PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 March 2026 – CARSOME Group Inc (CARSOME or the Group), Southeast Asia’s largest integrated car e-commerce platform, today announced a strategic investment round of more than USD 30 million from a set of new and existing investors including the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC), Gobi Partners, and Asia Partners. This fundraise underscores the investors’ confidence in CARSOME’s journey to profitability and long-term vision across the region, as demonstrated by the recent record FY25 results. These funds will further accelerate its profitable growth in the region for the coming years.
CARSOME Group Inc (CARSOME or the Group), Southeast Asia’s largest integrated car e-commerce platform, today announced a strategic investment round of more than USD 30 million from a set of new and existing investors including the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC), Gobi Partners, and Asia Partners.
This investment and partnership reflect a shared ambition to strengthen connections between Southeast Asia and Greater China, leveraging Hong Kong’s role as a regional gateway for advanced automotive capabilities, technology development, and global talent. With the support from the HKIC, CARSOME will drive initiatives across areas such as supply chain sourcing and technology collaboration, accelerating the application of data and artificial intelligence (AI) in the automotive sector, which further empowers CARSOME for its regional expansion.
“CARSOME has spent the last several years focused on building a resilient, profitable business with strong fundamentals,” said Eric Cheng, CARSOME Group Co-founder and CEO. “This strategic collaboration and fundraise is a vote of confidence in our continued momentum and long-term vision. This partnership gives us crucial access to innovation capabilities, cross-border networks, and world-class talent that will support our work in AI, data, and next-generation mobility services across Southeast Asia.”
Clara Chan, Chief Executive Officer of the HKIC, said, “We are pleased to support CARSOME as part of our continued effort to harness technology to drive industry transformation, contributing to Hong Kong’s long-term economic development and resilience. With Hong Kong’s unique position as a gateway connecting global innovation and investment opportunities, CARSOME exemplifies the type of high-conviction, technology-driven enterprise that aligns with the HKIC’s mandate to foster scalable innovation across our strategic sectors. We look forward to supporting forward-thinking companies like CARSOME in creating tangible value for the future of Hong Kong.”
Chibo Tang, Managing Partner of Gobi Partners, said, “CARSOME is a leading example of how Southeast Asian startups are well-positioned to create close ties with partners in Greater China, leveraging each region’s unique strengths. We are pleased to be a returning investor in CARSOME, having supported them for almost a decade. Gobi was an early believer in CARSOME’s ability to scale across international borders, and we are happy to see their early potential come to fruition as they reimagine the way consumers across Asia purchase vehicles.”
Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington posts major rise in international student enrolments and strong growth in arts, politics, and teaching, as well as higher numbers of Māori and Pasifika students.
Victoria University has recorded a substantial 50 percent increase in international students enrolled to start, signalling strong global interest in studying in the capital.
The latest numbers, released today, show a surge of young, ambitious learners choosing Wellington as the place they want to study, grow, and build their futures.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Smith said the data underscores Vic Uni’s global reputation and distinctive Wellington identity: “The latest figures demonstrate our desirability among international learners. The diversity of countries represented in our enrolments shows our widespread appeal right now—and reinforces Wellington’s reputation as a vibrant, globally connected capital,” he said.
“Alongside the rise in international students, the University is also seeing strong growth in arts, politics, the environment, and teaching—an encouraging sign of renewed student engagement with culture, society, and civic leadership. Our campuses are positively humming with students.”
The data shows rising enrolments of Māori and Pasifika students (up 5 percent and 8 percent respectively)—reinforcing Victoria University’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning community.
The upward trajectory of enrolments challenges recent rhetoric about Wellington and shows young people continue to value the city’s creativity, opportunities, and sense of belonging.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) Dr Logan Bannister said the results reflect both the hard work of staff and the attractiveness of Wellington as a destination: “Our team has put in a huge effort to grow international enrolments, and it’s paying off. We’re seeing students from all over the world choosing Victoria University of Wellington because they want to experience everything Wellington has to offer. It’s an exciting moment for our campus community.”
Halls of residence trends show strong demand for independent-living options, driven largely by the growth in international learners.
Chief Operating Officer Tina Wakefield said the University’s residential options continue to evolve alongside student needs: “Living in a hall of residence provides an incredible start to university life. Your hall becomes your home—and with it comes a family. It’s where life-long friendships and memories are made. To meet growing demand, especially for independent-living options, we’ve opened a new hall every year for the past three years, adding almost 450 beds for our students.”
Highlights from the 2026 data census (as at 9 March 2026)
· Commencing full-fee enrolments are up 50 percent on 2025, with 973 international students scheduled to start, up from 650. Our students come from 114 countries around the world, with the United States being the most common country of origin this year. China, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam complete the top five.
· Our total number of students has already reached 18,759, representing three years of consistent growth. In fact, our student population now corresponds to almost ten percent of the capital city’s population.
· Independent living in our halls of residence is up 7 percent, with 56 additional beds filled for a total of 857 beds. Halls of residence had a total headcount of 2,582, a slight drop of 1 percent on 2025, which notably was likely a result of Wellington school-leavers choosing to stay at home to save on living costs.
· Students starting a Major in Politics accounted for a 30 percent rise on 2025 numbers (169 enrolled students up from 130) and the new Bachelor of Politics has launched to meet strong demand, with 79 people already enrolled in the first year. The BPol is currently the only one in New Zealand.
· Māori student enrolments are up 5 percent for a total of 2,263 students, and there an extra 99 Pasifika students enrolled, for a total of 1,410 (an 8 percent increase).
· Graduate Diplomas in Teaching (Primary and Secondary) are both up, gaining percentage increases of 21 percent and 15 percent respectively.
· New enrolments in the Bachelor of Midwifery are up significantly, with 108 new students (up 27 percent)—a standout growth area this year.
· Enrolments at the Faculty of Law are up 12 percent in commencing students, for a total of 562, following its latest accolade as the number one place to study law in New Zealand according to the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 Rankings by subject.
· Bachelor of Environment and Society continues its strong trajectory in its second year, with enrolments up by 214 percent (66 compared to 21 last year).
· Bachelor of Music enrolments are up 17 percent, including strong growth in Popular Music (97 percent).
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 March 2026 – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today officially launched its 35th Anniversary celebrations with a vibrant ceremony, bringing together distinguished government officials, industry leaders, and members of the university community to reflect on an extraordinary journey of excellence.
The Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government Mr. CHAN Kwok-ki (middle), Deputy Director of LOCPG Mr. LUO Yonggang (third right), Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government Dr. Christine CHOI Yuk-lin (third left) and members of the HKUST leadership team, including Pro-Chancellor Dr. John CHAN Cho-Chak (first right), Council Chairman Prof. Harry SHUM (second right), Court Chairman Dr. the Honorable Andrew LIAO Cheung-Sing (first left), and President Prof. Nancy IP (second left) inaugurate a series of commemorative initiatives for the HKUST 35th anniversary.
Themed “Where Miracles Happen,” the milestone event honors the pioneering spirit that has propelled generations of HKUST members to achieve remarkable feats. Officiating at the ceremony were Mr. CHAN Kwok-Ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government; Mr. LUO Yonggang, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (LOCPG); and Dr. CHOI Yuk-Lin, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government. They were joined by HKUST Pro-Chancellor Dr. John CHAN Cho-Chak, Council Chairman Prof. Harry SHUM, Court Chairman Dr. the Honorable Andrew LIAO Cheung-Sing, and President Prof. Nancy IP to inaugurate a year of commemorative activities.
A Journey Forged with Vision and Purpose
In her welcome address, President Ip, who joined HKUST in 1993, offered a personal reflection on the University’s remarkable ascent. She witnessed its evolution into a world-class institution; a success built on academic excellence and a vibrant innovation ecosystem created from the ground up. She credited this profound transformation to the extraordinary foresight of the University’s Founding President, Prof. Chia-Wei Woo.
“From its very inception, HKUST was built on a bold and unprecedented vision: to become Hong Kong’s first research-intensive university,” President Ip shared. “Long before the Greater Bay Area concept existed, our founders, led by Prof. Woo, understood that Hong Kong’s future was inextricably linked with the region. This visionary courage saw them forge vital connections with the Chinese Mainland, laying the groundwork for what would become HKUST (Guangzhou) in 2022. Their courage, dedication, and tenacity built the unshakeable foundation on which we stand today.”
President Ip emphasized that the University’s success is measured not by rankings alone, but by its tangible impact on society. This founding DNA—to anticipate and meet societal needs with excellence—is now driving HKUST’s most ambitious chapter yet: the establishment of a new School of Medicine. “This is a transformative milestone, fulfilling a dream pursued for over three decades,” she stated. “We are deeply grateful to the HKSAR Government for its trust and partnership. Together, we will build a technologically advanced, humanistic medical school that ushers in a new era for healthcare in Hong Kong. Let us honor those who walked before us by carrying their courageous legacy into a new era of excellence.”
A Cornerstone of Hong Kong’s Global Leadership
Mr. Chan Kwok-Ki commended HKUST’s profound impact on Hong Kong’s development. “Over the past 35 years, HKUST has evolved from a bold new institution into a globally respected university, driven by visionary leadership, dedicated faculty, a continuing flow of talented students, and an enduring spirit of innovation. Its strong international rankings, vibrant start-up ecosystem, and diverse global student body demonstrate how research and education can deliver tangible societal impact,” he stated. “As Hong Kong advances its role as an international education hub, HKUST stands as a shining example of how universities can nurture global talent while supporting national development priorities. With strengths spanning artificial intelligence, science, and its planned School of Medicine, HKUST is exceptionally well-positioned to shape the future of innovation and talent development.”
Carrying a Pioneering Spirit into the Next Chapter
Prof. Harry Shum reflected on the University’s unique position. “Thirty-five years is a fascinating milestone. In human terms, it is the age of maturity, the point where youthful energy meets seasoned wisdom. And I see the same spirit alive in this institution. We still possess the curiosity and drive of our early years. But now we have the strength, the reputation, and the alumni network that only decades can build. The world is changing faster than ever before. If we are to serve the next generation as well as we have served the past, we must lead, we must innovate, and we must redefine what education can be. In this regard, HKUST is ready to open a new chapter.
“The HKSAR Government has appointed HKUST with the trust to build the third medical school in Hong Kong. We envision the University’s medical school that will bridge traditional medical curriculum with the latest technology and AI breakthroughs, will gradually revolutionize the entire medical spectrum—from diagnosis to treatment to recovery, prevention and personalized medicine. I am confident that this future-oriented medical school, which will admit its first cohort in 2028, will play an important role in educating and training a new generation of scientists and clinicians in the next 35 years and beyond.”
