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Welcoming the report, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said, “The World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2026 reaffirms Hong Kong as one of the most competitive economies in the world, and notes that Hong Kong’s rise to second sustains the strong upward trajectory from 2024 and 2025.”

In announcing the results, the IMD noted that, amid rising geopolitical tensions, competitive advantage hinges on credible institutions, predictable rules, enforceable commitments and public trust.

According to WCY 2026, Hong Kong’s rise reflects sustained performance across the four competitiveness factors measured. Among these factors, Hong Kong ranks second in “Government efficiency” and third in “Business efficiency”. “Infrastructure” and “Economic performance” rank eighth and 11^th respectively.

As regards the various competitiveness sub-factors, Hong Kong tops the rankings in “Tax policy” and “Business legislation”, ranks second in “Finance”, third in “International trade”, “International investment”, “Management practices” and “Education”, and fourth in “Public finance” and “Basic infrastructure”.

“In the competitiveness factor ‘Government efficiency’, Hong Kong continues to rank second globally, reflecting the HKSAR Government’s ongoing efforts to promote free and open, stable, predictable and business-friendly economic policies, as well as the international community’s trust in Hong Kong’s legal and regulatory environment,” the spokesperson said.

“Hong Kong’s ‘Business efficiency’ is ranked third globally, reflecting the strong support for industry development rendered by our robust financial ecosystem, as well as the seamless alignment of the city’s business practices and environment with international best standards.”

Amid rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics, Hong Kong, with its close connectivity to both the Chinese Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, and its sound institutions, open markets and sustained investments in innovation, has become a “value hub” that offers both security and growth opportunities.

In fact, Hong Kong continues to excel in various international rankings including those for economy, finance, and talent. The International Monetary Fund has also given positive recognition to Hong Kong in recent months, and major credit rating agencies have successively reaffirmed Hong Kong’s credit ratings and ‘stable’ outlook.

“All these echo the WCY 2026 results,” the spokesperson said.

Currently, Hong Kong is formulating at full speed its first Five-Year Plan, to proactively align with the National 15^th Five-Year Plan.

“With the staunch support of our country, the HKSAR Government will work together with all sectors of society to strengthen our role and function as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’, with a view to better integrating into and serving the overall national development, achieving our own high-quality development, creating more new room for development for our people and businesses, as well as opening up new opportunities for global investors and enterprises,” the spokesperson said.

Hashtag: #HongKong #BrandHongKong #Global #Competitiveness

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Advancement in international reputation, employer reputation, and global engagement

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 June 2026 – The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has been ranked 18^th globally in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2027, climbing 14 places from 32^nd in the previous year and entering the global top 20 for the first time. This achievement reflects CUHK’s steady progress in the global higher education landscape, with notable improvements across multiple indicators, including employer reputation, international research network, international student ratio, and faculty student ratio. The University once again achieved a full score in the international faculty ratio, reinforcing its position as a leading research university in Asia with global recognition.

Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President, said: “CUHK’s entry into the global top 20 marks a significant milestone in the University’s development and stands as a testament to the collective efforts of our faculty, students, alumni, and partners over the years. Rooted in Hong Kong, China’s most international city, CUHK is committed to the education of outstanding students and scholars from across the globe with a dynamic environment that integrates academic excellence, cultural diversity, and innovation. The notable rise in employer reputation underscores the effectiveness of CUHK’s collegiate system and liberal arts education, combined with the strengths of a research university. We are dedicated to nurturing a new generation of leaders with independent thinking, cross-cultural perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility, enabling them to excel across diverse fields. CUHK is also a global hub for academic excellence that brings together top scholars from around the world. The full score in the international faculty ratio once again highlights our sustained strength in attracting world-class talent.”

“Looking ahead, with the forthcoming launch of the CUHK Strategic Plan 2026–2030, we will deepen our strategic partnerships with leading universities, industries, and government organisations. By advancing impactful research and knowledge transfer, we aim to collaborate in addressing the common challenges facing humanity. We extend our sincere gratitude to the HKSAR Government, our nation and partners across sectors for their steadfast support, and warmly invite outstanding students, scholars, and collaborators from around the world to join us in shaping the next chapter of higher education.”

The 2027 rankings assessed the performance of over 1,500 universities worldwide. CUHK showed substantial improvement across several indicators, including:

• Rising 14 places to 18^th globally, marking a historic high for CUHK;
• Ranking second in Hong Kong in academic reputation, employer reputation, employment outcomes and sustainability;
• Recording a notable rise in employer reputation, reflecting growing recognition among global employers of the professional competence and leadership potential of CUHK graduates;
• Achieving full score in the international faculty ratio once again, highlighting the University’s strength in attracting top academic talent from around the world;
• Recording significant improvements in indicators such as international research network, international student ratio, and faculty student ratio, reflecting CUHK’s continued progress in internationalisation and global engagement, as well as its ongoing efforts to enhance teaching support and the student learning experience.

