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Hang Lung Deepens Collaboration with the Hang Lung Center for Real Estate at Tsinghua University in Support of Sustainable Development and the Cultivation of Talent

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach – 13 April 2023 – Hang Lung Properties (SEHK stock code: 00101) (the “Company” or “Hang Lung”) and Tsinghua University established The Hang Lung Center for Real Estate at Tsinghua University (“the Center”) in 2010. To-date, Hang Lung has donated more than RMB 33 million to the Tsinghua University Education Foundation to promote the development of the University’s real estate discipline and provide targeted support for the Center to carry out academic research and exchanges. Today, the two parties announced the deepening of cooperation on industry-university work in the field of sustainability, proptech innovations, and exceptional talent cultivation. The Company has also initiated a “Sustainable Real Estate Scheme” for Tsinghua University teachers and postgraduates, funding their creative academic research on topics including green buildings, healthy buildings, low-carbon development and digitalization, to promote the application of research findings to daily life.

In support of its vision of creating compelling spaces that enrich lives, Hang Lung is prioritizing sustainable development. In their continued strategic collaboration, Hang Lung and Tsinghua University desire to focus on sustainability for commercial and mixed-use developments, and proptech solutions, including the energy efficiency of office towers, shopping malls and service apartments, the reduction of embodied carbon, effective use of water resources, waste management and circularity, and biodiversity protection, among other areas. Hang Lung and the Center are committed to conducting regular joint research on the focus areas and issuing white papers that propose practical sustainability initiatives to address industry needs. Both parties will also unfold multi-level talent development programs through webinars and training opportunities for corporate executives and prospective young talent. Additionally, the Center will set up new seats for the Hang Lung Chair Professor of the Faculty of Civil Engineering to support talent development and sustainability in the real estate industry.

Mr. Adriel Chan, Vice Chair of Hang Lung Properties and the Chair of the Sustainability Steering Committee, said, “I am excited that Hang Lung is deepening its cooperation with the Tsinghua University Hang Lung Center for Real Estate. Our relationship has spanned 13 years, during which the Center has played an important and leading role in academic research and exchange, as well as in cultivating talent. The collaboration further highlights sustainability and industry partnership, which will lend additional support to China’s goal to peak carbon emissions by 2030, and to reach carbon neutrality by 2060.”

Mr. Yang Bin, Vice Principal of Tsinghua University, said, “We’d like to express sincere gratitude to Hang Lung for its long-term unconditional support of and trust in the University and the Center, which has led to outstanding achievements of the Center across talent cultivation, think tank and industry development. We hope that the Center will further play as a liaison link between industry, academia and research fields in the future and attract more excellent scholars from domestic and abroad to join the research team.”

Associate Professor Wu Jing, Director of The Hang Lung Center for Real Estate at Tsinghua University, said, “Over the past 12 years, our team has been consistently strengthening and continuously leveraging the resources of the Center, achieving remarkable grades in academic research, think tank building, and industry-university cooperation. We have also made excellent advances in areas of politics, business, and academia, becoming a leading research institution with high authority in the field of real estate at home and abroad. In the future, we look forward to working with Hang Lung to focus on the sustainable development of the real estate industry and proptech innovations, and to contributing to the sustainable growth of society together.”

Established in April 2010, the Hang Lung Center for Real Estate at Tsinghua University is a cross-disciplinary research body jointly developed by the School of Civil Engineering, School of Economics and Management and School of Architecture. Since its inauguration, the Center has been striving to enhance its academic and research capabilities. It has published more than 400 academic papers in top national and international journals, covering various aspects of urban and real estate-related economics, planning and sustainable development, real estate and housing economics, real estate finance and investment, land and housing policies, and urban infrastructure, among other topics. The “Chinese Residential Land Price Indexes (CRLPI)” and “The China Quality-Controlled Housing Price Index (CQCHPI)” released by the Center beginning in 2014 and 2015, have provided key data references for market practitioners, researchers, and government decision-makers to grasp price trends in China’s residential land and housing market more comprehensively and accurately. Meanwhile, the Center has been actively hosting or co-hosting a variety of academic and industry events with more than 80 Hang Lung Real Estate forums and seminars organized to provide opportunities for dialogue between scholars and industry representatives.

