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Japan PM Takaichi Basks in Historic Election Triumph

By
Laotian Times
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Japan's Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sanae Takaichi reacts as she speaks with media on the House of Representatives election day at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on 8 February 2026. (Photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon / POOL / AFP)

By Hiroshi HIYAM/AFP – Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi savoured an election landslide 8 February, with her ruling party projected to have won a two-thirds majority in the powerful lower house for the first time in its history.

If confirmed by official results, the outcome gives Japan’s first female premier a strong mandate to implement her conservative agenda and stamp her mark on the country of 123 million people over the next four years.The Asia-Pacific region will be watching closely, however, to see if the 64-year-old ups the ante or lowers the temperature with China after enraging Beijing in November with comments about Taiwan.

Financial markets may also be nervous about Japan’s public finances and its gargantuan debt pile if Takaichi decides to cut taxes and boost spending in Asia’s number-two economy.

“We have consistently stressed the importance of responsible and proactive fiscal policy,” Takaichi insisted late Sunday.

“We will prioritise the sustainability of fiscal policy. We will ensure necessary investments. Public and private sectors must invest. We will build a strong and resilient economy,” she said.

On Monday, the Nikkei jumped around five percent to hit a new high, with equities “poised to benefit from higher fiscal spending but interest rates that remain accommodative and negative in real terms”, according to analyst Kyle Rodda of Capital.com.

With a stronger mandate, Takaichi is also expected to push through her ambitious policy agenda, which includes boosting the defence budget, tougher immigration measures and potentially changing the constitution.

Capitalising on her honeymoon start after becoming Japan’s fifth premier in as many years in October, Takaichi called the snap election last month.

The gamble paid off handsomely, with local media reporting that her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won around 316 of the 465 seats contested, citing partial results.

That takes the party past the 310-seat threshold needed for a two-thirds majority.

Together with its junior coalition partner, they’re expected to secure 352 seats.

US President Donald Trump congratulated Takaichi after an earlier endorsement.

“I wish you Great Success in passing your Conservative, Peace Through Strength Agenda,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Drummer

Takaichi has injected new life into the LDP, which has governed Japan almost non-stop for decades but shed support in recent elections because of unhappiness about rising prices and corruption.

A heavy metal drummer in her youth, Takaichi was an admirer of Britain’s “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher, and on the ultra-conservative fringe of the LDP when she became party chief.

She has been a hit with voters, especially young ones, with fans lapping up everything from her handbag to her jamming to a K-pop song with South Korea’s president.

But she will have to deliver on the economy to remain popular.

“With prices rising like this, what matters most to me is what policies they’ll adopt to deal with inflation,” voter Chika Sakamoto, 50, told AFP at a voting station in snowy Tokyo on Sunday.

Socially conservative

Despite being her country’s first woman premier, Takaichi has shown little appetite for framing her leadership around gender in male-dominated Japanese politics.

She is socially conservative, opposing any revision to a law requiring married couples to share the same surname, a rule that overwhelmingly results in women taking their husband’s name.

Before becoming prime minister, Takaichi was seen as a China hawk.

She was a regular visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honours convicted war criminals along with 2.5 million war dead and is seen as a symbol of Japan’s militarist past.

Barely two weeks in office, Takaichi suggested that Japan could intervene militarily if Beijing sought to take self-ruled Taiwan by force.

China regards the democratic island as part of its territory and has not ruled out force to annex it.

With Takaichi having days earlier pulled out all the stops to welcome Trump, Beijing was furious with her unscripted remarks.

It summoned Tokyo’s ambassador, warned its citizens against visiting Japan and conducted joint air drills with Russia. Japan’s last two pandas were even returned to China last month.

Margarita Estevez-Abe, associate professor of political science at Syracuse University, said that Takaichi can afford to dial down tensions now.

“Now she doesn’t have to worry about any elections until 2028, when the next upper house elections will take place,” Estevez-Abe told AFP before the vote.

“So the best scenario for Japan is that Takaichi kind of takes a deep breath and focuses on amending the relationship with China.”

© Agence France-Presse

Penfolds Announces Partnership with the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026

By
Advertorial Desk
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The partnership arrives as Penfolds marks 75 years of Grange

MELBOURNE, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Penfolds announced its partnership with the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026, joining the iconic global spectacle as an Event Supporter.

