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World Cup Fever Returns: Learning Emotional Management on the Pitch

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 June 2026 – The four-yearly World Cup is in full swing, and the football fever once again sweeps the globe. The pitch has long been known as a “proving ground” for heroes; even for world-class players with years of experience, the joy of scoring a goal is often balanced by the sight of others in tears, frustrated by a defeat. The prowess of these players will be etched into the hearts of countless children, inspiring a lifelong love for the sport.

Save the Children Hong Kong firmly believes that the football pitch is more than just a venue for competition—it is an ideal classroom for Social-emotional Learning. For eight-year-old Kai-long, the setbacks and failures experienced on the pitch have proven far more vital to his personal growth than mastering technical skills or perfecting “step-overs”.

The Play to Thrive programme empowers children to master emotional management and communication skills while staying active in sports. Compared to a “Zidane turn”, these are the skills that will truly serve them for a lifetime.

On the training ground, eight-year-old Kai-long’s skills are clearly “a cut above the rest”. From the way he carries the ball to the power of his strikes, he already carries himself like a mini professional. During internal matches, he frequently finds the back of the net, scoring multiple goals for his side.

However, the moments that truly bring a smile of approval to the coaches and teachers are not Kai-long’s technical displays, but his small yet heart-warming gestures. For instance, he is seen helping teammates by steadying the inflatable goalposts during shooting drills. Even when knocked down during a match, if the coach does not blow for a foul, Kai-long doesn’t complain; he simply brushes it off with a smile and gets straight back to chasing the ball.

When Excellence Becomes a Burden: Children Trapped by the Need to Win

“He has a personality that tends to be quite fixated on winning and losing. Because of his own performance, or because his classmates’ performance didn’t meet his expectations, he would sometimes experience emotional ups and downs,” explains Mr. Lui, the PE teacher. He admits that while Kai-long’s football skills are outstanding, his stubborn nature previously caused friction with teammates and classmates. Mr. Lui noted that since Kai-long was already a member of the school’s reserve team, he recommended him for the Play to Thrive programme not to “learn football”, but in the hope that he would learn how to get along with others.

Consequently, what moved Mr. Lui the most was not Kai-long’s “goal-scoring show”, but his reaction during a match when other students deliberately moved the inflatable goalposts. Instead of complaining or losing his temper as he might have done in the past, Kai-long continued to play with a smile on his face. “Previously, he might have called it unfair or had an emotional outburst, but today he didn’t complain; he even found it quite funny. He is no longer fixated on winning or losing.”

In the eyes of his father, Chung, Kai-long has been a child with extremely high expectations of himself and a drive for perfection since he was young. “Whether it is schoolwork or his behaviour, he hopes to be a good role model and be very well-behaved.” However, Chung also mentioned that this perfectionist streak serves as a source of pressure for Kai-long.

Interpersonal Skills Are More Important Than Footballing Ability

Chung admits that Kai-long used to be very fixated on winning and losing: “In the past, if he lost a game of football against his elder brother, he would be resentful; when he was younger, he even tried to hit him.” While it is natural to crave goals and seek victory on the pitch, Chung also believes that how one treats others and interacts with peers is a vital part of growing up, which is why he enrolled Kai-long in Play to Thrive.

“Football is a natural educational tool,” says Ms. Wong Shek Hung, Director of Hong Kong Programmes at Save the Children Hong Kong. She explains that experiencing victory, defeat, and frustration is inevitable in sports, providing the perfect opportunity for children to learn emotional management. She adds that Play to Thrive originated from a community football programme developed by Save the Children UK for children in Jordan and Indonesia.

The core of the programme lies in integrating Social-emotional Learning into football training to help children build five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Furthermore, the programme is open to all children regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background, allowing them to master self-awareness, emotional regulation, and team communication skills within a diverse and inclusive environment.

No Ordinary Football Training

As this is unlike conventional football training, every coach is required to undergo professional training covering “Child Safeguarding” and emotional support knowledge. Ms. Wong Shek Hung notes that during the “debriefing” session at the end of each practice, coaches guide the children to reflect on their experiences on the pitch, attempting to translate these moments into emotional literacy. The ultimate goal is “to let children learn how to become ‘masters of their own emotions’.”

Demonstrating Personal Growth and Cultivating Leadership Skills

Mr. Lui noticed that after joining the programme, Kai-long not only showed progress in his personal emotional management but also learned how to consider things from others’ perspectives. During PE lessons, Kai-long has become more willing to take the initiative to help his classmates and has learned to accept teammates with different abilities, even proactively coaching others. “He gets along with his classmates much more harmoniously now; the barriers that existed before have disappeared,” Mr. Lui remarked. He further revealed that Kai-long’s form teacher, having observed this growth, officially appointed him as a class monitor for the second term.

