BEIJING, March 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — March 28, 1959. That day, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the people of Xizang rose to launch their democratic reform. Centuries of feudal serfdom, a system that had bound them in servitude, ended forever.

One million serfs and slaves walked out of bondage and into freedom.

It was more than a political transformation. It was an emancipation for a region that had long been denied its dignity.

With the establishment of Xizang Autonomous Region in 1965, the region embarked on a new chapter.

“A nation may span great distances; it is where the people dwell.” This sentence is a quote from The Book of Songs, China’s first anthology of poems. It means that a nation’s territory is wherever its people reside. The people form the bedrock, everything else rests upon them.

Chinese President Xi Jinping quoted the line in a speech at a gathering to honor national role models for ethnic unity and progress on September 27, 2019. He noted that since antiquity, the inhabitants of the Central Plains and frontiers have engaged in frequent interaction.

The people of Xizang and other ethnic groups in China have long embraced a shared vision of a unified homeland rooted in the wellbeing of its people. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the region has entered a period of steady development, one marked by meaningful change and tangible benefits for all ethnic groups living in the region.

As of late 2020, Xizang, together with the rest of the country, had eradicated extreme poverty and achieved the goal of moderate prosperity in all respects. Living standards in the region have since made a historic leap forward.

Over the past 60-plus years, Xizang’s GDP has surged, growing from 327 million yuan ($132 million) in 1965 to around 303 billion yuan ($43.8 billion) in 2025. Infrastructure has seen immense improvement, with railways, aviation and highways integrating the region into the wider world. High-altitude power lines empower households across the region, while high-speed 5G Internet access is available on the summit of Mount Qomolangma, the world’s highest peak at a height of 8848.86 meters.

The systems for education, healthcare and social security in Xizang continue to improve. In 2012, the region took the national lead in providing a 15-year free education from the preschool stage to senior middle school. Average life expectancy rose from 35.5 years in 1951 to 72.5 years in 2025.

The people of all ethnic groups in Xizang feel more connected to one another and to the nation as a whole.

Freedom of religious belief is fully respected and protected.

Xizang’s traditional culture is also flourishing. Time-honored treasures, from the heroic Epic of King Gesar and Tibetan opera to ancient medicine and the intricate art of Thangka painting, have found new life.

On March 12, the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, adopted the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law. This dedicated legislation provides a comprehensive legal framework for advancing related initiatives. Ethnic unity is felt everywhere, from the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to families across Xizang, in the way people work together.

This is the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). This five-year period is a critical phase in laying a solid foundation for basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035.

Hopes are high that the people of Xizang will continue moving forward, working together with the rest of China toward a future that is united, prosperous and harmonious.

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LUXEMBOURG, March 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 3F’s Holding S.A. has approved its Consolidated Financial Statements for the 2024/2025 financial year, ended on August 31, 2025. 3F’s Holding S.A. (3F’s Group) became the ultimate parent company of Ferrero Group and CTH Invest Group on February 24, 2025, bringing both businesses under a single structure fully owned by Mr. Giovanni Ferrero.

Financial performance for the 2024/2025 financial year

3F’s Group delivered a strong performance, closing the year with consolidated revenues of EUR22.3 billion, representing an increase of 5.3% compared with the prior year. EBITDA was EUR3.2 billion, up 11.2% from the previous year. As of August 31, 2025, 3F’s Group employed 62,797 people globally and managed a total consolidated asset of EUR27.4 billion, including 64 manufacturing plants worldwide. During the financial year, consolidated revenues reflected the strength of a balanced and diversified sweet-packaged food portfolio, spanning beyond chocolate confectionery, to include biscuits and bakery, sugar confectionery, ice creams and snacks.

“We are encouraged by the strong momentum across the businesses. Our growth reflects strong organic performance at both Ferrero Group and CTH Invest Group, driven by continued innovation across our iconic brands and complemented by targeted strategic acquisitions,” said Mr. Giovanni Ferrero, President of 3F’s Holding S.A.