Hashtag: #HangLungProperties

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

About Hang Lung Properties

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

At Hang Lung Properties – We Do It Well.

For more information, please visit .

Sokxay Group, Dao Coffee Collaborate to Launch New Coffee Brand

Sokxay Group, Dao Coffee Collaborate to Launch New Coffee Brand
Sokxay President, Mr. Sokxay Somchayneuk (right), and the CEO of Dao Coffee Co., Ltd., Mr. Vannada Phomasthit (left).

The wide-ranging business operation that has branches and cooperation across the country, Sokxay Group, has joined hands with Dao Coffee to increase the coffee market share in Laos while planning to launch a new coffee brand on the market.

Southco Introduces H3 Electronic Locking Swinghandle Latch With Modular Security Options

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 13 April 2023 – Southco Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Southco Inc., a leading global provider of engineered access solutions such as locks, latches, captive fasteners, electronic access solutions and hinges/ positioning technology has introduced an H3-EM electronic locking swinghandle with modular access control options. Specialized for data center racks and similar applications, it allows manufacturers to meet a wide variety of security needs using only a single latch. The H3-EM Modular latch easily integrates with existing enclosures and security systems, so users can easily upgrade to higher security.

H3 Electronic Locking Swinghandle Latch With Modular Security Options
H3 Electronic Locking Swinghandle Latch With Modular Security Options

The H3-EM Modular has a variety of access control options, such as RFID readers, that can be freely interchanged and combined to meet any security needs. These devices are mounted independently and secured from behind the door panel to ensure there is no access to mounting screws when the door is closed.

Additionally, those looking to upgrade can easily replace their existing latch with the H3-EM modular latch. It uses the same single hole mounting system as a traditional H3 swinghandle latch, so users can replace their existing latches without replacing the entire door.

The modular access control options can be easily integrated into existing systems with plug-and-play functionality. This lets users upgrade quickly, without a major lapse in security.

These benefits allow OEM’s to easily meet the security needs of any customer using only the Southco H3-EM Modular Electronic Locking swinghandle. This saves time, material costs, and storage space, by simplifying the entire manufacturing process.

To learn more about the H3-EM Modular Electronic Locking Swinghandle, visit southco.com or email the 24/7 customer service department at info@southco.com.

Hashtag: #Southco #Electroniclock #swinghandle #security

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

Southco Asia Limited

Southco, Inc. is the leading global designer and manufacturer of engineered access solutions. From quality and performance to aesthetics and ergonomics, we understand that first impressions are lasting impressions in product design. For over 70 years, Southco has helped the world’s most recognized brands create value for their customers with innovative access solutions designed to enhance the touch points of their products in transportation and industrial applications, medical equipment, data centers and more. With unrivalled engineering resources, innovative products and a dedicated global team, Southco delivers the broadest portfolio of premium access solutions available to equipment designers throughout the world.

Crypto exchange Coinut selects Coinbase Custody to securely, store and insure users’ digital assets

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 13 April 2023 – Security is one of the main fortes of Coinut as a cryptocurrency exchange. Following the recent high-profile incidents like the collapse of FTX and the crash of LUNA, the importance of having a robust security infrastructure has never been more evident. Having 9 years of being in the business, Coinut takes a step forward in keeping its clients’ digital assets or cryptocurrencies secured and ensured from cyber hacks and other causes of loss of funds by signing up with qualified and regulated cryptocurrency custodian, Coinbase Custody.