His father, Chung, observed that since joining the programme, Kai-long has demonstrated a level of resilience rarely seen before. He recalled a match where Kai-long served as both captain and goalkeeper; even when facing conceded goals and falling behind, “his first instinct wasn’t to feel discouraged, but rather to keep encouraging his teammates from the back to keep running and keep attacking.”

Ms. Wong Shek Hung reaffirmed that this is precisely the philosophy of Play to Thrive: “We emphasise ‘Football Second, Growth First’, ensuring that even if children lose a match, they learn to handle their emotions, communicate, and cooperate throughout the process.”

Building Resilience: Transforming Lives Through Football

Ms. Kalina Tsang, CEO of Save the Children Hong Kong, stated that she has always believed football is a powerful tool for building resilience in children: “We have always been concerned about children’s physical and mental well-being. Football is more than just a sport; beyond honing technical skills, it can be used to build a child’s resilience. By combining football training with Social-emotional Learning, and under the guidance of professionally trained coaches, Play to Thrive ensures that the sweat shed by children on the pitch is transformed into self-awareness and emotional management skills.” Ms. Tsang also noted that Kai-long’s growth perfectly embodies the programme’s success. She said, “We are deeply gratified to see Kai-long progress from initial emotional fluctuations to confidently cooperating with teammates and facing victory or defeat positively—improving both on a personal level and in his interactions with peers.”

As for Kai-long himself, it is difficult for an eight-year-old to describe his transformation in detail. But when asked what was different about him, he said with an innocent smile, “I used to blame my teammates for not passing the ball, but now I’ve learned not to. I tell them: ‘It’s okay, pass it again next time. We’ll win the ball back together.'”

Launched in Hong Kong in 2023, the Play to Thrive programme is a service that integrates Social-emotional Learning with football training. It aims to create a safe and supportive space for schoolchildren, promoting their physical, social, and mental health through sport. The programme currently operates across various districts in Hong Kong, including community teams in areas such as Sham Shui Po and Tin Shui Wai. The school-based project collaborates with over 30 primary schools across the territory, integrating football training into school life to help students recognise and manage their emotions, build healthy interpersonal relationships, and enhance their confidence and resilience. In response to the current situation where up to 39% of primary and secondary students in Hong Kong face mental health challenges, the programme places special emphasis on SEL to help children master effective communication and emotional management both on and off the pitch.

In 2025 alone, the community and school projects of Play to Thrive held a total of 744 training sessions, with total service hours exceeding 1,000 hours. The programme reached 1,120 children and their families across Hong Kong, establishing close partnerships with 32 schools and 4 non-profit organisations. In terms of impact assessment, participant satisfaction was high, with satisfaction rates for the community and school projects reaching 80% and 75%, respectively.

Interview Video: https://savethechildren.click/PTT-KaiLong-Video-2026
Hashtag: #SavetheChildrenHongKong #香港救助兒童會 #mentalhealth #精神健康 #football #足球 #WorldCup #世界盃

https://savethechildren.org.hk/en/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-the-children-hong-kong
https://www.facebook.com/savethechildrenhk
https://www.instagram.com/savethechildrenhk/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/savehk

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

Save the Children Hong Kong

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Hong Kong and around the world, we do whatever it takes – every day and in times of crisis – so children can fulfil their rights to a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. With over 100 years of expertise, we are the world’s first and leading independent children’s organisation – transforming lives and future.

Established in 2009, Save the Children Hong Kong is part of the global movement which operates in around 100 countries. We work with children, families, schools, communities and our supporters to deliver lasting change for children in Hong Kong and around the world.

The ranking places Alibaba Cloud among the region’s most advanced providers of agentic AI infrastructure and development platforms. The company achieved the highest scores across six of nine evaluation dimensions, with its full-stack agentic AI approach highlighted as a key differentiator. That framework spans infrastructure, foundation models, model services, enterprise development tools and deployment systems designed to help companies build AI agents capable of planning, reasoning and executing tasks across business workflows.

The recognition comes as agentic AI shifts from experimental pilots to enterprise adoption. The Asia and Oceania market for agentic AI software is projected to grow from $782 million in 2025 to $11.2 billion by 2030, implying a compound annual growth rate of about 94 per cent. The surge reflects demand from banks, retailers, logistics companies, manufacturers and public-sector organisations seeking systems that can automate multi-step work rather than merely generate text, code or images.

