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Laos-China Trade Nears USD 10 Billion as Ties Deepen

A picture of Landmarks of China and Laos to use as a demonstration of China and Laos

Laos and China marked 65 years of diplomatic relations this week, with both sides highlighting deepening economic ties, including more than USD 18 billion in Chinese investment in Laos to date.

Bilateral trade reached nearly USD 9.8 billion in 2025, up 19.3 percent from a year earlier. 

Officials and diplomats from both countries presented the figures in a ceremony in Vientiane on 23 April.

Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane described the partnership as increasingly important amid global uncertainty, calling it a stable, long-term relationship with growing strategic value.

According to the data. tourism has also rebounded. More than one million Chinese visitors traveled to Laos in 2025, a 24.32 percent increase, reinforcing China’s position as a key tourism market.

The Laos-China Railway remains a central part of that growth. Since its launch in December 2021, it has carried over 11 million passengers and nearly 17 million tonnes of goods, boosting cross-border trade and travel.

Chinese Language Demand Rises

Along with the strong economic ties, demand for Chinese language skills continues to grow, particularly in transport and logistics.

On 21 April, the National University of Laos signed a cooperation agreement on 21 April, with a private logistics company to expand Chinese language training and create new opportunities for students and teachers.

Institutions report rising enrolment in Chinese courses since the launch of the Laos-China Railway. More than 400 applicants have applied for the university’s master’s program in Chinese language teaching since it began in 2021.

Youth and Cultural Exchanges

People-to-people exchanges have also become part of the anniversary celebrations.

On 24 April, students and youth groups from Laos and China’s Yunnan Province joined a reading event at the National University of Laos, aimed at strengthening educational and cultural ties.

Organizers said the “Classmate” theme reflects a relationship that has grown over decades, not only through major infrastructure and trade projects, but also through everyday interactions between people.

Share buybacks in Ericsson during the period April 20 – April 24, 2026

STOCKHOLM, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — During the period April 20 – April 24, 2026, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) (“Ericsson“) (LEI code 549300W9JLPW15XIFM52) repurchased own Class B shares (ISIN: SE0000108656) as follows:

Date

Aggregated daily volume (number of
Shares)

Weighted average Share price per day
(SEK)

Total daily transaction value
(SEK)

04/20/2026

04/21/2026

04/22/2026

04/23/2026

1,200,000

106.74

128,090,040.00

04/24/2026

1,200,000

104.65

125,577,480.00

Total

2,400,000

106.74

253,667,520.00

The share repurchases are a part of the share buyback program of up to SEK 15,000,000,000 which Ericsson announced on April 16, 2026 and which runs between April 23, 2026 and March 31, 2027, at the latest. The Board of Directors intends to propose to the 2027 Annual General Meeting that the repurchased shares, other than those used to fulfil Ericsson’s obligations under its share-related incentive programs, are cancelled.

The share buyback program is executed in accordance with the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on market abuse (MAR) and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016 supplementing MAR (the Safe Harbour Regulation).

All acquisitions have been carried out on Nasdaq Stockholm by Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE on behalf of Ericsson. A full breakdown of the transactions is attached to this announcement.

Following the repurchases above, Ericsson’s holding of treasury stock amounts to 40,402,276 shares of Class B shares. There are in total 3,371,351,735 shares in Ericsson, 261,755,983 shares of Class A and 3,109,595,752 shares of Class B.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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ABOUT ERICSSON:

Ericsson’s high-performing networks provide connectivity for billions of people every day. For 150 years, we’ve been pioneers in creating technology for communication. We offer mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises. Together with our customers and partners, we make the digital world of tomorrow a reality. www.ericsson.com

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Share buybacks in Ericsson during the period April 20 — April 24, 2026

https://mb.cision.com/Public/15448/4340209/9fbadb70eb0babc1.xlsx

Daily Reporting Ericsson Buyback

 

The 6th Asian Beach Games opens in Sanya

SANYA, China, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On the evening of April 22, the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 officially opened in Sanya, Hainan, China. This marks the second time China has hosted the Asian Beach Games and the first major international multi-sport event since the Hainan Free Trade Port began island-wide special customs operations.

