HANGZHOU, China, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On June 1, the “Grand Tour • 2026 CAA Graduation Season” was inaugurated in Hangzhou. Hosted by the China Academy of Art (CAA), the event spans nine venues across Hangzhou, featuring nearly 3,000 graduation works by 2,888 graduates from 20 academic units.
The 2026 International Youth Art Dialogue series also launched on June 1, comprising three major events: “Mission of Art Education in Light of Global Civilizations — Dialogue among International Art Academy Presidents,” “International Young Artists Dialogue,” and “One Art Boundless Seas — International Youth Art Exhibition.” These brought together deans from over 50 international art academies and young artists from more than 50 countries.
Yu Xuhong, President of CAA, stated that this Graduation Season presents a fully developed academic profile, with significant breakthroughs across professional fields. He emphasized that artistic creation should step out of enclosed spaces, engage face-to-face with the public, and be tested within real social contexts. He noted that Hangzhou itself is an international hub, and CAA’s graduation exhibition has become substantively involved in shaping the new landscape of world art.
Since 2009, CAA has pioneered the public exhibition of graduation works across all majors, setting a precedent among art institutions. In 2019, the exhibition expanded beyond campus into the city of Hangzhou, establishing the most influential graduation season in China.
This year’s theme, “Grand Tour,” reflects a practice of personally engaging with the world. On the road, mountains and rivers become the classroom; only by traveling thousands of miles can one grasp the transformations of past and present. The Grand Tour has evolved into a rite of passage—young minds inscribe themselves into history through walking and understand culture through seeing.
The opening ceremony on June 1 featured a thematic performance and fashion show, integrating screens with physical structures. A specially composed theme song, “Grand Tour,” responded to the ideals and passions of youth, while nearly 140 ready-to-wear outfits were showcased.
The International Youth Art Dialogue, infused with the spirit of the “Grand Tour,” weaves together teaching, creation, research, and exhibition. It serves as an open platform where young artists and educators from around the world gather to envision the future of art education and cross-cultural exchange.
In an age of uncertainty, the value of art lies in its ability to navigate through change, connect hearts, and establish direction amidst turbulence. The graduation exhibition of CAA remains a cultural event open to society—a spiritual manifesto for the youth of this era. May the young take mountains and rivers as their stage, and journey forth into the great odyssey of their youth.
HSINCHU, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In response to the rapid development of the humanoid robot, dexterous hand, and smart robot markets, Artery Technology announces the addition of a BGA100 package option to its high-performance AT32F435/437 MCU series, further expanding its product portfolio. The new BGA100 package measures only 7×7 mm. While maintaining high-performance computing capabilities and rich peripheral resources, it effectively reduces PCB footprint, offering higher space utilization and design flexibility for high-density control systems. It is particularly suitable for space-constrained applications such as dexterous hands, robot joints, UAV flight controllers, and smart gimbals.
In recent years, humanoid robots have gradually become a key development direction for the global technology industry, with dexterous hands and robot joints regarded as core components for achieving precise motion control. As the degrees of freedom in robots continue to increase, control architectures are evolving from centralized designs toward distributed designs. More control nodes are being directly embedded within joints, fingers, and end-effectors, requiring systems to integrate computing, control, sensing, and communication functions simultaneously within limited spaces.
Under this trend, the importance of miniaturized and highly integrated control solutions is growing day by day. To meet the demands of high-density design, Artery has added the BGA100 package to the AT32F435/437 series. The small-size package helps improve PCB space utilization and allows control circuits to be further integrated into space-limited structures such as joints and fingers, assisting developers in creating more compact and highly integrated control systems.
In addition to the advantages of the small-size package, the AT32F435/437 also features rich motor control resources capable of supporting multi-axis control architecture designs. Through built-in Advanced Timers, high-speed ADCs, and encoder feedback processing capabilities, a single MCU can support up to three sets of motor control systems. This helps reduce system complexity and the number of control nodes, thereby improving overall space utilization. This architecture is particularly suitable for multi-axis synchronous control applications such as dexterous hands, robot joints, and smart servos, assisting developers in building higher-density and cost-effective control systems.
Key features of the AT32F435/437 BGA100 include:
7×7 mm Small-Size Package
The BGA100 package measures only 7×7 mm, effectively reducing PCB footprint and helping to integrate control circuits into space-constrained joints, fingers, and other high-density control systems.