A Celebration of Innovation and Heritage
Reflecting the theme “Where Miracles Happen,” the ceremony showcased HKUST’s leadership in technology in a truly spectacular fashion. In a breathtaking fusion of tradition and innovation, the university’s Guangzhou campus team presented a robotic lion dance. This remarkable creation brought the classic folk art to life through advanced robotics, embodying the spirit of cultural heritage reimagined through cutting-edge engineering.
For the grand officiating ceremony, HKUST turned into an unexpected source of inspiration: humanity’s best friends. But there were no ordinary dogs. A team of robotic dogs—developed by Direct Drive Technology (an HKUST-nurtured startup), the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute—took center stage. Engineered to navigate complex, uneven terrain and perform dangerous industrial inspections, these four-legged helpers were given a far more meaningful mission for the day: carrying the ceremonial “Miracle Balls” to the officiating guests. As robotic dogs trotted majestically onto stage bearing their precious cargo, they symbolized the University’s commitment to channeling cutting-edge research into real-world applications—and its penchant for making miracles happen.
The ceremony reached its pinnacle with a dramatic display of innovation. In a symbolic gesture of bridging past and future, a drone—generously donated by distinguished alumnus Mr. WANG Tao, Founder of DJI—soared into the venue carrying the commemorative “35th Symbol Key.” As the drone gracefully descended to deliver the key to the officiating party on stage, it signaled the formal inauguration of the anniversary celebrations.
HKUST expressed its deep gratitude to Mr. Wang for his generous donation of two of the latest drone solutions to the university. These state-of-the-art drones will serve as an inspiration for faculty and students to explore and address new challenges in the rapidly evolving low-altitude economy.
The campus itself has been transformed with a “Circle of Time” visual theme, inspired by the iconic Sundial sculpture—a symbol of the University’s enduring legacy and its continuous measurement of progress in education, research, and knowledge transfer.
A Legacy of Excellence and National Trust
Since its founding in 1991, HKUST has risen to rank among the world’s top 50 universities. This commitment to excellence is underscored by the deep trust the nation has placed in the University. Following the reorganization of two existing State Key Laboratories, HKUST has secured approval from the Ministry of Science and Technology to establish a new one, further strengthening its role in advancing cutting-edge research critical to national development.
In a major national space endeavor, HKUST is developing a multi-functional robot for the historic Chang’E-8 lunar mission, designed to operate on the lunar surface and contribute to China’s advancing space exploration capabilities. The University is also leading the development of a high-precision, point-source greenhouse gas detection instrument. This groundbreaking project is set to make history as it will become HKSAR’s first payload to China’s Tiangong Space Station aboard the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft for research and application.
Celebratory Events
A full year of celebratory activities is planned, including co-hosting Asia Universities Summit with Times Higher Education, an AI Film Festival, and joint celebrations with HKUST (Guangzhou).
Global Thought Leadership
Following the symposium held earlier this year, where multiple Nobel laureates and world-leading scholars were invited to engage with HKUST faculty, students and alumni, the University will co-host the THE Asia Universities Summit 2026 with Times Higher Education (THE) this April. The event will draw university presidents and industry leaders from around the world to Hong Kong to explore Asia’s leadership role in driving global change. HKUST will also host the China Association of Higher Education’s flagship “World University Presidents Forum” for the first time in Hong Kong.
AI and Innovation Thematic Events
HKUST will organize a series of events focused on AI, technology governance and creative culture—including an AI Film Festival—to highlight the University’s leadership and societal impact in AI.
Building the HKUST Community
The University will host joint celebrations across its Clear Water Bay and Guangzhou campuses, including a year-long blood donation drive, a marathon, a “Mixed Reality x AI” art exhibition, and more, to foster closer interaction between faculty and students from the two campuses. HKUST will also organize a grand anniversary gala dinner to celebrate with faculty, students, alumni and community leaders, alongside a digital commemorative booklet that recounts the University’s 35 years of outstanding achievements with society.
Hashtag: #HKUST
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 March 2026 – The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government, continues to promote Thailand’s content and entertainment industry in international markets. This initiative is carried out through business networking activities at “Thai Night Hong Kong 2026”, alongside Thailand’s participation in the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) 2026, one of Asia’s most prominent marketplaces for film and television content.
FILMART 2026 will take place from 17–20 March 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The event provides an opportunity for Thai content companies to connect with international buyers, investors, and industry partners while showcasing the strengths of Thailand’s entertainment industry on the global stage.
Ms. Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), stated that the department places strong emphasis on supporting Thailand’s content and entertainment industry in international markets. DITP aims to help Thai entrepreneurs expand business opportunities and strengthen partnerships with global industry players, while enhancing the competitiveness of Thai companies in the global marketplace.
“Thailand’s participation in FILMART and the organization of Thai Night Hong Kong 2026 provide an important platform to present the capabilities of Thai content companies and to foster new partnerships with international producers, distributors, and investors. These activities will help expand business opportunities and further promote Thai content in global markets,” she said.
At FILMART 2026, Thailand will showcase the strengths of its entertainment industry through four strategic pillars: Talents, Locations, Production, and Post-production. These pillars highlight Thailand’s skilled creative professionals, diverse filming locations, internationally recognized production standards, and advanced post-production capabilities, including visual effects and animation, supported by government measures that help facilitate international investment.
At the same time, DITP continues to capitalize on the growing global popularity of Y and GL series, one of the fastest-growing segments of Thailand’s entertainment industry, with valued at more than THB 4.9 billion in 2025. These genres have gained strong international fan bases and present significant opportunities for Thai content to reach global audiences.
Thailand is also encouraging the development of new content formats such as short-form dramas, which are increasingly popular on digital platforms and streaming services. These formats allow Thai creators to expand their presence across global distribution channels and reach wider international audiences.
With the remarkable growth and international recognition of Thailand’s entertainment industry in recent years—driven by talented filmmakers, diverse filming locations, and high production standards—Thai Night Hong Kong 2026 aims to move beyond showcasing industry capabilities toward fostering concrete international business collaboration.
A key highlight of the event will be the creation of a strategic platform for partnership discussions between Thai entrepreneurs and international industry partners. The event is expected to welcome more than 500 global investors, producers, directors, and media representatives, providing opportunities to expand business partnerships and further strengthen Thailand’s presence in the global entertainment industry.
For more information and updates about Thai Night Hong Kong 2026 and Thailand’s participation in FILMART 2026, please visit: www.ditp.go.th www.facebook.com/thailandfilms
Hashtag: #DITP
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 March 2026 – On March 2nd, the 2026 WLAN Global Industry Forum, hosted by the World WLAN Application Alliance (WAA), was held in Barcelona, Spain. Centered on the theme of “AI-WLAN: Envisioning a New Premium Intelligent WLAN Ecosystem,” the Forum attracted over a hundred participants from countries and regions worldwide, representing the full industry value chain—including technology experts, network operators, equipment vendors, testing and certification bodies, and research institutes and universities. By bringing together global WLAN resources on one platform, the Forum built a bridge for cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration, accelerating the WLAN industry’s global and intelligent upgrading empowered by AI, and underscoring a shared vision for coordinated development across the global ecosystem.
Panel Discussion on “AI-WLAN Innovative Points on Application and Standardization”
Today, the deep integration of AI and WLAN has become an inevitable trend in the global short-range connectivity industry. As the world’s first international industry and standards organization dedicated to WLAN application experience, WAA has taken the lead in advancing the vision of building a global hub for AI–WLAN technical exchange and standardization. By convening this industry forum, WAA brought together global consensus and international momentum to address shared challenges in the sector, while jointly exploring new pathways and paradigms for the converged evolution of AI and WLAN.
This forum was hosted by Luis Jorge Romero, CSO of the Comentropy Industry and Standards Innovation Service Center. In his opening address, ZHANG Ping, President of WAA, stated that the forum’s theme of AI-WLAN: Envisioning a New Premium Intelligent WLAN Ecosystem not only reflects the shared vision of the industry, but also demonstrates a collective commitment to action, work together toward a better digital future. In his welcome address, Gan Bin, Vice President of Huawei, noted that AI is transforming WLAN from “passive response” to “proactive prediction,” enabling networks to better meet differentiated, scenario-specific needs across industries. He expressed his hope that industry partners will join forces to help the global WLAN sector play an even greater role in the AI era.
International cooperation remained a central thread throughout the Forum and emerged as a key focus for participants. Together with international organizations, operators, and leading equipment vendors, WAA jointly released the “International Cooperation Initiatives on AI-WLAN Standardization,” outlining priority areas for collaborative innovation in AI-WLAN technical standards on a global scale. The Initiative lays a solid foundation for reducing standard barriers and advancing coordinated technology development.
During the Forum, WAA signed two Memoranda of Understanding—one with WBBA and another with GIIC—further expanding its international cooperation landscape and joining forces to usher the WLAN industry into a new phase of intelligent and global development. The Forum also featured the launch ceremony of the “Establishment of the WLAN Intelligent Sensing Industry Ecosystem Organization & Release of High-Quality 10 Gbps AI Campus Technical and Standard White Paper Ceremony.” These milestones will continue to deepen industry collaboration, accelerate technological innovation, and optimize application scenarios—working collectively to deliver a higher-quality and more efficient network service experience for users.
In the keynote session, speakers engaged in in-depth discussions aligned with the Forum theme, focusing on core topics such as AI–WLAN technology convergence, standards evolution, scenario-based deployment, and ecosystem co-creation. They shared forward-looking insights and practical achievements, offering ideas and direction to advance coordinated development across the global industry.
In his address titled “WLAN in Era of AI,” ZHANG Ping, President of the WAA, outlined four core directions for the development of AI-WLAN: wireless intelligence, operational intelligence, AI-WLAN security, and WLAN sensing with embodied intelligence, charting the course for the technological path.
Jim Lansford, IEEE Life Fellow, Chair of lEEE 802.11 Wireless Next Generation Standing Committee, stated in his presentation “The Next Generation beyond 802.11bn: the Foundation for AI-Native WLAN” that AI and machine learning can effectively mitigate interference, defend against quantum attacks, optimize physical layer parameters, and drive wireless networks to achieve capabilities for immersive entertainment and high-reliability, low-latency industrial automation, approaching the performance of wired networks.
SHI Chao, Deputy General Manager, Home IoT Product Department, China Mobile (Hangzhou) Information Technology Co., Ltd, shared insights in his presentation “From Connectivity to Intelligent Networking: China Mobile’s Leadership in the Intelligent Upgrade of AI-WLAN Home Networks.” He proposed that AI-WLAN serves as the “brain” and “nervous system” of the digital home, enabling autonomous network intelligence to proactively resolve issues before users even notice, thereby achieving proactive service delivery.