Alibaba Cloud’s pitch rests on a vertically integrated stack. Its Qwen foundation models underpin a growing range of cloud services, while Model Studio gives developers access to Qwen-Max, Qwen-Plus, Qwen-Turbo, Qwen-VL, Wan and other model families. The company has also been expanding Platform for AI, Lingjun infrastructure and agent-building toolkits intended to make AI deployment easier for enterprises that lack large in-house research teams.

The company’s Singapore push has become central to its international AI strategy. At its first international Qwen Conference in Singapore in May, Alibaba Cloud introduced Qwen3.7-Max through Model Studio in the Singapore region, unveiled Qwen Cloud as an AI-native platform, and launched agent products aimed at helping companies build and manage autonomous systems. The Skills portal converts capabilities across more than 60 cloud products into agent-callable functions, allowing AI agents to interact with databases, security tools, big-data services and operations systems.

Alibaba Cloud’s commercial momentum has also improved. Cloud Intelligence Group revenue rose 38 per cent year on year to RMB41.63 billion in the January-March quarter, while external cloud revenue grew 40 per cent. AI-related products accounted for about 30 per cent of external cloud revenue and delivered triple-digit growth for the eleventh consecutive quarter. Annualised AI-related product revenue surpassed RMB35.8 billion, indicating that enterprise demand has moved beyond proof-of-concept budgets.

The company is investing heavily to defend that position. Alibaba has indicated that spending on AI and cloud infrastructure will exceed its earlier three-year plan of up to RMB380 billion, as executives prioritise market share and capacity expansion over near-term margins. That strategy carries risks. The group’s earnings have been pressured by high capital expenditure, competition in commerce and infrastructure costs linked to advanced computing demand.

The broader market remains intensely contested. Regional and global cloud providers are building agentic AI platforms that combine foundation models, orchestration layers, retrieval systems, governance tools and specialised compute. Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Huawei Cloud, Tencent Cloud and Baidu AI Cloud are all competing for enterprise workloads tied to automation, coding agents, customer-service agents and industry-specific decision systems.

Alibaba Cloud’s advantage in Asia rests partly on its ability to link AI models with commerce, logistics, finance, cloud and developer ecosystems. Its Qwen family has gained traction among developers because of open-source releases and multilingual capabilities, while its enterprise services are being positioned for customers that need lower latency, data-residency options and region-specific compliance controls. The company also benefits from its leadership in Asia-Pacific infrastructure-as-a-service revenue, where it held a 22.5 per cent regional share in 2025.

The agentic AI market, however, faces unresolved issues around reliability, accountability and security. Autonomous agents can call tools, access corporate data and act across software systems, raising concerns over permission controls, audit trails, hallucinated actions and exposure of sensitive information. Enterprise buyers are increasingly looking for guardrails, monitoring, role-based access and human approval mechanisms before allowing agents to handle financial, legal or operational decisions.

By Nantoo Banerjee West Bengal’s first ever Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s resolve to rebuild the state to its “old glory” sounds good though reversing decades of economic stagnation and industrial decline remains an incredibly difficult challenge. Economically, West Bengal’s rank among Indian states has dropped from No.1 till the mid-1960s to below 10 now. […]

The article Bid To Rebuild Bengal To Its Old Glory Is Welcome, Though Difficult appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Building Performance Modelling as a Strategic Tool
Integrated modelling uses computer-based simulations to predict how a building will perform even before it is constructed. By analysing factors such as energy consumption, indoor comfort, daylight access, airflow, and operational efficiency, it helps project teams understand how design decisions may affect a building’s long-term performance.

Traditionally, this approach has been used to support compliance with building regulations and sustainability certification frameworks. However, its role is expanding as project teams increasingly seek data-driven insights during the design process.

One factor contributing to this trend is the growing focus on measurable operational outcomes. Frameworks such as NABERS Commitment Agreements and Section J Performance Solutions require project teams to demonstrate expected building performance before construction begins. As a result, modelling is becoming an increasingly valuable tool for evaluating whether design targets can realistically be achieved.

The approach is already widely adopted across Australia’s construction sector. Research indicates that approximately 90% of new residential developments and 85% of non-office commercial projects now incorporate building performance modelling. At the same time, around 53% of standard projects and 49% of premium projects are using modelling primarily for compliance-based assessments.

“Modelling is increasingly viewed not just as a compliance requirement, but as a practical tool for evaluating whether design targets can realistically be achieved,” shared Erika Yuniarti, Managing Director of Afogreen Build.

Integrated Modelling Provides a Broader View of Building Performance
Many project teams are also moving beyond assessments that focus on a single performance metric.

