled Customs Office, the Diamond Administration Office, the Taxation Bureau, the NGTC Shanghai Lab, banks, customs agents as well as logistics.

By the end of 2024, SDE has about four-hundred corporate members, almost half of which are foreign invested. SDE members enjoy taxation preferential policies. All the diamonds into and out of the venue are free of tariffs. The Customs collect 4% import VAT on the polished diamonds sold to the Chinese domestic market through SDE instead of the original 13%. By building strong relationship with global diamond centers and supporting major events of the jewelry industry, SDE has created tremendous business opportunities for its members.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, today (September 16) announced his fifth Policy Address, putting forward a series of measures to create development opportunities and enhance the well-being of the people.

“This year marks the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. In the thick of accelerating global changes not seen in a century, the vibrant momentum driven by our country’s robust strength, enormous market and high-quality development presents Hong Kong with boundless opportunities. We will better develop our economy and boost social well-being, starting a bright new chapter for Hong Kong,” Mr Lee said.

Entitled “A Strategic Vision for a Bright New Era, Driving Reform and Boosting Development, Unleashing Opportunities and Enhancing Livelihood”, the Policy Address takes the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan) as its blueprint, and proposes numerous key measures focusing on five major development opportunities to advance high-quality development.

To attract and retain high-calibre talent, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town to strengthen the city’s position as an international education hub. The HKSAR Government will also increase the research postgraduate places by around 30 per cent and the quota for government scholarships by 200, and establish five new major academies for training international talent: the International Clinical Trial Academy, Maritime Academy, Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, Hong Kong Intellectual Property Academy and Hong Kong International Academy of Policing.

To promote industry development, the Policy Address proposes to accelerate development of an international gold trading market and to explore a proposal to provide tax concessions for qualifying activities within the gold and commodity trading ecosystem. The HKSAR Government will also announce details of the new Renminbi-denominated and physically settled gold futures contracts; explore the possibility of increasing the Exchange Fund’s gold holdings, and gradually transfer its physical gold holdings to designated vaults appointed by the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited.

A number of policies are proposed to promote industry development, including introducing specialty insurance (e.g. commodity, commercial aerospace, etc.); injecting funding into the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme to support the development of the intelligent computing industry; accelerating the adoption of medical innovation and industry chain development to enable the public to benefit from better and newer drugs; and fostering a new economic landscape for the low-altitude and emerging industries, such as commercial aerospace.

The Government is developing six special industry parks, including the Loop Hong Kong Park, San Tin Technopole, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park, Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen modern logistics cluster. Land is also earmarked for building an advanced construction industry park to increase investment opportunities for enterprises.

To attract enterprises to establish a foothold in Hong Kong, tax concessions will be granted on the basis of the value brought by enterprises, instead of solely considering the industry sector. The Government will introduce an amendment bill this year, providing preferential tax rates of 5 per cent, or half-rate, for selected enterprises operating in key sectors such as finance, advanced manufacturing, innovation and technology, as well as research and development, headquarters activities and logistics and supply chain management.

The HKSAR Government will fully support the work of the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong, and build a global capital of mediation. It will also drive the establishment of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law in Hong Kong, support the Judiciary to advance the development of the International Commercial Court, and establish the “Strategy Committee on Intellectual Property Trading Development” to assist the Government in formulating strategies and support measures for the promotion of intellectual property trading.

Regarding international co-operation, two United Nations (UN) organisations, the centre of excellence on global advanced manufacturing and the Office on Drugs and Crime’s GlobE Network Asia Pacific Regional Bureau, will establish their presence in Hong Kong respectively. Elsewhere, the new WestK Performing Arts Centre, scheduled to open next year, will feature four performance venues built to the highest international theatre standards, while Asian and international sports associations will be encouraged to establish a presence in Hong Kong.

“Today, Hong Kong is at a critical juncture in advancing from stability to prosperity. We are fully aware that formulating a comprehensive, strategic roadmap is integral to our long-term development. The Government has been persistent in mapping our way by driving development through reform. The primary goal of our policies is to enable economic development that can benefit the people of Hong Kong, and meet their aspirations for a better life,” Mr Lee said.