Coinbase, as a leading global crypto company, has obtained various licences and regulatory approvals from different regulatory bodies worldwide. Coinbase is registered with FinCEN and licensed as a money transmitter in various states and US territories. Coinbase is also a BitLicense holder in New York State. Additionally, Coinbase complies with applicable provisions of the BSA, OFAC, and other pertinent regulations. Coinbase recently received In-Principle Approval (IPA) as a Major Payments Institution licensee from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). With its ability to hold over 360 different assets in custody and $320 million in insurance protection, Coinbase provides an institutional grade, secure and reliable solution for crypto custody.

At Coinut, security is of utmost importance, and the company recognizes the need to protect clients’ assets from cyber attacks and other causes of loss of funds. This has been amplified with the biggest crypto crashes last year, such as the crash of LUNA, and the recent collapse of the third biggest crypto exchange, FTX, which have raised concerns in both investors and regulators about the security and insurance of cryptocurrencies and crypto exchanges to protect those who invest in them.

To address this concern, Coinut keeps the cryptocurrency exchange platform safe and secure, guaranteeing the existence of the digital assets or cryptocurrencies in the platform and engaging a qualified cryptocurrency custodian, Coinbase Custody, to hold the assets.

Xinxi Wang, founder & CEO of Coinut, said, “As a crypto hodler, I believe in “not your keys, not your crypto.” As an exchange, we painstakingly uphold our fiduciary duty of taking good care of the assets. Crypto is still in its early stage. We still have a long way to go. There is no need to rush. Do what we should do.”

RISK DISCLOSURE:

Digital payment token investments, such as cryptocurrencies, are not guaranteed by service providers or cryptocurrency exchanges and the government. It is crucial to exercise caution in investing, including the awareness that a part or all of the capital may be lost and may not be recovered especially in cases of high price volatility or down market, bankruptcy, seizures and other factors. Hence, the user’s risk tolerance, investment appetite or capacity for loss should be set firstly and they should observe safe and knowledgeable investment practices accordingly. For more information, please visit MAS’ website.

Coinut.com is a financial entity regulated as a Money Services Business in Canada and an exempt entity under the Payment Services Act in Singapore. Please be reminded that cryptocurrency trading is highly risky and is not suitable for the general public. For more information please refer to Risk Warnings and Risk Statements.

About COINUT
Coinut (Coins U Trust)
is a cryptocurrency exchange platform that offers secure, fast, user-friendly and low transaction fees. It guarantees an offline wallet and semi-manual process of big withdrawals for fraud protection. It allows the trading of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins (BTC, LTC, ETH, USDT, XSGD) on the platform and allows deposits using debit/credit card and mobile payment apps. It supports Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum with US and Singapore dollars onramp and offramp. Founded by one of the Co-founders of the Litecoin Foundation, Coinut has been in operation for 9 years since 2013 and is one of the earliest cryptocurrency exchanges in Singapore with a subsidiary in Canada. It is regulated as a Money Service Business in Canada, an exempt entity under the Payment Services Act in Singapore and is supported by Boost VC from Silicon Valley, Bitmain from Beijing, and the National University of Singapore Enterprise from Singapore. Currently, Coinut boasts 1.5M global users on the platform.

About COINBASE PRIME
Coinbase Prime is the leading institutional prime broker platform for crypto assets. Coinbase Prime is a fully integrated platform built specifically for institutions to support the entire transaction lifecycle including advanced multi-venue agency trade execution for 200 assets, custody for more than 360 assets, financing, staking and staking infrastructure, data and analytics, and reporting.

Institutions can access Coinbase Prime directly via a user interface or as an integrated platform via APIs to offer crypto related products such as ETPs and ETFs, custodial solutions, or brokerage for their institutional, private wealth, and retail clients.

