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Exploring New Paradigms for AI-Empowered Finance, “Phoenix Financial Forum for the Greater Bay Area Financial Summit” Held in Shenzhen


SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 May 2026 – The 20th Shenzhen International Financial Expo, themed “AI ERA: SYNERGISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE INDUSTRIES,” is being held from May 27 to 29, 2026, at the Futian Convention and Exhibition Center in Shenzhen. During the expo, the Phoenix Financial Forum for the Greater Bay Area Financial Summit was successfully convened on May 27.

Hosted by Phoenix TV and co-organized by Phoenix New Media and Phoenix Show, the summit was rooted in Shenzhen’s role as a core hub of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and a center of financial innovation. Government officials, business leaders, and financial experts gathered to assess evolving global dynamics and explore new opportunities for development.

Group Photo of Distinguished Guests
Group Photo of Distinguished Guests

At the opening ceremony, keynote speeches and panel discussions focused on hot topics including the deep integration of finance with technology, industry, and cross-border collaboration.

Luo Huanghao, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, stated in his opening remarks that Shenzhen’s financial sector should capitalize on its strengths in technological innovation, industrial development, and Shenzhen-Hong Kong connectivity, while adhering to the development logic of deep integration between industry and finance. He emphasized that finance must fundamentally serve the real economy by strengthening industrial foundations, enhancing financial capacity, expanding opening-up, safeguarding financial security, and promoting the mutual advancement of finance and the real economy, thereby accelerating the development of Shenzhen into a globally influential industrial finance center.

Xu Wei, Chairman and CEO of Phoenix TV, noted in his speech that holding the forum alongside the Financial Expo represented not only platform innovation but also a resonance of values, demonstrating Phoenix TV’s comprehensive upgrade in serving the Greater Bay Area’s international communication capabilities. “The collaboration between the forum and the Financial Expo vividly reflects the Greater Bay Area’s momentum toward integrated cooperation,” Xu said. “It also shows that the vitality of the Greater Bay Area lies not only in geographic proximity and industrial connectivity, but also in the mutual empowerment and coordinated integration of technology, talent, information, and rules.”

Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government, pointed out in his speech that the deep integration of Hong Kong’s international financial capabilities with Shenzhen’s technological innovation has already enabled 160 Shenzhen enterprises, including Tencent and BYD, to list in Hong Kong. “This deep integration of ‘finance + technology’ has not only promoted the high-quality development of the financial industries in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, but also helped the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area become one of the world’s most dynamic fintech hubs,” he said.

Zhang Weizhong, Chairman of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, remarked that technology is redefining the value logic of capital, while capital is reshaping the growth path of technology. He stressed that financial innovation is playing an increasingly important role and that China must absorb the core principles of global “innovation collaboration” while building a development system suited to local industries and national conditions.

During the keynote speech session, Wang Suwang, Chairman of SDIC Securities Co., Ltd.; Zheng Jun, CTO of Financial Account Dept, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.; Jia Jiaya, Chair Professor and Director of Von Neumann Institute, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Founder and Chairman, SmartMore Corporation Limited; and Ginger Cheng, Chief Executive Officer, DBS Bank (China) Limited, shared forward-looking insights and practical experiences on topics such as digital finance development, industrial digital transformation, intelligent technology deployment, and innovation in foreign-funded financial services.

Wang Suwang stated that securities firms should serve as important discoverers of value growth by evaluating technology enterprises from a full life-cycle perspective and recognizing their long-term value through asset securitization.

Using Huawei’s proprietary computing ecosystem as an example, Zheng Jun introduced the large-scale application prospects of AI agents in the financial sector. He noted that AI has moved beyond experimental innovation and entered a stage of “returning to business fundamentals,” where scalable deployment and real value creation are becoming possible.

Jia Jiaya outlined a vision in which the integration of artificial intelligence and robotics will drive the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing industries. He predicted that industrial intelligent agents would bring dramatic changes to the industrial sector over the next five to ten years.

