Editor’s note: This year marks the 55th anniversary of the China-US Ping-Pong Diplomacy, a historic episode that paved the way for the normalization of bilateral relations.

To revisit the journey of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, this series features interviews with representative figures from the fields of sports, culture, economy, current affairs, and education — all of whom have contributed to China-US exchanges over the past 55 years.

SHANGHAI, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from english.shanghai.gov.cn

Jeffrey Lehman has served as vice-chancellor of NYU Shanghai since the university’s founding in 2012. During his years in Shanghai, he has received the city’s highest honors for expats, such as the Magnolia Gold Award, Magnolia Silver Award, and Honorary Citizen of Shanghai.

In 1972, when Lehman was a high school junior in the United States, he knew almost nothing about China, yet he loved playing ping pong.

Growing up in Maryland, his family kept a ping-pong table in the basement, where he often played with his father and friends.

In April 1972, his father told him that he had tickets to see the visiting Chinese table tennis team play an exhibition match at the University of Maryland.

“We got to see this incredible exhibition of talent, people like Liang Geliang and Zheng Minzhi, playing a quality of ping pong that I’d never seen before,” he said.

The next day at school, he told his friends what he had witnessed. About an hour later, one of them came running into his classroom and said, “You are not going to believe this. A player from the Chinese team is next door at the shopping mall. They’ve set up a table, and she’s happy to play against anybody. You should go play.”

He ran out of the high school, went next door, and played against her.

“I don’t remember who it was, but she hit the ball harder than I’d ever encountered before. It was thrilling, and that, I guess, was the beginning of my connection to China,” he said.

By 1998, Lehman was dean of the University of Michigan Law School. That year, the US and Chinese governments agreed to bring four deans of American law schools to China to meet with their Chinese counterparts and discuss the rule of law. Lehman was invited to join the delegation.

“That was my first trip to China, and it was astonishing for me. It was life-changing. I came over for one year, and one year became two years, and three years, and four years,” he said.

In 2012, New York University, East China Normal University, and the governments of Shanghai and the Pudong New Area invited him to relocate to Shanghai to help launch NYU Shanghai.

Today, NYU Shanghai has students from about 80 countries. The university has a rule that every freshman must have at least one roommate who holds a passport from a different country.

Lehman believes this approach encourages genuine cross-cultural communication among students.

“We will continue to do our best to ensure that our students become deeply educated about the world so that, as they take on positions of leadership in their countries, they will be able to share their actual experiences and knowledge of the rest of the world with fellow leaders back home,” he noted.

“Follow your curiosity wherever it leads. It’s a big world out there, and don’t pull back. Always pursue new opportunities to learn wherever they are,” he added.

Ping-pong diplomacy

Ping pong diplomacy began in early April 1971 at the World Table Tennis Championships in Nagoya, Japan, when US player Glenn Cowan accidentally boarded a bus carrying the Chinese team, leading to an unexpected encounter with Chinese player Zhuang Zedong.

In the days that followed, the Chinese government invited the US table tennis team to visit China. On April 10, 1971, the team arrived in Beijing, becoming the first US delegation to enter the country since 1949.

The visit became a powerful symbol of goodwill, signaling a willingness on both sides to improve relations.

A year later, in April 1972, the Chinese table tennis team paid a return visit to the US, further strengthening emerging cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

To learn more about the historic episode and the broader story of China-US exchanges, please visit:

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-PingPongDiplomacy55/index.html

SHANGHAI, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hanshow, a global leader in electronic shelf labels (ESLs) and digital retail solutions, today announced the completion of its full acquisition of HARB Data, a retail-focused AI and big data solutions company. Following the transaction, HARB Data becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Hanshow.

This acquisition significantly strengthens Hanshow’s core capabilities in in‑store data governance, analytics, and AI algorithms, enabling the company to deliver more efficient and smart technical support for retail customers across store operations, intelligent marketing, consumer experience optimization, and digital energy management.

As AI rapidly reshapes value creation in physical retail, data has become the foundational enabler—not only for AI deployment, but also for breaking physical boundaries and driving intelligent, scalable growth. As a key enabler of in‑store digital infrastructure, Hanshow continues to accelerate the development of its data services through multi‑scenario AIoT smart terminals. Following the acquisition, Hanshow’s intelligent hardware portfolio will be deeply integrated with HARB Data’s tech capabilities, enabling a closed-loop upgrade from intelligent sensing to intelligent decision‑making. This integration marks a fundamental shift from experience‑based operations toward AI‑driven growth.