Single MCU Supports Up to 3 Sets of Motor Control
The AT32F435/437 adopts an Arm Cortex-M4 core with a maximum frequency of 288MHz. It includes built-in DSP/FPU computing units, multiple Advanced Timers, and high-speed ADC resources, capable of supporting multi-axis motion control and real-time feedback computation requirements.
Supports Distributed Control Architecture
The product features two built-in CAN 2.0B communication interfaces, meeting the real-time data exchange needs of multi-node control systems and facilitating synchronous control and collaborative operation between joints and control nodes.
Suitable for High-Density Embedded Control Applications
In addition to dexterous hands and robot joints, the AT32F435/437 BGA100 package is also suitable for application scenarios with high demands for space and performance, such as UAV flight controllers, smart gimbals, smart servos, and industrial control. Taking dexterous hand applications as an example, a single finger typically requires the integration of multiple joints, motors, drivers, encoders, and sensing elements, leaving very limited system space. The AT32F435/437 BGA100 package assists developers in integrating high-performance control capabilities within limited spaces and achieves multi-motor control via a single MCU, meeting the new generation of robotic systems’ demands for high-density design and real-time control.
As smart robots, high-end automation equipment, and edge control applications continue to develop, the demand for miniaturized, high-performance, and highly integrated control solutions in system design continues to rise. By adding the BGA100 package option, Artery further perfects its AT32 MCU product layout, providing developers with more design choices to help create smaller and more efficient smart control systems.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2026 – Hong Kong jumped one place to become the world’s second most competitive economy, according to the 2026 World Competitiveness Ranking published today (June 18) by the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD). It is Hong Kong’s highest ranking since 2019, and builds on three consecutive years of improvement.
Welcoming the report, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said, “The World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2026 reaffirms Hong Kong as one of the most competitive economies in the world, and notes that Hong Kong’s rise to second sustains the strong upward trajectory from 2024 and 2025.”
Hong Kong ranks No.2 globally in 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking
In announcing the results, the IMD noted that, amid rising geopolitical tensions, competitive advantage hinges on credible institutions, predictable rules, enforceable commitments and public trust.
According to WCY 2026, Hong Kong’s rise reflects sustained performance across the four competitiveness factors measured. Among these factors, Hong Kong ranks second in “Government efficiency” and third in “Business efficiency”. “Infrastructure” and “Economic performance” rank eighth and 11th respectively.
As regards the various competitiveness sub-factors, Hong Kong tops the rankings in “Tax policy” and “Business legislation”, ranks second in “Finance”, third in “International trade”, “International investment”, “Management practices” and “Education”, and fourth in “Public finance” and “Basic infrastructure”.
“In the competitiveness factor ‘Government efficiency’, Hong Kong continues to rank second globally, reflecting the HKSAR Government’s ongoing efforts to promote free and open, stable, predictable and business-friendly economic policies, as well as the international community’s trust in Hong Kong’s legal and regulatory environment,” the spokesperson said.
“Hong Kong’s ‘Business efficiency’ is ranked third globally, reflecting the strong support for industry development rendered by our robust financial ecosystem, as well as the seamless alignment of the city’s business practices and environment with international best standards.”
Hong Kong has become a “value hub” that offers both security and growth opportunities
Amid rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics, Hong Kong, with its close connectivity to both the Chinese Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, and its sound institutions, open markets and sustained investments in innovation, has become a “value hub” that offers both security and growth opportunities.
In fact, Hong Kong continues to excel in various international rankings including those for economy, finance, and talent. The International Monetary Fund has also given positive recognition to Hong Kong in recent months, and major credit rating agencies have successively reaffirmed Hong Kong’s credit ratings and ‘stable’ outlook.
“All these echo the WCY 2026 results,” the spokesperson said.
Currently, Hong Kong is formulating at full speed its first Five-Year Plan, to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan.
“With the staunch support of our country, the HKSAR Government will work together with all sectors of society to strengthen our role and function as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’, with a view to better integrating into and serving the overall national development, achieving our own high-quality development, creating more new room for development for our people and businesses, as well as opening up new opportunities for global investors and enterprises,” the spokesperson said.
With Grand Resort Deck crowned “Macau’s Best Hotel Pool”, the world-class integrated resort’s peerless portfolio of luxury accommodations and spas garner Top 10 positions on the acclaimed honors list
MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2026 – Galaxy Macau cements its position as a defining force in Macau’s luxury hospitality landscape, garnering an impressive collection of six accolades at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026. Recognised through a combination of editorial curation and votes from discerning global travellers, these honours reaffirm Galaxy Macau’s unwavering commitment to continuous innovation, exceptional experiences, and service excellence at the world-class integrated resort.