Ginger Cheng emphasized that cross-border finance has become an unavoidable challenge for enterprises pursuing globalization, adding that foreign banks possess unique network advantages in supporting Chinese companies’ overseas expansion.

The afternoon roundtable discussions centered on three core themes in finance, bringing together leading experts for in-depth dialogue and exchanges of ideas.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the boundaries of financial services and value creation, the roundtable titled “AI Empowering Technology Finance — New Scenarios, New Paradigms” featured a keynote speech by Liu Xiaochun, Vice President, Shanghai Advanced Institute for Financial Research. He analyzed the compliance boundaries and transformation pathways for AI implementation in finance, stressing that financial innovation must always preserve the essential nature of finance rather than focusing solely on technology.

During the “Industrial Chain Finance: Breaking Boundaries Through Innovation and Capital Empowerment” roundtable, Sean Randolph, Senior Director of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute in San Francisco, shared mature experiences from internationally advanced bay areas via video speech. He observed that AI is rapidly being adopted across global financial institutions and predicted that AI literacy and capabilities will become fundamental factors influencing recruitment, employment, and corporate competitiveness in the future.

As a pioneer in cross-border financial innovation, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area continues to achieve breakthroughs in areas such as cross-border payments, wealth management, investment and financing connectivity, and offshore finance.

At the “Cross-Border Finance: From the Greater Bay Area to the World” roundtable, Larry Li, Founder and Managing Partner of Amino Capital, shared his views on investment logic and entrepreneurial opportunities in the AI era. He argued that entrepreneurs can seize opportunities in traditional industries that have yet to adopt digital technologies and transform them into platform-based businesses.

Renowned economist Hong Hao called for a rational perspective on market bubbles. He remarked that financial markets have always relied on bubbles to create life-changing opportunities, and that social progress itself is often driven by humanity’s aspirations and imagination.

At the conclusion of the summit, Victor Gao, Deputy Director of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG)‌, and noted economist Fu Peng delivered a closing dialogue, offering in-depth analysis of new global economic trends and key issues in capital markets.

Hashtag: #PhoenixTV

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Vietnam: The New Destination for Billion-Dollar Events

The convergence of progressive policies and large-scale infrastructure developed by Vingroup is positioning Vietnam as a rising hub for the global events and experience economy.


HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 May 2026 – Across the Asia-Pacific region, the experience economy is undergoing a major shift. In many established destinations, rising venue and accommodation costs are forcing 73% of event organizers to tighten budgets, according to Mordor Intelligence. At the same time, political uncertainties in several markets are prompting international investors to take a more cautious approach toward long-term commitments.

Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) will be the destination for international exhibitions and world-class outdoor events in Vietnam.
Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) will be the destination for international exhibitions and world-class outdoor events in Vietnam.

Against this backdrop, Vietnam is increasingly drawing attention as a new destination for global exhibitions, live entertainment, and large-scale experiential events. Political stability, sustained economic growth, a young population with rising spending power, and coordinated efforts from both the government and the private sector are contributing to the country’s growing appeal.

This is “a golden opportunity” for Vietnam’s cultural industries, said Dr. Cấn Văn Lực, Chief Economist at BIDV, during the 2026 Exhibition, Event and Advertising Summit held at the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) on May 8.

According to Dr. Lực, Vietnam has maintained an average annual growth rate of 6.4% over four decades of the Doi Moi economic reform without experiencing a major economic crisis. Per capita income has now surpassed USD 5,000 and is projected to reach USD 8,500 by 2030, fueling demand for entertainment, sports, and live events.

Vietnam’s growing profile is also reflected in its position among the world’s Top 20 trading economies, Top 15 destinations for foreign direct investment, and its 29-place rise in the Index of Economic Freedom. These macroeconomic advantages are increasingly translating into tangible momentum for the country’s event industry.

Vietnam’s MICE sector is currently valued at approximately USD 6 billion, while the advertising market has reached USD 3.5 billion. The live entertainment industry alone has generated more than USD 50 million in revenue, supported by over 700 large-scale events annually and more than USD 1 billion in economic spillover from international visitors, according to data presented at the summit.