Opening ceremony of Sanya 2026
Opening ceremony of Sanya 2026

At 8:00 p.m., the opening ceremony was held at Yasha Park, set against Sanya Bay’s coconut-lined shore near the rock formations of Tianya Haijiao. The setting showcased a landscape where mountains meet the sea. The countdown began with a coconut falling into the water, followed by the appearance of the mascot “Yaya.” Accompanied by the cheerful melody of “Please Come to the Far Southern End of the Land,” delegations from all 45 member countries and regions of the Olympic Council of Asia entered the venue in succession. Marshals carried surfboard-shaped signs, while robotic ushers greeted athletes in multiple languages.

The performances combined sport and local culture, highlighting tropical charm and athletic vitality. Amid great anticipation, the Asian Beach Games flame was lit, as light and shadow interwove with the night sky, symbolizing the enduring spirit of passion and dreams.

“In Asia, diversity and coexistence are our greatest strengths. This continent is home to countless languages, traditions, and cultures, yet our shared love of sport binds us closely together,” said OCA President Raja Randhir Singh, who added that despite ongoing wars, challenges, and divisions, this edition expresses hope for peace, unity, and shared humanity. Singh expressed his willingness to work with China to advance the Olympic cause.

This edition features 14 sports, 15 disciplines, and 62 events, attracting 1,790 athletes from 45 countries and regions. The Chinese delegation has fielded 255 members, including 171 athletes, competing in 13 sports and 60 events, with the exception of beach kabaddi. This is China’s largest-ever participation in the Asian Beach Games.

 

Launching in October, Join Us to Seize a Valuable Business Opportunity! Pre-registration for the 2026 China Guzhen International Lighting Fair (Autumn Exhibition) is now Available!

ZHONGSHAN, China, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With AI-driven smart lighting achieving the upgrade to “light that follows people”, healthy lighting transitioning from concept to practical application, and green, low-carbon practices becoming mandatory industry standards, the lighting industry is poised at a pivotal moment for high-quality development.

From October 22 to 25, the 2026 China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) (also known as the “35th Guzhen Lighting Fair”) will grandly open at the Guzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, China.

This autumn exhibition will cover an expansive 1.5 million square meters, and bring together over 3,600 enterprises to establish a professional, market-driven, and international trade platform.

Pre-registration for the fair is now open. We warmly invite global buyers and lighting industry professionals to register online in advance to claim a complimentary CNY 100 ticket for a limited time and be part of this premier trade event for the lighting industry.

Prime booths at the main venue are in high demand. Whether your expertise lies in smart lighting, residential lighting, commercial lighting, outdoor lighting, or if you’re a machinery equipment or service provider, this is your gateway to global business opportunities.

Powered by a hundred-billion-yuan industrial cluster, focused on key industry trends to establish a thriving trade hub

As the “Lighting Capital of China,” Guzhen Town has spent over 40 years fostering and developing its industry, forming a lighting cluster with an annual output value exceeding CNY 100 billion. Anchored in Guzhen town, this cluster spans 11 towns and districts across three neighboring cities, creating a comprehensive industrial chain that integrates R&D, manufacturing, distribution, and services. It stands as a pivotal hub in the global lighting industry.

This autumn edition is grounded in the industry’s foundation, and closely aligns with the three major trends of 2026: AI integration, healthy lighting, and green, low-carbon development. It aims to deepen its focus on the export market while also addressing domestic demand.

Building on the “1+8+N”grand layout of the lighting fair, this exhibition connects the main venue, the Guzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, with eight sub-venues. By integrating exhibitions with storefronts and merging online and offline platforms, it effectively breaks down industry barriers to achieve precise supply-demand matchmaking.

