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“The Hang Lung Scholarship and Development Donation for the Visually Impaired” Is Open for Application

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 28 February 2023 – Hang Lung Properties (SEHK stock code: 00101) (the “Company” or “Hang Lung”) has partnered with the Ebenezer School & Home for the Visually Impaired (“Ebenezer” or “The School”) to set up “The Hang Lung Scholarship and Development Donation for the Visually Impaired” (“Scholarship”). The fund aims to support the holistic development of students and graduates of the School in pursuing their studies and career development, and to help achieve diversity and inclusivity within the community through the empowerment of visually impaired students in the development of their skills and the attainment of their aspirations.

Proceeds from the HK$ 30 million fund for “The Hang Lung Scholarship and Development Donation for the Visually Impaired” will be used every year for scholarships and learning subsidies for outstanding students and graduates of Ebenezer to continue their studies and maximize their capabilities, as well as for arranging Christian ministry works by the School.

The Scholarship is open for application from now to March 31, 2023, with the selection process in May 2023. Between six and eight outstanding visually impaired youths will be selected in this batch, based on academic performance, professional development, social commitment, and other outstanding achievements. The Scholarship Selection Panel consists of management of Hang Lung and representatives from Ebenezer. With the Scholarship, young people with visual impairment will be encouraged to overcome limitations, achieve career and professional success, and make contributions to the community.

Hang Lung actively promotes youth development and social diversity and inclusivity under its pillar community investment programs – the “Hang Lung Future Women Leaders Program”, targeting young female university students across the nation; the “Hang Lung Mathematics Awards” nurturing over 2,400 secondary students in Hong Kong since its establishment in 2004; and the “Love No Limit” initiative for the elderly living with dementia. The Hang Lung As One Volunteer Team will also be cooperating with Ebenezer to arrange various volunteer activities for its students, in order to support good mental health and social development.

Hashtag: #HangLungProperties

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

About Hang Lung Properties

Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK stock code: 00101) creates compelling spaces that enrich lives. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Hang Lung Properties develops and manages a diversified portfolio of world-class properties in Hong Kong and the nine Mainland cities of Shanghai, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuxi, Tianjin, Dalian, Kunming, Wuhan and Hangzhou. With its luxury positioning under the “66” brand, the company’s Mainland portfolio has established its leading position as the “Pulse of the City”. Hang Lung Properties is recognized for leading the way in enhanced sustainability initiatives in real estate as it pursues sustainable growth by connecting customers and communities.

At Hang Lung Properties – We Do It Well.

For more information, please visit .

About the Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired

Founded in 1897 by Hidesheimer Blindemission, Germany, the Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired is a non-profit charitable agency whose activities are founded in the Christian faith. We provide comprehensive educational, rehabilitation, career and boarding services for children with visual impairment and those visually impaired with intellectual and or other disabilities, as well as residential care and nursing facilities for visually impaired elderly. We also provide employment training to visually impaired students and youths, and work to develop job opportunities for our graduates. We engage with other voluntary and government agencies at local, regional and international levels to maintain, improve and provide services to the visually impaired and deliver public education. Ebenezer is committed to “Nurturing PRIDE for a Better World” not only for the visually impaired but also for the community as a whole.

For more information, please visit .

Lao National Baseball Team Placed Second in International Competition

Lao National Baseball Team Place Second In International Competition
Three members of the Lao National Baseball Team. ( Photo : Lao Baseball Federation )

The 1st DGB Cup Indochina Dream League tournament was held from 24-26 February, with four ASEAN teams in attendance. The event saw Laos come out in second place.

The 11th Beauty and Lifestyle Expo and Global Beauty and Lifestyle Summit Successfully Held with 30,000 Participants

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach – 28 February 2023 – From February 15th to 17th, the 11th Beauty and Lifestyle Expo and the Global Beauty and Lifestyle Summit hosted by Yi Beauty & Lifestyle had their Grand Opening at Shanghai Fuyue Hotel. 30,000+ people working in the beauty, fashion and consumer goods industry gathered and discussed practical solutions for leading innovation in the beauty and fashion industry in 2023 and beyond.

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Four other summits were held simultaneously, namely the First China Beauty Agents Conference, the Third Internet Celebrity E-Commerce Summit, the First Consumer Product Channel Growth Summit, and the 2023 Product Development Forum. All these summits were very successful and splendid. More than 100 industry experts were invited to share and discuss how to grow the beauty, fashion, and consumer goods industry in 2023 in-depth with more than 2,000 guests.