XU Fan, Chief Architect of Huawei Optical Access Network Product Line, proposed in his presentation “AI-WLAN Enables Ultimate Home Network Experience” that deterministic low latency (within 20 milliseconds) is a key enabler for cloud-edge collaboration, embodied intelligence, remote robot control, and high-definition live streaming for influencers. AI-WLAN is becoming the core foundation of the digital experience.
Bocar Alpha BA, CEO of SAMENA Telecommunications Council, emphasized that building an industrial ecosystem integrating AI and WLAN is of paramount importance. The deep integration of AI and intelligent wireless networks has become a foundational pillar for cross-industry digital transformation. WLAN has evolved from a supportive technology into a strategic infrastructure underpinning economic development. Promoting cross-regional collaborative efforts in WLAN standardization is fundamentally significant for ensuring the sustainable development and digital resilience of the digital economy.
Marcos Martínez Vázquez, MaxLinear, Rapporteur ITU-T Q3/15, introduced “AI Technologies in ITU-T Q3/SG15,” proposing that AI provides a mechanisms for in-premises communications to achieve cross-layer, cross-device, and system-level optimization that are difficult to accomplish with traditional methods, and that subsequent efforts will be made to strengthen alignment with international organizations such as WAA to avoid duplicate work and create synergies in standards development.
Tiago Rodrigues, Wireless Broadband Alliance President and CEO, noted in “AI/ML For Wi-Fi: Enabling Scaleable, Intelligent Wi-Fi Ecosystems” with operational complexity, AI and machine learning are becoming essential to keep networks reliable, secure and efficient at scale. The industry must align on common data, interfaces and governance, so that intelligent Wi-Fi can work across real-world multi-vendor environments and deliver value for all who use it.
LIU Guangfeng, General Manager of H3C Spain Office, shared insights in his presentation titled “AI-Driven WLAN for Enterprise: From High Speed to True Intelligence” on how manufacturers translate standards into products and services, achieving issue prediction, adaptive policy management, and zero-trust security through cloud-based models.
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 6 Chair Shin-Gak Kang noted in “ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 6 Standardization toward AI-Enhanced Network Control” that AI can significantly enhance WLAN performance and user experiences without changes to PHY/MAC standards, and that future efforts should accelerate standardization of control and management mechanisms for WLAN environments, while recognizing physical capacity limits and leveraging AI technologies.
Ganesh Swaminathan, Vice President and General Manager of the Wireless Infrastructure and Networking at Qualcomm Technologies, introduced in “Enabling Reliable AI-Driven WLAN Experiences with Wi-Fi 8” how the end-to-end full-stack connectivity and computing capabilities based on the latest Dragonwing chip platform, leveraging Wi-Fi 8 and an AI-native architecture, provide high-bandwidth, intelligent access for home, 5G FWA and Fiber Gateway and industry scenarios.
Following the keynote speeches, a roundtable forum was held on the topic “AI-WLAN Innovative Points on Application and Standardization.” Moderated by Li Li, Chief Scientist of Standards at Huawei, the panel brought together Jim Lansford (Chair of IEEE 802.11 Wireless Next Generation Standing Committee), Marcos Martínez Vázquez (MaxLinear, Rapporteur ITU-T Q3/15), Shin-Gak KANG (ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 6 Chair), WANG Xuemin (Chair of WAA TCS), DU Peng (Technical Director of Europe, New H3C Technologies Co., Ltd. ), and Chano Gómez (Senior Director of Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.). They engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including AI-WLAN security, performance enhancement, experience optimization, and standards collaboration, building consensus for the practical implementation and healthy development of the technology and industry.
As major industry gathering combining strong professionalism with a global outlook, the 2026 WLAN Global Industry Forum not only provided a core platform for worldwide collaboration and exchange across the WLAN value chain, but also strengthened international consensus on AI–WLAN convergence and reinforced the foundation for global industry cooperation. WAA Secretary-General YANG He stated: “Building on the momentum of this Forum, WAA will continue to deepen the two-way integration of AI and WLAN, further strengthen international collaboration, and continue to serve as a ‘coordinator’ and a ‘catalyst.’ We will keep bridging global industry resources, deepen international technical exchange and standards cooperation, and promote outcomes that enable premium WLAN experiences to benefit users worldwide—together writing the next chapter of the AI–WLAN intelligent network ecosystem.”
Hashtag: #WorldWLANApplicationAlliance
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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 March 2026 – Months before the current geopolitical crisis hit global markets, Asia Pacific (APAC) executives had begun shielding their businesses by shortening supply chains and focusing on regional trade. Forvis Mazars’ C-suite barometer 2026: Adapting in uncertainty shows this proactive approach, alongside with efficiency-driving AI investments, is now key to navigating today’s global challenges.
While the number of APAC leaders expecting revenue growth had dropped to 67% (down from 80% in 2025) ahead of this year, underlying business confidence had notably strengthened to 41% (up from 30% in 2025). This contrast, lower growth expectations yet stronger confidence, highlights a resilience paradox: leaders are separating financial outlook from global turmoil, actively reinventing their operations to endure anticipated shocks rather than waiting for conditions to improve.
Key findings for APAC:
Measured confidence amidst geopolitical volatility: Amidst ongoing geopolitical volatility, APAC leaders remain acutely aware of the shifting landscape. Notably, 29% cite geopolitical instability and social unrest as a top trend impacting their organisation over the next 12 months, outpacing the global average of 26% and tying with regulatory pressures. Consequently, growth expectations are tempered: while 83% still anticipate positive growth in 2026, this trails the global average of 92% and marks a decline from 84% in 2025.
Expansion turns inward: Driven by geopolitical and tariff risks, expansion plans have shifted to regional neighbours, with China (36%), Australia (29%) and Hong Kong (29%) as the top destinations.
AI is a net job creator: Defying global displacement fears, 43% of APAC leaders say AI has created new roles in their organisation, significantly outpacing the 28% who say it replaced them.
The sustainability gap: While 91% are confident in meeting reporting compliance, only 73% feel prepared to manage the actual physical impacts of climate change.
The APAC resilience paradox: Building structural resilience despite lower revenue expectations
The anticipated dip in revenue expectations was primarily driven by converging pressures that have only intensified: economic uncertainty, political instability and intensifying competition. Yet, this foresight did not dampen investment. In a clear sign that businesses are fortifying their foundations, investment in human capital remains strong across the region, with 63% of APAC respondents plan to increase spending on acquiring new talent and 68% intend to upskill their workforce.
APAC’s underlying optimism is supported by a high level of operational readiness. Even as geopolitical instability remains a top concern, 76% of executives express confidence in their organisation’s preparedness to manage it. This sentiment extends to navigating supply chain challenges (85%) and new regulatory requirements (91%), showing that leaders are turning global disruptors into manageable areas of control.
Rick Chan, Managing Partner Singapore, Head of Audit & Assurance APAC and Member of Group Governing Board, Forvis Mazars, observed, “Asia Pacific has always had to move fast. The region’s businesses are built on agility – on reading the market, adjusting quickly and staying close to customers. That DNA is proving invaluable right now. The data shows leaders are transitioning from short-term firefighting to building lasting resilience. By investing in localised supply chains and AI, they are taking highly practical steps to insulate their operations against escalating geopolitical risks and secure long-term growth.”
The strategic pivot: strengthening intra-regional trade
The barometer reveals a fundamental change in how APAC firms plan to grow. Rather than facing global trade barriers head-on, executives are pivoting to markets closer to home. The top three expansion destinationsareChina (36%), Australia (29%) and Hong Kong (29%).
This inward shift is a direct, data-driven response to rising global tensions. A striking 67% of APAC leaders who revised their expansion plans this year cited geopolitical instability as the primary driver, making it the top catalyst for changing global strategies. Furthermore, 42% cite costs and operational issues due to tariffs as their biggest challenge when entering new markets. Facing these dual threats, APAC businesses have pragmatically shortened their supply chains to secure growth in neighbouring markets where geopolitical and tariff risks are more manageable.
The growth engine: AI as a workforce catalyst
In an environment where operational margins are under pressure, AI has become a critical tool for efficiency. Notably, the data indicate that AI is a net job creator in the region. 43% of APAC C-suite leaders report that AI has already prompted the creation of new roles, compared to 28% who report job replacements.
While 47% of executives rank AI as their top technology priority, their approach is disciplined. APAC leaders are prioritising high-impact applications such as forecasting (65%), knowledge acquisition, banking and retrieval (61%), client services, recommendations, relationships (61%), and operational efficiency, including automation (60%). Interestingly, they are achieving these gains with leaner investment; 41% (versus 35% globally) allocate less than 10% of their budget to AI, suggesting a focus on cost-effective, high-return AI adoption.
The blind spot: the sustainability gap – compliance versus operational resilience
While the report highlights strategic maturity in technology and trade, it reveals a critical disconnect in sustainability. Although 91% of APAC executives express confidence in meeting sustainability reporting compliance, only 73% feel prepared to manage the actual physical and operational impacts of climate change. This disparity indicates that while they are confident in meeting regulatory expectations, the priority now is to bridge the gap between compliance and reality, specifically by strengthening supply chains and building physical resilience against tangible climate risks.
Chester Liew, Partner, Head of Risk Consulting & Sustainability, Forvis Mazars in Singapore, said, “High confidence in reporting compliance is an encouraging baseline, but paperwork does not protect operations. The foresight APAC leaders are demonstrating in navigating geopolitical risks must now be urgently applied to climate risks. With regulatory timelines providing some breathing room, the prudent next step is to pivot resources from disclosure to physical defence – ensuring that supply chains and physical assets can actually withstand extreme weather and emerging environmental shocks.”
Forvis Mazars’ 2026 C-suite barometer survey captures insights from 3,012 senior executives worldwide prior to the US-Israeli war with Iran in February 2026. This independent research was conducted in October and November 2025 and captures the views of C-suite leaders at for-profit organisations with annual revenues of over US$1 million across 40 countries, including 260 respondents from seven markets in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Findings reflect executive sentiments at the time of fieldwork.
International travel: January 2026 – information release
13 March 2026
International travel covers the number and characteristics of overseas visitors and New Zealand resident travellers (short-term movements) entering or leaving New Zealand.
Key facts
Monthly arrivals – overseas visitors
Overseas visitor arrivals were 385,400 in January 2026, an increase of 15,200 from January 2025. The biggest changes were in arrivals from:
Australia (up 10,700)
United Kingdom (up 3,700)
United States (up 2,600)
Germany (up 1,900)
China (down 10,800)
Korea (down 2,000).
Visit our website to read the full information release:
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 March 2026 – WOLF, the heritage luxury brand renowned for its precision watch winding technology and expertly handcrafted watch and jewellery boxes and travel cases, announces a significant strengthening of its presence across the Asian market. This expansion marks a pivotal moment in the brand’s history, reinforcing a commitment to bringing its legacy of craftsmanship and innovation to a discerning clientele throughout the region.