Please visit www.policyaddress.gov.hk for the details and key points of the Policy Address.

Hashtag: #HongKong #PolicyAddress #Strategic #Vision #NewEra

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HANOVER, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – JAC Motors is making its second appearance at IAA Transportation At Hall 12, Stand C08. The line-up is headlined by the European premiere of the electric van SUNRAY PRO. JAC Motors’ commercial vehicle business is moving beyond vehicle supply to become a partner in Europe’s green logistics ecosystem—supporting the electrification of European commercial fleets and delivering low-carbon, intelligent solutions for urban logistics in Europe.

Press Conference: For Greener Cities, NOW!

On Press Day, 14 September, JAC Motors held a press conference at its booth under the theme “For Greener Cities, NOW!,” presenting four electrified models to the European market. Partners, fleet operators, and trade media from Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, and other countries attended.

At the press conference, Oscar Yu, General Manager of JAC International, stated that Europe is a key market in the company’s global expansion. JAC commercial vehicles are already present in Germany, Spain, France, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland, with a target of full European coverage by 2028. Since IAA Transportation 2024, JAC has established one subsidiary in Europe and built a localised marketing and service system covering 13 countries, including 8 regional strategic partners, over 50 authorised sales outlets, and more than 100 after-sales service outlets. In Spain, JAC holds a 41% market share in the medium-duty electric truck segment, ranking first. (Source: Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) registration data, Jan–Jun 2026.)

The solutions JAC offers European customers go beyond the vehicles themselves. JAC’s subsidiary in Italy serves as a regional parts centre, covering warehousing, service and technical support, customer operations, and marketing. On financing, JAC has partnered with Santander and others to offer finance leasing, operating leasing, PCP (Personal Contract Purchase)/TCM (Trade Cycle Management), and flexible instalment plans, covering needs from fleets to individual users. On complete vehicle solutions, JAC works with bodybuilder partners such as Infore Environment to cover refrigerated transport, municipal sanitation, rescue, and other specialist applications.

The press conference also showcased JAC’s progress in Europe: JAC Motors Italy is now operational, the German dealer network is taking shape, and the parts logistics system already covers all of Germany. As JAC’s European business gradually moves from building its footprint to day-to-day operations, the atmosphere of conversations at this year’s booth has changed noticeably compared with 2024. Conversations at the booth now go straight to operations: Is the range enough? How long does charging take? Can this vehicle save the fleet money?

Looking ahead, JAC will continue to advance product introduction and channel expansion, targeting full coverage of the European market by 2028, participating in Europe’s urban green logistics transition with a complete electrified product portfolio and localised service capabilities.

Hashtag: #JACMOTORS

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, today (September 16) announced the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030). This inaugural Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong is of monumental significance, which aims to enhance the city’s all-round strategic development in the medium- to long-term. Priority initiatives include upholding and enhancing the executive-led system, improving the efficacy of governance and proactively aligning Hong Kong with national development strategies in order to fully grasp the opportunities for growth and prosperity.

“Not only is it an action agenda for Hong Kong to better capitalise on the aggregate advantages arising from national and international opportunities, but also a pathway for continuously enhancing social well-being. By formulating the Five-Year Plan, it shall shed light on Hong Kong’s directions of development, optimise resource allocation, enhance social expectation certainty, and better protect social well-being as well as the interests of investors across the world. Hong Kong will become a more attractive, vibrant and opportunity-rich world city,” Mr Lee said.

Hong Kong will continue to boost economic growth led by “four centres and one hub”, namely its status as an international financial centre, international trade centre, international maritime centre and international aviation hub, while expediting the city’s development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Hong Kong will also become an international hub for high-calibre talent, attracting global capital, talent, and financial enterprises.