Much of this momentum is being driven by parallel advances in policy reform and infrastructure development.

Policy Reforms Open New Opportunities

As Vietnam enters a new phase of development, culture is increasingly being positioned as a strategic growth driver.

“Culture is not only the spiritual foundation of society, but is increasingly becoming an intrinsic resource, a development driver, and a source of national soft power,” Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lâm Thị Phương Thanh said at the summit.

Earlier this year, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 80 on the development of Vietnamese culture, setting targets for cultural industries to contribute 7% of GDP by 2030 and 9% by 2045. The National Assembly also passed Resolution No. 28/2026/QH16, widely viewed as a significant step toward easing restrictions in the cultural, exhibition, and performance sectors by reducing barriers related to taxation, land access, and administrative procedures.

Key measures include a commitment to allocate at least 2% of the annual state budget to culture, establish a cultural venture investment fund, reduce VAT to 5%, and introduce tax incentives for exhibitions, performances, and sports-related activities. Policies encouraging the development of creative complexes with dedicated land and infrastructure incentives are also expected to accelerate industry growth.

If policy reforms are laying the groundwork, infrastructure is becoming the decisive factor in Vietnam’s ability to compete for international mega-events.

“You cannot attract ministers, government representatives, or the world’s 5,000 largest corporations by chance. They come because of deliberate planning and infrastructure development,” said Geoff Dickinson, CEO of dmg events, one of the world’s leading energy event organizers.

Infrastructure Scales Up

The rapid development of Vietnam’s event industry is increasingly being shaped by major private-sector investments.

Among the most prominent projects is the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) in Hanoi, developed by Vingroup. Covering 900,000 square meters, VEC has been positioned as one of Southeast Asia’s largest all-in-one exposition and event complexes.

Vingroup’s world-class organization and operational excellence have already been proven through legendary mega-events, most notably bringing G-Dragon’s “Übermensch” World Tour to Vietnam under the 8Wonder brand. Leveraging this proven expertise, VEC is designed to seamlessly execute the next generation of large-scale activations. Looking ahead, this operational blueprint will further expand across the Vingroup ecosystem, notably with the upcoming VEC Can Gio project in Ho Chi Minh City, the Blue Wave Theater—a 60,000-capacity venue set to become the largest in Southeast Asia.

Perspective view of the Blue Wave Theater—Southeast Asia's largest theater, located within the Vietnam Exposition Center in Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City (VEC Can Gio).
Perspective view of the Blue Wave Theater—Southeast Asia’s largest theater, located within the Vietnam Exposition Center in Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City (VEC Can Gio).

Jason Yan, Partner at M Square Capital, the investment fund behind the Ultra Worldwide EDM festival franchise, said VEC’s physical infrastructure and operational model meet the requirements for hosting global-scale productions.

“We are no longer only looking at festival organization. Success in this industry also depends on artist management and venue operations. Vingroup has clearly invested in building those capabilities,” he said.

Further ahead, the group is investing in mega-projects designed to elevate Vietnam’s position in the global event infrastructure landscape. These include the planned Hùng Vương Stadium, expected to open in 2028 with a capacity of 135,000 seats and designed to meet FIFA and international entertainment standards.

Another project, the 60,000-seat PVF Stadium, will feature a PTFE retractable roof capable of opening and closing within 12 to 20 minutes, addressing weather-related challenges for outdoor concerts and sporting events.

Beyond venue development, Vingroup has also assembled a broader ecosystem supporting the event industry.

Green SM operates more than 186,000 electric taxis and motorbikes across 34 provinces and four countries, helping support transportation and logistics for large-scale events and international delegations.

Vinpearl provides more than 16,100 hotel rooms and villas across major tourism and economic centers, alongside golf courses and VinWonders entertainment complexes, contributing integrated hospitality capacity for large events.

The ecosystem is further complemented by V-Spirit, an international event organizer; V-Culture Talent, a talent development organization; and VinPalace, a network of convention and culinary centers.