Brogue 8 Piece Watch Winder; Brogue 8 Piece Watch Winder, Axis 12 Piece Watch Winder Cabinet, Athos 12 Piece Watch Winder Safe, Zoe Large Jewellery Box, Bella Large Jewellery Box, WOLF x Liberty All Over Ianthe Large Jewellery Box
Central to this initiative is the appointment and development of a dedicated local team based in Hong Kong, and dedicated local agents appointed throughout the region. By establishing a robust on-the-ground presence, WOLF ensures that its operations across the region are guided by deep regional expertise and an intimate understanding of the local luxury market landscape. This move signifies not merely an acceleration in the market, but a long-term investment in building lasting relationships with partners and collectors who value superior quality.
“As a fifth-generation family business, growth for WOLF has always been about more than geography, it’s all about relationships. Expanding our footprint in Asia reflects both the strength of the region and our belief in its future. With a dedicated team on the ground, we are not simply entering markets; we are embedding ourselves within them, ensuring that our craftsmanship, innovation, and family values resonate locally while remaining true to our global heritage.” Simon Wolf, CEO.
The brand will further demonstrate its commitment to the region through a series of appearances at key industry trade shows in the coming months. These events will serve as the premier stage for showcasing WOLF’s celebrated heritage, alongside the unveiling of significant new product launches. These upcoming collections exemplify the brand’s dedication to combining innovative technology with timeless design, offering sophisticated solutions for the protection and preservation of the world’s finest timepieces and jewellery.
Join WOLF at:
Design Shanghai from 19th to 22nd March 2026 at Shanghai Exhibition Centre, China.
Time to Watches from 14th to 19th April 2026 at Villa Sarasin, Geneva, Switzerland.
Tokyo Design Lifestyle Week from 24th to 26th June 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan.
Singapore Internal Jewelry Expo from 9th to 12th July at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore.
Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair from 1st to 5th September at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong.
As WOLF accelerates its growth in this dynamic market, the brand invites media and industry partners to explore the vision behind this expansion. Exclusive interview opportunities are available with Simon Wolf, offering a unique perspective on the company’s over 190-year-old heritage, its strategic direction in Asia, and the meticulous craftsmanship that defines every piece.
To request an interview: marketing@wolf1834.com.
Meet WOLF: WOLF’s global sales teams will be available to introduce customers to the story of WOLF, the over 190-year-old fifth-generation family-owned brand, to show WOLF’s latest collections and discuss a recommended product assortment for their store.
To make an appointment contact: sales@wolf1834.com.
PRESS & MARKETING: Meet with marketing to discover WOLF’s essential retailer asset packs, which contain an invaluable mix of marketing materials for retailers to promote WOLF to their customers.
For marketing or press appointments: marketing@wolf1834.com.
PRESS ASSETS: For e-commerce, lifestyle images and editorial copy, please contact marketing for further content: marketing@wolf1834.com.
Hashtag: #WOLF
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hosting New Energy Summit to Connect Global Experts Insights on New Energy Landscape
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 March 2026 – Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems (APAS), under the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC),made its debut at The Battery Show Asia held from 10 to 12 March. During the exhibition, APAS set up a dedicated showcase area to present eight innovative battery technology solutions featuring high safety standards and intelligent capabilities for the first time. In parallel, APAS hosted the second edition of the New Energy Summit during the exhibition. The summit brought together five industry experts and scholars from Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, India and Switzerland to deliver speeches on various topics related to new energy and energy storage. Speakers shared the latest industry developments and application trends, fostering international technology exchange and collaboration.
During the exhibition, APAS hosted the second New Energy Summit, inviting industry experts and scholars from Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, India and Switzerland to speak and share the latest technological developments and application trends in the fields of new energy and advanced materials.
Mr Yonghai DU, Chief Innovation Officer of HKPC and General Manager of APAS, said, “In line with the strategic priorities set out in the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for emerging and future industries such as new energy, advanced energy storage and hydrogen energy, energy technologies are entering an unprecedented period of growth. The outline also emphasise the pursuit of smart, green, and integrated development of industry, injecting long-term momentum for the new energy development. For many years, HKPC has been committed to market-led technology R&D. APAS focuses on areas including new energy technologies, green transportation, smart mobility, intelligent systems and emerging applications, actively translating research outcomes into market-ready solutions to help industries enhance technological capabilities and industrial value.”
He added, “Through this international platform, we hope to strengthen our collaboration with enterprises and research institutions from around the world. Hong Kong can play a more proactive role as a connector between Chinese Mainland and the global market in the development of innovation, international standards and the practical application of new energy technologies, thereby enhancing the city’s global competitiveness in the new energy industry. Looking ahead, APAS will continue to focus on research and practical applications in new energy and intelligent systems, while advancing technological innovation and cross-regional collaboration to support both the nation and Hong Kong in fostering emerging industries and future industries.”
First Participation in The Battery Show Asia, Highlighting Battery Technology Achievements
The Battery Show Asia brings together more than 20,000 industry representatives from Chinese Mainland, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Europe and the United States, including policymakers, technology innovators, engineers, manufacturers and industry experts. Covering battery manufacturing, energy storage solutions and new energy transportation industries, the exhibition serves as an international platform integrating technology showcase, industry exchange and business collaboration.
In its first participation in the exhibition, APAS showcased its research strengths in new energy technologies and emerging applications by presenting a range of innovative battery technology solutions. The showcase aims to contribute to the development of the battery industry while providing an important platform for Hong Kong to connect with global technologies and markets, facilitating cross-regional exchange and collaboration.
APAS set up a dedicated exhibition area to present several research outcomes developed in collaboration with industry partners, including:
Battery Cell Technologies:
High-performance Sodium-ion Battery: Using stable poly-anionic phosphate cathode, the battery enables rapid storage and release of sodium-ions while offering high safety and cost efficiency. It is suitable for applications such as low-speed electric vehicles, power batteries and large-scale energy storage. Looking ahead, APAS will collaborate with industry partners to establish large-scale production capabilities for high-performance sodium-ion battery, further optimising its performance and cost-effectiveness while exploring deployment in low-speed electric vehicles and utility-scale energy storage systems.
Battery Systems and Solutions:
Explosion-Proof High-Energy Battery Systems:This solution features proprietary safety technology that prevents thermal runaway, delivering reliable power in the most challenging environments, engineered for demanding marine and portable power applications. APAS will assist partners in optimising battery module design and thermal management systems to enhance product performance and align R&D processes with industry standards. This will support partners in establishing manufacturing facilities in Hong Kong and expanding into overseas markets.
Yacht Battery System: The system integrates advanced solid-state battery technology with an intelligent Battery Management System (BMS) to eliminate risks associated with traditional liquid electrolytes, including leakage, corrosion and thermal runaway. It is specifically designed to withstand the high-humidity, high-vibration and salt-spray conditions inherent to open-water yacht operations. APAS is currently supporting partners in obtaining international battery standard certifications to facilitate entry into the global market.
These solutions feature high safety standards, intelligent capabilities, and flexible applications. They support a wide range of sectors, including electric transportation and smart mobility, marine and industrial applications, specialised equipment, aerospace and high-end manufacturing, medical devices, consumer electronics, home assistive equipment and portable energy storage for travel.
Hosting New Energy Summit to Jointly Build a Sustainable Future
During the exhibition, APAS also hosted the second New Energy Summit, which brought together industry leaders and academic experts from Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, India and Switzerland. The summit focused on key topics related to new energy development and applications, providing a platform for speakers to share insights and engage in discussions with industry professionals in attendance.
The summit focused on two key themes — new energy and advanced materials — bringing together global experts to explore technological development and industrial applications. In the new energy sector, a representative from The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited introduced innovative hydrogen energy technologies and their potential applications in promoting clean energy development in Hong Kong. Representatives from energy technology companies and alliances in Switzerland, India and Thailand shared the latest trends and practical applications in energy storage technologies, as well as the integration of renewable energy with smart infrastructure. In the field of advanced materials, a scholar from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the National University of Singapore highlighted the critical role of nanotechnology in energy and sustainable development, offering insights into the future landscape of sustainable new energy.
Through this cross-regional and cross-industry platform, APAS aims to promote international technology exchange and collaboration, accelerate the application of new energy technologies and drive industry transformation, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future energy ecosystem.
Advancing Technologies onto the Global Stage, Reinforcing Hong Kong’s Connectivity Advantages
HKPC actively participates in various international exhibitions and industry exchange activities to showcase innovative solutions co-developed with industry partners. Leveraging Hong Kong as a platform, HKPC supports enterprises in expanding into international markets and advancing cutting-edge technologies and standards worldwide.
Through international exhibitions and collaboration initiatives, HKPC further strengthens Hong Kong’s role as an important connector between Chinese Mainland and the world. In line with the Government’s 2026-27 Budget to attract large-scale international exhibitions to Hong Kong and promote the city’s exhibition brand globally, HKPC will continue to participate in international exhibitions and foster industry exchanges to drive innovation showcase and collaboration.
Hashtag: #APAS
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
AI+Cloud strategy continues to empower businesses towards greater efficiency and new growth opportunities
HANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 March 2026 – Alibaba Cloud, the digital and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, presents a series of customer success stories from 2025, showcasing how its full-stack AI and Cloud capabilities are powering innovation for enterprises worldwide.
Alibaba Cloud’s comprehensive AI offering – spanning infrastructure, its Qwen and Wan model families and development platforms – met significantly growing demand as enterprises scale their AI applications across industries. These AI deployments have in turn fueled higher usage of core cloud services, contributing to sustained growth and underscoring the company’s role as a trusted digital partner for enterprises worldwide.
Dr. Feifei Li, President of International Businessfor Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group, said: “In 2025, we witnessed enterprises deepening and broadening their use of AI. Businesses around the world are utilizing our AI capabilities, built on a secure, scalable cloud foundation, to reimagine their industries, from AI-driven sustainable mobility to intelligent healthcare and generative content creation. Alibaba Cloud remains committed to delivering full-stack AI solutions, open-source initiatives and AI-optimized cloud infrastructure that empower customers to innovate at pace.”
Accelerating EV innovation in Malaysia
In Malaysia, Alibaba Cloud has been supporting mobility technology company PRO-NET from its inception, enabling the company to adopt a cloud first and data driven approach through a fully integrated end to end data pipeline. This foundation has played a key role as PRO-NET drives the development of Malaysia’s new energy ecosystem and accelerates the nation’s transition towards intelligent, sustainable mobility.