This exhibition will feature over 100,000 original new products, ranging from cutting-edge technologies like AI visual tracking and smart dimming to healthy lighting solutions that align with human circadian rhythms. It will also highlight the innovative integration of high-efficiency photovoltaic panels and smart energy storage systems in the green lighting sector, as well as the meticulous craftsmanship of core upstream components such as high-precision optical lenses and high-stability driver power supplies. The Guzhen Lighting Fair offers comprehensive coverage of the entire lighting industry chain, delivering a seamless one-stop sourcing experience for global buyers.

Seven exhibition zones upgraded to precisely target trending sectors and efficiently acquire customers.

The seven exhibition halls at the main venue have been fully optimized and upgraded, with layouts strategically planned to reflect industry trends and market demands. Each of the seven zones has a distinct focus.

For instance, Hall A will spotlight smart lighting and comprehensive brand exhibitors, in line with the 2026 trend of deep integration between AI and lighting, showcasing smart control systems enhanced by large models; hall B will have special sections for decorative, residential, and commercial lighting; hall C will explore and showcase exhibits focused on outdoor and specialized lighting; the machinery, accessories, and supporting services zones in Halls D and E will highlight green production and smart manufacturing, featuring automated equipment designed to help enterprises cut energy consumption and drive digital transformation; hall F will showcase the smart home and soft furnishings sectors.

Hall H has notably been upgraded to a premium product zone, concentrating on high-quality new items and trending best-sellers. It offers buyers an efficient product selection channel and provides top-tier enterprises with an exclusive platform for brand exposure. The exhibition zones will collaborate seamlessly to encompass key sectors such as smart, healthy, and green lighting, catering to the diverse display and partnership needs of various enterprises and buyers.

Leveraging omni-channel marketing to effectively engage with key global merchants

To help exhibitors effectively reach their target audience and gain an early competitive edge, this autumn exhibition has established an “online-offline omni-channel marketing matrix”. Powered by the IIRIS data management system, it performs precise analysis and intelligent engagement with over 1.2 million data at home and abroad, enabling seamless integration of public and private domains across both online and offline.

Collaborating with various domestic and international platforms online, it effectively promotes the fair’s highlights and exhibitors’ new products through ad feeds, short videos, live streams, and graphic content; by leveraging search engine optimization and omni-channel promotion, it achieves comprehensive coverage of the industry’s target audience. Offline, professional teams focus on key industrial hubs in the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, and Central China, leveraging on-the-ground campaigns to effectively expand the national market. At the same time, it will partner with more than 100 domestic and international media outlets for in-depth coverage, further enhancing the fair’s influence within the industry.

October is a pivotal month for distributors and businesses to plan their market strategies and capitalize on emerging trends. It’s also an ideal time for B-end and C-end buyers to make their purchases. The 35th Guzhen Lighting Fair, grounded in the industry and driven by market trends, leverages marketing to create a central platform for global lighting companies to showcase their brands, connect with resources, and expand their markets.

Currently, the pre-registration channel for the 35th Guzhen Lighting Fair is fully open, with free tickets available for a limited time. Meanwhile, booth reservations are in high demand, so book early to seize the initiative in the autumn procurement and sales season.

Luxshare-ICT Reports Resilient 2025 Performance, Reinforcing Its Global Precision Manufacturing Platform

DONGGUAN, China, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Luxshare Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (“Luxshare-ICT” or the “Company”) officially released its 2025 Annual Report, reporting solid growth across key financial indicators while continuing to strengthen its global precision manufacturing platform.

In 2025, the Company achieved operating revenue of RMB 332.34 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 23.64%. Net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company reached RMB 16.60 billion, up 24.20% year-on-year, while net profit excluding non-recurring gains and losses reached RMB 14.17 billion, an increase of 21.16% year-on-year.  