Across the four days at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, a selection of Penfolds wines will be served in premium hospitality venues, including in the American Express Lounge. Guests will also enjoy a curated Penfolds restaurant pairing and an elevated VIP Grange experience designed to celebrate Penfolds most renowned wine.

The partnership arrives at a milestone moment for the brand, as Penfolds celebrates 75 years of Grange in 2026.

On the announcement, Penfolds Chief Marketing Office Kristy Keyte said, “The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix offers an extraordinary platform to share our wines, celebrate 75 years of Grange, and mark moments with wine lovers and F1 fans in Australia and those visiting from around the globe.”

As part of the partnership, the “Penfolds Grange Experience” will be offered to American Express Lounge ticket holders. Hosted by a Penfolds Ambassador, this guided tasting will showcase the heritage, craftsmanship, and lasting impression of Penfolds most iconic wine.

This partnership brings together two globally recognised names with deep meaning for audiences in Australia and around the world – each synonymous with excellence, innovation, and creating memorable experiences.

Recognised as one of the world’s most watched and celebrated sporting events, the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix continues to deliver exceptional global reach and world‑class entertainment.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chief Commercial Officer, Emma Pinwill said, “Penfolds will help us deliver a world‑class hospitality experience by showcasing their exceptional wines at the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix 2026. Sharing our vision to create unforgettable moments, Penfolds presence will contribute to an elevated and memorable experience for guests.”

In addition to the premium hospitality offering, a broader selection of wines from the Treasury Wine Estates Victorian portfolio will be available in select hospitality facilities across General Admission areas of the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026.

For more information visit Australian Grand Prix 2026 – F1 Race.

Image link HERE.

EDITOR’S NOTES

About Penfolds

For over 180 years, Penfolds commitment to quality has been underpinned by the art of blending and attesting all wines are connected through a consistent and recognisable ‘House Style’; the ultimate expression of a time-honoured and distinctive tradition of finding the best grapes to make wine from the very best regions. Penfolds ‘House Style’ is recognised and revered the world over with wines such as Grange, Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon and Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz. This philosophy extends beyond Penfolds spiritual home of South Australia to the bountiful soils of France, USA, and China, where wines such as FWT 585 and FWT 543 continue to forge Penfolds reputation for excellence. Through the passing of time, wine innovations have become great traditions and old and new generations continue to mark moments and create their own stories, with a glass of Penfolds in hand. And so – almost two centuries since inception, Penfolds continues to write new chapters and proudly remains one of the world’s most revered winemakers – now and for ‘evermore’. For more information visit: www.penfolds.com Facebook/Penfolds X/Penfolds Instagram/Penfolds YouTube/PenfoldsEST1844

Beyond Borders: XTransfer Insights-Opportunity in the Overlooked: The Underserved SME Cross-Border Market

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Advertorial Desk
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The B2B cross-border trade payment market is immense, yet remain highly underserved


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 February 2026 – According to the World Bank, SMEs account for approximately 90% the world’s businesses and contribute 65% of the global cross-border trade. SMEs play a pivotal rolein most economies, particularly in emerging markets. Estimates from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) suggest that B2B cross-border trade payment market for SMEs is worth approximately $20 trillion.

However, traditional commercial banks have been facing multiple challenges in serving SMEs, including strict compliance and risk control requirements, lower profit generating, and license limitations, resulting in a large unmet demand through formal financial systems.

XTransfer’s field research in emerging markets indicates that many SMEs resort to illicit settlement channels like underground banks out of necessity. In fact, the trade volume processed through these unofficial avenues could be 2 to 5 times larger than the official import and export figures.

Compared to other segments, B2B cross-border payment presents vast opportunities

In the cross-border payment industry, services can be categorised into four segments based on money flows:

Four segments in cross-border payment industry.
Four segments in cross-border payment industry.

Marketplace 2B
These businesses provide payment processing services for sellers on e-commerce platforms. Risk control is primarily based on e-commerce platform’s integrated of data streams (e.g., merchant details, logistics, transaction history). With relatively low technical barriers and compliance capabilities, the industry is highly saturated.

B2B
Focused on traditional cross-border trade enterprises, this segment has huge potential but features high risk control complexity and high barriers. Payment service providers must individually verify the entire information flow pertaining to each transaction (including buyer/seller details, orders, logistics, contracts, etc.), which results in many companies attempting to enter, but few succeed.