Building on this foundation, PRO-NET is advancing its AI capabilities using Alibaba Cloud’s Model Studio to develop its internal chatbot, which will later expand to customer-facing applications and vehicle infotainment systems. This collaboration strengthens PRO-NET’s capabilities in intelligent mobility, predictive analytics, and customer experience, supporting Malaysia’s broader EV transformation.
“Alibaba Cloud has been a key partner to PRO-NET, and their support in building our cloud-first and data-driven foundation has been instrumental as we advance Malaysia’s new energy mobility ecosystem. As we move into the next phase with AI, this impactful collaboration will empower us to unlock deeper insights, elevate customer experiences, and accelerate our vision of shaping a smarter, more connected future of mobility for Malaysia,” said Zhang Qiang, Chief Executive Officer of PRO-NET.
Powering multilingual AI in Singapore
In Singapore, Alibaba Cloud supports the release of Qwen-SEA-LION-v4, the latest version of a large language model developed by AI Singapore (AISG), to address the linguistic, cultural, and commercial needs of Southeast Asia. Built on Alibaba’s Qwen3-32B foundation model, the launch represents a significant step in AISG’s efforts to deliver increasingly capable and accessible AI solutions for the region.
Qwen-SEA-LION-v4 delivers significant improvement in multilingual accuracy and cultural contextual understanding while being efficient enough to run on a consumer-grade laptop with 32GB of RAM. It currently ranks first on the leaderboard for Southeast Asian Holistic Evaluation of Language Models (SEA-HELM) among open-source models under 200B parameters, thanks to its advanced reasoning, multilingual support, and long-context understanding tailored for Southeast Asian languages.
The base Qwen3-32B model has been further trained on over 100 billion Southeast Asian language tokens to enhance its ability to interpret local expressions, conversational nuances and regional knowledge domains.
“Our collaboration with Alibaba on Qwen-SEA-LION-v4 is an important milestone in advancing AI inclusivity and to make it more representative of Southeast Asia,” said Dr Leslie Teo, Senior Director of AI Products, AI Singapore. “It embodies our shared vision of accelerating AI innovation across the region and ensuring that developers, enterprises, and public institutions have access to AI that is open, affordable, and locally relevant, and is designed to truly understand the languages, cultures, and communities of this region.”
Modernizing healthcare with AI in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong,Leading Hong Kong-based Chinese medicine company PuraPharm Corporation Limited (PuraPharm) and clinical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intelligence software solutions company HerbMiners Informatics Limited (HerbMiners) have used Alibaba’s Qwen3 model to enhance the pioneering Traditional Chinese Medicine Advisor (TCMA) platform, a clinical management platform designed to modernize and globalize TCM practices. Powered by Qwen3 model, the platform now uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) and deep learning capabilities to help analyze unstructured clinical data, such as doctors’ notes and herbal prescriptions, supporting personalized treatment decisions and enhancing AI-driven patient engagement, clinical operations, security and compliance.
Dr. Wilfred W.K. Lin, Co-founder and Chief Data Analytics Director, HerbMiners Informatics Limited, said, “Our pioneering TCMA platform sheds lights on how modern tools can unleash the value of traditional wisdom, creating smarter, more responsive, and globally scalable healthcare systems. The platform is poised to redefine the future of TCM, not only in Hong Kong, but on a global scale.”
Enabling smarter, greener cities
Alibaba Cloud also supported global industry leaders to utilize Qwen to transform their operations, from accelerating product innovation to building smarter, more sustainable cities.
Signify, the world leader in lighting headquartered in the Netherlands, has launched the industry’s first GenAI agent in China powered by Alibaba’s self-developed large language model Qwen. By harnessing Qwen’s advanced capability to effectively handle complex tasks, the GenAI agent has been integrated into Signify’s connected street lighting system Interact City Flex that monitors, controls and manages street lighting, to further reduce energy consumption while boosting maintenance efficiency. Powered by Qwen, the upgraded system simplifies operation by allowing users to generate and deploy AI-driven dimming strategies through natural language commends. It also flags anomalies and provides solutions to improve efficiency on facility management and maintenance.
“Digital transformation in urban environments relies on intelligent systems that make city management smarter and more sustainable,” said Hans Nikol, Head of Open Innovation of Signify. “By making use of Alibaba’s Qwen model in our GenAI Agent, we’re empowering cities to proactively reduce energy consumption and lower operational costs. This collaboration marks an important step in intelligent city management and underlines our commitment to innovation and our vision for greener, brighter cities.”
Reinventing digital content creation in Japan
In Japan, Alibaba Cloud has established a strategic partnership with Tokyo-based digital manga developer and factory to drive AI adoption and innovation within Japan’s manga industry. Under the partnership, and factory becomes Alibaba Cloud’s official “Manga Partner,” contributing industry expertise and experience in digital manga platform development. Alibaba Cloud will provide advanced cloud infrastructure and AI technologies to support this digital transformation.
Together, the companies will co-develop AI-powered tools designed to boost efficiency and creativity in manag production, such as automated background illustration, intelligent storyboard creation, auto-coloring, animation conversion, and automatic translation. These solutions will empower creators, publishers, and distributors, expanding manga’s global reach.
With an expanding ecosystem of partners and customers, Alibaba Cloud remains focused on delivering secure, high-performance and accessible AI capabilities that help businesses of all sizes unlock new value and accelerate digital transformation in 2026 and beyond.
Hashtag: #AlibabaCloud
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Globalization holds firm at a record level while trade flows in Asia expand and diversify
Despite geopolitical tensions and rising uncertainty, countries largely maintain trade and investment ties with their traditional partner countries
Record-long trade distances, AI-driven commerce, and resilient cross‑border flows paint a surprisingly robust picture of globalization
U.S.–China trade fell to 2.0% of global trade, down from 2.7% in 2024
SINGAPORE / HANOI, VIETNAM / NEW YORK, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 March 2026 – Globalization remains at a historically high level at 25% in 2025 – despite escalating geopolitical tensions, rising U.S. tariffs, and uncertainty about future trade policies. Equally, the Asia Pacific region features prominently in this year’s DHL Global Connectedness Report, with Singapore ranked #1 globally. A broad swath of regional economies in the Asia Pacific region has also strengthened its position on cross-border flows. The DHL Global Connectedness Report 2026 is produced with New York University’s Stern School of Business. It examines four ‘pillars’ measuring the depth and breadth of trade, capital, information, and people flows.
DHL Global Connectedness Report 2026
Asia Pacific remains a global anchor in cross-border trade
The Asia Pacific region is one of the world’s strongest pillars of global connectedness with several markets continuing to post strong breadth and depth of international ties. In fact, broad-based gains were observed across the Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and Oceania regions. The report shows East Asia & Pacific’s share of world trade has climbed from 24% (2001) to 32% (2025), underscoring the region’s long-run momentum. Several other economies in Asia Pacific also advanced sharply in the global connectedness ranking: Malaysia (#16; +13 ranks), Thailand (#27; +7), Korea (#31; +6), Taiwan (#32; +4), and Vietnam (#36; +3).
Intra-Asia trade has also strengthened since 2023. The report’s country profiles show that Asia-Pacific economies are deeply networked within the region, with most major trade and investment flows anchored in Asian partner markets. At the same time, China’s redirected exports to ASEAN markets—up 13% (+USD 79 billion) in 2025 — further cement ASEAN’s position as a fast growing trade corridor.
Singapore leads the country ranking
Singapore has retained the top position among 180 economies – reflecting exceptional depth in trade and capital flows. The country is ranked first on the trade pillar (out of 180 countries) and second on the capital pillar (out of 158 countries). Particularly on trade flows, Singapore ranks first on ‘depth’ (up one place from 2019), with the largest international flows relative to its domestic economy. Additionally, the city-state stands out most for the breadth of its inward foreign domestic investment (FDI) stocks (ranked first worldwide).
“Asia Pacific continues to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and adaptability,” said Ken Lee, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific. “The DHL Global Connectedness Report shows that countries across our region – from Singapore to Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and beyond – are deepening their global ties and attracting new trade flows. Even as global patterns shift, Asia remains a central engine of global trade. This is why we continue to invest in and enhance our Asia Pacific network, particularly in the eight fast-growing markets that DHL Group has identified. Our priority is to support businesses to stay connected and diversify their markets.”
AI boom and race to beat tariff hikes fueled trade in 2025
Global trade grew faster in 2025 than in any year since 2017, excluding the volatile Covid-19 period. U.S. importers accelerated shipments early in the year ahead of tariff increases. U.S. imports dropped below prior-year levels, but rising Chinese exports to non-U.S. markets helped sustain global trade volumes.
Trade in AI-related goods surged as countries and companies raced to build AI infrastructure. AI-related products drove 42% of goods trade growth in the first three quarters of 2025, according to WTO figures. In fact, AI hardware and data infrastructure are amplifying Asia Pacific’s trade. Notably, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Malaysia’s tech supply chains are benefitting from the surge in demand for AI chips, servers and data center buildouts. In answer, DHL Express has added significant payload capacity for flights out of Hanoi to support Vietnam’s rapidly expanding tech manufacturing sector.
Trade outlook: growth continues, even with higher tariffs
Looking ahead, recent U.S. tariff increases are expected to modestly slow trade growth in 2026 – but not stop it. Global goods trade is projected to expand by an average of 2.6% per year through 2029, in line with the past decade.
One reason trade can keep growing despite U.S. tariff hikes is that most trade does not involve the U.S. In 2025, 13% of imports went to the U.S., and 9% of exports came from the U.S. In addition, many countries are pursuing new trade agreements to secure access to alternative markets, such as the recently minted India-EU free trade agreement.
Information flows face barriers, people flows reach new highs
The report notes that people flows – travel, migration, and student mobility – have fully recovered and reached record highs. This trend is especially pronounced in Asia Pacific, where highly connected hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong continue to attract substantial cross‑border movement.
Many of the region’s most connected markets, such as Hong Kong SAR, Japan, and Korea – remain deeply tied to global data and digital exchanges as these have risen in ranks in the information pillar since 2019. Capital flows remain resilient overall in the region, where there is no broad shift of investment from foreign to domestic markets.
U.S.–China tensions affect only small share of global flows
The report also finds that ties between the world’s two largest economies – the U.S. and China – continue to weaken. However, these ties are surprisingly small in a global perspective. For example, trade between the U.S. and China accounted for 3.6% of world trade at its peak in 2015, before falling to 2.7% in 2024 and to only 2.0% during the first three quarters of 2025. The U.S.–China share of international business investment is even smaller – less than 1% in 2025.
No global split into rival blocs
Even as the U.S. and China decouple, most countries – including those in Asia – continue to engage with their longstanding partners. Over the past decade, only 4–6% of global goods trade, greenfield FDI, and cross-border M&A have shifted away from geopolitical rivals. Of these flows, most have not moved to close allies but to countries with flexible geopolitical positions, such as India and Vietnam. Overall, the world economy remains far from a broad split into rival blocs.