The Company’s 2025 performance was delivered against a complex external environment marked by supply chain regionalization, trade policy uncertainty, raw material cost fluctuations, memory price increases and foreign exchange volatility. Despite these challenges, Luxshare-ICT maintained stable operations, reflecting the resilience of its diversified business structure, global manufacturing footprint, vertical integration capabilities and disciplined operational management.

Management believes that the true strength of an enterprise is demonstrated not only by its ability to grow in favorable cycles, but also by its capacity to sustain performance amid uncertainty. In 2025, Luxshare-ICT continued to deepen its core businesses, invest in emerging opportunities and reinforce the foundation for long-term growth.

A Diversified Business Portfolio Supporting Sustainable Growth

During the reporting period, Luxshare-ICT continued to focus on three core areas: consumer electronics, communications and data centers, and automotive electronics. These businesses collectively contributed to the Company’s revenue growth and enhanced its ability to navigate market cycles.

In consumer electronics, the Company further strengthened its full-scenario product coverage and vertical integration capabilities. The development of edge AI devices, AI smartphones, AI PCs, smart wearables, AR/VR devices and smart home products has created new opportunities for precision components, modules and system-level solutions. By integrating ODM capabilities and R&D resources, Luxshare-ICT enhanced its ability to support customers from product definition, industrial design and process development to high-yield mass production and full lifecycle services.

In communications and data centers, the rapid development of artificial intelligence continued to drive demand for high-performance computing infrastructure. The Company’s communications and data center business achieved revenue of RMB 24.57 billion in 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 33.81%, with gross margin improving by 2 percentage points to 18.40%.   This business has become an increasingly important growth driver as global customers accelerate investment in AI servers, high-speed interconnect, optical connectivity, thermal management and power management solutions.

In automotive electronics, the Company made significant progress in expanding its global Tier 1 capabilities. Revenue from automotive electronics reached RMB 39.25 billion in 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 185.34%, supported by both organic business expansion and the consolidation of Leoni.   The Company continued to develop a broad portfolio covering automotive wiring harnesses, high-voltage and low-voltage connectors, high-speed connectors, intelligent cockpit systems, advanced driver-assistance solutions and intelligent chassis-related products.

Global Manufacturing Network Enhancing Operational Resilience

Globalization remains a key pillar of Luxshare-ICT’s long-term strategy. In 2025, the Company further expanded and optimized its global manufacturing network. Building on its established overseas capacity in Vietnam and other regions, the integration of Leoni further extended the Company’s manufacturing footprint across five continents, with more than 100 production sites worldwide.  

This global footprint allows the Company to better support customers’ regional supply chain strategies, provide localized delivery, improve responsiveness and reduce exposure to single-region operational risks. As global supply chains continue to evolve, Luxshare-ICT’s cross-regional manufacturing and delivery capabilities have become an important competitive advantage.

The integration of Leoni also represents an important milestone in the Company’s automotive globalization strategy. By bringing together Leoni’s established global customer base and production network with Luxshare-ICT’s strengths in precision manufacturing, digital management and operational efficiency, the Company has created new opportunities in automotive wiring harnesses and broader automotive electronics. According to management, Leoni achieved profitability improvement in the first year of integration, providing a strong foundation for future collaboration with global automotive customers.  

Vertical Integration and Smart Manufacturing as Core Competitive Advantages

Luxshare-ICT’s value proposition extends beyond manufacturing scale. The Company has built a vertically integrated platform covering precision components, modules and system-level solutions across multiple end markets. Its technical capabilities span acoustics, optics, electrical interconnect, thermal management, magnetics, radio frequency, precision structures and system integration.  

This broad technology foundation enables the Company to support customers throughout the product lifecycle, from early concept development, design validation and process development to trial production, mass production and after-sales services.

At the same time, Luxshare-ICT continues to advance smart manufacturing and digital operations. Through the application of digital systems, AI algorithms, machine vision, IoT-enabled data collection and standardized operating processes, the Company is improving production efficiency, quality consistency and cross-region replication capabilities. These capabilities are particularly important as customers require faster product iteration, more flexible capacity deployment and more resilient global supply chains.