Together, policy reforms, private capital, and large-scale infrastructure investments are creating conditions that could significantly reshape Vietnam’s role in the global events industry.

“We believe this is Vietnam’s moment,” Dickinson said. “The combination of national ambition and world-class infrastructure has the potential to transform the country into a major destination for global events.”

Hashtag: #VEC

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About the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC)

The Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) is Southeast Asia’s largest exhibition complex, covering more than 90 hectares. As a destination for major national and international events, VEC pursues the mission of “Bring Vietnam to the world and bring the world to Vietnam,” serving as a gateway where global excellence converges and Vietnamese identity reaches audiences worldwide, while contributing to the growth of key economic sectors and strengthening Vietnam’s position on the global stage.

Website:

Email: inquiry@vec.global

Laos Deports 46 Foreign Nationals Amid Crackdown on Scam Networks

A picture of 46 Chinese being handed over to China. (Photo by Lao Security News)

Lao authorities handed over 46 Chinese nationals to Chinese officials on 26 May following an immigration crackdown in Oudomxay province, according to provincial police.

The group was among 50 foreign nationals, including four Myanmar citizens, detained during inspections at two hotels in Vang Hai village, Xay district, on 13 May. Investigations for the four Myanmar nationals are ongoing.

Authorities said the operation uncovered dozens of foreigners allegedly staying in the area without valid immigration documents, passports, or clear entry records. Officers also confiscated 53 mobile phones and other personal items.

The crackdown comes as Laos continues efforts to combat illegal immigration and transnational scam networks linked to online fraud.

Early Operations

Earlier, on 21 May, Laos deported 307 Thai nationals following raids on illegal online gambling operations in Vientiane, carried out on 11 and 12 May. Authorities seized laptops, monitors, and smartphones connected to the alleged scams.

Additional operations in late May in Vientiane Capital led to dozens more arrests. On 27 May, police detained 24 Chinese nationals in Xaysettha district, confiscating 26 desktop computers, 170 mobile phones, and other equipment reportedly used in online and phone fraud.

On 26 May, Vientiane police arrested 27 suspects of six nationalities after raiding a hotel in Hatsady village, Chanthabouly district, dismantling a transnational telecommunications scam network. Officers seized hundreds of mobile phones, 14 desktop computers, and eight laptops.

Authorities continue investigations to identify further individuals linked to the network.

CUHK Faculty of Social Science – University Sustainability Index Launch

Strong Performance by Asian Institutions, 3 HK Universities Ranked Among Global Top 20; Global Universities Still Have Room to Improve in Implementing Social Responsibility

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 May 2026 – As sustainability issues continued to attract widespread attention, society has come to expect more of universities in fulfilling their social responsibilities. “Institutional social responsibilities and sustainability” has been listed as one of the key performance indicators in the University Grants Committee (UGC) University Accountability Agreement, reflecting the importance placed on the role of higher education institutions in advancing sustainable development. Committed to advancing university sustainability, the Faculty of Social Science at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), led by the Faculty and undertaken jointly by the Public Policy Research Centre (PPRC) and the Centre for Business Sustainability (CBS), released Hong Kong’s first systematic global University Sustainability Index (USI). The research was led by Prof. Carlos Wing Hung LO, Director of the Public Policy Research Centre at CUHK, and conducted a holistic assessment of the social responsibility and sustainability performance of 151 universities worldwide, with the aim of driving continuous improvement in university social responsibility (USR) performance.

While Europe and the Americas pioneered the promotion of USR, Asian tertiary institutions stood out notably in this assessment, nearly half of the universities ranked in the “Global Top 20” were from Asia, including 3 from Hong Kong. Overall, global universities recorded relatively weaker scores in the “Practice” and “Impact” dimensions, reflecting that the implementation of social responsibility among universities was still in a developing stage.

Driving Universities From Theory to Practice, Quantifying Social Responsibility in University Sustainability

USI aimed to encourage higher education institutions to adopt USR as a core management model of sustainable development. Through establishing benchmarks for regional and international references, supporting institutions in seeking continuous improvement on their practices, encouraging the transparency of relevant information, and tracking and recognizing institutions with excellent sustainability performance. The USI aspired to transform theory into practice, break the ivory tower image of academia, and build a bridge between universities and society.