Hong Kong will continue to leverage its advantages as an international city. With the unique edge as a common law jurisdiction under the principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong will deepen its development into a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services, including a global capital of mediation and hub for high-calibre legal talent. Hong Kong will develop a regional intellectual property trading centre, an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, a centre for major international sports events and a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism.

A pleasant, vibrant and innovative Northern Metropolis will be developed through an approach that is planning-oriented, infrastructure-led, industry-driven, and people-oriented. Development objectives revolve around the Northern Metropolis University Town, I&T, industry, and providing an environment suitable for living, work, and travel.

Hong Kong will continue to participate in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in terms of both “hard” and “soft” connectivity. This includes taking forward infrastructure plans, such as cross-boundary railway projects, while also enhancing alignment rules and mechanisms within the GBA. To achieve “connectivity of hearts” among the residents of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, Hong Kong will advance collaboration in areas such as health care, elderly care, environmental protection, sports, culture and tourism, establishing the GBA as an international first-class bay area with global influence. At the same time, Hong Kong actively participates in the work of international organisations, and fully participates in the high-quality co-operation under the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to create an international collaboration network.

The Five-Year Plan sets out clearly the strategic direction in livelihood-related areas such as education, youth and women’s development, a harmonious and inclusive society, health care, housing, strengthened support for the disadvantaged groups, labour protection, elderly care, green transformation. This will strengthen the sense of fulfilment, happiness, and security in the community, enabling people to benefit from the high-quality development of the country and the city.

“The Government will stay committed to the ‘people-oriented’ ethos, strive relentlessly to enhance social well-being, and sustain economic development, so as to build a Hong Kong that is more open, more inclusive, more liberal, more prosperous and safer,” Mr Lee concluded.

For the full document of Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and related information, please visit the dedicated website (www.hk5yplan.gov.hk).

Hashtag: #HongKong #First5YearPlan #Economic #Social #Development #Vision

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GUANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – On September 16, the Phoenix Financial Forum for the Greater Bay Area 2026 was held in Guangzhou. Under the theme “New Intelligence, New Openness”, the forum brought together government representatives, experts, scholars, and business leaders to discuss major topics including artificial intelligence, the internationalization of Chinese companies, new quality productive forces, and cross-border asset management.

As part of the forum, the PHOENIX STAR 2026 CHINA CITY HONORS were officially unveiled.

Developed by Phoenix TV in collaboration with Brand Finance, the honors draw on selected data and findings from the Brand Finance China City Index 2026 to highlight distinctive strengths of Chinese cities that have strong potential to resonate with wider audiences. Through Phoenix TV’s global media network, the honors aim to bring greater visibility to the unique value of Chinese cities and support their city-brand development.

The underlying Brand Finance research covered 70 major Chinese cities and surveyed approximately 12,000 respondents. It examined 46 city brand attributes across seven pillars: Business & Investment, Liveability, Culture & Heritage, People & Values, Sustainability & Transport, Governance, and Education & Science.

This year’s honors highlighted the distinctive strengths of city brands across China.

Guangzhou received the title 2026 City of Brand Influence in recognition of its openness and inclusiveness, strong public awareness, and business appeal. Hangzhou was named the 2026 City of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Vitality for its dynamic innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem and urban creativity.

Nanjing received the title 2026 City of Industry-Academia-Research Integration, reflecting its strengths in higher education and research, as well as close collaboration between academia and industry. Chengdu was named the 2026 City of Culture, Tourism and Consumer Vitality for bringing cultural and tourism experiences together with vibrant consumer offerings.

Changchun received the title 2026 City of Cultural Festival Appeal, reflecting its diverse cultural festivals and distinctive urban character. Xi’an was named the 2026 City of Historical and Cultural Influence for bringing its rich historical and cultural legacy to life through contemporary expression and wider engagement.

During the forum, Scott Chen, Managing Director of Brand Finance China, spoke to Phoenix TV about the findings of the Brand Finance China City Index 2026.