The organizer, Yi Beauty & Lifestyle, has set up four central exhibition pavilions: the National Brand Pavilion, the Great Word-of-Mouth and Favourite Products Pavilion, the Imported Brand Pavilion, and the Emerging Trends Pavilion. More than 1000 beauty brands, new consumption brands, factory supply chains, retailers, Internet celebrities, and MCN agencies were invited and participated in the exhibition.

Mr. Jian, the Chairman of Yi Fei Corporation and President of the Yi Beauty & Lifestyle Chamber of Commerce said in his speech that in 2023, Yi Beauty & Lifestyle will pay more attention to agents, an essential group in the industry chain, while focusing on the needs of our five primary members, including retailers, brands, factories, internet celebrities and third-party service providers, providing more accurate and professional services, and helping member companies find opportunities for survival and development.

In 2023, Yi Beauty & Lifestyle plans to go abroad to provide professional services for global partners in the industry. They will work with consulates in different countries, creating more possibilities for international cooperation for qualified members. They will focus on three main directions: firstly, to systematically promote the characteristics and advantages of China’s beauty industry to foreign markets; secondly, to introduce excellent overseas brands and technologies to China; thirdly, to help more national brands and factories to go abroad. They also welcome cooperation from outstanding overseas brands; please contact Yi Beauty & Lifestyle at xigua@yimeishang.com or visit http://www.yimeishang.com.

Hashtag: #YiBeauty&Lifestyle

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

On Zero Discrimination Day, UNAIDS urges Asia Pacific countries to decriminalise to save lives

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach – 28 February 2023 – On Zero Discrimination Day, commemorated on March 1, UNAIDS highlights the need to remove laws that criminalise people living with HIV and key populations. (Key populations are communities at higher risk of HIV infection including gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who use drugs, sex workers, transgender people and people in prisons and other closed settings.) The 2023 theme, “Save lives: Decriminalise”, points to the positive impact on health and life outcomes when discriminatory and punitive laws are removed.

Community worker providing counseling on the use of condoms and lubricant for harm reduction in Dien Bien province, Viet Nam on 24 October 2022 Credit: VAAC (Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control)/UNAIDS/LHSS (Local Health System Sustainability Project)
Community worker providing counseling on the use of condoms and lubricant for harm reduction in Dien Bien province, Viet Nam on 24 October 2022 Credit: VAAC (Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control)/UNAIDS/LHSS (Local Health System Sustainability Project)

“Criminal laws targeting key populations and people living with HIV violate human rights, deepen the stigma people face and put them in danger by creating barriers to the support and services they need,” said UNAIDS Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Eamonn Murphy. “Decriminalisation is an essential step toward building a supportive legal and policy environment that addresses the social determinants of health.”

UNAIDS is sharing the stories of people in Asia and the Pacific who have experienced reduced access to healthcare, justice and other human rights due to criminal laws and the prejudice they perpetuate.

“The war on drugs has created a lot of stigma and a culture that views people who use drugs as criminals. When we access healthcare, we get treated as bad people. Many choose not to go even if they know they are unwell or at-risk,” said Tedjo, a paralegal and past drug-user.

Ikka explained that during her former life as a sex worker she and her colleagues never reported customers who physically or sexually assaulted them or did not pay. She said: “If someone called the police, they would arrest the sex worker and not the client. The police wouldn’t take your report. They think they have more important cases than you.”

In 2021, the world set ambitious targets to remove criminal laws that are undermining the AIDS response through the political declaration on HIV and AIDS. UN member states made a commitment that by 2025 less than 10% of countries would have punitive legal and policy environments that affect the HIV response. Despite some promising reforms, the world and region are far from achieving this target.

The Asia Pacific situation

“States have a moral and legal obligation to remove discriminatory laws and enact laws that protect people from discrimination,” said Harry Prabowo, Programme Manager of the Asia Pacific Network of People living with HIV and AIDS (APN+). “The meaningful engagement of people living with HIV and key populations is critical to ensure countries develop effective laws that do not have negative, unintended consequences.”