Prof. LO stated, “The value of this research lies in breaking the perception that academia is disconnected from the real world, building a bridge between universities and society, and translating abstract academic theories into concrete social practices. Through the assessment model we have developed, we quantify and explicitly define universities’ substantive contributions to sustainable social development beyond pure academic research, allowing higher education institutions to better understand how to take concrete action toward social change, while also providing policymakers with objective data reference.”

Building on the team’s ongoing research into USR in higher education institutions, including a series of preliminary assessments conducted between 2016 and 2022, the research team published the first Greater China University Sustainability Index in 2023, and expanded the scope of assessment to cover global and Asia-Pacific universities this time. The research team applied the “Value-Process-Impact” (VPI) framework, which was grounded in USR performance, as the assessment model. It used data to quantify the USR practices of 151 universities globally# across seven key stakeholder groups, including Student, Employee, Communities, Environment, Government/Funding Bodies, Peer Universities, and Suppliers, thereby providing a comprehensive measurement of each institution’s sustainability performance. The index integrated annual reports and sustainability-related materials publicly published by institutions, invited assessed universities to complete questionnaires, and engaged SGSHK, a third-party body, to conduct sample verification of the assessments.*

#The three sub-indices collectively covered 151 universities, some universities were included in more than one sub-index.

*For the Index methodology, please refer to the Appendix.

USI comprised three regional indices, with the following selection criteria for assessed institutions:

  • Global USI: 113 institutions selected from the top 150 of the QS World University Rankings 2024, with the availability of USR, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and sustainability data in English or Chinese as the exclusion clause
  • Asia-Pacific USI: Comprised of 58 member institutions of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)
  • Greater China USI: Comprised of 30 institutions, including all 8 UGC-funded institutions in Hong Kong


Global Universities Excelled in Value and Management
, Room to Grow in Practice and Impact

The 2025 results showed that, across the dimensions of the VPI framework#, the “Value” dimension achieved the highest scores, followed by “Management,” while “Practice” and “Impact” recorded relatively lower scores. From a regional perspective, Oceanian institutions achieved the highest overall scores, followed by Europe. Among universities ranked in the “Global Top 20,” nearly half were from Asia, including 3 from Hong Kong.

#Under the VPI framework, the “Process” dimension was subdivided into “Management” and “Practice”.

Prof. LO noted, “USR was first promoted by Europe and the Americas. However, based on the results of this assessment, while Asia started promoting USR later than Europe and the Americas, its level of engagement and performance at this stage improved considerably and even placed it among the top performers, reflecting the emphasis of Asia’s higher education community on sustainable development and its proactive implementation.”

The research findings also indicated that global universities showed weaker performance in the “Practice” and “Impact” dimensions, reflecting that the implementation of social responsibility among universities was still in a transitional stage of development. However, patterns and priorities have emerged across the VPI dimensions. “Students” and “Environment” are most valued by universities in the “Practice” dimension, while in the “Impact” dimension, institutions across the Global, Asia-Pacific, and Greater China indices placed the greatest emphasis on “Peer Universities”. Prof. LO believed that the value of a university should not be measured only by its academic research performance. Universities should also give duly attention and responsibility to various stakeholders to further advance sustainable development in society.

Bringing Scholars Together, Building an International Network for University Sustainability

Prof. LO stated that if Hong Kong institutions strengthened their efforts in the “Practice” and “Impact” dimensions, their overall performance had the potential to improve further. The research team would consider sharing the results with the UGC and relevant government departments, and proposed evidence-based recommendations to promote sustainable development among universities in Hong Kong and make an impactful contribution to social progress.

The research team established an International Advisory Committee, comprising senior scholars from Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and other regions. The Committee’s functions included reviewing and providing recommendations on the research methodology, data, and findings, serving as a bridge between the research team and institutional stakeholders and assisting in engaging sustainability departments in data collection. Members also regularly attended Committee meetings and related events, assisted in drafting research reports, and promoted the USI through their respective institutions to enhance its international influence.