Integrated modelling evaluates multiple aspects of building performance together, including:

• Energy use
• Thermal comfort
• Daylight access
• Ventilation
• Occupant experience

This approach allows stakeholders to better understand how different building systems and design decisions interact with one another.

By identifying potential issues earlier in the design process, project teams can make more informed decisions before significant design resources are committed. This can help reduce design revisions, improve overall efficiency, and provide greater confidence that performance objectives can be achieved once the building is operational.

Applications Across Multiple Sectors
The growing adoption of building performance modelling can be seen across a variety of project types. Recent projects undertaken by Afogreen Build highlight how simulation-based assessments are helping project teams evaluate performance, improve design outcomes, and support sustainability objectives.

a. Large-Scale Hotel Development
One project involved the transformation of a former police station site into a two-tower hotel complex with a gross floor area of approximately 25,000 sqm. The development combines a 131-room boutique luxury lifestyle hotel with a 451-room budget-friendly hotel, creating a diverse hospitality offering designed to serve different traveller segments.

To support both guest comfort and sustainability objectives, Afogreen Build conducted integrated daylight, glare, and energy modelling throughout the project. Daylight simulations showed that approximately 94% of guest rooms met daylight performance requirements, while glare assessments helped optimise visual comfort within occupied spaces.

Energy modelling indicated an overall reduction in energy consumption of 30.2% compared to baseline building performance. The analysis also identified key areas of energy use, providing valuable insights that can support future operational and system optimisation efforts.

b. Train Station Project
For a train station project, Afogreen Build adopted an integrated modelling approach to evaluate factors such as daylight access, thermal comfort, glare, and natural ventilation across key passenger areas, including the concourse and platforms.

The simulations helped project stakeholders better understand how environmental conditions would affect the passenger experience throughout the day. Findings from the study informed façade design strategies, balancing natural daylight with measures to reduce excessive glare and solar heat gain in occupied spaces.

The assessments also identified opportunities to improve thermal comfort and air movement within the station, supporting a more comfortable environment for commuters while maintaining energy-efficient design principles.

c. High-Performance Data Centre
Afogreen Build also applied building performance modelling to a 50 MW data centre project, where energy efficiency was a key design consideration.

The study evaluated the interaction between IT equipment, cooling systems, power distribution infrastructure, and other supporting building systems. By analysing how these components work together under operational conditions, the project team was able to gain a clearer understanding of the facility’s overall energy performance and identify opportunities for optimisation.

The modelling contributed to an optimised Category 2 Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) range of 1.19 to 1.31, reflecting a highly efficient approach to managing energy consumption within a large-scale, energy-intensive facility.

Together, these projects demonstrate how building performance modelling can be applied across diverse sectors, each with its own operational requirements and performance priorities.

The Future of Performance-Driven Design
As sustainability frameworks and performance expectations continue to evolve, Afogreen Build expects modelling to become an increasingly important part of project planning and design across a wide range of sectors.

“There is increasing emphasis on understanding how buildings are likely to perform before they are built, rather than waiting until they are operational to identify challenges,” said Ms. Erika. “The ability to evaluate performance early in the design process is becoming increasingly valuable as projects face more complex sustainability and operational requirements. The team should work closely with project stakeholders to establish realistic assumptions and evaluate likely performance outcomes from the outset. This process helps reduce unnecessary design iterations, improve modelling efficiency, and increase the likelihood of achieving targeted performance objectives. By integrating performance considerations earlier in the design process, project teams are better positioned to deliver buildings that meet both compliance requirements and long-term operational goals.”

For more information about building performance modelling and sustainability consulting services, visit Afogreen Build’s website.
Hashtag: #AfogreenBuild

https://www.afogreenbuild.com/au/

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

Afogreen Build

Afogreen Build is a building sustainability consultant in Australia specialising in sustainability advisory, environmental simulations, and performance modelling. Its services include building energy simulation, daylight analysis, thermal comfort assessments, CFD modelling, and green building certification consulting for projects across the Asia-Pacific region. The company supports project teams in designing buildings that prioritise energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and long-term.

With more than two decades of experience in the pulp and paper industry and a decade of service on ABAF’s Fiscal Council, Branco brings extensive expertise in governance, finance and institutional engagement to the role. Under his leadership, ABAF will continue promoting dialogue among industry, government, communities and civil society to support the sustainable growth of Bahia’s forestry sector.

“The forestry sector plays a critical role in generating employment, supporting regional development, fostering innovation and contributing to environmental conservation,” said Fernando. “Through constructive dialogue, transparency, legal certainty and shared governance, we can strengthen the sector’s positive contribution to Bahia’s economy and sustainable development,” he added.