Galaxy Macau’s Grand Resort Deck has once again been crowned “Best Hotel Pool in Macau.” It raises the bar for another consecutive year as the ultimate outdoor summer escape—featuring the world’s largest skytop wave pool, pristine white sand beach, and thrilling water attractions, where high-energy fun meets effortless lifestyle luxury for all ages at the award-winning luxury resort.
Galaxy Macau has been ranked among the Top 10 Integrated Resorts in Asia and the Pacific, a testament to its exceptional blend of luxury hospitality, world-class entertainment, and immersive experiences. This prestigious recognition underscores the resort’s leadership in delivering unparalleled excellence and unforgettable moments for global travellers.
Mr Stuart Deeson, Senior Vice President – Hotels at Galaxy Entertainment Group, represented Galaxy Macau, celebrating the accolade of “Asia Pacific’s Top 10 Integrated Resorts” at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026. Galaxy Macau once again celebrates a distinguished roster of awards in 2026, reflecting its commitment to world-class hospitality and exceptional luxury experiences across its acclaimed hotel, spa and swimming pool portfolios.
The world-class luxury resort’s iconic Grand Resort Deck—home to the world’s largest skytop surfable wave pool—has once again been named “Best Hotel Pool in Macau,” reaffirming its status as the region’s ultimate aquatic playground. Spanning an impressive 75,000 square metres, this one-of-a-kind rooftop oasis features an 8,000-square-metre wave pool generating swells of up to 1.5 metres, alongside a 150-metre pristine white sand beach, exhilarating water slides, and the world’s longest skytop adventure rapids. Blending high-energy excitement with resort-style relaxation, the Grand Resort Deck delivers an unparalleled summer experience, where guests can immerse themselves in waves, sunshine, and luxury at every turn.
The swimming pool at Banyan Tree Macau has earned a place among the “Top 10 Macau Pools,” securing third place in recognition of its refined, resort-style elegance. Renowned for its tranquil ambiance, private pool villas, and lush surroundings, it offers an exclusive retreat that perfectly blends relaxation, privacy, and understated luxury.
Making its debut on the prestigious “Top 10 Macau Hotels” list less than two years after opening, Raffles at Galaxy Macau exemplifies the pinnacle of luxury for personalised stays. This exquisite all-suite sanctuary features approximately 450 elegantly appointed residential-style suites, some with private heated pools and lush gardens. Elevated by the iconic Raffles Butler service and distinctive, award-winning gastronomy with the Raffles Lounge and Long Bar among its experiential dining options, it offers a gracious and immersive expression of luxury living in the heart of Cotai.
Raffles at Galaxy Macau debuts among the “Top 10 Hotels in Macau,” presenting an exquisite all-suite retreat elevated by legendary butler service, residential elegance, and curated luxury experiences in the heart of Cotai.
Two of Galaxy Macau’s most exceptional wellness sanctuaries—The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Macau and Banyan Tree Spa Macau—have been named among the “Top 10 Hotel Spas in Macau,” reinforcing the resort’s reputation for world-class relaxation for its treasured guests.
Ranked among “Top 10 Hotel Spas in Macau” in the Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific Luxury Awards 2026, The Ritz-Carlton Spa is a serene sanctuary inspired by Macau’s Chinese and Portuguese heritage, offering elegant treatment rooms, vitality pools, and bespoke therapies for a deeply private and restorative escape.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Macau offers a refined retreat inspired by Macau’s rich Chinese and Portuguese heritage, featuring elegant treatment rooms, vitality pools, and bespoke therapies designed to restore body and mind in complete privacy. Meanwhile, the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa Macau spans an expansive 3,400 square metres, creating a tranquil sanctuary for the senses with an extensive menu of Asian-inspired treatments delivered by expert therapists in an atmosphere of tropical serenity. Together, these two distinguished spas exemplify Galaxy Macau’s commitment to delivering elevated wellness experiences, where indulgence, craftsmanship, and rejuvenation come together seamlessly.
Together, these hard-won accolades highlight Galaxy Macau’s customised, attention-oriented service philosophy, where every detail is thoughtfully curated to create meaningful, memorable experiences. As the resort continues to redefine the boundaries of luxury, it remains a destination of choice for the world’s most discerning travellers.
With this latest raft of distinguished honours, Galaxy Macau is committed to elevating its integrated resort offering with a portfolio of superlative luxury hospitality, dining, retail, and entertainment experiences. Dedicated to excellence and innovation, it is redefining the guest experience; bringing new expressions of personalised luxury to Macau and beyond.