Innovation drives growth across markets and categories

Mr. Lapo Civiletti, Chief Executive Officer at Ferrero Group, said: “We continue to bring joy to generations around the world through our iconic brands, and this year, as we mark 80 years of our heritage, that commitment remains as strong as ever. Our growth strategy continues to deliver. This progress reflects our confidence in the future and our ability to invest with a long-term perspective to support sustainable growth.”

Ferrero Group accelerated growth by innovating its iconic products while entering new categories:

• Expanded Nutella® into frozen bakery with products such as Nutella® Crêpe and Nutella® Donut, alongside continued innovation including Nutella® Plant-Based during the financial year and Nutella® Peanut more recently.
• Met evolving consumer preferences with the launch of Tic Tac Two, a new sugar-free, dual-flavor range.
• Through Wells Enterprises, part of Ferrero Group, extended three North American favorite confectionery brands—Butterfinger®, BabyRuth® and 100 Grand®—into ice cream bars, offering consumers new formats and experiences.

Mr. Guido Giannotta, Director at CTH Invest Group, said: “Our strong performance reflects the strength of a diversified portfolio and our ability to grow across categories and geographies. We reinforced our leadership in sugar confectionery and premium biscuits, broadened our offerings, and strengthened our presence in key markets, while continuing to support ongoing investment, demonstrating CTH Group’s resilience and competitiveness.”

CTH Invest Group puts innovation at the center of growth:

• Ferrara strengthened its innovation pipeline with new NERDS® Gummy Clusters formats, freeze–dried assortments from SweeTARTS®, Lemonhead® and Spree®.
• Fox’s Burton’s Company expanded its offer with the launch of Maryland® S’wich, the UK’s only chocolate–chip sandwich cookie, alongside the introduction of Rocky® Stack’d, the brand’s first-ever sandwich bar.
• Fine Biscuits Company’s Délichoc® marked a key milestone in its brand restage, focusing its innovation pipeline on reinforcing brand impact particularly among younger consumers.

Strategic acquisitions enhancing a portfolio of iconic brands

During the 2024/2025 financial year, Ferrero Group completed the acquisition of Power Crunch in the U.S. on January 31, 2025, while CTH Invest Group closed the acquisition of Nonni’s Bakery in the U.S. on October 1, 2024.

Following the close of the financial year, Ferrero Group completed the acquisition of WK Kellogg Co. on September 26, 2025, and signed an agreement to acquire Bold Snacks, a leading Brazilian premium protein snack company, on March 17, 2026, while CTH Invest Group closed the acquisition of CPK Group in France on October 31, 2025.

About 3F’s Holding S.A.

3F’s Holding S.A. (3F’s Group) is the ultimate parent company of Ferrero Group and CTH Invest Group. Through these operating groups, Ferrero Group and the affiliated companies owned by CTH Invest Group including Ferrara, Nonni’s Bakery, Fox’s Burton’s Company, Fine Biscuits Company offer a diversified portfolio spanning chocolate and sugar confectionery, biscuits and bakery, ice cream, cereals, and snacks.

The portfolio includes iconic brands like Nutella®, Kinder®, Tic Tac®, Ferrero Rocher® as well as Butterfinger®, Power Crunch®, Halo Top®, Blue Bunny®, Kellogg’s Froot Loops®, Kellogg’s Special K®, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran®, NERDS®, Jelly Belly®, Maryland®, Jammie Dodgers®, Delacre®, Kjeldsens®, Michel et Augustin®, Nonni’s Bakery® and Carambar, among others.

With presence in more than 170 countries, Ferrero Group and CTH Invest Group together employ over 65,000 people worldwide.

Empowering Customers to Accelerate Wealth Growth with Greater Flexibility
Projected total cash value exceeds 320% of total premiums paid in the 20^th year
Prepaid premiums to enjoy guaranteed preferential interest rate up to 12% p.a. in the first 90 days

HONG KONG, March 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AXA Hong Kong and Macau (“AXA”) is pleased to introduce a limited offer of a 2-year premium payment option for the WealthAhead II Savings Insurance Series^[1] (“WealthAhead II Series” or the “Series”). Building on the strong market reception to WealthAhead II Series, this limited offer allows customers to accelerate wealth growth with a shorter premium commitment. By the 20^th policy year, the projected total cash value is expected to exceed 320%^[2] of the total premiums paid. In addition, the guaranteed preferential interest rate on prepaid premium will further enhance overall returns, supporting more effective wealth accumulation.