“The research shows that cities follow a wide variety of development models, and there is no single path that applies to all of them,” Chen said. “Yet the cities that remain most memorable are often those that have developed one particular strength to an exceptional level, or those that possess a distinctive but under-recognized advantage. This is also the value of our collaboration with Phoenix TV on the PHOENIX STAR 2026 CHINA CITY HONORS: identifying the defining strength that makes each city memorable.”

Chen added that conventional indicators used in city promotion, such as GDP and population, can describe a city’s size but cannot fully explain why people aspire to visit it, trust it, or choose to stay.

“Helping wider audiences understand the aspects of everyday life that make local residents proud may be one of the most cost-effective investments a city can make in its brand today,” he said.

From openness and inclusiveness to innovation and entrepreneurship, from consumer experiences and cultural festivals to academic collaboration and cultural heritage, the presentation reflected the diversity of Chinese city brands. A city brand is not only an expression of the city’s image; it is also becoming an important form of soft power for attracting talent, industry, capital, and consumption.

Following the city honors presentation, the forum announced the Joint Initiative for Global Brand Communications of “Invest Guangzhou”. The initiative was jointly launched by Phoenix TV’s FengShows, the Canton Investment Development Commission (CIDC), and Guangzhou’s coordinating office for city brand development and communications. The three parties will draw on their respective strengths to collaborate on the global promotion of the “Invest Guangzhou” brand, international economic and trade events, a global investment-promotion think tank, and regular communications and project implementation. The collaboration aims to enhance Guangzhou’s visibility among global investors and encourage more international capital, industries, and talent to discover and engage with the city.

Looking ahead, Phoenix TV will continue to follow the development of Chinese city brands and use its global media network to bring their distinctive value to a wider international audience. Phoenix Go Glocal will also continue to support more Chinese city brands in reaching the world.

Hashtag: #PHOENIXSTAR2026 #PHOENIXTV

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A New Chapter for Hang Lung’s Second-Largest Market in the Chinese Mainland

HONG KONG SAR and SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK Stock Code: 00101) (“Hang Lung” or the “Company”) today celebrated the opening of Xi Zhe Wuxi, Curio Collection by Hilton (“Xi Zhe Wuxi”), the crowning addition to Center 66’s mixed-use destination. Bringing together retail, office, apartment and hotel components, Center 66 is a cornerstone of the Company’s presence in Wuxi, its second-largest market on the Mainland. The arrival of Xi Zhe Wuxi reinforces the complex’s role as a regional commercial benchmark, deepening the synergies between Hang Lung’s developments in Shanghai, Wuxi, and Hangzhou, further advancing its contribution to the Yangtze River Delta integration.

Mr. Weber Lo, Chief Executive Officer of Hang Lung Properties, said, “Hang Lung has built a strong presence in Wuxi for the past 13 years. The grand opening of Xi Zhe Wuxi marks a milestone in Phase Two of Center 66, reflecting the results of our long-term commitment to the city. As the first Curio Collection by Hilton in Hang Lung’s portfolio, the hotel brings local culture to life through distinctive hospitality experiences. Leveraging Hilton’s operational expertise and international clientele, both parties will create lifestyle synergies and further enhance the overall appeal of Center 66. We are confident that the complex will continue to set the benchmark for premium commercial development in Southern Jiangsu.”

Mr. Herman Chui, Senior Director – Office, Hotel & Residence at Hang Lung Properties, said, “Xi Zhe Wuxi fills a long-standing gap in Wuxi’s upscale hospitality offering, giving the city a genuine anchor for bespoke travel and business stays. Curio Collection by Hilton complements Center 66 with elevated, individualized service that invites guests to stay longer and explore more of the destination. Equally important is the strength of our partnership with Hilton, whose global clientele mirrors the premium, discerning customer base we have cultivated over the years, opening the door to meaningful cross-brand synergies. Coinciding with Hang Lung’s 66^th anniversary, Xi Zhe Wuxi marks an important milestone in the evolution of Center 66 ecosystem, which strengthens the appeal and competitiveness of the entire development.”

