• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and electricity intensity by 30% before 2030
• Restore 10,000 perfect smiles by providing free surgeries to kids with cleft lips and palates by 2030

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 March 2021 – A.S. Watson Group and its 13 global retail and manufacturing brands today announce the launch of their refreshed Social Purpose along with 2030 Sustainability Vision.

Malina Ngai, Group COO of A.S. Watson Group & CEO of A.S. Watson (Asia & Europe), says, “As the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, we have a strong sense of responsibility to create a better world through our global operations. Our social purpose “to put a smile on our customers’ faces” is a core value to our business and deeply rooted in our heritage, from giving free medicines to the needy in the early days, to protecting people’s health against COVID19 by producing medical masks and supporting vaccination programmes.”

She adds, “We serve over 5.9 billion customers every year around the world and we are thankful to have a powerful community to do good together, to help build a better and more sustainable world.”

A.S. Watson Group has been a purpose-driven company with social purpose enshrined in every action over the past 180 years. The spirit of giving goes back to A.S. Watson’s first dispensary which provided free medicine to the needy and is something that lives on in the business today. Last year, the Group gave a helping hand to the vulnerable and offered over HKD60m assistance to 1 million underprivileged people around the world, as well as converted their manufacturing facility in Hong Kong to produce masks and helped the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme in the UK by offering vaccinations in Superdrug pharmacies. With a wide array of sustainability and community needs across 27 markets, its brands embrace their own social purpose launch plans to address the local needs to put a smile on our customers’ faces.

A Better World with A.S. Watson 2030 Sustainability Vision

A.S. Watson Group also announces its 2030 Sustainability Vision, with clear visions for the decade to come on social and environmental sustainability.

• Energy: Achieve electricity intensity reduction by 30% against 2015 baseline by 2030
• Greenhouse Gas: Reduce GHG emissions (scopes 1 and 2) by 40% from 2015 baseline by 2030
• Plastic: Eliminating unnecessary packaging by 2030, avoiding over-packaging and phase out PVC, 20% recycled plastic content in plastic packaging by 2025
• Community: Through A.S. Watson’s Give a Smile Campaign, we target to restore 10,000 perfect smiles by providing life-changing free surgeries to kids with cleft lips and palates by 2030

180 Years, 180 Caring Actions

A.S. Watson believes a simple smile can have big impact so the Group launched the Smile Community to celebrate its 180^th anniversary, not only to promote mental wellness but also bring positivity to people around them. We are pleased to announce that the Smile Community has achieved its target to reach a 1.8 million smile index by 20 March 2021, to coincide with the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness.

Furthermore, the Group has pledged to organise 180 caring actions around the world to help give the anniversary celebrations a greater depth of meaning. A.S. Watson believes that every little smile and action will add up to a big and positive impact on people around us and community at large.

Malina adds, “At A.S. Watson, we believe the world is better when people are smiling. Our planet is reaching its limits and millions of people’s lives are impacted by extreme climate and serious pollution. The A.S. Watson 2030 Sustainability Vision is a promise we pledge to our planet and community to make the world a better place to live. People’s mental health has been inevitably stressed by the pandemic and by putting a smile on the face of everyone we touch, we are grateful to have all of our people working together to aim at a higher purpose for the long term.”

About A.S. Watson Group

Established in Hong Kong in 1841, A.S. Watson Group is the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer operating over 16,000 stores under 12 retail brands in 27 markets, with over 140,000 employees worldwide. For the fiscal year 2019, A.S. Watson Group recorded revenue of US$21.8 billion. Every year, we are serving over 5.9 billion shoppers via our O+O platforms, providing tech-enabled retail experience to customers offline and online.

A.S. Watson Group is also a member of the world-renowned multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, which has four core businesses ‐ ports and related services, retail, infrastructure and telecommunications in over 50 countries. Please visit www.aswatson.com

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 15 March 2021 – Taiwan and Japan have long enjoyed close relations historically, culturally, and economically. Of Taiwan’s early Hakka emigrants, many had opted for Japan and taken root there, with the largest concentrations in Tokyo and Osaka. In April 2018, YANG, CHANG-ZHEN, incumbent minister of the Hakka Affairs Council (HAC), led a delegation to attend gatherings of Hakka communities in the two cities. Also on the itinerary was a call on HATA Toshiyuki, then vice governor of Fukushima Prefecture, to show solicitude for the people of Fukushima afflicted by the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011. The visitors also extended an invitation for their hosts to seek consolation by taking trips to Hakka townships along Provincial Highway 3 in Taiwan.

The invitation was soon met with a group of junior high school students from Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture coming to Provincial Highway 3 in December of the same year. In the course of four days, these young Japanese visitors had a close encounter with Hakka culture across Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli, whose hospitality and delicacies left them an indelible impression.

At the HAC’s invitation, renowned Japanese illustrator Amigos Koike came to Taiwan and served as a resident artist in several Hakka townships along Provincial Highway 3 during August-September 2019. His two-month stay led to a good number of sketches of Hakka scenery, delicacies, and sensibilities.