For more information about Galaxy Macau, please visit www.galaxymacau.com. Hashtag: #GalaxyMacau
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Galaxy Macau Integrated Resort
Galaxy Macau, The World-class Luxury Integrated Resort delivers the “Most Spectacular Entertainment and Leisure Destination in the World”. Developed at an investment of HK$43 billion, the property covers 1.1 million-square-meter of unique entertainment and leisure attractions that are unlike anything else in Macau. Nine award-winning world-class luxury hotels provide close to 5,000 rooms, suites and villas. They include Banyan Tree Macau, Galaxy Hotel, Hotel Okura Macau, JW Marriott at Galaxy Macau, The Ritz-Carlton, Macau, Broadway Hotel, Raffles at Galaxy Macau, Andaz Macau, and Capella at Galaxy Macau. Unique to Galaxy Macau, the 75,000-square-meter Grand Resort Deck features the world’s longest Skytop Adventure Rapids at 575-meters, the largest Skytop Wave Pool with waves up to 1.5-meters high and 150-meters pristine white sand beach. Two five-star spas from Banyan Tree Spa Macau and The Ritz- Carlton Spa, Macau help guests relax and rejuvenate.
As the dining destination in Asia, Galaxy Macau offers a wide variety of gastronomic delights, exquisite experiences and ingredients of the finest quality with over 120 dining options from Michelin dining to authentic delicacies.
Embark on a delightful and rewarding journey at Galaxy Promenade, the one-stop shopping destination boasting some of the world’s most iconic luxury brands. Be the first to get the latest limited-edition items; explore fascinating pop-ups by coveted labels and revel in fabulous shopping rewards and privileges. Our VIPs are entitled to a highly-curated experience with dedicated personal shoppers at guests’ service, and be invited to exclusive luxury brand events. A different caliber of privileges and rewards also await. Discover the joys of fashion and stand at the forefront of style and sophistication—Galaxy Promenade has everything guests need to stay ahead of the style game.
Galaxy Cinemas takes immersive movie experiences to the next level with the latest audio-visual technology, ultra-luxurious facilities and bespoke services; CHINA ROUGE, one-of-a-kind cabaret lounge that evokes the glamor of Shanghai’s golden era with stylish entertainment and customizable surrounds; and Foot Hub, which presents the traditional art of reflexology for authentic relaxation and revitalization. For Authentic Macau Flavours and Vibrant Asian Experiences, Broadway Macau – just a 90-second walk via a bridge from Galaxy Macau, has over 35 Authentic Macau & Asian Flavours at Broadway Food Street. The 2,500-seat Broadway Theatre plays host to world-class entertainers and a diverse array of cultural events.
Meeting, incentive and banquet groups are also catered to with a portfolio of unique venues in Galaxy Macau and an expert service team. Galaxy International Convention Center (GICC) is the latest addition to the Group’s ever-expanding integrated resort precinct and will usher in a new era for the MICE industry in Macau. GICC is a world-class event venue featuring 40,000-square-meters of total flexible MICE, and the 16,000-seat Galaxy Arena – the largest indoor arena in Macau.
Pictures of 7 members from 10K gang and 3 of them riding motorcycles with a weapon used to commit crimes. (Photo by Lao Security News)
Recent police arrests have renewed public concern over rising youth violence and reckless motorcycle activity in Vientiane Capital.
On 17 June, Sisattanak district police arrested seven teenagers aged between 15 and 17 accused of carrying out 4 attacks along Mekong riverside roads, Patuxay, and That Khao areas using knives, weapons, and broken glass bottles.
Authorities said the group, known as “10K,” regularly gathered in motorcycle convoys at night and had been involved in several violent incidents throughout May, leaving three people injured.
“People No Longer Feel Safe Running There”
A picture of Thatluang Lake Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on the maps to show the areas people used for running and driving.
One of the runners who shared the post complaining about the youth’s behavior, and regularly exercises around Thatluang Lake Special Economic Zone (SEZ), requested anonymity over safety concerns.
He told the Laotian Times that large groups of teenagers continue gathering almost every evening around the area, racing motorcycles, performing stunts, revving an engine, and intimidating people using the park.
“Every evening there are groups of 5 to 20 people racing motorcycles, popping a wheelie, and speeding around the lake,” he said.
“Sometimes there are up to 40 to 50 youths gathered in the area. People who come to run already know about it, but many avoid getting involved because it is not worth the risk.”