C2C
This primarily covers cross-border remittances between individuals. The overall market scale is relatively small, with limited use cases.

C2B
This is the most well-established segment, dominated by cross-border payment giants such as Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Stripe. The market is saturated with intense competition.

As a reference, the C2B cross-border payment industry has evolved dramatically over the last five decades, especially in the past ten years. Mobile wallet providers in China, the U.S. and Europe drove the mobile payment revolution, establishing a well-established cross-border settlement and risk control platform dominated by card schemes and wallets like PayPal. The system features significant advantages, including efficient transaction processes and unified risk control standards.

In contrast, B2B cross-border payments still primarily rely on traditional bank transfers. The sector as a whole is still on the cusp of the “mobile payment revolution” and has not yet formed a unified clearing mechanism or a standardized risk control system.

The payment sector need a new platform.
The payment sector need a new platform.

However, this development gap also points to a huge market opportunity. The B2B cross-border settlement market for SMEs desperately needs a shake-up. Service providers that possess a deep understanding of global customer needs and are equipped with technological and compliance capabilities will unleash vast growth potential in this space.

Beyond Borders: XTransfer Insights is a thought-leadership series that shares XTransfer’s perspectives on the forces shaping global trade and financial services. Through research-driven insights and real-world observations, it highlights emerging trends, key challenges, and opportunities across international markets.
Hashtag: #XTransfer #Crossborder #Payment #SMEs #whitepaper





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

HiTHIUM Completes World’s First Open-Door Large-Scale Fire Test of a 6.25MWh BESS with kAh Battery Cells

By
Advertorial Desk
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XIAMEN, China, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, HiTHIUM completed the world’s first open-door large-scale fire test of its ∞Power 6.25MWh 4h long-duration energy storage (LDES) system equipped with kiloampere-hour (kAh) battery cells. The test was conducted under the full supervision of representatives from UL Solutions, U.S. Authorities Having Jurisdiction, and Fire Protection Engineers. The test strictly complied with the latest requirements of UL 9540A 2025 and NFPA 855-2026.

The test results demonstrate that the high-energy-density 6.25MWh energy storage system, incorporating ultra-large-capacity battery cells, exhibited stable and controllable safety performance under extreme conditions. This marks a critical breakthrough in safety validation at higher energy levels for LDES systems, further strengthening the safety foundation for large-scale industry deployment.

HiTHIUM's Open-door Large-scale Fire Test
HiTHIUM’s Open-door Large-scale Fire Test

Extreme Real-World Scenarios: Confronting Safety Limits at Higher Energy Levels

Building on its previous open-door fire test of a 5MWh system, HiTHIUM conducted an upgraded validation focusing on the ∞Power 6.25MWh LDES system and its core ∞Cell 1175Ah, verifying system-level safety at significantly higher energy levels.

The test was conducted under the most stringent conditions: the container doors remained fully open throughout the test creating an “open-door combustion” condition to maximize oxygen supply and flame impact; adjacent containers were arranged back-to-back and side-by-side with only 15 cm spacing; the system operated at 100% state of charge; and all active fire suppression systems were disabled, relying solely on intrinsic safety design.

Three Core Safety Challenges: Comprehensive Validation of a Multi-Layer Protection System

To address the compounded risks introduced by ultra-large-capacity cells and high-energy-density systems, HiTHIUM implemented a multi-layer safety architecture spanning the cell, module, and system levels. Guided by the core technical approach of “release, protection, and resistance,” the test validated the three core safety challenges.

Release Without Explosion: Precise Management of Ultra-High Energy Release

To manage the massive energy release during thermal runaway of 1175Ah cells, HiTHIUM designed a three-dimensional airflow channel with directional venting, and the module adopted a dual pressure relief valve safety design. This structure enabled rapid and controlled gas release at the cell and module levels, preventing explosive pressure buildup. No explosions or debris ejection were observed during the test.

Combustion Without Propagation: Dual Physical Barriers Against Thermal Spread

Under the most severe conditions of open-door combustion and minimal spacing conditions, the system endured direct flame exposure and intense heat transfer. Fire-resistant module covers, reinforced steel enclosures, and insulated multi-layer container structures confined the fire to a single battery system with no thermal propagation across the containers, and temperatures of cells in adjacent containers remained below safety thresholds.