Disciplined Investment for Future Growth

In 2025, Luxshare-ICT continued to make forward-looking investments in areas such as edge AI devices, AI data centers, automotive electronics, advanced manufacturing equipment and global infrastructure. Management noted that a significant portion of the Company’s R&D investment is directed toward technologies and products expected to support future business opportunities, particularly in communications and data centers.  

The Company also emphasized that its capital expenditure cycle has passed a stage of peak demand. Prior investments in overseas facilities, infrastructure and capacity construction are expected to support multi-scenario reuse across consumer electronics, AI computing and automotive businesses, improving long-term asset utilization efficiency.  

Looking Ahead

Looking forward, Luxshare-ICT will continue to focus on its core strategy of technology leadership, vertical integration, smart manufacturing and global delivery. The Company will further strengthen its presence in consumer electronics, communications and data centers, and automotive electronics, while continuing to support global customers in product innovation and supply chain optimization.

As artificial intelligence, electrification, intelligent mobility and supply chain regionalization reshape the global technology and manufacturing landscape, Luxshare-ICT believes that its diversified business portfolio, global manufacturing network and system-level engineering capabilities position the Company to capture long-term growth opportunities and create sustainable value for customers, partners and shareholders.

 

Lee Kum Kee Inspires Emerging Chefs at Young Chefs Grand Prix of FHA 2026


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 April 2026 – Lee Kum Kee Sauce (“Lee Kum Kee”), the global leader in Asian sauces and condiments, served as Official Sauces and Condiments Partner at the four-day Young Chefs Grand Prix at Food & Hospitality Asia (FHA) 2026. Through this partnership, Lee Kum Kee reaffirmed its dedication to global youth culinary immersion, and inspiring the next generation of chefs to create with authentic Asian-inspired flavours.

Emerging chefs craft exceptional dishes using Lee Kum Kee's signature sauces
Emerging chefs craft exceptional dishes using Lee Kum Kee’s signature sauces

Held from 21-24 April 2026 at Singapore EXPO, the competition attracted over 180 young culinary talents from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, the UAE and the USA to show their ingenuity and determination in shaping the future of foodservice.

As Official Sauces and Condiments Partner, Lee Kum Kee sponsored its signature sauces throughout the competition, including Premium Brand Oyster Sauce, Supreme Authentic First Draw Soy Sauce, Seafood XO Sauce and Premium Mushroom Powder, enabling contestants to refine their seasoning and create dishes with exceptional flavour profiles.

The competition was a collaboration between FHA, the Singapore Chefs Association and the Singapore Junior Chefs Club, and was endorsed by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies. As well as being a test of traditional cooking skills, it provided a globally recognised platform that challenged participants to demonstrate creativity, adaptability and culinary confidence in a realistic foodservice environment.

During the competition, young chefs who participated in either the Team Challenge or the Skills and Innovation Challenge showcased their technique and creativity under time constraints. The Grand Prix reached its climax with the Team Challenge Finals, with the top eight teams from an initial field of 14 presenting an intense lunch service for invited guests that required contestants to prepare a three-course menu using mystery basket ingredients. Judges evaluated their performances based on Worldchefs Judging Criteria, underscoring the competition’s high standards of excellence and professionalism. Korea Cooking Art Academy was crowned Champion of the Team Challenge Finals.

As part of its participation at FHA, Lee Kum Kee presented its signature products at a dedicated booth, featuring a range of offerings designed for professional chefs, HoReCa practitioners and industry players. Daily tastings of specially crafted dishes made with Lee Kum Kee sauces were offered to visitors during the exhibition, which invited them to appreciate the quality of the products.