As one of the world’s leading producers of dissolving pulp and specialty cellulose, Bracell believes that sustainable forestry is fundamental to addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity conservation and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The company has consistently invested in sustainable forest management practices, research and development, biodiversity protection, carbon monitoring initiatives and partnerships that promote responsible land use and environmental stewardship.

Bracell’s forestry operations are guided by a long-term sustainability strategy that combines productive eucalyptus plantations with the conservation of native vegetation, protection of water resources and preservation of biodiversity. Through its 1-for-1 commitment, the company has expanded its conservation efforts and strengthened its contribution to climate and nature-positive outcomes.

The company also recognises that the sustainable development of the forestry sector extends beyond environmental stewardship. Bracell, a member of the RGE group of companies founded by Sukanto Tanoto, works closely with local communities through initiatives focused on education, income generation, environmental awareness and social development, helping create lasting value in the regions where it operates. In Bahia alone, tens of thousands of people have benefitted from the company’s social programmes.

Branco’s appointment comes at a time when the forestry sector is increasingly called upon to contribute solutions for sustainable economic growth and climate resilience. Fernando’s leadership at ABAF represents an important opportunity to further strengthen collaboration across the sector and advance shared sustainability goals for Bahia and Brazil, the company said.

Through ABAF, Bracell will continue supporting initiatives that strengthen the competitiveness, transparency and sustainability of Bahia’s forestry value chain while contributing to a sector that generates renewable products, supports local economies and helps build a more sustainable future.

Hashtag: #RGE #Bracell #Sustainability #SustainableDevelopment #Conservation #Forestry #Brazil #Bahia #ABAF

https://www.bracell.com

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

About Bracell

Bracell is a global leader in the production of dissolving pulp and specialty cellulose with two main mill operations in Brazil in Bahia and São Paulo. In addition to its operations in Brazil, Bracell has a management office in Singapore and sales offices in Asia, Europe and the U.S.

Please visit Bracell’s website for more information.

Spacebiz in Hong Kong – a golden opportunity for Professional Services and STEM

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 June 2026 – Space Economy Association (Hong Kong) Ltd, or “SEA”, officially formed in the midst of the space economy boom. It is an independent membership-based non-government organisation dedicated to connecting and facilitating space-related industries, businesses, investors, educators, experts, and governments worldwide in their pursuit for businesses and technology in commercial space. SEA helps establish Hong Kong as a super-connector hub in the international space ecosystem by capitalising on our professional services, led by finance.

The new renaissance is in the space economy. The US$630 billion global space economy is set to triple to US$1.8 trillion^[1] by 2035. With launch costs dropping 10-fold in the last 20 years, private and public sectors will soar with all humanity set to benefit. Space economy is ubiquitous and creating value beyond rocketry and satellites, everyone will flourish as the space economy grows 9% per annum. China is the world’s second largest player in space, highlighting it as one of the four emerging strategic industries in its 15th National Five-Year Plan. Its commercial space sector has already launched 81 rockets and 336 satellites into orbit, with over 100 space start-ups and companies raising around US$6.5 billion. Hong Kong, as a key international financial centre practicing Common Law with international arbitration system and robust insurance, data and intellectual property protection capabilities, uniquely stands to serve China and other countries to pursue capital, business, technology and talent in commercial space.

“From Hong Kong’s perspective, the NewSpace economy is not simply about rockets or satellites; it is about the commercial possibilities they create for our professional services community. As the nation advances its aerospace ambitions, Hong Kong’s strengths in finance, insurance, law and related fields equip the city to support activities ranging from project financing and initial public offerings to risk management and crossborder transactions. Our bankers, insurers, accountants and lawyers are ideally positioned to help turn space initiatives into viable enterprises — and to participate directly in the value they generate.” said the Honourable Bernard Charnwut Chan, GBM, GBS, JP. Patron of SEA.

“Hong Kong’s top-class professional services would facilitate the processes from research and innovation to startup, scale-up and successful space business. Besides a hub for IPOs, Hong Kong offers funding from seed and angel, to private equity, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, in debt, equity, and lease financing. This space economy would contribute plentiful job and business opportunities to become a key pillar of Hong Kong in terms of economy and quality opportunities for our young generation,” said Professor Richard Leung, Chairman of SEA. “SEA’s global network of partners grows beyond Asia, North America and Europe to include the UNOOSA ecosystem. SEA is a platform that empowers astropreneurs to launch towards humanity’s collective space dream.”