Janet Lee, Chief Life and Health Insurance Officer of AXA Hong Kong and Macau, said, “Amid rising global geopolitical tensions and market volatility, our customers are seeking both flexibility and stability. In response, the WealthAhead II Series now offers a 2-year fixed premium payment option, exemplifying the strategy of ‘short pay, long gain’. Building on the continuous popularity of the Series, this enhancement reflects our commitment to partnering with our customers to maximise their wealth, providing the liquidity needed to navigate the current challenges and the security to establish a lasting legacy for the future.”

3 Key Highlights of the Plan:

1. Wealth Accumulation – Short premium payment term of 2 years with attractive potential returns and great flexibility 
   The Series offers a choice of up to 9 policy currencies^[3], with favourable return each and includes flexible currency conversion option^[4], to align with customers’ diverse individual needs and evolving plans. By the 20^th policy year, the projected total cash value is expected to exceed 320% of the total premiums paid^[2]. During the promotional period, customers who pay 2-year premiums in a single lump sum with USD as the policy currency, will receive a guaranteed preferential interest rate up to 12% p.a. on their prepaid premiums for the first 90 days, followed by up to 8% p.a. until the end of the first policy year^[5].
2. Wealth Allocation – Tailored Wealth Strategies in Action
   WealthAhead II Series features the market-first^[6] Wealth Master Service^[7], allowing customers to pre-set periodic withdrawal instructions for up to 3 designated recipients. Payments are automatically disbursed at scheduled intervals, creating personalised income streams that facilitate accurate and strategic wealth distribution. Additionally, the Series offers policy splitting options to optimise wealth allocation as the family expands.
3. Wealth Succession – Empowering Generations to Build a Lasting Legacy Through Seamless Wealth Transfer
   The Series offers a range of trust-like^[8] features aimed at safeguarding customers’ legacy and facilitating intergenerational wealth planning. Customers can ensure policy continuity and succession by designating a ‘contingent owner’, ‘interim owner^[9]‘, ‘contingent insured’, or by exercising ‘the change of insured option’. Additionally, customers can appoint a designated executor and choose from various death benefit settlement options, enabling direct and efficient wealth transfer to family members.

The above information is for reference only. Please visit https://www.axa.com.hk/en/wealth-ahead-ii-savings-insurance for more details.

For full details on the promotional offer, product features, terms, conditions, and exclusions, please refer to the relevant product brochure, policy contract, and promotional leaflet^[10].

About AXA Hong Kong and Macau 

AXA Hong Kong and Macau is a member of the AXA Group, a leading global insurer with presence in 52 markets and serving over 92 million customers worldwide. Our purpose is to act for human progress by protecting what matters. 

As one of the most diversified insurers in Hong Kong, we offer integrated solutions across Life, Health and General Insurance. We are the largest General Insurance provider and a major Health and Employee Benefits provider. Our aim is to not only be the insurer to provide comprehensive protection to our customers, but also a holistic partner to the individuals, businesses and community we serve. At the core of our service commitment is continuous product & service innovation and customer experience enrichment, which is achieved through actively listening to our customers’ needs and leveraging and investing in technology and digital transformation. 

We embrace our responsibility to be a driving force against climate change and a force for good to create shared value for our community. We are proud to be the first to address the importance of mental health through different products and services and thought leading iconic research. Our overall Sustainability Strategy, with emphasis on climate strategy and biodiversity commitment, is developed based on TCFD recommendations. We are committed to integrating environmental, social and governance factors across our business and strive to contribute to a sustainable future through 3 distinct roles – as an investor, an insurer and an exemplary company.

THIS PRESS RELEASE IS AVAILABLE ON AXA’S WEBSITE: AXA.COM.HK 

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause AXA’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to Part 4 – “Risk factors and risk management” of AXA’s Universal Registration Document for the year ended December 31, 2019, for a description of certain important factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect AXA’s business, and/or results of operations. AXA undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise, except as part of applicable regulatory or legal obligations.