“The politics and policy surrounding globalization are much more volatile than the actual flows between countries,” said Prof. Steven A. Altman, Director of the DHL Initiative on Globalization at NYU Stern’s Center for the Future of Management. “In Asia Pacific, as in the rest of the world, the data shows that cross‑border flows have remained remarkably resilient despite heightened geopolitical tensions. Sound decision‑making in this region requires a calibrated view of how much global business ties are really changing. The risks to globalization are real, but so is the resilience of global flows, and Asia Pacific continues to play a pivotal role in sustaining that connectivity.”
The DHL Global Connectedness Report
Published regularly since 2011, the DHL Global Connectedness Report provides reliable insights on globalization by analyzing 14 types of international trade, capital, information, and people flows. The 2026 edition is based on more than 9 million data points. It ranks the connectedness of 180 countries, accounting for 99.6 percent of global gross domestic product and 99.0 percent of the world’s population. A set of 180 one-page country profiles summarizes each country’s pattern of globalization.
The report was commissioned by DHL and authored by Steven A. Altman and Caroline R. Bastian of New York University Stern School of Business.
Note to editors:
The report and further resources are available at dhl.com/gcr.
DHL Group’s “GT20 Initiative” refers to 20 markets worldwide that the Group has identified to benefit strongest from Geographic Tailwind. Eight of them are in Asia Pacific including China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Hashtag: #DHL
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The new French-influenced, modern Korean fine-dining spot in Gangnam demonstrates exceptional culinary talent and potential for future glory
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Restaurant San, Seoul’s most outstanding new fine-dining restaurant, has been named the winner of the One To Watch Award 2026 by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. The award singles out a restaurant which has recently started making a big impact and has the potential to secure a spot in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in the coming years.
San’s nomination comes just over a year since opening in 2024 to widespread admiration in the South Korean capital. Located in the fashionable Gangnam district, San is acclaimed for its refined, French-influenced, modern Korean tasting menu conceived by chef Jo Seung-Hyun.
Chef Jo brings exceptional credentials to the venture, having honed his culinary skills at three distinguished restaurants – starting under the tutelage of Thomas Keller at The French Laundry in Napa Valley and La Maison Troisgros in France, before going on to helm the kitchen at Korean-American celebrity chef Corey Lee’s fine-dining restaurant Benu in San Francisco. After eight years as chef de cuisine at Benu, he finally returned home to Seoul to realise his dream of opening San. The sophisticated tasting menu explores a vibrant range of seasonal dishes presenting his creative interpretation of classical French cuisine with a Korean twist.
A spokesperson for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants says: “San has quickly become one of the most talked-about fine-dining restaurants in Seoul. With richly deserved recognition as the winner of One To Watch Award, the team is raising the bar for culinary excellence, complexity and respect for national tradition – following an inspiring trend of innovative restaurants to emerge from the capital in recent years.”
On winning the One To Watch Award 2026, Chef Jo says, “I’m incredibly grateful and honoured for San to receive the One To Watch Award. San is still a young restaurant and to be recognised in this way so soon after opening means a great deal to us. Thank you to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for this encouragement.”
Showcasing Korean flavours through refined technique, Chef Jo’s cuisine focuses on familiar dishes reimagined with depth and precision. Signature creations include a prawn dish paired with a shrimp-gochujang crafted from a deeply concentrated broth extracted from shrimp heads, delivering intense umami, and a reinterpretation of ojingeo sukhoe, a classic Korean poached squid, using delicately prepared spear squid accompanied by squid-ink chojang. Drawing from his childhood memories growing up in Busan, Chef Jo also presents a refined interpretation of dwaeji-gukbap, traditionally enjoyed with salted shrimp but finished with caviar, offering a sense of familiarity while introducing an unexpected modern expression of Korean cuisine.
Beyond these innovations, signature dishes paying homage to iconic tradition include chamoe dongchimi, a water kimchi twist on Korea’s national dish. The wine pairing, led by Ju Jaemin, meanwhile enhances the dining experience at San. Guests can choose between a five or eight-glass pairing, with each wine meticulously selected to complement the multi-layered dishes.
San is the first restaurant from Seoul to win the award since 2017. Recent winners include Farmlore in Bengaluru (2025), a celebration of hyper‑local Indian ingredients; Lamdre in Beijing (2024), a sustainability focused restaurant inspired by Tibetan philosophy; and August in Jakarta (2023), which reinterprets Indonesian flavours through modern fine‑dining techniques.
The One To Watch Award is the final of three pre-announced awards ahead of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards ceremony, which will announce the region’s premier restaurants. The ceremony is being held for the first time in Hong Kong at the Kerry Hotel on 25 March 2026. The awards ceremony will also be streamed live on the 50 Best YouTube channel via the link here, beginning at 20:00 Hong Kong time.
50 Best works with professional services consultancy Deloitte as its official independent adjudication partner to help protect the integrity and authenticity of the voting process and the resulting list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. See more details on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants voting process here.
How the voting works
The list is compiled by votes from the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of more than 350 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia, each selected for their expert opinion of Asia’s restaurant scene. The Academy is divided into seven regions: India & Subcontinent; South-East Asia – South; South-East Asia – North; Hong Kong, Taiwan & Macau; Mainland China; Korea; and Japan. Each voter casts ten votes based on their best restaurant experiences of the previous 18 months, with at least four of these from outside their home country/SAR. Voters are required to remain anonymous and voting is confidential, secure and independently adjudicated by professional services consultancy Deloitte.
About the host destination partner: Hong Kong Tourism Board
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked with maximizing the contribution of tourism to Hong Kong’s economy and upholding Hong Kong as a world-class travel destination. The HKTB works in partnership with relevant government departments and organisations, the travel-related sectors, and other entities related to tourism, to market and promote Hong Kong worldwide, while enhancing visitors’ experiences through providing diverse and high-quality tourism products and services. The HKTB has a worldwide network of 15 offices and has representatives in seven different markets.
About the main partner: S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna
S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna are the main sponsors of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna are the leading natural mineral waters in the fine dining world. Together they interpret Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of excellence, pleasure and well-being.
Our Partners:
Hong Kong Tourism Board – Official Host Destination Partner
S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna – Main Partner & Official Water Partner; sponsor of The Best Restaurant in Asia
Inedit Damm – Official Beer Partner; sponsor of the Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award
SevenRooms – Official Booking Platform Partner; sponsor of the SevenRooms Icon Award
Doordash – Official Delivery Partner
Aspire Lifestyles – Official Concierge Partner
Lee Kum Kee – Official Sauces & Condiments Partner; sponsor of Highest Climber Award
Valrhona – Official Chocolate Partner; sponsor of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef Award
Vik – Official Wine Partner; sponsor of Asia’s Best Sommelier Award
Nongshim Shinramyun – Official Partner; sponsor of The Best Restaurant in South Korea
Maison Kaviari – Official Caviar Partner
Dassai – Official Sake Partner
Langjiu – Official Baijiu Partner
Woodford Reserve – Official American Whiskey Partner
Cinco Jotas – Official Iberico Ham Partner
Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong – Official Hotel Venue Partner
The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel – Official Hotel Venue Partner
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong – Official Hotel Venue Partner
The Peninsula Hong Kong – Official Hotel Venue Partner
The global art market returned to growth in 2025, led by renewed confidence at the high end, with dealer sales up 2% year‑on‑year and public auction sales rising 9% by value.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2026, authored by Dr. Clare McAndrew, Founder of Arts Economics, provides a comprehensive benchmark analysis of the global art market in 2025. Co‑published by Art Basel and UBS, the tenth edition of the report examines the performance of key market segments, including galleries and dealers, auction houses, and art fairs, against the backdrop of shifting economic conditions, evolving buyer behavior, and changes in global wealth. The publication is the most comprehensive data-driven overview of the forces shaping today’s art market.
Clare McAndrew, Founder, Arts Economics, said: “The market welcomed a shift in direction in 2025, from the contraction of previous years to modest growth. However, it continued to operate in a volatile geopolitical environment, particularly regarding cross-border trade, the full implications of which are still unfolding in 2026. While some categories of art were relatively insulated from the direct effects of tariffs, broader policy uncertainty and trade fragmentation created challenges for businesses, affecting pricing and supply. A wider shift toward protectionism and more domestically focused sales also poses longer-term risks, as the art trade relies heavily on international circulation and access to global audiences. Early indicators suggest cross-border trade in art remained broadly stable in 2025, but how these flows evolve will be critical to the market’s future growth.“
Adrian Zuercher, Co‑Head Global Asset Allocation and Co‑Head Global Investment Management APAC, UBS Global Wealth Management CIO, said: “The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2026 highlights a nuanced picture across Asia Pacific. China maintained its position as one of the world’s leading art markets while Hong Kong continues to play a central role in the Asia art ecosystem with several high‑value sales and early signs of macroeconomic stabilization this year. Singapore sustained its trajectory as a growing regional hub. Against a backdrop of moderating inflation and improving regional fundamentals, these dynamics reinforce Asia Pacific’s growing importance on the global art market stage.”
Noah Horowitz, CEO, Art Basel, said: “2025 marked a return to growth for the art business and a strategic inflection point in its continued evolution. Over the year, dealers refined their programs and client engagement strategies with clear intentionality, while art fair-related sales strengthened. Although elevated costs, geopolitical uncertainty, and tariff concerns are still affecting business, buyer confidence improved as the year progressed and the year closed with a succession of dynamic sales moments. As the market recalibrates within a more disciplined range, sustained growth will depend on bringing exceptional works to market, deepening client relationships, and broadening participation across the global ecosystem – priorities that are guiding our focus in 2026.”
The key findings include:
Global sales: The global art market returned to growth in 2025, with sales increasing by 4% year-on-year to an estimated USD 59.6 billion. Aggregate sales in the dealer sector rose to USD 34.8 billion (up 2%) and public auction sales increased to USD 20.7 billion (up 9%), while reported auction house private sales declined to just under USD 4.2 billion (down 4%). The volume of transactions reached an estimated 41.5 million in 2025 (up 2%).
Leading art markets: The United States, the United Kingdom, and China accounted for 76% of global art sales by value, in line with last year. The US remained the largest market with a 44% share, followed by the UK at 18% and China at 14%. France increased its global share by one percentage point to 8%, consolidating its position as the fourth‑largest market and the largest within the EU.
Mixed regional market performance:
Sales in the United States reached USD 26 billion (up 5% year-on-year), with a strong rebound at the high-end of the auction market and despite trade unpredictability.
UK sales increased to USD 10.5 billion (up 2% year-on-year), driven by growth in public auctions.