SEA is governed by a Board of 19 members and supported by nine committees. SEA is also strongly supported by a Patron and five Fellows who share the vision to position Hong Kong as a leading hub in the international space economy. The Honourable Bernard Charnwut Chan, GBM, GBS, JP is SEA’s Patron with Fellows Dr. Anthony Neoh, KC, SC, JP, Chairman, Asian Academy of International Law, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, BBS, JP, President, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Mr. Jimmy Tsang, General Manager, Goldlion, Mr. Roger Tong, Chief Executive Officer, AsiaSat, and Prof. Gregg Li, Adjunct Professor at the Laboratory for Space Research, The University of Hong Kong.

As this new economy requires education first, SEA began as the Orion Astropreneur Space Academy or OASA, with an aim to herald and teach this new economy. OASA was formed in 2020 to accelerate the awakening of young executives and professionals through action-learning and Artificial Intelligence, preparing them for the NewSpace economy. OASA has made important strides in advancing NewSpace awareness, talent development, and ecosystem building. It has engaged more than 200,000 visits, worked with over 50 partner organisations, and organised more than 60 courses and activities. As OASA evolves into SEA, the OASA remains the brand for school development programmes and youth-focused education.

SEA membership is a community of 100 co-founders, 150+ active members, 250+ student members, and 40+ industry partners shaping the future of NewSpace in the Greater Bay Area. Members connect with leading innovators, world-class institutions, global mentors, and industry leaders at the forefront of the commercial space. SEA provides a trusted platform for dialogue, collaboration, and engagement through events and direct connections. Members can access closed-door industry dialogues, international delegations, early opportunities for partnerships, and connect with an internationally respected network.

SEA’s membership framework has full, associate, and fellow membership options to serve this diverse community. All members benefit from preferential event rates, networking opportunities, curated market intelligence, professional development, and selected business support services. Full Members enjoy governance rights at general meetings, while higher-tier and charter members receive additional recognition and priority access.

Hashtag: #SpaceEconomyAssociation #SEA

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

About Space Economy Association (Hong Kong) Ltd

Space Economy Association (Hong Kong) Ltd (SEA) is an independent, membership-based NGO dedicated to connecting and facilitating space-related industries, businesses, investors, educators, experts, and governments worldwide in their pursuit of commercial space business and technology. SEA aims to help establish Hong Kong as a super-connector hub within the international space ecosystem by capitalising on its strengths in professional services, led by finance. SEA’s membership comprises a community of 100 co-founders, over 150 active members, more than 250 student members, and 40+ industry partners, all contributing to shaping the future of NewSpace in the Greater Bay Area. Members benefit from access to closed-door industry dialogues, international delegations, early partnership opportunities, and connections with a respected global network, including the UNOOSA ecosystem. SEA’s growing global network of partners spans Asia, North America, and Europe.

Deepening “Corporate Leadership, On-Site Implementation” to Reflect Excellent Governance Standards

Entering its sixth edition, the Awards continue to uphold their mission of creating a credible exchange platform for industry elites. In recent years, with society’s high emphasis on occupational safety and health, along with the widespread application of smart construction technologies, site safety has gone far beyond the traditional, rigid mindset of “checking in and re-inspecting”. The Institute thoroughly understands that excellent site safety performance does not rely solely on the routine compliance execution of frontline sites; it must stem from the forward-looking vision and comprehensive policy drive of corporate management.

To this end, this year’s Awards have comprehensively enhanced the judging criteria. Building upon the existing award categories, the judging perspective has been extended from frontline construction management to the macro corporate level, significantly increasing the weight of the “Safety” element in scoring to elevate industry standards. This edition will more comprehensively and deeply review the effectiveness of corporations in formulating and implementing safety management policies. In addition to frontline execution capabilities, the judging panel will place greater emphasis on how corporations promote an excellent construction safety culture from a policy level, including integrating tech solutions like Smart Site Safety Systems (SSSS) into long-term development strategies to safeguard site safety. Furthermore, special emphasis is placed this year on how corporations establish long-term accident prevention and continuous improvement mechanisms through institutional frameworks, embedding safety concepts into the core of corporate governance to lead a comprehensive transformation of the safety culture in Hong Kong’s construction industry.