Located at the heart of the city, Center 66 delivers exceptional vibrancy by seamlessly integrating commerce, culture, and community. At its core, the mall has assembled one of the region’s most distinguished luxury portfolios as the only address in Wuxi for boutiques including Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Gucci, etc. It is also home to over 250 international brands, including more than 30 ultra-luxury names and over 100 first-to-market stores.

Complementing the mall, two Grade-A office towers bring a steady flow of business professionals on weekdays, Center Residences provides a stable residential base, and the newly opened Xi Zhe Wuxi adds hotel guests throughout the week, whether for business or leisure. Together, they foster a diverse community of residents, professionals, shoppers, and visitors, sustaining the complex’s vibrancy. This diversity is further amplified by Center 66’s reach beyond Wuxi itself, with nearly 30% of visitors traveling in from outside the city — a regional pull made possible by Wuxi’s economic strength, with GDP reaching nearly RMB 1.7 trillion in 2025, up 5% year-on-year.

Xi Zhe Wuxi, the brand’s debut in Jiangsu Province, offers 105 rooms and suites across two distinctive buildings: a contemporary wing and a restored heritage residence originally built in 1933 by Wuxi entrepreneur Mr. Zhang Xiaocheng and his sister. The hotel’s intimate scale supports a highly personalized guest experience. By weaving heritage and modernity into a single narrative, the two buildings add a strong cultural dimension into Center 66, infusing the complex’s retail and business activities with a sense of local history and craftsmanship. Complementing its guestrooms, the hotel features Sanwei Bistro, serving modern Wuxi cuisine; French bistro & bar Now and Then; an indoor swimming pool; and multifunctional spaces for meetings and events.

Mr. Alexander Shockley, Senior Director of Lifestyle & Collection Brands, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, “Today’s travelers are seeking stays that feel personal, authentic and deeply connected to their destination. Hilton’s lifestyle brands are designed to meet these evolving expectations, offering differentiated experiences that give guests the freedom to express themselves, discover local culture and connect in meaningful ways. As we expand our lifestyle portfolio in China, we will continue to strengthen the positioning of our lifestyle brands and bring more distinctive experiences to travelers across the country.”

Looking ahead, under its V.3 strategy, Hang Lung will continue investing in its highest-performing assets, with the Center 66 Expansion increasing the mall’s retail footprint by 38% and unlocking the next phase of growth for one of the Company’s best-performing assets in the Chinese Mainland.

Hashtag: #HangLung

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About Hang Lung Properties

Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK stock code: 00101) creates compelling spaces that enrich lives. Headquartered in Hong Kong and Shanghai, the Company manages a portfolio of over 3.6 million square meters of retail, office, residential, and hotel properties across Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.

The Company’s diverse portfolio in Hong Kong includes office towers and malls in prime districts, as well as luxury residential developments in prestigious areas. In the Chinese Mainland, under the signature “66” brand, the Company’s mixed-use and retail developments are regarded as premium landmarks, strategically located in the hearts of key cities of Shanghai, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuxi, Tianjin, Dalian, Kunming, Wuhan, and Hangzhou.

The Company is recognized for pioneering sustainability in the real estate industry, with an MSCI ESG rating of AA and inclusion on CDP “A List” for Climate Change. The Company powers 90% of its operating properties in the Chinese Mainland with renewable energy, with a net-zero commitment by 2050.

At Hang Lung Properties – We Do It Well.

For more information, please visit www.hanglung.com.

About Center 66, Wuxi

Center 66 is located in downtown Wuxi, comprising a premium shopping mall, two Grade-A office towers, Center Residences, and Xi Zhe Wuxi, Curio Collection by Hilton, with a total gross floor area of over 600,000 square meters (including Center 66 Expansion).