The USI will be compiled annually to continuously track the progress of institutions across the various dimensions of sustainable development. The research team will hold a forum on USR and sustainability in the second half of this year, inviting relevant stakeholders to share practical experiences and research findings through thematic speeches and panel discussions. Representatives from assessed institutions will also be invited to attend, with the aim of fostering exchange and collaboration on sustainable development within the higher education community.

Through a cross-regional academic network, the research team not only encouraged universities worldwide to more actively fulfill their social responsibilities, but also quantified universities’ substantive contributions to social progress beyond academic research. Prof. LO hoped that the project would help universities clearly define their role in sustainable development, while providing policymakers with objective data to drive higher education institutions to become driving force for social change, thereby benefiting society.

High-resolution photo and press releases HERE
The full report and results HERE

Appendix: USI Methodology

Compilation of the University Sustainability Index:

  1. Annual USR performance assessment, which reflects the performance for the most recent calendar year with available information
  2. Builds on the VPI model, which provides a comprehensive assessment framework focusing on the Value-Process-Impact cycle of institutions
  3. Stakeholder perspective, which includes the evaluation of USR practices towards 7 key stakeholder groups, including Student, Employee, Peer Universities, Communities, Environment, Government/Funding Bodies, and Suppliers
  4. Open information with validation, which relies on publicly available information disclosed in the university’s ESG/CSR/sustainability report/official website

Prudence Measures:

  1. Invited by email to individual index universities to complete a questionnaire on the University Sustainability Index platform
  2. Index universities concerned were requested to review the questionnaire completed by our researchers on data accuracy and provide supplementary information
  3. Sampling check and audit were conducted by the SGS HK after initial assessment scores for individual index universities were compiled
  4. All assessment scores and rankings were reviewed and hence endorsed by an International Advisory Committee

Disclaimer: The scores for individual index universities are calculated using the VPI assessment model based on publicly available information and data related to sustainability/social responsibility of the index university concerned. Thus, the accuracy of the index depends on the sufficiency and accuracy of the publicly available information and data from each index university.
Hashtag: #CUHK #SocialScience #Education #Sustainability

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

CUHK Faculty of Social Science 

The Faculty of Social Science at The Chinese University of Hong Kong is dedicated to education, research, and community engagement across diverse disciplines, including Architecture, Urban Studies, Economics, Geography and Resource Management, Governance and Policy Science, Journalism and Communication, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and Gender Studies. Through actively promoting professional, interdisciplinary research, the Faculty fosters knowledge transfer and strengthens societal connections, contributing to social advancement.

Faculty Website:

Vietnam to Tightens Border Controls for All Traveller Amid Ebola Concerns

This photo is used for representational purpose only.

Starting 1 July, all travelers entering, exiting, or transiting through Vietnam must submit a health declaration form and undergo mandatory temperature screening at every border checkpoint, a direct response to the growing global threat of Ebola virus disease (EVD).

The move comes as the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on 17 May, its highest level of global health alert. Ebola carries an average fatality rate of around 50 percent and spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recorded nearly 1,000 cases and over 200 deaths as of 28 May, with Uganda also among the heavily affected nations. 

Under Vietnam’s new measures, travelers must submit their health declaration either online up to seven days before travel or by completing a physical form at the border. Authorities will conduct temperature checks on all arrivals, and anyone displaying suspicious symptoms will face further inspection, including travel history review, a process that may take approximately two hours. 

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health may also request proof of vaccination or other disease prevention documentation where necessary. 

The measures apply to Hantavirus prevention as well.

Southeast Asia Responds

Thailand designated the DRC and Uganda as dangerous zones on 20 May, mandating a 21-day quarantine for all arrivals from those countries. 

Singapore enhanced border surveillance on 19 May, alerting doctors to watch for Ebola-compatible symptoms in recent travelers from affected regions. 