He said the situation had persisted for almost a year and had gradually worsened in recent months. Many runners have already relocated to the Thatluang ground area.
“Before, most runners exercised around the lake. Now many have moved because they no longer feel safe,” he said.
Motorcycles have repeatedly come dangerously close to pedestrians.
“When they were racing, my wife almost got hit before. Many runners have experienced close calls.”
The runner also described an incident in which he attempted to film the teenagers before several riders confronted him.
“They turned back and drove directly toward me asking why I was filming them in an intimidating manner. After that, I decided it was better not to get involved.”
He said police occasionally arrive at the area, but the groups scatter and return once officers leave. Despite growing frustration, many residents continue exercising there while avoiding confrontation out of fear of retaliation.
“Many people are tired of it. Some choose to leave completely. Others just try to protect themselves and continue exercising carefully,” he said, adding that residents hope authorities will act to restore safety at public spaces.
“If authorities help improve safety, places like Thatluang lake could become enjoyable public spaces again for everyone.”
Wider Crackdowns on Youth Gangs
A picture of seven teenagers from Soi Jone taken into police station for questioning. (Photo by Mass Media of Public Security)
The 10 K arrests are part of a broader pattern of gang-related incidents police are now investigating across the capital.
On 11 June, police arrested seven teenage suspects linked to another gang known as “Soi Jone,” literally translated to “Thieves’ Alley,” following an armed robbery in Sikhottabong district that left one victim injured and his motorcycle stolen.
Suspects said the gang had around 200 members.
State media reported that similarly gathered at night in motorcycle convoys around Patuxay and riverside areas, using knives, weapons, and imitation firearms during robberies targeting pedestrians and motorists.
Police said investigation into both groups remain ongoing as officers continue searching for additional suspects connected to the incidents.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2026 – On June 16, the 2026 Hainan Cultural and Tourism Promotion Events, under the theme of “Sunny Hainan · Heart’s Desire,” were held in Hong Kong. Leaders from Hong Kong’s cultural and tourism authorities, heads of industry associations, and representatives of key cultural and tourism enterprises from home and abroad gathered to explore new opportunities for cooperation and draw up a blueprint for the industry’s future.
2026 Hainan Cultural and Tourism Promotion Events Held in Hong Kong
Liu Xiaoming, Governor of the People’s Government of Hainan Province, and Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended the events and delivered speeches. During the promotional session, Chen Tiejun, Director of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, unveiled the “Top Ten Calling Cards of Hainan Tourism,” which received enthusiastic responses and positive feedback from various sectors in Hong Kong. Attendees from Hong Kong unanimously agreed that Hong Kong and Hainan boast highly complementary cultural and tourism resources and immense potential for cooperation.
Since the launch of special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port, its distinctive opening-up advantages, such as “zero tariffs, low tax rates, a simplified tax system” and “tariff exemption for value-added processing,” have become increasingly prominent. These policies have continuously made Hainan more attractive to businesses and opened up broader opportunities for Hong Kong investors and entrepreneurs.
On the same day, at the “Invest in the Free Trade Port, Share New Opportunities” Symposium for Hong Kong Enterprises held in Hong Kong, four cooperation agreements were formally signed, covering high-end commerce, cultural and tourism integration, and regional industrial coordination. Hong Kong business representatives expressed strong interest in deepening their presence in Hainan.
Hainan and Hong Kong share a long history of cooperation, and in recent years, a steady stream of favorable policies has been introduced. Since the signing of the Hainan-Hong Kong Memorandum of Cooperation in March 2025, bilateral cooperation has accelerated across the board. In 2025, goods trade between the two sides reached RMB 9.35 billion, increasing by more than two times from 2020. A total of 793 new Hong Kong-funded enterprises were established in Hainan, a year-on-year increase of 21.5%. Hainan has also issued offshore RMB bonds in Hong Kong for four consecutive years, with a cumulative total of RMB 18 billion. Currently, an average of four direct flights operate daily between Hong Kong and Hainan, with the fastest travel time under two hours, facilitating the rapid emergence of the “Hainan-Hong Kong Living Circle.”
Hashtag: #HainanCulturalandTourismPromotionEvents
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Celebrating Hong Kong’s century-old Dragon Boat heritage with a large-scale installation to design your own boat
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2026 – Sun Life has proudly supported local dragon boat activities to help preserve this cultural tradition. To mark the 50thanniversary of the iconic “Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races”, the company has partnered with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to scale up its support as the title sponsor of both the “Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival” and the “Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races”, bringing the annual event to a global stage to allow locals and visitors to experience the festive energy.