Inaugural “Excellent Construction Safety Culture Award” with a Dedicated Judging Panel Establishes Industry Authority

Cr Alfred TANG, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers, stated: “Site safety has always been the core focus most valued by the Government and the Institute. The Institute firmly believes that ‘Corporate Leadership, Safety Implementation, Everyone’s Responsibility’ is the key to driving industry transformation. To encourage more developers, main contractors, and stakeholders to actively play a top-down driving role, this year’s Awards have introduced the ‘Excellent Construction Safety Culture Award’, supported by an independent ‘Dedicated Safety Judging Panel’ composed of top senior safety experts and consultants in the industry to review the long-term effectiveness of corporate safety policies from the most rigorous and professional perspective. We firmly believe that this brand-new award and dedicated judging mechanism will effectively drive continuous progress in Hong Kong’s construction industry, laying a solid foundation for building a sustainable, safe, and highly efficient future.”

The “Construction Management Awards 2026” is opening for nominations from today until 31 August 2026. For details about the Awards, nomination forms, and judging criteria, please visit the Awards website (www.hkicm-cma.com).

Award Categories Overview

Jury Panel

Chairman of the Judging Panel (Building Project):
Mr HO Chun Hung, JP, Director of Buildings, Buildings Department, HKSARG

Members of the Judging Panel (In apathetical order of surnames):

• Ir CHAN Siu Chung, Cedric, Chairman of Building Division, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
• Prof CHAN, Isabelle Y. S., Associate Dean of the Faculty of Architecture; Associate Professor at the Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong
• Mr LEE Hok-yin, Arthur, JP, Deputy Director/Regulatory Services, Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, HKSARG
• Cr TANG Yu-chi, Alfred, President, The Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers
• Sr WAN Wai Ming, Tony, President, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
• Ir Prof Michael C. H. YAM, Head of Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Mr Emil YU Chen-on, President, The Hong Kong Federation of Electrical & Mechanical Contractors Limited

Chairman of the Judging Panel (Civil Project):
Mr HO Ying Kit, Tony, JP, Deputy Secretary for Development (Works) 3, Development Bureau, HKSARG

Members of the Judging Panel (In apathetical order of surnames):

• Ir Benjamin CHAN, JP, Project Manager (West), Civil Engineering and Development Department, HKSARG
• Cr CHAN Chi-man, Vice President, The Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers
• Ir CHAN Ho-yee, Vice chairperson of Civil Division, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
• Prof Jack Chin Pang CHENG, Associate Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Mr HO Kwing-kwong, Alex, Director – Industry Development, Construction Industry Council
• Mr NG Wai-hong, Patrick, Project Manager/Major Works, Highways Department, HKSARG
• Prof Songye ZHU, Interim Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Members of the Excellent Construction Safety Culture Award Judging Panel (In alphabetical order of surnames):

• Prof Dr Daron Wai Kwong LEUNG, Safety Adviser, The Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers
• Dr Winson YEUNG, Principal Consultant, Occupational Safety & Health Council

Hashtag: #HKICM

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

About HKICM

Established in 1997 with the sovereignty handover, Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers (“Institute” or “HKICM”) is the only local professional institution representing the construction management profession in Hong Kong. The Institute has developed rapidly, with its members reached 3,439, of which 1,285 were Corporate Members (including Fellows and Members).

Our objectives are to secure the advancement and facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and expertise which constitutes and promotes the practice of and professionalism in construction management. The works of the Institute include setting standards for professional services and performance, establishing rules of conduct, promoting Registered Construction Managers and Construction Supervisors and promulgating the recognition of professional site supervisors. We believe that all construction sites need to be managed by registered professional construction managers to ensure compliance of operation with government laws, safety and environmental protection requirements. In order to improve the professional standard of technical personnel in an orderly manner, the government needs to register and recognize the professional qualifications of site supervisors.

The event, staged on 27 June under the theme “Empowering Enterprises to Go Global, Pioneering the Blue Ocean of Silver Economy”, brought together senior government officials, banking executives, fund specialists and business figures at a time when Hong Kong is sharpening its role as an international asset and wealth management centre. The programme focused on three closely linked priorities: helping companies expand overseas, strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global offshore renminbi hub, and turning demographic change into investable opportunities across healthcare, insurance, lifestyle and retirement planning.

Michael Wong, Acting Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, and Stephen Chan, Deputy Chief Executive of BOCHK, officiated at the event. Other participants included Ko Wing-man, Standing Committee member of the National Committee of the CPPCC; Siu Sai-wo, General Manager for Business Operations at TVB; Pauline Ngan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Mainland Headwear Holdings; Sam Yu, Chairman of the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association; Jack Yang, RMB Business Executive Director of BOCHK; Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation; Angus Chan of Chinachem Group; and Wilson Tang, Chief Executive of BOC Group Life Assurance.