Analysis by UNAIDS and UNDP reveals that just ten of 38 countries in the Asia Pacific region explicitly prohibit discrimination against people living with HIV. On the other hand, 17 countries have either HIV-specific penal laws or public health laws which criminalise HIV transmission, exposure or non-disclosure. Five countries retain formal HIV-related travel and migration restrictions while 12 have mandatory HIV test requirements relating to entry, stay and residence. Legislation, policies and practices that further stigmatise people living with HIV are not in the interest of public health.
Fourteen countries in the region retain corporal or capital punishment penalties for drug possession. There are compulsory centres or similar systems for people who use drugs in 21 nations. In 2012 and 2020 United Nations agencies called for the permanent closure of compulsory facilities for people who use drugs citing lack of due process, forced labour, inadequate nutrition, and denial or limited access to healthcare. Progress to end compulsory treatment for people who use drugs in East and Southeast Asia has largely stalled according to a 2022 report. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UNAIDS are supporting countries to transition to evidence-informed and human-rights based services.
Eighteen Asian and Pacific countries either fully or partially criminalise consenting sex between adult men. Gay men and other men who have sex with men living in countries with severe criminalisation are almost five times as likely to be infected with HIV as those living in countries without such criminal penalties.
Except for New Zealand, all countries in the region criminalise some aspect of sex work. In countries where sex work is heavily criminalised, sex workers are seven times more likely to be living with HIV than peers in countries where it is wholly or partially legalised.
Six countries in the Asia Pacific region—Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Thailand—have joined the Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate all Forms of HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination. This is a partnership that harnesses the combined power of governments, civil society, donors, academia and the United Nations to catalyse action to end stigma and discrimination, including in legal and justice systems.

Hashtag: #ZeroDiscrimination #AsiaPacific


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

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at and and connect with us on , , and .

Allianz: Expected rise in strikes, riots and protests to test business resilience

  • Businesses are increasingly witnessing the impact of protest movements and civil unrest on their operations, a trend that is forecast to grow
  • A new report by AGCS identifies five factors likely to power ongoing incidences of political violence activity around the world
  • Strikes, riots, and civil commotion racked up $12bn of losses for businesses and institutions from just six major incidents in recent years
  • Businesses should view the current climate as a catalyst for evaluating best practices and policies around preparing office locations and employees for the impact of potential civil unrest.

MUNICH, GERMANY – Media OutReach – 28 February 2023 – Anger over growing social inequality and the cost-of-living, foundering faith in governments and institutions and increasingly polarized politics, together with a rise in activism and environmental concerns, are the main factors expected to fuel ongoing incidences of strikes, riots and civil commotion (SRCC) around the world, according to a new report from insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS). The heightened SRCC risk environment means businesses need to remain vigilant about the different threats such activity can pose. In addition to buildings or assets suffering costly material damage, operations can be severely disrupted, resulting in significant loss of income.

“Incidences of strikes, riots and civil commotion have not only increased in recent years, they are also becoming more intense and catastrophic. These types of events are making our era one of uncertainty,” says Srdjan Todorovic, Head of Political Violence and Hostile Environment Solutions at AGCS. “We have seen multibillion-dollar loss events in the US, Chile, and Colombia. The threat is changing, and although many of the reasons for it are universal – whether economic, political, or environmental – it can play out differently in different regions, with various levels of violence and disruption. Operational and security management within organizations should view the current climate as a catalyst for evaluating best practices and policies around preparing locations and employees for potential civil unrest and building resilience.”

Civil unrest risks rose in over 50% of countries between Q2 and Q3 2022 alone, according to the Verisk Maplecroft Civil Unrest Index – out of 198 countries, 101 saw an increase in risk. Since 2017, more than 400 significant anti-government protests have erupted worldwide. It is unsurprising then that ‘political risks and violence’ ranks as a top 10 peril in the Allianz Risk Barometer in 2023. While the Ukraine war is a major factor in this ranking, the results also show that the impact of SRCC activity ranks as a political violence risk of top concern with a combined score of almost 70%. Unrest is now spreading more quickly and widely thanks in part to the galvanizing effect of social media. This means multiple locations can be impacted, potentially resulting in multiple losses for companies. Such events are also lasting for longer – almost a quarter of the 400 significant anti-governments protests since 2017 were in excess of three months – helping to ensure financial costs are mounting. Reported damages from just six civil unrest events around the world between 2018 and 2023 resulted in at least $12bn in economic/insured losses.