To learn more about Coinbase Institutional’s solutions, including more information about Coinbase Prime, click here.
Hashtag: #coinut #coinbase #partnership #crypto #custody #blockchain #cryptoexchange #cryptocurrency #coinbaseprime #crypto-security

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

VinES and Li-Cycle announce strategic, long-term battery recycling agreement

Li-Cycle assessing opportunity to develop a dedicated Spoke recycling plant in Vietnam near VinES’ lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities, underpinned by customer demand

Li-Cycle continues to strengthen relationship with VinES to advance its position as a leading global recycling partner

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Media OutReach – 12 April 2023 – VinES Energy Solutions (“VinES”) and Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (“Li-Cycle”), an industry leader in lithium-ion battery resource recovery and the leading lithium-ion battery recycler in North America, are pleased to announce that they have signed a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) for a long-term recycling relationship. According to the Agreement, from 2024, Li-Cycle will become VinES’ strategic and preferred recycling partner for VinES’ Vietnamese-sourced battery materials.

Consistent with Li-Cycle’s strategy for growing recycling capacity in conjunction with customer demand, the Agreement further contemplates the possible construction of a dedicated Spoke located close to VinES’ manufacturing site. Further, the potential Spoke has the opportunity to benefit from the growing local demand for lithium-ion battery recycling solutions, driven by strong economic growth and an increasing manufacturing presence in Vietnam. An investment decision regarding the dedicated Spoke facility is expected to be made in 2025. In the meantime, Li-Cycle will facilitate the processing of VinES’ material utilizing Li-Cycle’s North American Spoke network.

“By recycling battery production scrap and used batteries into the global mobility and energy storage industries, we can achieve a sustainable supply chain while reducing environmental impacts. We believe the strategic collaboration will strongly accelerate both companies’ missions of creating a sustainable future for all,” said Ms. Pham Thuy Linh, CEO of VinES.

“We are pleased to advance our collaboration with VinES and become its strategic and long-term recycling partner for all batteries and battery materials generated by VinES in Vietnam,” said Tim Johnston, co-founder and Executive Chair of Li-Cycle. “This Agreement supports our shared goals of creating a sustainable and closed-loop battery supply chain. It also advances Li-Cycle’s position as the industry’s preferred global recycling partner as we continue to strengthen our commercial relationships and scale our innovative and environmentally friendly battery recycling technologies around the world.”

To build on a partnership first announced in October 2022, VinES and Li-Cycle will also continue to explore global recycling solutions for VinFast, the first global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

VinES and VinFast are part of Vingroup, the largest private conglomerate in Vietnam, and are leaders in the global movement towards electrified transportation. VinFast has expanded its business to the North American and European markets with the aim to become one of the leading global EV manufacturers. VinES is a company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of advanced batteries for mobility and energy storage applications. The company has recently commissioned a lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facility in Hai Phong, Vietnam, and expects to further expand its production capacity in the country.

Li-Cycle opened an office in Singapore in December 2022 to support its connectivity to the Asia market and its efforts to continue building and expanding its commercial relationships with Asia-based manufacturers.

“Our office in Singapore represents an important connection point to Asia, and we are excited to continue expanding Li-Cycle’s global footprint,” said Dawei Li, Li-Cycle Regional President, APAC region. “We look forward to supporting VinES’ recycling needs and strengthening our commercial relationships in this important market.”

Hashtag: #VinES #Vingroup #lithium-ionbattery

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

About VinES

VinES Energy Solutions, a member of Vingroup, specializes in researching, developing, and manufacturing advanced lithium ion batteries for mobility and energy storage applications. Its battery cell, module and pack R&D and manufacturing capabilities ensure the delivery of advanced battery that meet the safety and quality standards required for EV/ESS and other energy application applications. In addition, VinES has established partnerships with some of the world’s leading battery technology companies to provide full coverage as a transformative energy solution provider. For more information, visit .

About Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Li-Cycle (NYSE: LICY) is on a mission to leverage its innovative Spoke & Hub Technologies™ to provide a customer-centric, end-of-life solution for lithium-ion batteries, while creating a secondary supply of battery-grade materials. Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are increasingly powering our world in automotive, energy storage, consumer electronics, and other industrial and household applications. The world needs improved technology and supply chain innovations to better manage battery manufacturing waste and end-of-life batteries and to meet the rapidly growing demand for critical and scarce battery-grade raw materials through a closed-loop solution. For more information, visit .