Founded in 2015, HARB Data is an AI and big data solutions provider specializing in the retail and consumer sectors. Its core capabilities span precision marketing, full‑funnel business intelligence, and predictive analytics, supported by mature data‑modeling frameworks and proven expertise in advertising attribution and measurement.

This strategic integration goes beyond business expansion. By combining retail scenarios with advanced data and AI technologies, the acquisition strengthens Hanshow’s data capabilities across environment coverage, data collection, campaign execution, and performance attribution. More importantly, it reinforces Hanshow’s commitment to an open ecosystem—working closely with partners to co-create value and drive sustainable, data-driven growth.

In practical deployment, Hanshow leverages IoT touchpoints, including electronic shelf labels, in-store digital displays, and smart carts to collect first-party data such as customer traffic, user interactions, and transaction conversions in real time. HARB Data applies its proprietary AI algorithms and big‑data analytics to standardize data processing, generate actionable consumer insights, construct high‑fidelity customer profiles, and establish closed-loop attribution models. Together, these complementary strengths significantly enhance Hanshow’s data service capabilities and create a differentiated, defensible competitive advantage.

Looking ahead, Hanshow will continue to deepen the integration of technology and retail scenarios, working closely with ecosystem partners to advance store digitalization into a new phase of high‑quality, AI‑driven development.

Contact：
info@hanshow.com 

SINGAPORE, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Synpulse, a leading global management consultancy and technology partner to financial institutions, has successfully supported Infront Assetmax, an integrated wealth management software solution in becoming OpenWealth‑ready in Asia‑Pacific (APAC). The milestone positions Assetmax’s wealth management platform to deliver standardised, API‑based connectivity between external asset managers (EAMs) and custody banks across the region.

By adopting the OpenWealth API standard in APAC, Assetmax enables seamless, secure data exchange for custody services, trading, and client lifecycle management addressing long‑standing industry challenges around fragmented data, manual processes, and costly bespoke integrations. Powered by the OpenWealth standards established by the OpenWealth Association, co‑founded by Synpulse, the integration marks a notable milestone for Assetmax as OpenWealth adoption continues to accelerate across the Asia‑Pacific region.

Supported by Synpulse, Assetmax is now OpenWealth‑ready to support APAC financial institutions with scalable, future‑proof connectivity. This development allows EAMs to integrate more efficiently with participating custody banks, access consolidated position and transaction data, and place orders through standardised interfaces accelerating onboarding timelines and reducing operational complexity.

“Adopting the OpenWealth API standard in APAC is a strategic step forward for Assetmax and a clear commitment to the future of wealth management. It enables greater interoperability, openness, and scalability which are key foundations for delivering seamless, client‑centric solutions. In a fast‑evolving APAC market, OpenWealth positions firms to innovate faster, collaborate more effectively, and support advisors and institutions as they navigate increasing complexity.” Said Raphael Bianchi, President of OpenWealth Association (OWA) and Senior Partner at Synpulse.

As APAC markets accelerate the move toward open finance and API‑driven, digital‑first wealth models, OpenWealth adoption continues to build momentum. Assetmax now becomes part of a growing regional ecosystem of technology providers and financial institutions united by a common industry standard.

“Having helped shape OpenWealth in Europe, we’re proud to be among the first to bring that expertise to Asia-Pacific. Through our work with Synpulse, who share our commitment to open standards, EAMs across the region can now benefit from greater autonomy, simpler connectivity and enhanced operational efficiency. We’re excited to be at the forefront of wealth management’s next chapter in APAC.” – Sebastian Manthei, Head of Sales, Infront Assetmax. For custody banks across APAC, OpenWealth unlocks a standardised, secure approach to API‑based service exposure driving more seamless collaboration with EAMs and wealth‑tech providers. For EAMs, it reduces integration complexity across multi‑custody environments while elevating data consistency, transparency, and resilience.

“Assetmax’s OpenWealth adoption highlights the strong momentum behind open standards in APAC. By bringing this connectivity to our Wealth Cockpit platform, we’re helping EAMs unlock new possibilities and building the foundation for a more connected, future‑ready wealth management ecosystem,” said Yves Roesti, CEO and Managing Partner of Synpulse.