In China, sales increased to USD 8.5 billion (up just over 1% year-on-year). The market stabilized despite the real estate downturn and other economic concerns that weighed on consumer confidence.
France saw sales rising to USD 4.5 billion (up 9% year-on-year), driven by strong performance in both the auction and dealer sectors. That performance lifted the market above its 2019 level.
Across Europe and Asia, performance year-on-year was mixed, with growth in markets such as Switzerland (up 13%), Austria (up 13%), Spain (up 6%), and South Korea (up 6%), and slower conditions in Germany (down 10%), Italy (down 2%), and Japan (down 1%).
Dealer market recovery: Global dealer sales reached USD 34.8 billion (up 2% year-on-year). While 42% of dealers reported higher sales, rising operating costs (up an average5%) continued to weigh on profitability. Lower‑end dealers (turning over less than USD 500,000) recorded the strongest growth, while sales among mid‑market dealers (turnover between USD 1 million and USD 10 million) softened slightly. At the top end, dealers with turnover above USD 10 million returned to growth.
Dealer resilience and business longevity: A review of published gallery activity based on media announcements showed despite high‑profile gallery closures in 2025, there was no evidence that closures outpaced openings overall. Gallery launches represented 42% of reported activity, compared with 25% closures, underscoring continued adaptation and resilience within the dealer sector.
Gender representation: Female artist representation strengthened further in 2025, reaching 50% of total artists among primary market galleries and 45% across all dealers. Works by female artists accounted for 37% of sales by value (up from 28% in 2018), although disparities persist at the highest revenue levels.
Growing importance of art fairs: Art fair sales increased to 35% of dealer turnover (up 4% year-on-year), their highest level since 2022. Overseas fairs accounted for the majority of sales, though growth was recorded at both international and local events, particularly among mid‑sized dealers.
Auction market dynamics: Combined public and private auction sales reached USD 24.8 billion. Public auction sales increased to USD 20.7 billion (up 9% year-on-year), driven by the ultra-high‑end sales above USD 10 million (up 30%) and record prices in the second half of the year, while private sales declined to just under USD 4.2 billion (down 5%).
Online sales moderation: Online art sales declined to USD 9.2 billion (down 11% year-on-year), their lowest level since 2019, as high‑value transactions shifted back to in‑person channels. Online‑only sales accounted for 15% of total market value, down 3% in share year-on-year, remaining an important channel for engaging new buyers.
Improving outlook: Confidence strengthened heading into 2026, with 43% of dealers expecting sales to improve and 38% anticipating stable performance. Sentiment also improved among mid-tier auction houses, reflecting greater optimism despite ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
Links The full report is free to download at ubs.com/artmarket. Sign up to receive monthly UBS art e-newsletters.
Join the conversation www.ubs.com/art www.facebook.com/UBSart www.instagram.com/ubsglobalart
The victim, Shulai Wang, 70, of ChinaSupplied / Police
Four people charged with manslaughter, over the death of a woman whose body was found in the water in Aukcland’s Gulf Harbour, have made arguments to have their charges dismissed.
Two men and two women were facing charges of kidnapping and manslaughter.
The hearing for the defendants’ application to stay charges took place at the High Court at Auckland on Thursday, just months out from the trial set down for May.
All details of the hearing were suppressed.
Justice Mathew Downs reserved his decision.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
A milestone worth celebrating for Aotearoa New Zealand’s biodiversity
The New Zealand Threat Classification Series has officially reached its 50th issue! That’s 50 deep dives into the state of our unique species, 50 scientifically robust contributions to conservation knowledge, and 50 reasons to feel proud of the mahi behind this nationally important series.
Lepidium rekohuense | Credit: CC-Y Peter de Lange
What is the Threat Classification Series?
Since 2013, the New Zealand Threat Classification Series (NZTCS) has served as a cornerstone of conservation science in Aotearoa. It’s a scientific series, but not the gathering dust on a shelf kind. These publications are all open access, living online on DOC’s Science Publications webpages, and widely used by researchers, conservationists, NGOs, and agencies here and overseas.
Each issue shares the most up-to-date conservation status of New Zealand’s wild species, from algae and spiders to birds, fungi, and everything in between. On average, three publications roll out every year, covering 23 different species groups. More than 16,000 species have been assessed to date.
Atrichopsis tenuirostris | Credit: Marley Ford
Flashback to issue #1
The very first issue, published in June 2013, was a whopper, compiling results from 21 peer-reviewed studies covering 12,223 species. It marked a major shift, moving NZTCS data from membership only journals to an open, freely available platform.
The second issue, also released June 2013, helped shape the series’ now-recognisable structure, though the look has evolved over the years (including the addition of the official NZTCS colour scheme in 2021).
We’ve actually come full circle – the series launched with a reptile assessment in 2013 and now issue #50 celebrates reptiles again.
Enjoy the photos in this blog. They’ve all featured on the cover of a report.
Awakopaka skink/Oligosoma awakopaka gravid female Homer Fiordland | Credit: James Reardon
It started with spreadsheets
In the early days, each issue came with an accompanying Excel spreadsheet packed with data. In 2018, this transformed with the creation of the NZTCS database, and supportive data is now accessed directly through digital links inside each publication.
A global audience
The NZTCS isn’t just for New Zealand audiences. In 2025, it had more than 2,500 reads, including readers in 68 countries. Outside Aotearoa, the biggest readership comes from the United States, Australia and China.
The most popular publication so far?
Issue 36 – Conservation Status of Birds in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2021. The issue was a real milestone, announcing that North Island Brown Kiwi, while remaining conservation dependent, was no longer threatened or at risk of becoming threatened thanks to 30 years of community conservation.
A massive collaborative effort
Behind each issue lies a considerable cross-sector effort. More than 200 authors – from DOC, Crown Research Institutes, universities, museums, and consultancies – have contributed their expertise.
Why the NZTCS matters
The NZTCS provides evidence-based assessments of extinction risk for species across Aotearoa, including marine species. It complements the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but tailors its criteria to New Zealand’s unique natural environment such as island ecosystems, naturally small populations, and species with restricted ranges found nowhere else in the world.
Sperm whale in Kaikoura | Credit: Will Rayment/NZ Whale Dolphin Trust
Panels of experts reassess each species group roughly every five years, weighing abundance, distribution, and population trends. The result is a clear, nationally relevant picture of how our species are doing and where conservation energy is most needed.
Here’s to 50 issues, and many more to come
The NZTCS is more than a set of publications. It’s a living record of the state of Aotearoa’s biodiversity. It informs policy, recovery planning, advocacy, science and even national reporting.
Reaching 50 issues is a huge achievement. And as long as our taonga species need champions, the series will keep growing, evolving, and supporting the mahi to protect our natural heritage.
European dealers and journalists experienced the CHANGAN DEEPAL S05 AWD at 2026 Changan Global Testing Season this February.
With intelligent AWD and advanced ADAS, the CHANGAN DEEPAL S05 AWD offered uncompromising safety and control on winter roads.
Saalfelden, Austria – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Following extreme cold tests in Yakeshi, China, the 2026 Changan Global Testing Season made its European debut this February with the Changan Winter Experience in Courmayeur and the Winter Test Drives in Saalfelden. The all-electric CHANGAN DEEPAL S05 AWD was tested on snow and ice—familiar conditions for European drivers—offering dealers and journalists an immersive introduction to Changan’s electric mobility vision through dynamic drives.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist and Milano Cortina 2026 Ambassador Deborah Compagnoni joined the event in Courmayeur, testing the CHANGAN DEEPAL S05 AWD. Her career—defined by determination, control, and reliability—reflects Changan’s core values. “I felt that the principles of trajectory and speed in skiing apply to driving. With this model, you gain confidence on challenging terrain,” she said.
Snow-Validated Performance: The CHANGAN DEEPAL S05 AWD
Tested in Europe, the CHANGAN DEEPAL S05 AWD demonstrated controllable dynamics, reliable traction, and enhanced safety—highlighting its cutting-edge AWD and ADAS. The system adapts seamlessly: ECO/COMFORT modes prioritize RWD efficiency, while AWD will engage automatically when sensors detect slip, high torque demand, or extreme cold below -25°C. SPORT mode delivers permanent 50:50 torque for sharper response. SNOW mode maintains balanced torque with optimized slip control for confident driving on low-grip surfaces.
The intelligent AWD system delivers up to 320 kW power, 502 Nm torque, and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 5.5 seconds. It also improves hill climbing with a 40% gradient capability, ensures stability by actively balancing power to prevent skidding, and enables safer cornering at higher speeds through optimized grip and vehicle dynamics.
Changan Standard: Proven in the Alps, Bound for the World
Changan Standard is defined by a principle: forged in extremes, built for every day. From Yakeshi to the Alps, the test environments are selected to verify specific performance attributes—safety technologies, chassis response, all-wheel-drive calibration, and ADAS in low-grip scenarios. The objective of 2026 Global Testing Season is not to demonstrate extremes, but to confirm consistency: that the same level of safety, control, and stability demonstrated will be replicated in Mexico, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia.
Hashtag: #Changan
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 March 2026 – Mitsubishi Logisnext Asia Pacific (MLAP) announced today it will be rebranded to Logisnext Asia Pacific in the future, aligning with the strategic direction set by Mitsubishi Logisnext Co. Ltd. (ML) for its group companies.
This global change will mark a significant step in ML’s ongoing transformation, guided by the “Logisnext Vision 2035”. As part of this process, ML has formed a partnership with Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) as the new strategic partner to support sustainable growth and long-term value creation. Consequently, all group companies will adopt the new company name from 30th of April.
Commitment to Customers “While our name is changing, our commitment to customers and dealer partners remains unchanged,” said Yasumitsu Baba, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Logisnext Asia Pacific. “We will continue to provide reliable equipment, trusted services, and solutions that drive customer success, while further strengthening our global alignment.”
Global and Regional Strategy Logisnext operates globally through four regional hubs: Japan, EAME (Europe, Africa, CIS, and Middle East), Americas, and APAC/C/SA (Asia Pacific, China and South Africa). This structure enables the group to reinforce its position as a leading solutions provider in the logistics industry answering to the local customers’ needs.
In line with the rebrand, the global Logisnext group will implement strategic changes to its brand portfolio in the coming years. These are tailored to the specific needs of each region, ensuring the best fit to serve regional markets. Starting with Japan, “Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks” product lines will rebrand to “Logisnext”.
APAC/C/SA Region Update In the APAC/C/SA region, the “Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks” will transit to “Logisnext Forklifts” in the coming years as part of the rebranding initiative. During this period and beyond, we are committed to continue offering customers the same dependable engineering, innovative equipment and comprehensive solutions, delivered through our dealer partners. Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks is best known for its Reliability, Quality and Value for Money will continue to be with the “Logisnext Forklifts” brand, customers can expect same ownership experience and satisfaction.