Mainland Visitors Return to Hong Kong as High Street Rents Bottom Out

Border Opening Boosts Office Leasing Activities, Although Net Absorption Yet to See Immediate Rebound

  • Retail sales rose 17.3% y-o-y in the first two months of 2023, as the mainland China-Hong Kong border opening supported the gradual recovery of the retail market, while visitor arrivals rebounded notably
  • High street rental declines bottomed out and vacancy rates dropped during the quarter, yet staffing shortages are limiting retailer expansions
  • Q1 overall net absorption of Grade A office space remained negative at -248,000 square feet; rents fell 1.5% q-o-q

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 12 April 2023 – Global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield today published its Hong Kong Office and Retail Leasing Markets Review and Outlook Q1 2023 report. The mainland China-Hong Kong border opening has stimulated a rebound in retail market sentiment, with total retail sales in the first two months of the year (Jan-Feb) recorded at HK$69.3 billion, up 17.3% y-o-y. The return of mainland visitors to Hong Kong has lent support to retail rent recovery during the quarter. On the other hand, the Q1 Grade A office net absorption figure remained in the negative zone, lifting the overall availability rate to 17.1% and further exerting pressure on office rents with a drop of 1.5% q-o-q.

Office market

With the full border opening in February 2023, normal business activities in Hong Kong gradually resumed. However, the overall performance of the Grade A office market did not see an immediate rebound in Q1, on the back of the traditional slow season of the Lunar New Year. In terms of net absorption, Q1 overall net absorption recorded negative 248,000 square feet (Chart 1). Amid the uncertainty in the global economic outlook, enterprises remained focusing on cost-saving strategies, with little expansion demand observed. The overall availability rate climbed to 17.1%, which further pressed rents to fall by 1.5% q-o-q and 7.9% y-o-y. Submarket-wise, rental declines were more notable in Hong Kong East and Kowloon East, with both down by more than 2% q-o-q (Chart 2).

John Siu, Managing Director, Head of Project and Occupier Services, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield stated: “Hong Kong’s full border opening in February allowed corporate decision makers to visit Hong Kong for inspection activities and expedite their decisions such as expansion, downsizing, relocation or renewal. The past few weeks have also seen a gradual pick-up in office enquiries and viewings. However, it will take time for these activities to translate into actual leasing transactions, and therefore will not be immediately reflected in the net absorption and leasing performance in the first quarter. In addition, despite the positive news from the border opening, availability rates are still at high levels, making it difficult for landlords to raise rents. We forecast the overall Grade A office rental level to fall in the range of -2% to -4% for the full year in 2023.”

“In terms of new leasing transactions by industry, banking and finance (33.3%) continued to account for the largest share of new leases, followed by the professional services (14.8%) sectors and the medical/health/beauty sector (13.5%). By submarket, Kowloon East and Central accounted for more than 30% and 20% of transactions, respectively, including some large-floor leasing deals (Chart 3),” John Siu further stated. “In Q1, some companies moved out of the traditional CBD to non-core submarkets to save costs, while the market also observed some relocations of medical/health/beauty sector tenants. Looking ahead, potential demand from mainland companies is expected to drive the recovery in office leasing activity. Nearly 2 million square feet of new Grade A office supply will be completed in the second half of the year, and pre-leased space from this new supply will bring positive net absorption to the market. We forecast the full-year net absorption figure to reach around 400,000 square feet,” he concluded.