This year’s ranking represents CUHK’s best performance since the introduction of the QS World University Rankings in 2010. Building on this milestone, the University will continue to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, strengthen its global academic networks and research impact, to nurture outstanding talent for China and the international community.

For QS World University Rankings 2027, please click here for more details.
Hashtag: #CUHK #QS #Rankings

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About The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a leading comprehensive research university with a global reputation and world-leading rankings. Located in the heart of Asia, CUHK has a vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. Under the University’s unique collegiate system, the programmes and activities offered by its nine colleges complement the formal curricula by delivering whole-person education and pastoral care. The University has eight faculties: Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Science. Together with the Graduate School, the University offers over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. All faculties are actively engaged in research in a wide range of disciplines, with an array of research institutes and research centres specialising in interdisciplinary research of the highest quality.

By K Raveendran The US-Iran deal marks a genuine easing of one of the most dangerous geopolitical shocks to hit the energy market, but it should not be mistaken for a reset button. The immediate risk of a military breakdown has declined, and that matters for every stakeholder: Washington, Tehran, Gulf producers, Asian importers, shipping […]

The article Oil’s Peace Dividend Is Real But No Return To Pre-War Situation appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Vingroup ranked 26th in Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 ranking, rising 11 places from 37th in 2025 and 19 places from 45th in 2024. The Group continues to be the highest-ranked private enterprise in Vietnam.Advancing in the ranking for two consecutive years underscores Vingroup’s scale, competitiveness, and sustainable growth momentum, while highlighting its increasingly prominent position among the region’s leading companies.

This marks the third year that Fortune has published its Southeast Asia 500 ranking. The list ranks companies based on total revenue across seven countries in the region, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia.

According to Fortune, Vingroup ranked as the No. 1 private enterprise in Vietnam and No. 26 among the 500 largest companies in Southeast Asia. This year’s Southeast Asia 500 recognizes companies that are well positioned to capitalize on shifts in global supply chains and the rapid growth of strategic industries such as electric vehicles and artificial intelligence.

In addition to its scale of assets, Vingroup was highly recognized for its financial performance and operational efficiency. According to Fortune, in 2025, Vingroup recorded revenue of USD 12,760.6 million, representing year-on-year increases of 69.1% compared to the figures reflected in the 2025 ranking. Vingroup recorded net profit of USD 436.5 million and total assets of USD 42,536.4 million.

Vingroup is a diversified conglomerate operating across Industrials – Technology, Real Estate and Services, Infrastructure, Green Energy, Culture and Social Enterprises.

Within the Industrials – Technology pillar, VinFast reinforced its leading position in Vietnam’s automobile and electric two-wheeler markets while continuing its global expansion.

In 2025, VinFast delivered nearly 200,000 electric vehicles worldwide, up 102% year-on-year. The result exceeded the Company’s 2025 target and marked the highest annual delivery volume since its inception. In the first quarter of 2026, VinFast delivered 58,577 electric vehicles across all markets, representing a further 61% increase compared with the same period last year.

Within the Real Estate and Services pillar, Vinhomes maintained its market-leading position with 32 residential developments in operation, home to approximately 650,000 residents. In 2025, Vinhomes recorded contracted sales of VND 205.3 trillion, up 98% year-on-year, with more than 34,000 units delivered. Its unrecognized contracted sales backlog reached VND 186.4 trillion, providing a solid foundation for future growth. Consolidated net revenue totaled VND 153.3 trillion, up 49.8% from 2024, while net profit after tax reached VND 43.3 trillion, up 23.6% year-on-year and exceeding the Company’s annual target.

In 2026, Vinhomes launched a series of large-scale urban developments across Vietnam, including the 6,200-hectare Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long in Quang Ninh Province, the 512-hectare Vinhomes Hai Van Bay in Da Nang, and the 1,080-hectare Vinhomes Saigon Park in Ho Chi Minh City. These developments are expected to reshape Vietnam’s urban landscape while contributing to the sustainable growth of the real estate market.