Resistance Without Structural Failure: Structural Stability Under Extreme Thermal Stress

To withstand prolonged high-temperature exposure, the ∞Power 6.25MWh system was structurally reinforced with a high-strength steel frame, stiffeners, and dual-layer partitions. After continuous combustion, the affected container remained structurally intact, with no significant deformation or collapse observed.

A Milestone Achievement: Redefining Safety Standards for LDES

This test systematically verified the overall safety performance of the ∞Power 6.25MWh LDES system equipped with kAh battery cells, representing a milestone within the global energy storage safety validation framework.

As system capacity continues to increase from 5MWh to 6.25MWh, HiTHIUM remains committed to advancing safety and reliability through rigorous design standards and extreme-condition testing.

Looking ahead, HiTHIUM will remain focused on LDES as a strategic priority, further strengthening its safety foundation and core technologies. By participating in the development of global energy storage safety frameworks to higher standards, and working closely with industry partners, HiTHIUM aims to drive LDES toward larger scale, higher reliability, and safer, more efficient deployment —supporting a steady and sustainable global energy transition.

Asia Coach Group Partners with Veteran Business Consultant Rick Tam to Launch “Business Breakthrough” Programme for Hong Kong SMEs

By
Advertorial Desk
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 February 2026 – Asia Coach Group Limited announced today its partnership with seasoned business consultant Rick Tam to launch the “Business Breakthrough” enterprise training programme, designed to help Hong Kong SME owners strengthen their business models, improve cash flow, and enhance financing capabilities.

Rick Tam, Founder of "Business Breakthrough" Coaching Programme for Hong Kong SMEs
Rick Tam, Founder of “Business Breakthrough” Coaching Programme for Hong Kong SMEs

Challenging Business Environment Demands New Solutions

Hong Kong’s SMEs are facing unprecedented operational pressures. According to a survey by CPA Australia, 37% of small businesses in Hong Kong struggle to obtain external financing. Data from Airwallex further reveals that 96% of SMEs have experienced cash flow difficulties in the past year. With property asset values declining, banks’ insistence on property collateral for loans has left many enterprises in financial distress.

Responding to Market Needs with Systematic Business Upgrade Solutions

“Hong Kong has never lacked capital—what’s missing is the mechanism to connect businesses with it,” Rick Tam noted. The programme addresses common pain points faced by local SMEs, including declining profits, low business valuations, tight cash flow, and recruitment challenges. Built upon the four-pillar framework of “Commerce, Strategy, Breakthrough, and Structure,” the curriculum covers stabilising cash flow and enhancing financial flexibility, repositioning businesses and improving client quality, reshaping product value and expanding profit margins, as well as systematising operations and attracting investors. The programme commits to helping participants improve cash flow, increase business value, and strengthen their business models within 90 days.

Four Practical Tools for Immediate Application

Participants will acquire four core tools: the “Cash Flow Vortex System” for rapid assessment of financial status and establishing safety buffers; the “A.T.C. Client Leverage Ladder” for repositioning and enhancing client value; the “High-Value Breakthrough Method” for creating products with greater value and trust; and the “Marketing Triangle Matrix” for integrating human resources, client bases, and operational systems to plan business expansion. The programme adopts a six-step progressive model—from restructuring business models, improving profit margins, attracting capital injection, building high-performance teams, and systematising operations, to ultimately helping business owners reclaim their time and freedom.

Instructor Credentials

Programme instructor Rick Tam is a graduate of the University of Hong Kong’s Business School and currently serves as CEO of two family offices and chief consultant to several others. He holds the CFPCM Certified Financial Planner designation. Tam has founded more than nine brands spanning wealth management, securities, and food and beverage sectors, and has guided over 1,000 participants through business expansion.

As Hong Kong’s economy seeks transformation, channelling capital precisely into the real economy through the “Business Breakthrough” approach offers more than a lifeline for SMEs—it injects vital momentum into Hong Kong’s long-term economic development.

Hashtag: #RickTam #AsiaCoach

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Save Big, Win Big: RM8,888 Up for Grabs at PolicyStreet

By
Advertorial Desk
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Drivers who renew their car insurance with PolicyStreet this February stand a chance to win RM8,888 in cash, while enjoying additional festive savings through the 10+10 Promotion and Free Road Tax offers.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Malaysians saddle up to return to their hometowns for festive reunions, PolicyStreet is encouraging drivers to stay a step ahead when it comes to protection by renewing their car insurance on time, or even early, with the launch of its Renew & Huat RM8,888 Lucky Draw.