About Synpulse

Synpulse is a global management consultancy and a trusted partner to financial institutions. We deliver end-to-end transformation for financial institutions, combining deep industry expertise with technology across strategy, design, implementation, and operations. With a network of over 100 ecosystem partners and our technology division Synpulse8, we co-create innovative digital solutions that deliver value-creating impact. Our team of 1,000+ professionals from more than 20 locations is united by a shared commitment to excellence and client success.  

Further information www.synpulse.com.

About Infront Assetmax

Infront Assetmax is an integrated wealth management software solution for external asset managers, family offices and banks. Developed in Switzerland, Infront Assetmax combines deep experience in portfolio management and software development to create a solution that delivers efficient process automation, reduces operational risks, optimises costs, and supports our clients in staying compliant according to local rules and up to date with regulatory requirements. Assetmax is part of Infront, the European leader in financial market data and investment management solutions.

New study highlights urgent priorities for Japan’s digital transformation, with industry signaling shared 6G ambition through the Tokyo Accord

TOKYO, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Japan must take bold, coordinated action to translate its world-class technological strengths into global digital leadership, according to new GSMA report launched at the Digital Nation Summit Tokyo.

The Digital Nations 2026: Accelerating the Digital Leap in Japan report finds that while Japan remains a leader in next-generation connectivity and applied innovation, structural challenges continue to limit productivity growth and economy-wide digital impact. Addressing these constraints will be critical if Japan is to shift from a cautious technology adopter to a confident global standards setter.

Reflecting this ambition, the Tokyo Accord was signed at the Summit by Japan’s mobile network operators – KDDI, NTT DOCOMO, Rakuten Mobile and SoftBank – alongside the three APAC 6G Alliances, Globe and LG U+. The Accord signals a shared commitment to shaping 6G era through open, interoperable and trusted digital ecosystems, driving coordination between industry and policymakers.

Report identifies 2026 as an inflection point. While targeted interventions have helped ‘digital cliff’ risks, deeper structural issues persist, including stagnant productivity, a widening digital services deficit and challenges in scaling innovation.

As global momentum builds around 5G and 6G, report highlights Japan’s opportunity to lead by aligning spectrum strategy, R&D investment and international standards engagement with broader digital transformation goals.

Priority areas for immediate action:

• Completing the 5G journey: Accelerating nationwide deployment of 5G standalone (SA) to unlock advanced capabilities and support future 6G evolution.
• Closing the grey digital divide: Addressing digital inclusion challenges among ageing populations, with internet usage dropping significantly among those aged 70+.
• Strengthening digital trust: Tackling rising fraud and scam activity, which reached JPY324.1 billion ($2.1 billion) in losses in 2025, through stronger safeguards and cooperation.

Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific at GSMA, said: “Japan has many of the foundations required for digital leadership. The challenge now is execution.”

At the Summit, GSMA’s Leadership Team – Vivek Badrinath, John Giusti, Lara Dewar all reinforced the need for coordinated action across industry and government.

Report outlines three strategic pathways for Japan’s next phase of digital development: building on strengths in advanced connectivity and frontier technologies; accelerating deployment through global best practices; and deepening international cooperation across AI, cybersecurity and connectivity. 

Read full release

Seamless interoperability between AMPP and MediaMesh enables production teams to build best-of-breed workflows, deploy faster, and scale live production globally — without platform lock-in or infrastructure compromise

CUPERTINO, Calif., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TVU Networks, the global leader in cloud and IP-based live video solutions, and Grass Valley, a provider of live media and entertainment solutions, today announced a strategic partnership enabling interoperability between TVU MediaMesh and Grass Valley’s AMPP (Agile Media Processing Platform). Broadcasters, content owners and live event producers now have the ability to seamlessly connect workflows across two of the industry’s most powerful cloud production platforms, giving production teams the freedom to build best-of-breed workflows, deploy in minutes instead of days and scale live production across organizations, geographies and cloud providers without compromise.

For production teams, the impact is immediate and tangible. The integration enables bi-directional media exchange between MediaMesh and AMPP, meaning sources discovered in one ecosystem are instantly accessible in the other. MediaMesh users can access and ingest sources from AMPP environments, while AMPP users can leverage MediaMesh-connected devices, feeds, and services, all without redundant infrastructure, complex reconfigurations, or the costly integrations that have historically plagued multi-vendor environments. The result is dramatically faster deployment, lower operational complexity, and the flexibility to assemble the right tools for every production, whether it’s breaking news, a multi-venue sports event, or a global entertainment broadcast.