Meanwhile, Vinpearl continued to lead Vietnam’s hospitality, tourism and entertainment sector, operating 60 facilities across 20 provinces and cities. Its ecosystem includes more than 17,500 rooms across a network of five-star hotels and resorts; 15 VinWonders theme parks; six championship golf courses; and three international-standard convention centers and theaters under the VinPalace brand. The portfolio also features two semi-wildlife conservation parks and an equestrian academy. In addition, Vinpearl’s signature live-action performances in destinations such as Nha Trang and Phu Quoc attract millions of visitors each year.

Within the Infrastructure pillar, VinSpeed has commenced construction of Vietnam’s first two high-speed rail projects: the Ben Thanh – Can Gio line in Ho Chi Minh City and the Hanoi – Quang Ninh line. Launched in April 2026, the Hanoi – Quang Ninh route is the country’s first interregional high-speed railway project. Beyond creating a powerful growth engine for Northern Vietnam’s key economic region, the project represents an important step toward enhancing the nation’s long-term competitiveness.

Within the Green Energy pillar, VinEnergo announced its expansion plans across Asia and Europe, supported by a renewable energy project pipeline with a total capacity of 10 GW that has already secured development agreements. In Vietnam, the company has obtained investment registration certificates for four renewable energy projects.

Within the Social Enterprises pillar, VinUniversity became the youngest university in Vietnam to receive the FIBAA Quality Seal in March 2026. In healthcare, Vinmec inaugurated its 10th hospital, spanning over 31,000 sqm, with 114 inpatient beds and a designed capacity of 135,000 patient visits annually.

At the end of 2025, Vingroup launched its Culture pillar to preserve and promote Vietnamese cultural values and bring them to the world. In May 2026, the Group introduced V-Film, a film and television production and distribution company, with the goal of supporting the development of a professional, modern, and globally integrated Vietnamese film industry.

Looking ahead, Vingroup remains committed to accelerating its core business activities, leveraging the strengths of its diversified ecosystem, enhancing operational efficiency, and expanding its international presence. Through these efforts, the Group aims to achieve its 2026 targets while further strengthening its position as one of the region’s leading enterprises.
Hashtag: #Vingroup

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The Mumbai event is scheduled for PVR Icon IMAX at Phoenix Palladium in Lower Parel, with the exact premiere date still to be announced. Universal Pictures International has positioned Mumbai alongside London, Paris and New York in the rollout for Nolan’s mythic action epic, a rare move that underlines the growing importance of premium-format cinema audiences in the country’s theatrical market.

Damon plays Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, while Holland plays his son Telemachus. Thomas, Nolan’s long-time creative and producing partner at Syncopy, will accompany the director for the premiere. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Himesh Patel, Jon Bernthal and John Leguizamo, giving Universal one of the most star-heavy studio releases of the year. Hathaway and Zendaya are not part of the announced Mumbai travelling delegation, making the confirmed attendance narrower than the wider ensemble publicity campaign around the film.

The Odyssey adapts Homer’s foundational epic about Odysseus’s long voyage home after the fall of Troy, as his household in Ithaca comes under pressure from suitors pursuing Penelope. Nolan has written and directed the film, extending his run with Universal after Oppenheimer, which won best picture and best director at the Academy Awards and reaffirmed his box-office pull for large-format cinema.

The new film has been promoted as the first feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras, using technology developed to make large-format shooting more practical for dialogue-heavy scenes. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, who worked with Nolan on Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet and Oppenheimer, returns for a project filmed across several international locations. The technical pitch has become central to the campaign, with IMAX positioned not as an add-on but as the intended viewing format.

Advance IMAX sales have already turned the release into a premium-ticket event. Bookings in India opened this month for select screenings, with some Mumbai and Pune seats listed around ₹3,000 and late-night premium shows touching higher levels. Despite the pricing, early demand has been strong, with several shows moving quickly as Nolan’s fan base and the cast’s appeal combine with a scarcity-driven IMAX rollout.

The Mumbai premiere also carries symbolic weight because Nolan has had a visible, if selective, relationship with the country. He visited Mumbai in 2018 for a film-preservation event centred on celluloid and met leading figures from the film industry. He later filmed portions of Tenet in Mumbai, while The Dark Knight Rises included scenes shot at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. Damon also has an earlier connection with the country through The Bourne Supremacy, parts of which were filmed in Goa, and through later humanitarian work linked to water access.

For exhibitors, the premiere arrives at a time when Hollywood event films are relying heavily on premium screens, fan-led advance bookings and limited-format urgency to counter uneven theatrical attendance. Nolan’s films have proved especially effective in that segment because his marketing places the cinema experience at the centre of the product. Oppenheimer showed that serious adult-skewing films could still generate major theatrical demand when paired with IMAX exclusivity, strong reviews and cultural momentum.