Lee Kum Kee showcases the versatility of its foodservice solutions
Lee Kum Kee showcases the versatility of its foodservice solutions

Vincent Wong, President – APAC of Lee Kum Kee Sauce, said: “Supporting the Young Chefs Grand Prix at FHA 2026 underscores our commitment to nurturing future culinary professionals. The event went beyond competition, helping to inspire enduring interest in Asian cuisine and showcasing Lee Kum Kee’s product excellence to the next generation.”
Hashtag: #LeeKumKee, #LKK

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

About Lee Kum Kee

Lee Kum Kee is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China, and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit .

The 2nd China (Guangxi)–ASEAN College Students Invitational Competition On Digital Economy and AI Application Innovation was grandly inaugurated in Kuala Lumpur.

China and Malaysia Jointly Designated Data Annotation and Corpus Training Base, Setting a New Benchmark for Industry-Education Integration

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 23, 2026, with the support of the Malaysian government agency and leveraging the favorable opportunity presented by the Secretariat of the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit to deepen regional economic, trade, and digital industry collaboration, the opening ceremony of the 2nd China (Guangxi)—ASEAN College Students Invitational Competition On Digital Economy and AI Application Innovation was successfully held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The 2nd China (Guangxi)—ASEAN College Students Invitational Competition On Digital Economy and AI Application Innovation was grandly inaugurated in Kuala Lumpur.
The 2nd China (Guangxi)—ASEAN College Students Invitational Competition On Digital Economy and AI Application Innovation was grandly inaugurated in Kuala Lumpur.

Under the theme of “Digital Intelligence Empowerment • Creating a Connected Future,” this competition closely aligns with the trends of China-ASEAN digital economy cooperation under the RCEP framework and actively responds to the Belt and Road Initiative. It recruits participating teams from universities across China and ASEAN countries, aiming to establish an international benchmark platform for industry-education integration and youth exchange in the China-ASEAN digital economy. The event is hosted by the China-Malaysia Institute of Modern Craftsmanship of Digital Economy and jointly organized by institutions such as Guangxi Vocational College of Finance and Guangxi Tus innovation Cross-border E-Commerce Co., Ltd receiving extensive support and active participation from government, enterprises, and academic sectors in both China and Malaysia.

At the opening ceremony, representatives from Chinese and Malaysian government, enterprises, and educational institutions—including LI Gaoyan, Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangxi Financial Vocational College and Prof. Dato’ Indera Ir. Dr. Lee Sze Wei, president of Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology; and Zhuge Ronghe, Deputy General Manager of Guangxi Tus innovation Cross-border E-Commerce Co., Ltd. and Executive Director of the AI Cross-border Digital Economy Committee of the Guangxi International Chamber of Commerce—delivered speeches. All parties highly recognized the cross-border industry-education integration platform established by the event and expressed their expectation to leverage it as a bridge to deepen and solidify practical cooperation in the China-ASEAN digital economy.

In addition, a plaque presentation ceremony was held simultaneously at the opening ceremony, officially awarding the “China-Malaysia Institute of Modern Craftsmanship of Digital Economy Data Annotation and Corpus Training Base” to WEHIVE GLOBAL MARTECH SDN BHD, a leading local digital marketing technology company in Malaysia. This marks a substantive step forward by both China and Malaysia in the field of foundational artificial intelligence data services. The establishment of this base not only provides industry-level corpus resources and authentic training scenarios for cultivating digital economy talents in the region but also offers robust support for the technical implementation and commercialization of projects participating in this competition. It establishes a comprehensive, deeply integrated chain of “competition + training + industry,” fostering synergistic alignment between the education system, talent pipeline, industrial chain, and innovation ecosystem.