Five risk drivers of civil unrest
In the report AGCS’ political violence team highlight the five main factors they expect to power further SRCC activity in 2023 and beyond:

The ongoing cost-of-living crisis: Although inflation is now thought to have peaked in many countries the after-effects continue to take their toll. Just over half of protests globally in 2022 were triggered by economic issues, and public confidence in the financial future is shaky. Half the countries surveyed in the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer showed a year-over-year double-digit decline in the belief that their families will be better off in five years’ time. Further protest activity is likely and although mostly peaceful, it can turn violent.

Distrust of governments and institutions: Governments thought to be corrupt or perceived to have been in power for too long can bring people out onto the streets. Economic grievances about food, fuel, pay, or pensions can expand from issues-led demonstrations to wider anti-government movements. In 2022 and early 2023 protests ignited over the rights of women and minorities in Iran, fuel prices in Kazakhstan, economic failures in Sri Lanka, abortion rights in the US, and Covid restrictions in China. Europe continues to be hit by multiple strikes over pay and working conditions. Political instability in Peru, Brazil and Argentina has also resulted in widespread and violent protest.

Increasing polarization: Political divisions are stoking tensions around the world undermining social cohesion and escalating conflict. Polarized opinions can become particularly entrenched on social media and in some countries such polarization is turning violent. Recent years have seen a big shift to the left and the right in many countries with few liberal democracies maintaining a sense of balance where political parties compete for the center ground.

A rise in activism: In recent years, movements that have been significantly galvanized by social media include the ­global Occupy movement against economic inequality, the Black Lives Matter protests highlighting racial inequality, the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment, and the Stop the Steal campaign, which falsely claimed electoral fraud in the election of US president Joe Biden.

“Where politics are polarized, people can feel a greater sense that their personal values are under attack and will take to the streets to defend them,” says Todorovic. “Riots can erupt as a result around a single flashpoint, such as a heavy-handed response by authorities that is deemed unjust.” These can then escalate across a wider area, with larger numbers of people involved, to become civil commotion. If this spills over into violence and opportunism, businesses can be vulnerable to property damage and looting.

Climate and environmental concerns: Where governments are seen to row back on climate-change progress, such as fracking or reopening coalmines as a solution to reliance on Russian gas, there could be unrest. Businesses that are deemed to profit excessively from fossil fuels while many people struggle could also be targeted. “Environmental protestors made colorful headlines in 2022 – such as activists pouring soup on a Van Gogh painting or gluing themselves to roads – and will continue to do so in 2023,” says Etienne Cheret, a Regional Practice Group Leader, Crisis Management at AGCS. “Climate change demonstrations tend not to be violent, but they can be disruptive, particularly if they affect transport infrastructure. We expect this kind of activity to continue, if not escalate, in the coming year.”

Implement, test and update continuity plans
Incidences of civil unrest can be difficult to predict because they often start with a specific trigger such as a change in government, a piece of new legislation or a sudden price rise. However, there are many things businesses can do to minimize disruption. Allianz Risk Consulting has developed a list of technical recommendations for companies, such as implementing, and then regularly testing and updating, a business continuity plan. Specialist insurance can help protect companies against damage resulting from political violence, as well as any interruption to the business. Policies can cover civil war, SRCC, terrorism and war.

Download Outlook: Strikes, riots and civil commotion – a test of business resilience

Hashtag: #Allianz

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

About Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty

is a leading global corporate insurance carrier and a key business unit of Allianz Group. We provide , and for a wide spectrum of commercial, corporate and specialty risks across nine and .

Our customers are as diverse as business can be, ranging from Fortune Global 500 companies to small businesses. Among them are not only the world’s largest consumer brands, financial institutions, tech companies and the global aviation and shipping industry, but also floating wind farms or Hollywood film productions. They all look to AGCS for smart solutions to, and for, their largest and most complex risks in a dynamic, multinational business environment and trust us to deliver an outstanding .

Worldwide, AGCS operates with its own teams in and through the Allianz Group network and partners in over 200 countries and territories, employing around 4,250 people. As one of the largest Property-Casualty units of Allianz Group, we are backed by strong and stable . In 2021, AGCS generated a total of €9.5 billion gross premium globally.

For more information please visit our website

Luang Prabang to Repair Iconic Fountain Square Park

The fountain square in Luang Prabang.

Local authorities will revamp the fountain park which also functions as a roundabout in the center of the city.