Stand a chance to win RM8,888 cash when renewing your car insurance with PolicyStreet this February!
Stand a chance to win RM8,888 cash when renewing your car insurance with PolicyStreet this February!

Running from 6 to 28 February, the campaign rewards timely and early car insurance renewals during the festive period with automatic lucky draw entries. Each successful renewal on PolicyStreet’s platform earns drivers a chance to win a cash prize of RM8,888, making early renewal an even sweeter deal this Chinese New Year.

“Protection is the best kind of prosperity. As more cars take to the roads this festive season, renewing insurance early is a simple way for drivers to financially look after themselves and their loved ones. Through Renew & Huat, we’re encouraging drivers not to horse around with coverage, while giving them a chance to enjoy a little extra luck as they charge into the new year,” said Yen Ming Lee, Group Chief Executive Officer of PolicyStreet.

Beyond the Renew & Huat Lucky Draw, drivers renewing their car insurance between 1 and 24 February can enjoy additional festive savings through PolicyStreet‘s 10+10 Promotion. Available daily from 10am to 11am and 10pm to 11pm, the promotion offers an uncapped 10% discount on premiums after No-Claim Discount (NCD), along with an additional RM10 off the final bill, making it particularly attractive for drivers with higher premium amounts.

From 25 to 28 February, customers renewing their car insurance can also benefit from Free Road Tax, capped at RM90 per vehicle. The offer provides added value for drivers with lower premium amounts, helping to offset renewal costs while ensuring they remain protected on the road during the festive travel period.

For policies with premiums of RM1,000 and above, renewing during the 10+10 Promotion can unlock savings of at least RM110. Meanwhile, customers with lower premium amounts may find more value in the Free Road Tax offer, capped at RM90 per vehicle, available during the campaign period. Both campaigns are stackable with the Renew & Huat RM8,888 Lucky Draw.

With Chinese New Year often bringing higher household expenses, from festive shopping to ang pow preparations, PolicyStreet offers various Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options such as Atome, SPayLater, or Grab PayLater. Credit card users can also opt for instalment plans to stay protected on the road without the added financial stress during the holiday season.

With the Year of the Horse symbolising speed, endurance, and safe passage, PolicyStreet’s Renew & Huat campaign blends festive cheer with the unbridled joy of maximised savings and prosperity, reminding drivers that the smartest journeys begin with the right protection in place.

For more information on the Renew & Huat RM8,888 Lucky Draw or to renew car insurance, visit https://policystreet.com.my/tnc

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About PolicyStreet

PolicyStreet is a regional full-stack insurance technology (insurtech) group of companies providing cutting-edge digital insurance solutions to businesses and consumers in Southeast Asia and Australia.

PolicyStreet works directly with over 40 life, general insurers and Takaful providers globally to offer a comprehensive range of products and services, which includes but is not limited to embedded insurance, customised employee benefits, financial advisory and aggregation of insurance, as well as the development of digital solutions to make insurance purposeful and simple for businesses and consumers.

As a licensed Reinsurer, General Insurer and Takaful Operator by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA), an approved Financial Adviser and Islamic Financial Adviser by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and a licensee of the Australian Financial Services License by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), PolicyStreet is able to underwrite, customise policies, and provide unbiased advice to its clients and partners worldwide.

PolicyStreet is backed by the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, and serves over 10 million customers with over US$ 10 billion in sum insured. In 2024, PolicyStreet was recognised as “Fintech of the Year” at The Asset’s Triple A Digital Awards and was the winner of the Fintech Excellence Award for Financial Inclusion at the Singapore Fintech Festival, endorsed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The company was also ranked as the second-highest Malaysian company in the “High-Growth Companies in Asia Pacific 2024” list by Statista and The Financial Times.

 

Rockwell Automation Strengthens Industrial Cybersecurity with New Security Operations Center in Singapore

By
Advertorial Desk
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New facility delivers 24/7 threat monitoring, rapid response and AI-driven cybersecurity for industrial operations across Asia Pacific.

SINGAPORE, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, has launched a Security Operations Center (SOC) in Singapore, enhancing cybersecurity resilience for industrial customers across Asia Pacific.