Transition and Support Throughout this transition, MLAP is prioritising stability and consistency for dealer partners and customers. All current support teams and service structures will remain in place, ensuring a seamless process for all stakeholders.
New Singapore facility integrates flexible and rigid sterile barrier packaging systems development under one roof to simplify and accelerate package design and speed to market
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 March 2026 – Nelipak® Corporation (“Nelipak”), a leading global provider of healthcare packaging solutions, today announced the opening of its new Asia-Pacific Technical Development Center located in Singapore. This new facility establishes an integrated technical development capability in the Asia-Pacific region combining Nelipak’s flexible and rigid sterile barrier packaging design and innovation capabilities under one roof.
(L-R) Roger Prevot, Chairman, Nelipak, Aldin Velic, Vice President and General Manager, Asia-Pacific, Nelipak, Soo Haw Yun, Vice President, Global Enterprises, Singapore Economic Development Board, Pat Chambliss, Chief Executive Officer, Nelipak, Sean Patel, Vice President, Commercial Development, Nelipak
This investment marks a major milestone in Nelipak’s global growth strategy and establishes a permanent technical and innovation presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing medical device innovation and manufacturing hubs. Its strategic location in Singapore offers a launchpad to Asia-Pacific’s medtech and biomedical industries, owing to the country’s strong global connectivity and growing healthcare manufacturing and research capabilities.
The center will enable Nelipak to support customers across Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand. It combines personalized real-time collaboration with Nelipak’s global manufacturing and innovation network to ensure that packaging solutions developed in Asia-Pacific are globally scalable and production-ready.
Designed to enhance how medical device and pharmaceutical companies develop and validate sterile packaging systems, the Asia-Pacific Technical Development Center enables customers to arrive with a medical device concept and leave with a validation ready packaging design and physical samples. For device manufacturers, the benefit is immediate and tangible. Customers can engage directly with Nelipak’s technical experts to co-develop and validate bespoke sterile barrier solutions, streamline iteration cycles and regulatory processes, and accelerate time to market.
The center supports the development of Nelipak’s comprehensive range of custom designed sterile-barrier packaging solutions which integrate both flexible and rigid formats. Its capabilities are also designed to support ISO 11607-compliant development, risk mitigation, and accelerated commercialization for Class I through Class III medical and pharmaceutical devices.
“Asia-Pacific is an important and growing region for global medical device innovation, manufacturing, and consumption,” said Pat Chambliss, Chief Executive Officer of Nelipak. “Our new Asia-Pacific Technical Development Center located in Singapore represents a foundational investment that supports our global customer base while anchoring Nelipak firmly in the Asia-Pacific region. It reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring customer access to our broad range of flexible and rigid sterile barrier packaging solutions which are widely used globally and have been used extensively in the region for over 30 years.”
“Medical device customers are under enormous pressure to move faster without compromising safety, compliance, or performance,” said Aldin Velic, Vice President and General Manager, Asia-Pacific, Nelipak. “Our goal with this center is simple. Customers walk in with a device and a packaging challenge, and they leave with an engineered packaging solution, prototype samples in hand, and a clear path to development, validation and commercialization. We are replacing distance, delay, and fragmentation with expertise, speed, and collaboration.”
The Asia-Pacific Technical Development Center is equipped to support early-stage concept development, line extensions, material transitions, and risk mitigation projects, including changes driven by sterilization modality, regulatory requirements, or supply chain resilience. By unifying rigid and flexible packaging development in a single location, Nelipak enables holistic and optimized sterile barrier system design rather than isolated and fragmented component development.
“We congratulate Nelipak on the opening of its first Technical Development Center in Asia-Pacific. The new center will enable Nelipak to work closely with pharmaceutical and medical device companies in the region to accelerate product development and launches. The investment is a welcome addition to Singapore’s growing biomedical sciences ecosystem and strengthens our role as a regional hub for medtech innovation,” said Soo Haw Yun, Vice President, Global Enterprises, Singapore Economic Development Board.
This investment builds on Nelipak’s long-standing commitment to innovation, quality, and customer collaboration and reinforces the company’s broader expansion across Asia-Pacific. It also reflects growing demand from global medical device manufacturers for regionally based technical support that meets the same standards of rigor, speed, and expertise available in established Western markets.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 March 2026 – On 13 February 2026, the Creative Schools Continuum hosted its “Transforming Education 20/40” Symposium at Creative Secondary School (CSS), bringing together more than 200 educators, school leaders, and parents to discuss how schools should prepare their students for the age of artificial intelligence and rapid technological change.
The event, held as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Creative Secondary School and the 40th anniversaries of Creative Primary School (CPS) and Creative Primary School’s Kindergarten (CPSKG), focused on a central question: How can schools equip students to navigate an unpredictable future while also cultivating their character, compassion, sense of purpose, and resilience?
Putting Humanity at the Centre of Learning
Mr. Victor Fong, School Supervisor of the Creative Schools Continuum, opened the symposium by stressing the importance of keeping humanity at the core of education in the AI era. He called for schools to prepare students for a more complex world where values, attitudes, and ethical thinking remain essential.
CSS Principal Stephen Hindes extended this vision, noting that schools should move beyond traditional teaching methods to create environments where young people are motivated to explore, question, and grow.
After a performance by students who took part in the 2025 Kuliang Friendship U.S.-China Youth Choir Week, Dr. Spencer Fowler, Head of Li Po Chun United World College, delivered the keynote address. He discussed the importance of finding purpose in an era of technological acceleration, arguing that while algorithms have their place, a clear sense of purpose remains the most vital element in student development.
From Theory to Practice: Educators and Students Respond
The symposium also featured keynote sessions by Dr. Cecilia Tam, Manager of Ph.D. Research Degree Programmes at City University of Hong Kong, and Mr. Maurice Chong, CSS alumnus and Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree, who founded the sports technology company KNO.
Dr. Tam focused on mindfulness and the importance of staying focused in an information-saturated age, while Mr. Chong explored how students can adapt and grow alongside AI, drawing on his experience as an athlete, AI researcher, and entrepreneur.
Participants also joined two rounds of concurrent workshops led by AI and Ed-tech professionals, exploring topics such as digital mindfulness, character development, innovative classroom integration, and so on.
The student panel, moderated by Ms. Ruth Benny of Top Schools, provided symposium participants with the opportunity to hear from students about their experiences studying at CSS. The students describe CSS as a place where they can learn from mistakes with the support of their teachers, while developing leadership, discipline, and a strong sense of responsibility. They also shared their concerns about staying competitive as AI advances, the anxiety brought on by social media, and the challenge of making ethical choices when using AI tools. Their reflections offered authentic perspectives on how young people are actually experiencing the changes that adults are planning for.
Teachers as Guides, Not Just Instructors
The second panel, moderated by Ms. Ruth Benny, brought together Dr. Cecilia Tam, Principal Stephen Hindes, and Mr. Maurice Chong. Their conversation explored a range of forward-looking issues: the reimagined assessments, AI-accelerated learning, and why human values matter more as automation spreads. The panel concluded that the role of educators must shift from delivering information to guiding students towards self-directed learning.
The “Transforming Education 20/40” Symposium underscored the Creative Schools Continuum’s commitment to preparing students not just for academic success, but for meaningful lives in a rapidly evolving world. As technology reshapes learning, educators are redefining their roles as mentors who prepare young people to understand AI, use it wisely, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Factual Highlights of the Creative Schools Continuum Three Schools • One Philosophy • One Continuum
The motto of Creative Schools Continuum is “Nurture Future Minds • Build Boundless Capacity”, highlighting the continuum’s foresight and insights into quality education and our commitments to our students and parents.
Creative Primary School and Creative Secondary School are award-winning “Inviting Schools”. The award recognizes the schools’ commitments to providing an exceptionally caring, trusting, respectful, and positive learning environment for its students and staff.
As International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools, Creative Primary and Creative Secondary Schools offer the IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) respectively.
Creative Secondary School also offers the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary School Examination (HKDSE) course in parallel with the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) as pathways to university entrances.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 March 2026 – Media OutReach Newswire, Asia Pacific’s first and only global newswire, has appointed Ms Kitty Lee as Managing Partner, Greater China. This is a newly created role designed to accelerate the company’s growth across GBA and Greater China.
Kitty brings over two decades of experience in the PR industry. Having used Media OutReach Newswire’s press release distribution service for several years, she was impressed by the company’s deep understanding of client needs and the quality of its deliverables. “I have seen the important role that Media OutReach Newswire has played in my work and its impact to my clients. I am inspired by the opportunity to contribute my knowledge, drive change, and foster innovation for the advancement and efficiency of the PR industry,” she said.
Through innovation and AI-driven workflow efficiency, Media OutReach Newswire is redefining press release distribution, enabling press releases to serve multi-functional roles. Media OutReach Newswire connects brands with journalists to maximise earned media and build media relationships worldwide. Where PR professionals once pitched stories to secure as many published key messages as possible, Media OutReach Newswire’s verbatim guaranteed online news postings on trusted media websites ensure 100% delivery. This solution helps companies strengthen brand reputation and build trust with customers and investors, while powering SEO and GEO for AI-driven search. Its pioneering multiformat post-release reports deliver data insights and PR Campaign Intelligence on coverage, public reach, and broader communications impact, for C-Suites reporting.
Ms Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire, said: “The growing demand for an authentic newswire partner has created a clear opportunity for us to expand in GBA and Greater China. Kitty brings exactly what we need: deep relationships across the region’s PR and marketing community, and a clear understanding of what brand communications must achieve. Her in-depth industry knowledge will guide our market expansion and product development as we help Chinese companies build their brand reputation across Southeast Asia, ASEAN, Asia Pacific, the USA, Canada, Latin America, UK & Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.”
Founded 17 years ago, Media OutReach Newswire is trusted by government agencies, corporations, and SMEs across Greater China to build their brand reputation globally. Clients that have entrusted their global communications campaigns to Media OutReach Newswire include the Information Services Department Hong Kong, China News Services, New Taipei City Government, Taiwan External Trade Development Council, Huawei, Alibaba, OPPO, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hang Lung Properties, Lee Kum Kee, TVBS, Macau Tourism Board, Galaxy Entertainment Group, and fast-growing enterprises such as XTransfer, Ecovacs, Sleekflow, KPay and Innolux Corporation.
Kitty joins from FleishmanHillard, where she served as Senior Vice President & Partner, advising clients across retail, property, healthcare and travel & tourism sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Nottingham and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Hong Kong Baptist University. A Cantonese native, she is fluent in English and Mandarin, and will be based in Hong Kong.
Hashtag: #MediaOutReachNewswire #pressrelease
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