The HAC is now in the process of putting together the Japanese illustrator’s wonderfully conceived works that will be supplemented by texts fitting for his Hakka experience. Due to be published at the end of this year, it will be available in both Taiwan and Japan and hit the shelves of brick-and-mortar as well as online bookstores.

Through its upcoming compilation of Amigos Koike’s works—one that is set to derive from the perspective of a Japanese artist—the HAC expects to interest a greater number of Japanese about getting to know Hakka culture better themselves. Hopefully in the post-pandemic era they can begin travelling to Taiwan and visiting the Hakka townships along Provincial Highway 3.

Amigos Koike’s Works to Add to Taiwan-Japan Ties

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 15 March 2021 – To further bolster the friendship between Taiwan and Japan, the Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) invited Amigos Koike, a renowned Japanese illustrator, to serve as a resident artist in seven Hakka townships along Provincial Highway 3 during August-September 2019. This unconventional marketing initiative was also intended to bring the beauty of Taiwan’s Hakka culture to the broader international community. For the Japanese illustrator, it proved an uncommon experience in which he developed a profound appreciation of Taiwan’s Hakka culture, people, and sensibilities. Over the course of his stay, he came up with some 280 sketch illustrations—depictions of the encounters, scenery, and food in those Hakka communities that left him a lasting impression.

A Hakka ancestral hall

The HAC is now in the process of putting together the Japanese illustrator’s wonderfully conceived works that exhibit a moving human touch. To be supplemented by texts fitting for his Hakka experience, this collection is due to be published between the end of 2021 and early next year. To be available in both Taiwan and Japan, it will hit the shelves of brick-and-mortar as well as online bookstores.

Prior to this publication, Amigos Koike is hosting an exhibition at Space Yui, an art gallery in Tokyo, March 8-17. In the highlight are his watercolor works on the scenery, flowers, and people of the Hakka communities he visited. The artist hopes to make Taiwan’s Hakka townships known to more people of his home country.

Through its upcoming compilation of Amigos Koike’s works—one that is set to derive from the perspective of a Japanese artist—the HAC expects to interest a greater number of Japanese about getting to know Hakka culture better themselves. Hopefully in the post-pandemic era they can begin travelling to Taiwan and visiting the Hakka townships along Provincial Highway 3. It promises to be an unforgettable experience with an abundance of hospitality and friendliness.

Credit Card Customers Can Purchase iPhone Through Lower Monthly Installments¹ and Enjoy Flexible Upgrade to the Latest iPhone

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 March 2021 – Citibank announced today its partnership with local telecommunications service provider CSL Mobile to launch iPhone for Life, a purchasing program for iPhone and a first in Hong Kong. The program offers customers the flexibility to purchase the latest iPhone 12 models through lower monthly installments¹, and guarantees a buy-back value if the iPhone is returned to CSL Mobile after 24 months, under which the guaranteed buy-back value can be used for upgrading to a newer iPhone model. This partnership aims to provide selected Citibank credit cardholders² with the flexibility to settle their phone transaction in a way that aligns with their lifestyle and consumption preferences.

iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max introduce a reimagined design featuring immersive edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR displays, the powerful A14 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone, advanced new camera systems, including the ability to shoot HDR video with Dolby Vision, the best 5G experience, and much more.

Selected Citibank credit cardholders² with an iPhone for Life invitation notification³ can apply iPhone for Life by purchasing an iPhone 12 model and subscribing to a designated 1O1O/csl 5G service plan for a contract period of 24 months at csl, 1O1O Center and HKT Shop. Once the iPhone for life application has been approved⁴ by Citibank, customers can split the iPhone payment⁵ into 25 monthly installments⁶ with 0% APR⁷. Customers are only required to pay around 77% of the iPhone payment in the first 24 months, and around 23% of the outstanding iPhone payment (also equal to the guaranteed buy-back value) on the 25^th month. After 24 months, customers can choose to return the iPhone to a designated 1O1O/csl retail outlet to receive the guaranteed buy-back value⁸ for upgrading to a newer iPhone model, or choose to keep their existing iPhones.

Limited Time Launch Offer

From now through May 31, 2021, the first 1,000 eligible cardholders who successfully apply for iPhone for Life will receive a pair of Powerbeats3 Wireless earphones⁹.

Please refer to the following link for program details, and terms and conditions: citibank.com.hk/iPhone-for-Life

To borrow or not to borrow? Borrow only if you can repay!

1. Lower when compared to 24 months credit card installment plan offered by CSL Mobile.

2. In order to be eligible for the Plan, (1) you must be a principal credit cardholder of a Citi credit card issued by Citibank (Hong Kong) Limited (excluding Citi Rewards UnionPay Card); (2) you must be able to receive the iPhone for Life invitation sent by Citi and you must apply for the Plan via 1O1O/csl and (3) you must be able to receive the SMS communications relating to the Plan from Citibank upon purchase of the iPhone at the Merchants. Failure to receive any SMS communication relating to the Plan from Citibank, may deem you to be ineligible to apply for the Plan..

3. iPhone for Life invitation notification will be sent by Citibank through the below channels: SMS or Email or relevant message under Credit Cards account update in Citi Mobile^® App.