(From left) Rockwell Automation senior executives Scott Wooldridge, Regional President, Asia Pacific; Scott Genereux, Senior Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer; Matt Fordenwalt, Senior Vice President, Lifecycle Services; Inba Rathinam, Vice President & General Manager, Lifecycle Services Head of Regions; Christian Schoening, Vice President & General Manager, Professional & Managed Services; and Sandip Choudhari, Business Manager, Cybersecurity Services, Asia Pacific, at the launch of the new Security Operations Center in Singapore, Rockwell’s Asia Pacific headquarters.
(From left) Rockwell Automation senior executives Scott Wooldridge, Regional President, Asia Pacific; Scott Genereux, Senior Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer; Matt Fordenwalt, Senior Vice President, Lifecycle Services; Inba Rathinam, Vice President & General Manager, Lifecycle Services Head of Regions; Christian Schoening, Vice President & General Manager, Professional & Managed Services; and Sandip Choudhari, Business Manager, Cybersecurity Services, Asia Pacific, at the launch of the new Security Operations Center in Singapore, Rockwell’s Asia Pacific headquarters.

The new facility is part of Rockwell Automation’s global network of Managed Security Services and delivers 24/7 real-time monitoring, advanced threat detection and rapid incident response through its SecureOT™ Security Monitoring and Response capabilities. Designed to address the growing convergence of IT and OT environments, the SOC helps industrial companies detect, respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents faster and more effectively.

Located within Rockwell’s Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore, the SOC serves as a regional hub for Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services. It integrates vendor-neutral data ingestion, contextualized threat intelligence, and risk-based prioritization, enabling industrial teams to focus on the most critical vulnerabilities across complex, multi-vendor environments while ensuring rapid response and step-by-step remediation guided by Rockwell’s cybersecurity experts.

“Cybersecurity is now inseparable from digital transformation,” said Marcelo Tarkieltaub, regional director, Southeast Asia, Rockwell Automation. “Our new regional SOC hub in Singapore reflects our commitment to helping manufacturers connect, automate and protect their operations end-to-end. Having multiple capabilities under one roof allows for deeper collaboration and faster response, delivering stronger protection for our customers’ critical operations. It enables them to test and engage with our capabilities firsthand, an important step for organizations evaluating the right partners for their cybersecurity journey.”

 “The opening of our regional SOC reinforces Singapore’s role as a cybersecurity hub for the region. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with local agencies, academia and partners to strengthen industrial resilience and upskill new cybersecurity talent. In fact, we’ve recently onboarded several young professionals with cybersecurity majors, building their expertise to support global clients in the industrial security space.”

Companies in the region face growing threats such as data theft, extortion, and ransomware, in part due to Asia Pacific’s critical role in global supply chains and its position as a technology and manufacturing hub. Rockwell Automation’s 10th Annual 2025 State of Smart Manufacturing Report found that cybersecurity has risen to the second most critical external risk for manufacturers in Asia Pacific, with nearly half of respondents planning to deploy AI and machine learning for cybersecurity use cases within the next year.

Rockwell Automation’s SOC leverages Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR), a technology platform that combines automation, AI and analytics to streamline and accelerate responses to cyber threats. This enables Rockwell’s Managed Detection and Response services to offer customers a single pane of glass view of cyber incidents and actions across multiple sites, as some global manufacturers need to monitor more than 100 locations.

Aligned with Singapore’s national ambition to build a secure digital economy, the facility complements Rockwell’s collaboration with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and industry partners to advance industrial cybersecurity maturity across the region. It will also host training workshops and customer simulations, giving participants hands-on exposure to real-world OT threat scenarios.

The new SOC builds on Rockwell’s SecureOT™ Solution Suite, which encompasses Strategic Advisory, Managed Industrial Networking and Infrastructure, Asset Management, Risk and Vulnerability Management, and Incident Response services.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 26,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries as of fiscal year end 2025. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

Luckin Coffee Unveils Its 30,000th Store – the Origin Flagship: A New Chapter for Quality Upgrade and Shared Value Creation

By
Advertorial Desk
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SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Leading retail coffee chain Luckin Coffee (“Luckin” or “the brand”, OTC:LKNCY) announced the official inauguration of its 30,000th store, the first Origin Flagship, in Shenzhen. Tied to the core theme of Global Origins, this landmark opening signifies a strategic evolution for the brand: while solidifying its industry-leading scale, Luckin is elevating its focus on professionalism and quality, global supply chain integration and sustainable development to an all-new level.