Compared to previous editions, this year’s competition has undergone a comprehensive upgrade, precisely focusing on the core objectives of cultivating digital economy talent and facilitating the commercialization of research outcomes, with three key highlights: First, an innovative scoring system. The competition incorporates practical AI tool proficiency into its core evaluation criteria, requiring participating teams to create project promotional posters using mainstream AI tools, addressing the common issue of “emphasizing concepts over practical application” in similar events and truly achieving learning and application through competition. Second, a multicultural team formation model. The competition encourages students from China and ASEAN countries to form cross-border teams, fostering cross-cultural exchange, technical complementarity, and conceptual synergy. Third, an enhanced technology commercialization mechanism. The competition offers winning teams dual support— “cash prizes plus full-cycle incubation at the Nanning Comprehensive Pilot Zone Overseas Talent Offshore Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base” —bridging the “last mile” from competition to market implementation, establishing a complete transformation cycle of “competition—cultivation—incubation—implementation” to significantly improve the industrial viability and market competitiveness of participating projects.

This competition draws on the innovative education model of the China-Malaysia Institute of Modern Craftsmanship of Digital Economy, with a core focus on empowering youth innovation and entrepreneurship through AI technology. It aims to identify and cultivate young digital economy talents possessing international vision, practical skills, and innovative thinking, while promoting the application of AI technologies in emerging sectors such as cross-border e-commerce and digital finance. Moving forward, the competition will continue to serve as a bridge, injecting youthful momentum into the high-quality, coordinated development of the China-ASEAN digital economy, and supporting the sustained deepening and steady advancement of industry-education integration between China and Malaysia under the Belt and Road framework.

Historic First: Launching Gordonstoun Japan and “Transformative Leadership Summer Programme”

OSAKA, Japan, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Gordonstoun Japan, in partnership with OCC Educational Corporation Limited based in Osaka, Japan, announced on April 27 the Impact Challenge Summer 2026, marking the establishment of Gordonstoun’s first international boarding campus.

Special website: https://www.gordonstoun.jp/en/program/ 

Image: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M109071/202604207731/_prw_PI1fl_mg0nW980.png 

Famous for educating generations of the British Royal Family — including HM King Charles III and the late HRH Prince Philip — Gordonstoun is bringing its world-leading philosophy abroad. While the permanent boarding campus in Wakayama is scheduled to open in summer 2027, the school will first debut an immersive summer programme focused on real-world leadership.

A New Chapter in Global Education
Founded in 1934, Gordonstoun is set to apply its signature motto, “Plus est en vous” (“There is more in you”), in an international setting. The “Impact Challenge Summer Programme” moves beyond traditional classroom learning, requiring students to engage with humanitarian and environmental challenges to develop resilience and a sense of service.

Programme Highlights
Title: Impact Challenge Summer 2026
Dates: 2-7 August 2026 and 15-20 August 2026 (2 sessions: 5 nights and 6 days)
Location: Wakayama, Japan
Eligibility: Students aged 10-14

Core Tracks:
-Global Challenge Engagement: Developing strategies for sustainable economic resilience for Himalayan communities.
-Environmental Action: Addressing marine plastic issues around Tomogashima Island.
-Field Implementation: A selected group will travel to Nepal to observe implementation.

Designed by international humanitarian Linda Cruse, whose leadership has influenced global education and corporate engagement through her Race4Good (R), this programme reflects her belief in individual-led change. As the new Director of Co-Curricular at Gordonstoun Japan, Linda brings this concept to life this summer in Wakayama.

Message from Natasha Dangerfield, Founding Principal
“As Gordonstoun takes this historic step beyond the UK, we are committed to redefining the purpose of education. This programme is designed to cultivate responsibility and global awareness, bringing the spirit of our Scottish heritage to the unique landscape of Wakayama.”

About Gordonstoun
Gordonstoun is renowned for combining academic rigour with outdoor education and service. The Impact Challenge by Gordonstoun Japan represents the first international expansion of this world-renowned model.

Gordonstoun Japan official website: https://www.gordonstoun.jp/en/index.html 

About OCC
OCC Educational Corporation Limited is a distinguished institution based in Osaka, boasting a legacy of 120 years of academic excellence.