Bowtie the Insurtech Startup Takes The Lead in Insurance Digitalisation

Local start-up revolutionising the traditional insurance industry with technology

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 28 February 2023 – In today’s digital age, many industries have begun to introduce emerging technologies to develop innovative services. The transformation and upgrading of the insurance industry is also in full swing. As the first virtual insurance company in Hong Kong, Bowtie is committed to integrating innovative technology and medical expertise to provide Hong Kong people with a zero-intermediary, commission-free online insurance platform.

Insurtech creates competitive advantage for businesses

According to a recent M&A report by Bain & Company, investment in insurtech has grown from US$4.9 billion in 2018 to US$8.4 billion in 2020, amounting to an increase of 70%. Between 2020 and 2021, the amount of investment doubled to US$17.3 billion.

In this digital era, many traditional insurance companies are trying to create a smoother insurance application and claim experience through innovative technologies. By leveraging data analysis, the Internet of Things (IoT), deep learning trained artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies, they seek to improve overall operational efficiency and provide customers with products at more competitive prices.

Bowtie uses technology to reshape the new insurance landscape

As the first virtual insurance company in Hong Kong, Bowtie is determined to transform the traditional insurance sales method, providing zero-intermediary, commission-free pure online insurance, and offering customers truly stress-free and unfettered protection. In addition, Bowtie’s insurance products and premium information are completely transparent. Customers do not need to leave any personal identity or credit card information. Instead, they can get a basic quote instantly and conveniently by selecting their age, gender and indicate whether they are a smoker or non-smoker.

For traditional insurance companies, underwriting may take 3 weeks or more to complete. Bowtie’s own original intelligent underwriting system can flexibly respond to each applicant’s individual situation and automatically adjust the underwriting content. The process does not require a physical examination, and the questions are mainly multiple-choice, meaning a much shorter processing time. Customers can complete the insurance application in just 4 minutes and acquire the underwriting result within 5 days.

Bowtie also understands that the types of policy and coverage that each person needs are different. “Here to help, no hard sell” is one of Bowtie’s commitments to their customers. Standing by the belief that “what is best is just right”, Bowtie focuses on providing customers with personalized insurance advice and helps every applicant choose the insurance products that meet their actual personal needs, rendering the insurance application process less complex.

Accumulating over 10,000 VHIS customers in just three years since establishment

Bowtie firmly believes that the original purpose of insurance is to protect what matters in life. For this reason, the company actively uses technology to reduce costs and provides truly personalised “pure protection” insurance products, so that the public can get better protection at a lower price.

In order to continuously optimise the existing operating model of the insurance industry, Bowtie redesigned a new insurance company from scratch. In addition to recruiting talents from local and Silicon Valley start-ups, the company also recruited many elites in the insurance industry, including former C-level executives from the top ten insurance companies. Bowtie’s team use their expertise to make a positive impact on society and are determined to lead the industry into the era of pure online insurance.

In May 2022, Bowtie, which had then been established for only 3 years, achieved a record of more than 10,000 VHIS customers and a total insured amount of over HK$40 billion, providing coverage for more than 60,000 Hong Kong people in total. The online insurance market size has also been multiplying, showing no signs of slowing down or regressing.

At present, Bowtie not only provides VHIS Standard and VHIS Flexi but also high-end medical, life insurance, critical illness insurance, accidental insurance, cancer insurance, group medical and other zero-commission insurance plans, making real protection just within your reach. The monthly premium is as low as HK$100. Customers who have successfully applied online for specified products may also enjoy outpatient services, premium reduction or BowtieCash.

Hashtag: #bowtie #insurance #insurtech #startups #vhis



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

About Bowtie

The Bowtie Life Insurance Company Limited is an authorised life insurance company and Hong Kong’s very first virtual insurer approved under the Fast Track pilot scheme. Through the use of modern technology and medical expertise, Bowtie offers a commission-free convenient online platform for customers to quote, apply and claim for health insurance plans certified by the Health Bureau under the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS).

In addition, Bowtie has also gone into everyday life by creating the One-stop Primary Care Centre and the Asian Health Hub. Bowtie is backed by Sun Life Financial, Mitsui & Co., Ltd and supported by leading international reinsurers.

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Three ASEAN Countries Take Measures After Bird Flu Death in Cambodia

Three ASEAN Countries Alert Bird Flu After Death in Cambodia

After a 12-year-old girl died from bird flu in Cambodia and over ten human cases and one more death were reported in the country, authorities in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia have issued alerts about a potential outbreak and what precautions are being taken to deal with the same.