The partnership represents a fundamental shift in how live production workflows can be built and scaled. Modern live production increasingly spans multiple cloud environments, distributed teams, and hybrid infrastructure, but connecting these environments has traditionally required painful tradeoffs between flexibility and performance. By uniting two complementary cloud-native platforms with true interoperability, TVU and Grass Valley are eliminating platform boundaries and enabling a new model of open, IP-based collaboration. Production teams can now share sources, processing power and distribution pipelines across geographically dispersed operations as if they were in the same control room, opening new levels of efficiency and creative possibility for sports, news, and live event production worldwide.

TVU MediaMesh is a cloud-first, modular infrastructure for live media that couples asynchronous microservices with a remote shared memory fabric, enabling high-performance, low-latency media transport and processing. Grass Valley AMPP provides a fully virtualized, cloud-native production environment that allows users to deploy and scale live production workflows dynamically across public and private cloud infrastructure. Together, the platforms leverage containerized deployments and interoperable transport technologies such as MXL to enable efficient, low-latency contribution and distribution without requiring traditional baseband infrastructure or complex reconfiguration.

“The integration of Grass Valley AMPP with TVU MediaMesh represents a major step forward in enabling open, interoperable live production workflows,” said John Wastcoat, Senior Director of Business Development at TVU Networks. “By allowing media to move seamlessly between these environments, we’re giving customers the flexibility to build best-of-breed workflows without being constrained by platform boundaries.”

“AMPP was designed to provide maximum flexibility and scalability for modern production workflows,” said Adam Marshall, Chief Product Officer at Grass Valley. “By integrating with TVU MediaMesh, we’re extending that flexibility even further, enabling customers to connect more sources, services, and destinations across the live production ecosystem.”

The integration will be available for demonstration at the NAB Show in both Grass Valley’s booth C2408 in Central Hall, and the TVU booth W1717 in West Hall beginning April 19th.

ABOUT TVU NETWORKS

TVU Networks is a global leader in cloud and IP-based live video solutions, powering broadcast, streaming, and remote production for news, sports, and entertainment. Trusted by media organizations in over 100 countries, TVU’s award-winning ecosystem enables agile, scalable, and cost-effective workflows, anytime, anywhere.

For more information, visit: www.tvunetworks.com

ABOUT GRASS VALLEY

Grass Valley empowers over 90% of the world’s top media brands to create and deliver compelling stories that captivate audiences. At the heart of its solutions is the GV Media Universe (GVMU), combining advanced hardware solutions with the agility, elasticity, and adaptability of the AMPP Media Operating System. Together, they form a seamless, scalable ecosystem for efficient and innovative workflows.

With a portfolio spanning from camera to consumer, Grass Valley provides the flexibility to build solutions for every need — from a single creative harnessing immense production power to globally distributed teams collaborating seamlessly. This breadth of capability enables customers to craft efficient workflows that inspire and engage their audiences.

With over 65 years of expertise, Grass Valley has consistently driven the evolution of live content creation and storytelling. Headquartered in Montreal and supported by Black Dragon Capital, the company remains dedicated to shaping and leading the media revolution.

For more information, visit: www.grassvalley.com

SINGAPORE, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NLCS (Singapore) was excited to host its first-ever International Model United Nations (MUN) Conference at the end of February, welcoming students from across the NLCS family of schools, including London, Jeju, Dubai and Kobe. The three-day event brought together young delegates for an immersive experience in diplomatic discourse and global problem-solving.

Exploring the theme of ‘Bridges Across Borders’, the conference challenged students to tackle pressing global issues spanning sustainability and human rights, alongside historic crises including the Berlin Airlift of 1948. Across multiple committee sessions, students represented nations from around the world, negotiating complex resolutions from diverse geopolitical perspectives, gaining a deeper understanding of international relations and diverse perspectives.

Bridges Across Borders: Sustainability, Human Rights, and History 

Chris van Dort, Director of MUN at NLCS Singapore, shared: “It is a genuine privilege to host this event for the first time and welcome schools from across multiple continents. Within the NLCS community, these events emphasise our collective vision of raising awareness for global issues whilst acting as global citizens. Running a conference for the first time has been no small task, and it would not have gone as smoothly without the tireless enthusiasm of our excellent students.”