Retail market

With the full border opening between Hong Kong and the mainland in February, the return of mainland visitors boosted the recovery of Hong Kong’s retail market. In the first two months of 2023, total retail sales amounted to HK$69.3 billion, recording a significant increase of 17.3% y-o-y, predominately due to the low base recorded in 2022. Merchandise-related retail sectors that have enjoyed sustained popularity among mainland visitors, such as Jewellery & Watches, Fashion & Accessories, and Medicines & Cosmetics, demonstrated the most impressive y-o-y growth, up 62.6%, 46.4% and 22.4% respectively (Chart 4). As for high street store occupancy, vacancy rates generally declined across all key submarkets. The vacancy rate in Mongkok dropped 1.8 percentage points q-o-q to 10.9%, while that in Central dropped 1.4 percentage points to 9.9%, Tsimshatsui dropped 1.2 percentage points to 15.5%, and Causeway Bay remained at 7.9%.

With the return of international and mainland China visitors to Hong Kong, retail market sentiment rebounded, and landlords have been standing firmer on their asking rents. As a result, high street rents in the core districts have now ended the downcycle seen since the pandemic, with all districts recording low single-digit rental growth over the quarter (Chart 5). Among them, rents in Central, supported mainly by local white-collar consumers and high-end tourists, rose by 3.2% q-o-q, followed by Mongkok at 2.8% q-o-q and Causeway Bay at 2.4% q-o-q. F&B sector rents continued to rise in the range between 2.4% to 3.2% q-o-q among different submarkets.

Kevin Lam, Executive Director, Head of Retail Services, Agency & Management, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield stated, “Following the full border opening between Hong Kong and the mainland, tourist arrivals shows a significant increase. According to the latest government data, the city saw visitor arrivals of more than 1.46 million in February. Monthly visitor arrivals exceeded a million for the first time in three years, with mainland tourist arrivals alone exceeding 1.1 million. As a result, demand for retail stores has improved, and we believe that the first half of the year will see a faster-than-expected rental increase at about 3-8%. With the return of mainland visitors, landlords are targeting higher asking rentals. However, retailers remained generally conservative, and consequently the market did not witness major brand expansion activity during the quarter. Luxury brands and large chain-stores, in particular, will need some time to understand the changing consumption patterns of mainland visitors, after a long period of tourism hiatus. The gap in expectations between landlords and potential tenants has lengthened lease negotiations, meaning lease activities and rentals were yet to achieve an immediate V-shape rebound in Q1. In addition, after three years of border closure, Hong Kong’s service sector is struggling with labour shortages, which could impede F&B expansion and the city’s tourism rebound. We believe that the first half of this year will be a period of adaptation and exploration for the retail market, with a more significant rebound and expansion activities expected to emerge in the second half of the year.”

Please click here to download photos.

Photo caption:
Picture: John Siu, Managing Director, Head of Project and Occupier Services, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield (left); Kevin Lam, Executive Director, Head of Retail Services, Agency & Management, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield (right)

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

Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global real estate services firm that delivers exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest real estate services firms with approximately 52,000 employees in over 400 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region, earning recognition and winning multiple awards for industry-leading performance. In 2022, the firm had revenue of $10.1 billion across core services including valuation, consulting, project & development services, capital markets, project & occupier services, industrial & logistics, retail and others. To learn more, visit .hk or follow us on LinkedIn ().

Thailand Criticized for Returning Myanmar Resistance Members

Thailand Criticized for Returning Myanmar Resistance Members
From left: Thiha, Saw Phyo Lay and Htet Naing Win, the three resistance fighters, are pictured on the morning of April 4 in Thai custody before they were sent back into the territory of a junta ally (Photo : Myanmar Now)

BANGKOK (AP) — Human rights groups and opposition politicians in Thailand are criticizing the government for forcibly repatriating three men who were reportedly members of an anti-government resistance movement in military-ruled Myanmar.

Chiang Mai Residents Sue Thai PM for Worsening Air Pollution

Chiang Mai Residents Take Legal Action Against PM Amidst Thick Fog
Residents in the north are advised to stay inside air-conditioned buildings and avoid outdoor activities as some areas of Chiang Mai recorded levels of PM2.5. ( Photo : The Nation )

On Tuesday, 1,700 people in Chiang Mai filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and two state agencies for failing to use their authority to tackle the toxic haze problem in the province.