4. After payment, customers will receive a “PayLite” Installment Plan SMS from Citi. You are required to click the embedded link and apply for the plan within 24 hours. The approval process takes 3-5 working days and you will receive an SMS with your approval results.

5. iPhone payment also refers to as handset price including prepayment by CSL Mobile.

6. Once your application is approved by Citi, you may then repay the iPhone by way of equal monthly installment payments for 24 months (around 77% of the iPhone payment) and a lump sum payment on the 25^th month equal to the Buy-Back Value of your iPhone (around 23% of the iPhone payment).

7. Installments shall be billed to the Eligible Card accountholder on a monthly basis, similar to a normal retail transaction. Installments are subject to interest rate or other fees pursuant to the applicable Citi Credit Card Agreement if the cardholder pays less than the total amount due indicated on the monthly statement of the Eligible Card.

8. Subject to functional diagnostics and physical assessment to the returned iPhone during product return based on the Device Acceptance Criteria by 1O1O/csl.

9. Key Features of Powerbeats3 Wireless Earphones:

• Connect via Class 1 Bluetooth® with your device for wireless workout freedom
• Up to 12 hours of battery life to power through multiple workouts
• With Fast Fuel, a 5-minute charge gives you 1 hour of playback when battery is low
• Sweat and water resistance to handle tough training
• Flexible, secure-fit earhooks maximize comfort and stability
• Dynamic, high-performance sound pushes you to the next level
• Take calls, control your music, and activate Siri with RemoteTalk

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 15 March 2021 – In a bid to keep up with the trends of digital transformation in healthcare, SSIVIX Lab Singapore based social enterprise HealthTech company, focussing on connected health also known as technology-enabled care (TEC) which involves the convergence of health technology, digital media, and mobile devices. It enables patients, carers, and healthcare professionals (HCP’s) to access data and Information more easily and Improve the quality and outcomes of healthcare and social care. At a time where technology has acted as a driving force in healthcare, the company is making a strategic approach towards patient-centric care, bridging healthcare gaps with technology, and successfully running a connected health ecosystem called “MyCLNQ” which is a one stop solution for all family healthcare needs. The AI enabled mobile app focuses on telemedicine, mHealth, eHealth services. The company believes in providing affordable healthcare and age friendly environment for patient and elderly care.

According to a report made by NCBI, it was suggested that more than 40% of IoT technology will be health-related as of last year. With these figures expected to rise in the following years, SSIVIX Lab recognizes the need to implement new and technology-enabled healthcare ecosystem to digitally transform and improve patient experience. “Traditionally healthcare service sector is always provider/organizational centric where we Ssivix Lab trying to make a paradigm shift from provider to patient centric model, to empower patient towards personalized care.” Says Anwar Rafique, CEO Ssivix Lab.

At its very core, digital healthcare ecosystem aims to be patient-centric, focusing on wellness and prevention instead of only treatment. By leveraging on the accessibility and convenience of smart devices, MyCLNQ can provide patients with high-quality treatment anywhere and anytime, with just a simple click of a button. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, and as of today more than 50,000+ individuals have downloaded the app and have benefitted from it.

Incorporated technologies have made this possible. For instance, MyCLNQ’s built-in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology allows patients to receive aid from virtual doctors and chatbots in their preferred language. It will also offer location-based suggestions for relevant clinics and doctors that are accessible and convenient by distance. In addition, the app also allows users to schedule their advanced appointments online, effectively reducing waiting times at clinics and hospitals.

Dr Wong Weng Hong, a veteran senior healthcare manager with over 30 years of experience, who recently joined the advisory board of Ssivix Lab says “there has been a rise of on-demand healthcare where consumers like to have services at their own convenience, on their own time, and wherever they happen to be. Healthcare industry is entering the era of digital innovation, as patients seek customized healthcare needs for greater efficiency and effectiveness and at a lower or sustainable cost. The healthcare AI-powered tools and Big data aggregate a lot of information and will help users to obtain accurate and relevant online medical information and connect users to the correct services and products, faciliting better preventive care and recovery. The healthcare system is undergoing a seismic shift in how information is obtained and disseminated. MyCLNQ AI ecosystem will set up a digital path for consumers to avail the whole spectrum of healthcare needs on fingertips”.

The benefits of these emerging healthcare technologies also extend beyond patients’ needs, but also to over 745+ healthcare practitioners that SSIVIX Lab has partnered up with. Through the digital platform, this infrastructure offers an avenue for multidisciplinary, cross-organisational and collaborative healthcare delivery. The use of MyCLNQ provides accessible databases, where they are able to efficiently and effectively track and diagnose patient illnesses for customised medical and treatment services.

Through the incorporation of telemedicine, AI, IoT and blockchain technology, SSIVIX Lab continues to push for digital healthcare ecosystem solutions to better meet the rising healthcare expectations in Asia and only provider with wide range of services at one platform. Company has strategic SEA expansion plan including India and have kicked off India operations since beginning of 2021.

For more information, please visit https://ssivixlab.com