Sun Life Partners with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to Take Dragon Boat Celebrations to New Heights as Title Sponsor of the “Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival” and “Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races”
This year’s celebration unfolds as a 13-day dragon boat carnival along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, running from 19 June to 1 July. Blending traditions and modern elements, the festival features exciting races, festive delicacies and immersive cultural experiences, creating an unforgettable summer destination for locals as well as tourists from Chinese Mainland and overseas. Sun Life has also curated a series of exclusive activities to infuse the community with even more joy and energy.
Adley Low, Chief Client and Marketing Officer of Sun Life Hong Kong Limited, said: “Dragon boat racing is a powerful symbol of Hong Kong’s cultural identity and a meaningful way to bring people together. We are thrilled to partner with the Hong Kong Tourism Board as the title sponsor of the ‘Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival’ and ‘Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races’, to present this international event on an even bigger scale this year. As Sun Life prepares to welcome our 135th anniversary in Hong Kong, we are proud to contribute to the local mega-event economy while deepening our connections with the community, reflecting our ongoing commitment to helping Clients live healthier, more fulfilling lives.”
Design your own dragon boat at the “Sun Life HK Dragon Boat Co-Creation Zone”
The “Sun Life HK Dragon Boat Co-Creation Zone” is an interactive installation located on the ground floor of the K11 MUSEA Promenade in Tsim Sha Tsui, open from 19 June to 1 July. Visitors can unleash their creativity by designing their own dragon boat, experience the thrill of paddling and capture these moments through AI-generated personalized short videos. There will be also a dedicated photo spot that offers a scenic setting for memorable photo opportunities. For online engagement, the public can join in the excitement via Sun Life’s official social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram), where interactive games will bring the buzz of the Dragon Boat Festival anytime, anywhere.
Event details:
Sun Life HK Dragon Boat Co-Creation Zone
Date
19 June (Friday) to 1 July (Wednesday)
Time#
Monday to Thursday: 3:00pm to 9:00pm
Friday to Sunday and public holidays: 10:00am to 9:00pm
Venue
K11 Musea Promenade, Tsim Sha Tsui (Next to the Avenue of Stars)
Fee
Free of charge
Remarks: Terms and conditions apply. For details, please visit Sun Life’s official Facebookor Instagrampage or refer to the on-site information. # Opening hours are for reference only and are subject to change without prior notice.
Hashtag: #SunLifeHongKong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organisation providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of 31 March 2026, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.58 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. Sun Life Financial Inc. is the holding company of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. Sun Life Hong Kong Limited (incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and operates in Hong Kong.
City’s first hospital to adopt Renewable Diesel Blend R33, reducing up to 30% lifecycle CO2e emissions
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2026 – Shell Hong Kong Limited (Shell) and St. Paul’s Hospital on Tuesday held the “Shell x St. Paul’s Hospital – Integrated Decarbonisation Solutions Kick-off Ceremony”, reinforcing their shared commitment to sustainable development. As one of the world’s largest suppliers of biofuels, Shell has been promoting renewable diesel as a practical, lower-carbon energy solution. St. Paul’s Hospital is the first hospital in Hong Kong to adopt Shell Renewable Diesel Blend R33¹ for its boiler system. The switch required no modification to its existing equipment and offers up to 30%2 less CO2e emissions on a life cycle basis3 compared to EN 590 B0 diesel4. In addition, St. Paul’s Hospital installed Shell Recharge electric vehicle charging facilities in its parking lot and joined Shell’s CO2 Compensation Programme as part of its low-carbon initiatives.
(From left) Mr. Dick Chan, General Manager of Shell Commercial Fuels – Hong Kong and Macau; Ms. Berry Wong, General Manager of Shell Mobility – Hong Kong and Macau; Mr. Hu Chuan, Vice President of Shell Mobility & Convenience – China; Sr. Nancy Cheung, Managing Director of St. Paul’s Hospital; Mr. Gilbert Lee, General Manager of St. Paul’s Hospital; and Mr. Keith Ho, Facilities Manager of St. Paul’s Hospital, witness the launch of the “Integrated Decarbonisation Solutions”.
First hospital in Hong Kong: adopting renewable diesel for boiler systems
Shell is committed to “Power Progress Together” by working together with their customers and partners, to provide the energy products that people need to power their lives and businesses today, while helping to build the low-carbon energy system of the future. With Shell’s support, St. Paul’s Hospital has pioneered a healthcare first in Hong Kong to implement Shell Renewable Diesel Blend R331 to power its boiler system.