The mall features over 250 international premium brands, with more than half making their debut in Wuxi or Jiangsu Province. Office Towers 1 and 2 are home to nearly 300 leading domestic and international enterprises, complemented by HANGOUT, Hang Lung’s self-operated co-working space designed to meet diverse business needs. Center Residences offers 573 premium units, while Xi Zhe Wuxi, Curio Collection by Hilton comprising a heritage building adds 105 rooms and suites. Center 66 Expansion will expand the total retail footprint of Center 66 by 38%. Seamlessly integrating modern development with cultural preservation, Center 66 incorporates the historic Chenghuang Temple complex, creating a unique blend of commerce, lifestyle, and heritage in the heart of the city.

Center 66 is powered by renewable energy. Its shopping mall, Office Tower 1 and 2 were awarded “Certification under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Core and Shell Development – Gold Level” issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 — Lever Style is pleased to share that Champion System, the custom performance apparel brand we have operated since 2021, is joining ONDO, Inc., the New York-based performance accessories company founded by Daniel Shim.

ONDO has built a fast-growing brand with patented product technology and a loyal community. Champion System becomes its second brand, backed by a team focused on developing performance apparel and accessories for athletes.

Lever Style’s focus remains where it has always been: manufacturing and supply chain partnership for the world’s best apparel brands. We are proud to continue as the supply chain partner for both ONDO and Champion System.
Hashtag: #LeverStyle

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Lever Style Corporation

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – Bupa Hong Kong welcomes Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the healthcare-related initiatives announced in the latest Policy Address. We are encouraged by the Government’s focus on strengthening primary healthcare, advancing prevention and population health management, accelerating digital health adoption, supporting healthy ageing, expanding Greater Bay Area (GBA) cross-boundary healthcare integration, and promoting Chinese medicine development, reflecting a long-term commitment to enhancing quality of life and supporting the health and wellbeing of the community.

As Hong Kong’s healthcare needs continue to evolve amid an ageing population and increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, there is an important opportunity to further strengthen prevention, early intervention and primary healthcare. Enabling people to stay healthy and improve their quality of life not only supports better health outcomes, but also contributes to a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system for the future.

At Bupa Hong Kong, we believe healthcare should go beyond treating illness to empowering people throughout their health journey, actively supporting individuals to manage and improve their health at every stage of life. By bringing together health insurance, integrated Western and Chinese healthcare services and digital health solutions, we enable people to take greater control of their health while receiving comprehensive medical and preventive care support.

We also recognise that strong public-private collaboration and leveraging GBA healthcare resources will be essential to meeting Hong Kong’s evolving health needs, improving hospital services and alleviating pressure on the public healthcare system. By harnessing the collective strengths of government, healthcare providers and the private sector, Hong Kong can further strengthen primary healthcare, support the adoption of digital health solutions and promote healthy ageing. Together, we can help make healthcare more accessible and seamless, while supporting better health outcomes across the community.

Bupa Hong Kong looks forward to continuing to work alongside the Government and partners across the healthcare ecosystem to support Hong Kong’s long-term development, helping people live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

For more information about Bupa Hong Kong, please visit www.bupa.com.hk/en/.

Hashtag: #Bupa #BupaHongKong #FirstFiveYearPlan #2026PolicyAddress #Healthcare

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Bupa – A health insurance specialist

Established in 1947, Bupa’s purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We are an international healthcare company serving over 68 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers. Bupa has businesses around the world, principally in Australia, the UK, Spain, Poland, Chile, Hong Kong SAR, India, Türkiye, Brazil, Mexico and New Zealand. We also have associate businesses in Saudi Arabia.

Bupa has been a health insurance specialist in Hong Kong since 1976, offering one-stop solutions across domestic and international health insurance, and healthcare services. Our comprehensive medical insurance schemes are tailored to meet individual needs, and we provide health solutions for companies of all sizes. We also have a team of registered nurses, health management professionals, and doctors who provide various expert healthcare support.

Our healthcare provision arm, Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS), became part of Bupa in October 2013. QHMS offers Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diagnostics & Imaging, Physiotherapy, Mental Health and Wellness services via a network of over 1,650 provider service points in Hong Kong.

For more information, visit www.bupa.com.hk/en/.