The Odyssey faces a crowded July window, but its positioning differs from franchise-led superhero and animation titles. The film is being sold on Nolan’s authorship, the scale of Homer’s story and the appeal of a cast that bridges prestige cinema and younger fandom. Holland’s presence is expected to widen interest among younger audiences, while Damon’s casting as Odysseus gives the project a veteran leading figure associated with earlier Nolan work, including Interstellar and Oppenheimer.

The India premiere gives Universal a high-visibility platform before the global release and could help consolidate Mumbai’s role in international studio publicity campaigns. For local exhibitors, it offers a test of how far premium pricing can go when attached to a filmmaker whose audience has shown a willingness to seek out specific formats, screen sizes and projection standards.

Seven properties honoured across Asia-Pacific, including highly prestigious ‘Best of the Best’ recognition for Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 June 2026 – Lanson Place is proud to announce that seven of its hotels and serviced residences across Asia-Pacific have been recognised in the 2026 Tripadvisor Awards.

Leading this year’s achievements across the region is Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne, which has received Tripadvisor’s highly coveted Best of the Best Award 2026, an accolade which places the property among the top one percent of hospitality listings worldwide.

This distinction represents Tripadvisor’s highest level of recognition and is only reserved for properties that consistently receive outstanding guest reviews and ratings over an extended period.

Six Lanson Place properties have also won a 2026 Travellers’ Choice Award, placing them among the top ten percent of listings globally. The awards are based on authentic traveller feedback and experiences that have been shared on Tripadvisor throughout the year.

2026 Tripadvisor Best of the Best Award

• Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne

2026 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award

• Lanson Place Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
• Lanson Place Waterfront Suites, Hong Kong
• Lanson Place Bukit Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur
• Lanson Place Winsland, Singapore
• Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila
• Two MacDonnell Road, Hong Kong

“To be recognised by Tripadvisor is especially meaningful because these awards are determined by the people who matter most, namely our guests,” said Michael Hobson, Chief Executive Officer of Lanson Place.

“Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne receiving a Best of the Best Award, ranking in the top 1% globally, is a particularly rewarding achievement after its first full year of operation. These awards are testament to the passion and dedication demonstrated every single day by our teams across Asia Pacific. We are thrilled that travellers continue to choose Lanson Place and share such positive experiences of our personalised hospitality.”

A Melbourne Landmark

As Tripadvisor’s most prestigious accolade, the Best of the Best recognition for Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne ensures that the hotel joins an elite group around the world which are recognised for delivering exceptional guest satisfaction and memorable stays.

Since opening in Melbourne’s historic Parliamentary Precinct as the city’s first five-star boutique hotel, it has distinguished itself through its beautifully designed residences, personalised service and ability to blend hotel comfort and convenience with the warmth of a private home.

Regional Recognition

The six Travellers’ Choice Award-winning properties also underline the strength and consistency of the Lanson Place portfolio across Asia Pacific.

In Hong Kong, both Lanson Place Causeway Bay and Lanson Place Waterfront Suites received recognition, while Two MacDonnell Road further reinforced the group’s strong reputation in its home market.

Across Southeast Asia, Lanson Place Bukit Ceylon in Kuala Lumpur, Lanson Place Winsland in Singapore, and Lanson Place Mall of Asia in Manila were similarly honoured, reflecting the brand’s ability to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences tailored to each destination.

Together, these awards highlight the consistency of the Lanson Place experience across its growing portfolio, where personalised service, thoughtfully designed living spaces, and genuine care remain at the heart of every guest stay.

Hashtag: #LansonPlace

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About Lanson Place Hospitality Management Limited

Lanson Place is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wing Tai Properties Limited (Wing Tai), a publicly listed company in Hong Kong (HKEx stock code: 369). The transformative hospitality management company currently manages eight properties under the Lanson Place brand, comprising Personal Hotels and Residences in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Melbourne. Additionally, it manages Two MacDonnell Road in Hong Kong as well as Yiju Apartment in Shenzhen.

Lanson Place provides comfortable, personal sanctuaries for both short-term and extended-stay guests at central locations in major global cities. Infused by a family-like service tradition, Lanson Place creates warm and sheltered places with a club-style feel where communities form and bond. Guests can enjoy a true home-away-from-home experience.

The Group aims to grow the Lanson Place brand across the Asia-Pacific region and continues to explore both investment and management opportunities in major gateway cities.

Lanson Place is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and recognises its guests through one unified loyalty programme, Lanson Place DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY.

Website: lansonplace.com
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