Student-Led Preparation Drives Conference Success 

A significant feature of the conference has been the remarkable level of student leadership involved in its preparation. Much of the planning, training and coordination has been driven by students themselves, with experienced members of the school’s MUN co-curricular activity guiding newer participants on effective debate techniques, research strategies and the art of crafting well-structured resolutions. This peer-led approach has not only strengthened the quality of debate during the conference but also reflects the spirit of MUN itself, a platform where students learn to lead, support one another, and take meaningful ownership of their learning.

One of NLCS (Singapore)’s students delegates mentioned, “Joining NLCS (Singapore) in its founding year made helping organise NLCSIMUN and chairing a committee especially meaningful. I felt immense pride hosting an event reflecting our school’s international culture and academic ambition. Welcoming delegates from sister schools was genuinely exciting – their diverse perspectives made discussions dynamic and insightful. Chairing required vision, adaptability and compassion, deepening my understanding of what MUN truly stands for.”

Student Chairs Guide Debates and Build Community 

During the conference itself, this student leadership takes center stage. These student chairs act as subject matter experts in their respective committees, skillfully guiding debates while creating an inclusive environment where even first-time delegates feel empowered to contribute. They also take on a key role in ensuring that guidelines are followed across the weekend. It’s this combination of responsibility and support that makes MUN such a powerful learning experience, pushing students to lead while simultaneously helping others find their footing.

A committee chair from NLCS London reflected, “Chairing the DISEC committee at NLCSMUN was incredibly rewarding. I was particularly impressed by delegates’ enthusiasm and the high level of debate and diplomacy. It was especially fulfilling to see individuals grow in confidence and flourish throughout the conference. The experience truly embodied the theme of ‘Bridges Across Borders’ and I wished the trip to Singapore could have been longer.”

Beyond the committee rooms, the conference offers rich opportunities for cultural exchange and connection. Visiting delegates also had the opportunity to explore Singapore together, visiting iconic landmarks while building connections with peers from across the NLCS global network. These shared moments culminate in a celebratory gala dinner, bringing all four schools together for an evening that honors not just their accomplishments, but the genuine friendships and mutual respect that have blossomed throughout the event. On the final day of the conference, students also had the opportunity to visit both Gardens by the Bay and the Art Science museum, getting the chance to explore cultural sites together and build fantastic memories.

Cultural Exchange Beyond the Committee Rooms 

For many students, participating in MUN is a transformative experience that encourages them to think beyond their immediate environment and engage thoughtfully with global challenges. They discover their own voices, learn to articulate complex ideas with clarity, and advocate persuasively for positions they may not have considered before. This process of intellectual challenge and personal growth helps them develop empathy, resilience, and the confidence to engage with difficult questions, exemplifying NLCS’s steadfast commitment to developing globally minded citizens equipped with critical thinking, diplomacy, and collaborative problem-solving skills needed to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.

Ultimately, they learn that effective leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about asking the right questions, valuing diverse perspectives, and working together toward solutions that serve the greater good

Developing Global Citizens Through MUN 

Students from NLCS Kobe reflected on their experience, noting “It made me realise that if I work hard, I can do really well and that motivated me to be better. I liked how everyone was friendly and supportive and even picked up a few new English vocabulary and phrases, which inspired me to learn more.”

The inaugural International MUN Conference at NLCS (Singapore) has set a powerful precedent for what the NLCS global network can achieve when students are given the platform to lead. Over three remarkable days, delegates from London, Jeju, Dubai, and Kobe did not just debate resolutions – they built lasting connections, challenged their own perspectives, and demonstrated the kind of thoughtful, collaborative leadership the world needs. In creating this space for student voice and international collaboration, NLCS (Singapore) has shown that when young people are empowered to engage meaningfully with global challenges, they don’t just rise to the occasion, they inspire others to do the same.

About North London Collegiate School (Singapore)     

Founded in August 2020, North London Collegiate School (Singapore) is a British International School offering the academically ambitious NLCS curriculum, followed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme and culminating in the IB Diploma Programme.    

Drawing on 175 years of educational heritage from its founding school in the UK, NLCS (Singapore) nurtures individuals to be intellectually curious, socially confident, and grounded in compassion through a rigorous academic framework, rich co-curricular opportunities, and exceptional pastoral care.

Situated on Depot Road, the School is part of a global family of schools committed to educational excellence and developing global citizens.   

To learn more about NLCS (Singapore), please visit our website (https://nlcssingapore.sg/) and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.