Malaysia strengthened national preparedness citing imported case risks, while Indonesia deployed Rapid Response Teams at international entry points and enforced strict isolation and contact tracing protocols.

Laos, meanwhile, has not yet introduced any formal Ebola prevention measures, with no local outbreaks or travel restrictions currently in place.

Eternal Group Launches “The Eternal Path to China” at Esxence 2026, Offering a Strategic Roadmap for International Fragrance Brands Entering the Chinese Market


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 28 May 2026 – Eternal Beauty Holdings Limited (Eternal Group; Stock Code: 6883.HK), for over four decades the preeminent strategic gateway for fragrance and beauty brands into China, including Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, today announced its official partnership with Esxence and the launch of a dedicated campaign titled “The Eternal Path to China.” Running from 3 to 6 June 2026 at Esxence 2026 in Milan, the campaign presents a comprehensive navigable roadmap for international fragrance brands —from niche artisan perfumers to established luxury heritage brands—seeking to enter or expand within one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing fragrance markets.

For details: https://www.eternal.hk/the-eternal-path-to-china/

Downloadable Photo: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1awiWHa161_BbmFiJVdW_dE8gIm7imaJV?usp=sharing

A Flagship Seminar with Industry Leaders

The flagship session, “Paving the Way to China Fragrance Market,” will take place on 5 June 2026 from 15:00 to 15:45 (CEST) at the Conference Hall on the Main Stage of Esxence 2026. A distinguished panel of industry experts will examine China’s economic landscape and fragrance market, offering practical and insight-driven perspectives on successful market entry strategies. The confirmed speakers are Mr. Stefano De Paoli, Italy Chief Representative of InvestHK; Mr. Haocong Weng, Director of the Xuelei Fragrance Museum; Ms. Wincy Tang, General Manager of Marketing and Partnership at Experience 11 Limited, and Ms. Cindy Chung, Director of General Affairs of Eternal Group.

Beyond the Seminar: A Full Suite of Brand Resources

Beyond the seminar, Eternal Group has curated a comprehensive suite of resources to equip brands with actionable intelligence and operational guidance. Six industry talks will be held at Business Lounge No. 8 with speakers from Hong Kong Productivity Council, PricewaterhouseCoopers, The Loops Hong Kong, as well as expertise from Eternal Group. Topics will cover regulatory compliance, emerging marketing trends, and brand storytelling tailored for Chinese consumers. One-on-one consultations will offer bespoke advisory sessions with Eternal Group’s senior experts. In addition, attendees will have access to The China Market Entry Blueprint, a proprietary guide featuring market insights and consumer trend analysis, NMPA compliance pathways and formula testing requirements, localization best practices, as well as marketing, PR, and retail channel strategies across shopping malls, pop‑ups, and museums.

“For more than 40 years, Eternal Group has served as a trusted bridge for international fragrance brands navigating the complexities of the China market,” said Ms Wendy Lau, Executive Director of Eternal Group.”With ‘The Eternal Path to China’ at Esxence 2026, we are transforming complexity into clarity—providing strategic insights, trusted partnership and a clear pathway to market success. Whether a brand is taking its first step or strengthening its existing presence, we are here to guide its journey into the China market.”

Registration & Inquiries

You are invited to attend the seminar, industry talks, and exclusive briefings. To register or schedule interviews with speakers or Eternal Group representatives, please contact the PR & Corporate Communication Department at ccd@eternal.hk. To register for the seminar, please visit: https://bit.ly/3PRfOrM.

Remarks:

To access both the Conference Hall and Business Lounge, please purchase a standard Esxence ticket on VivaTicket.com. The ticket includes exhibition access (first 3 days are open to industry professionals only; the final day is open to the public). Consumers may register by contacting: events@equipemilano.com.