Mr. Dick Chan, General Manager of Shell Commercial Fuels – Hong Kong and Macau, and Sr. Nancy Cheung, Managing Director of St. Paul’s Hospital, sign an agreement on “Integrated Decarbonisation Solutions – CO2 Compensation Programme “, marking their continued commitment to decarbonisation.
Renewable diesel: enabling value chain decarbonisation for businesses
In response to St. Paul’s Hospital’s need for a stable low-carbon energy solution, Shell introduced Renewable Diesel Blend R331, which offers up to 30%2 less CO2e emissions on a life cycle basis3 compared to EN 590 B0 diesel4, helping the hospital reduce value chain emissions and meet its Scope 1 and Scope 2 targets.
Compatible with conventional diesel equipment
The launch of Shell Renewable Diesel marks a significant milestone in Shell’s support in the energy transition journey in Hong Kong. Mr. Dick Chan, General Manager of Shell Commercial Fuels – Hong Kong and Macau of Shell Hong Kong Limited, said: “We are honoured to witness St. Paul’s Hospital becoming a low-carbon promoter in Hong Kong’s healthcare sector, as the first to adopt Shell Renewable Diesel Blend R331. This represents the shared commitment of both the energy sector and the healthcare sector to work together for a sustainable future.”
Businesses selecting sustainable low-carbon energy solutions often face challenges such as capital investment, equipment compatibility, and operational impact. Shell Renewable Diesel is fully compatible with conventional diesel boilers or engines and can serve as a direct replacement fuel without any modifications or adding new equipment5, helping businesses lower costs and emissions. It also reduces regulated air pollutants6, making it suitable for use across various industries including construction, transport and logistics, industrial operations, and healthcare.
Comprehensive technical support for a smooth transition
A hospital’s boiler system is essential to daily operations. It supplies hot water and steam for the central heating system, wards, operating theatres, laundry services, and sterilisation equipment. Any disruption to boiler operations would have a significant impact on the hospital functioning. For this reason, St. Paul’s Hospital places great importance on the stability of its fuel supply. Switching to Shell Renewable Diesel Blend R331 required no modification to the hospital’s existing boiler system. To ensure a smooth transition, Shell provided professional technical support and conducted comprehensive inspections of the boiler system before the switch to ensure continued safe and reliable operation.
Mr. Gilbert Lee, General Manager of St. Paul’s Hospital, welcomed the collaboration. He said: “It is an undeniable fact that renewable energy has become a key direction of future energy transition, aligning with the global trend towards low carbon and environmental sustainability. Looking ahead, St. Paul’s Hospital will continue to collaborate with different sectors to promote more practical and effective low-carbon measures, contributing to a greener and healthier future for both the hospital and the wider community.”
Advancing low-carbon operations towards a sustainable future In addition, St. Paul’s Hospital continues to advance low-carbon operations through its collaboration with Shell, taking a multi-pronged approach to building a low-carbon energy ecosystem. This includes the installation of two 50kW Shell Recharge fast-charging facilities in the hospital’s parking lot, providing visitors and staff with a more environmentally friendly and convenient energy option. At the same time, the hospital has adopted low-carbon fuel solutions and actively participated in Shell’s CO₂ Compensation Programme, supporting independently verified environmental, technology, and waste management projects. Through a simple and cost-efficient approach, these initiatives help compensate unavoidable carbon emissions from daily operations while promoting sustainable development in the communities where the projects are located.
Together, these initiatives not only enhance the hospital’s overall sustainability performance but also encourage the healthcare sector to explore low-carbon operational models, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future.
Shell will continue to work with St. Paul’s Hospital and other partners to promote practical low-carbon solutions, which fully support Hong Kong’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and create a sustainable environment for future generations.
Notes:
Shell Renewable Diesel Blend R33 contains up to 33% ISCC-certified renewable components.
Between 27% and 30% less CO2e. CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) includes CO2, CH4, N2O emissions.
The life-cycle assessment of a product’s CO2e emissions includes emissions associated with feedstock production, feedstock transport, fuel production, fuel transportation and distribution, and combustion.
Calculated by comparing to a GHG baseline intensity of 92g CO2e/MJ on a Well-to-Wheel basis, representative of an EN590 B0 diesel and calculated by Shell with emission factors from JEC Well-to-Tank report v5 (Link: https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/959137) and internal Shell studies.