The 30,000-store milestone underscores Luckin’s extensive network, which now spans over 300 cities across China, with a growing international presence in overseas markets including Singapore, Malaysia and the United States. In recent years, Luckin has driven the mass popularization of coffee consumption in China and elevated national awareness of homegrown coffee brands, while emerging as a dynamic force in reshaping the global coffee supply chain and invigorating global coffee culture.

The opening ceremony held yesterday was graced by distinguished diplomatic representatives from Luckin’s global origin partners, including H.E. Mr. Djauhari Oratmangun, Ambassador of Indonesia to China; Victor Queiroz‌, General Manager of ApexBrasil in Asia and Pacific Region; and Annie Maya, Consul General of Colombia in Guangzhou, China. Also in attendance were Luckin Coffee’s core executive leadership team including Chairman Li Hui, and Co-Founder & CEO Guo Jinyi.

In his address, Chairman Li Hui remarked: “We are committed to bringing the authentic taste of premium coffee from Indonesia, Brazil, Colombia, and other renowned origins across the globe straight to every one of our customers. This is more than just savoring a cup of coffee—it is the start of a genuine journey through global coffee flavors, which represents a pivotal elevation of Luckin’s corporate vision and mission.”

Grand Opening Ceremony of Luckin Coffee's 30,000th Store
Grand Opening Ceremony of Luckin Coffee’s 30,000th Store

Luckin has been steadily expanding its Global Origins layout and building a global supply chain based on shared values. In recent years, the brand has launched the “From Origin to You” product campaign, forging deep roots in core coffee-producing regions including Brazil, Ethiopia and Yunnan, China. It has also developed a portfolio of exclusive raw material bases, such as the “Exclusive Coconut Island” in Indonesia, a dedicated jasmine cultivation base in Hengzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and large-scale navel orange orchards in Zigui County, Hubei Province, China. This strategic layout seamlessly links global premium flavors with China’s vast consumer market, creating a virtuous cycle where market demand drives the value enhancement of the entire supply chain.

As Luckin Coffee’s first-ever Origin Flagship, this spacious 420-square-meter two-story venue offers an immersive experience of the brand’s global supply chain value narrative and quality commitment, illustrated by the store design and exclusive premium menu. The Luckin Origin Lab features an exclusive menu of crafted specialty coffee and pour-over options, while debuting its exclusive premium single-origin bean menu, highlighted by classic SOE Americanos and lattes crafted from premium beans from Yunnan, Ethiopia and Mandheling. This store also marks Luckin’s first adoption of high-end semi-automatic coffee machines, alongside the deployment of a team of highly skilled baristas, who perfectly capture and recreate the unique flavor profiles of premium beans sourced from across the globe. In addition, the store is home to Luckin’s inaugural Master Space, designated for professional coffee salons and themed events to deepen the brand’s interaction with customers. Since its soft opening in late January, the store has quickly become a hotspot for local coffee enthusiasts, who are drawn by its exclusive and innovative signature crafted products. Luckin also served up exclusive opening-day champion beans from the 2025 “Yunnan Cup of Excellence (CoE)” Pilot Competition — a testament to its long-term support for the Yunnan coffee industry and continuous pursuit of quality.  

Upholding its commitment to sustainable development, the flagship store was constructed in strict compliance with LEED Platinum standards and meets the “Zero Carbon Space” evaluation criteria of the China Association of Building Energy Efficiency. Following the LEED Platinum certification of Luckin’s 20,000th store in Beijing’s Zhongguancun, this new flagship store sets another benchmark for green retail in the coffee industry.

Luckin’s commitment to global value co-creation is also exemplified by its strategic global footprint. Its retail network spans all across China — from Mohe in the far north to Sanya in the south, and Fuyuan in the east to Kashgar in the west — covering 94% of the country’s provincial-level administrative regions. Bolstered by its robust brand equity, ongoing product innovation and an efficient digital operating model, Luckin is making steady strides onto the global stage, boasting 118 overseas stores as of the third quarter of 2025.

Locating its 30,000th store in Shenzhen, a city of openness and entrepreneurship, echoes Luckin’s vision to build a world-class coffee brand backed by a robust global supply chain and uncompromising quality. At this major milestone, Luckin evolves from a scale leader to a global value co-creator, bringing global premium flavors to customers while fostering deeper exchange between Chinese and global coffee cultures.

 

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