Hashtag: #EternalGroup

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

About Eternal Beauty Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 6883.HK)

Eternal Beauty Holdings Limited (Eternal Group) is the largest perfume group (apart from brand-owner perfume groups) in China (including Hong Kong and Macao) in terms of retail sales in 2023*. It primarily sells and distributes products procured from third-party brand licensors, and deploys market for these brand licensors, offering such services as brand management, and designing and implementing customized market entry and expansion plans for their brands. The Group boasts large and diversified brand portfolios that include not only perfumes, but also color cosmetics, skincare products, personal care products, eyewear and home fragrances. As at 31 March 2026, it conducted product distribution and market deployment for a total of 75 external brands, including Hermès, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chopard, Albion and Laura Mercier, with products in different pricing tiers and of versatile features that meet the differentiated demands of consumers in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and/or Macao. Website:

*Data source: Frost & Sullivan

About Esxence

Esxence – The Art Perfumery Event has been the International Artistic Perfumery Event since 2009, it represents for professionals and enthusiasts the opportunity to meet the real protagonists of this fascinating world of fragrances, where history and tradition combine with innovation and research. An exhibition area dedicated to excellence, together with a rich and interesting calendar of meetings and events, which offer to the public – last edition reached more than 10,000 attendees – a unique and unmissable experience. Website:

Tourist Numbers in Luang Prabang Double, 3.5 Million in 2025

Hor Prabang Temple, Luang Prabang, Laos. March 2026. (Photo: Thongsavanh Souvannasane/Laotian Times)

Luang Prabang saw tourist arrivals doubled in 2025, reaching 3.5 million compared to 2.3 million the year before, a rise of roughly 1.19 million.

Authorities credited the surge, up roughly 52 percent year-on-year, to a strong focus on tourism and services while preserving the city’s UNESCO World Heritage status, as presented by Bounleua Sinxayvoravong, Governor of Luang Prabang, on 27 May.

In 2026, they unveiled a five-year development strategy (2026-2030) to build on that growth, centering on infrastructure upgrades and improved services that balance modern comforts with cultural and environmental sustainability. 

Despite the strong 2025 figures, the province recorded a sharp drop in visitors during the Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) festival 2026. Tourist arrivals between 10 and 20 April fell 46 percent year-on-year, dropping from 126,846 in 2025 to 68,126 in 2026, according to the provincial culture and tourism department. 

Nationwide

Laos welcomed nearly 4.6 million tourists in 2025. In the first quarter of 2026, the country received 1.36 million visitors, up 8 percent from the same period the previous year. 

The government is targeting between 5 and 6 million international arrivals by the end of 2026.

To Lam Visits Thailand to Strengthen Vietnam-Thai Relations

A picture of To Lam and his spouse, Ngo Phuong Ly, visiting the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site at Udon Thanni, Thailand. (Photo by PR Thai Government)

Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam arrived in Thailand on 27 May for an official visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties ahead of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations.

Invited by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the visit marks To Lam’s first official trip to an ASEAN country since starting his second presidential term in April, while continuing his role as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Upon arriving in Udon Thani province in northeastern Thailand, To Lam and his spouse, Ngo Phuong Ly, visited the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site. They paid tribute to the late Vietnamese President with incense, flowers, and a minute of silence, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two nations. To Lam wrote in the memorial guestbook, noting the enduring connection of Vietnamese communities in Thailand to their homeland and the revolutionary leader.

During the visit, the delegation planted a mango tree at the memorial site to commemorate the occasion. 

The Ho Chi Minh Memorial, located about 10 kilometers from central Udon Thani, preserves memories of Ho Chi Minh’s activities in Thailand between 1928 and 1929, when he lived under several aliases, including Thau Chin. The site remains a cultural landmark and a gathering place for the Vietnamese community, showcasing photographs, handwritten documents, and historical exhibits.

Historians say Ho Chi Minh organized Vietnamese revolutionary networks in Thailand while encouraging overseas Vietnamese to integrate, respect local customs, and preserve cultural identity.

After the Udon Thani visit, the Vietnamese delegation traveled to Bangkok for official meetings with Thai leaders. Discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation under the Thailand-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including trade, investment, tourism, and regional collaboration, as the two countries prepare activities to celebrate their 50th diplomatic anniversary.