When switching from diesel. Based on Shell’s operability studies and market experience to date. Vehicle handbook and/or label at the fuel tank socket must be checked for OEM approval. Not applicable for passenger cars.
Actual effects and benefits may vary according to vehicle type, vehicle condition and driving style. Compared to EN590 B0 diesel. Not applicable for passenger cars. The tailpipe out emission benefit can be limited for vehicles with advanced exhaust aftertreatment systems.
Between 80% and 90% less CO2e. CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) includes CO2, CH4, N2O emissions.
Cautionary Note
The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this content “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience to reference Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ”Subsidiaries”, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this content refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The terms “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.
Forward-Looking statements
This content contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”; “ambition”; ”anticipate”; “aspire”, “aspiration”, ”believe”; “commit”; “commitment”; ”could”; “desire”; ”estimate”; ”expect”; ”goals”; ”intend”; ”may”; “milestones”; ”objectives”; ”outlook”; ”plan”; ”probably”; ”project”; ”risks”; “schedule”; ”seek”; ”should”; ”target”; “vision”; ”will”; “would” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this content, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks, including climate change; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including tariffs and regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East, and a significant cyber security, data privacy or IT incident; (n) the pace of the energy transition; and (o) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this content are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2025 (available at www.shell.com/investors/news-and-filings/sec-filings.html and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this contentand should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this content. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this content.
Shell’s net carbon intensity
Also, in this contentwe may refer to Shell’s “net carbon intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “net carbon intensity” or NCI is for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.
Shell’s net-zero emissions target
Shell’s operating plan and outlook are forecasted for a three-year period and ten-year period, respectively, and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next three and ten years. Accordingly, the outlook reflects our combined Scope 1 and 2 target, NCI target and our oil products ambition over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plan and outlook cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is outside our planning period. Such future operating plans and outlooks could include changes to our portfolio, efficiency improvements and the use of carbon capture and storage and carbon credits. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans and outlooks to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.
Forward-Looking non-GAAP measures
This content may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures such as free cash flow and underlying operating expenses. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile those non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of Shell, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measures with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are calculated in a manner which is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements.
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We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this content that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov. Hashtag: #Shell #StPaulsHospital #ESG #LowCarbon
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About Shell
Shell Hong Kong (Shell) is an operating company of Shell plc – a global group of energy and petrochemical companies which use advanced technologies and take an innovative approach to help build a sustainable energy future. With more than 100 years of history locally, Shell supplies Hong Kong and Macau with a wide range of oil products from its technologically advanced Tsing Yi Installation. Shell’s business activities include Retail filling and service stations, fuel and lubricants to Commercial sectors, Bitumen, Aviation fuel, Marine fuel and lubricants. As a responsible corporate citizen in Hong Kong, Shell actively contributes to the well-being of the community through its social investment programmes.
About Shell Renewable Diesel
Shell Renewable Diesel is a high-quality Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) made with 100% renewable bio-components such as used cooking oil, animal fats, crop-based or other wastes through hydrogenation (treatment with hydrogen). Compared to EN 590 B0 diesel 4, Shell Renewable Diesel can reduce CO2eemissions by up to 90%7 on a lifecycle basis 3.
Shell Renewable Diesel Blend R331 contains up to 33% renewable content — including 7% Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and 26% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) — and complies with the European EN 590 diesel standard. It offers up to 30%2 less CO2e emissions on a life cycle basis3 compared to EN 590 B0 diesel4
About Shell’s CO₂ Compensation Programme
Shell is one of the most established traders of carbon credits in the world. On the journey to reduce carbon emissions, Shell offers commercial customers carbon offset solutions that provide a simple and cost-effective way to offset hard-to-abate emissions. Shell automatically helps commercial customers calculate their carbon emissions and offsets them through carbon credits generated from various environmental, technology and waste management projects – such as initiatives related to protecting or re-developing natural ecosystems like forests, grasslands and wetlands, as well as investing in renewable energy and low-emission cooking appliances – to reduce concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
These projects include the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project in Congo, the protection of peat swamp forests in Indonesia, and tropical forest protection projects in Acre, Brazil. Taking the Katingan Mentaya Wildlife and Conservation Project in Indonesia as an example, it protects approximately 150,000 hectares of intact peat swamp forest and five endangered species, generating an average of 7.45 million carbon credits each year (equivalent to offsetting 7.45 million tonnes of CO2e) – an impact equivalent to removing 2 million cars from the road each year, making a significant contribution to global carbon reduction.
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