The expo’s opening forum examined how wider use of the renminbi could support enterprises expanding beyond their home markets. Speakers discussed changing global investment conditions, cross-border settlement, capital-market access and Hong Kong’s role as a bridge between the mainland and international investors. The focus reflected a policy push to deepen offshore renminbi activity while helping companies manage foreign exchange, financing and liquidity risks during overseas expansion.

Stephen Chan said Hong Kong was positioned to benefit from the 15th Five-Year Plan’s support for the city as an international asset and wealth management centre. BOCHK would align with government policy by deepening regional business development and promoting wider use of the renminbi, while contributing to Hong Kong’s standing as an international financial centre.

The event also gave prominence to the silver economy, a fast-expanding theme in Asian wealth and business strategy as ageing populations reshape demand for health services, insurance, property, retirement products and lifestyle consumption. The summit forum explored how traditional industries could adjust supply chains and develop services for older consumers, with particular attention to healthcare, elderly care, insurance and technology-enabled services.

Hong Kong’s wealth industry has entered the year with strong structural tailwinds. The city’s asset and wealth management business stood at more than HK$35 trillion at the end of 2024, with more than half of assets sourced from outside the mainland and Hong Kong. The number of single-family offices exceeded 3,380 by the end of 2025, up by about 680 from the end of 2023. Hong Kong has also overtaken Switzerland as the world’s largest cross-boundary wealth management centre, with cross-border wealth booked in the city reaching about $2.9 trillion in 2025.

That momentum is being matched by more intense competition and tighter compliance expectations. Banks and wealth managers are expanding advisory services, digital platforms and family-office offerings, but cross-border flows are facing closer scrutiny as authorities seek to ensure funds move through proper channels. The challenge for the city is to preserve its appeal to private clients while remaining aligned with broader policy priorities, including corporate treasury management, offshore renminbi use and regulated investment connectivity.

The expo’s workshops covered global fund and equity-market conditions, retirement wealth planning, emerging-market investment and multi-asset income strategies. One session examined renminbi assets and China’s equity and bond markets in the context of deeper economic links with ASEAN, the Global South and Belt and Road partner countries. Another looked at income opportunities across Asia-Pacific and emerging markets as investors reassess portfolios amid volatile global equity and bond markets.

Empowering Enterprises to Go Global, Pioneering the Blue Ocean of Silver Economy

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 June 2026 – The “Wealth Management Expo 2026”, powered by Bank of China (Hong Kong) (“BOCHK”) and organised by TVB under the theme of “Empowering Enterprises to Go Global, Pioneering the Blue Ocean of Silver Economy”, was successfully held today. The Expo featured top-tier financial experts and prominent figures for market pulse insights and visionary perspectives on the international landscape, the international use of RMB, enterprises going global, silver economy and wealth management.

The Expo was officiated by Mr. Michael WONG, GBS, JP, Acting Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government; Mr. Christopher HUI, GBS, JP, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government; and Mr. Stephen CHAN, Deputy Chief Executive of BOCHK. Mr. Christopher HUI also shared at the opening forum on how Hong Kong as a global offshore RMB hub supports enterprises in going global. Other attending guests included Dr. KO Wing Man, GBS, JP, Standing Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC; Mr. SIU Sai Wo, General Manager (Business Operations) of TVB; and representatives from BOCHK.

Mr. Stephen CHAN, Deputy Chief Executive of BOCHK, said in his opening remarks, “This year marks the inaugural year of the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which clearly supports Hong Kong in strengthening its role as an international asset and wealth management centre. Against this backdrop, Hong Kong, as a vital bridge between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world, is set to tap into an unprecedented opportunity for growth. Bank of China (Hong Kong) will actively align with national policies and the HKSAR Government’s direction by deepening its regional business development and promoting the international use of RMB, while continuing to fulfil its corporate social responsibilities, contributing to the consolidation of Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.”

Opening Forum: Experts Shared Insights on RMB Empowering Enterprises to Go Global

The opening forum of the Expo “New Opportunities in Global Wealth Investment: RMB Empowering Enterprises to Go Global” featured Mr. Christopher HUI, GBS, JP, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, HKSAR Government; Mrs. Pauline NGAN, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Mainland Headwear Holdings Limited, Member of the National Committee of the CPPCC; Mr. Sam YU, Chairman of Hong Kong Investment Funds Association; and Mr. Jack YANG, RMB Business Executive Director of BOCHK. They engaged in an in-depth discussion on the international market trends, enterprises going global and the international use of RMB, elaborating new investment opportunities.

Summit Forum: Decoding Silver Economy Opportunities and Industry Integration

The growing silver-haired population is driving demand across a range of areas, including health, lifestyle and wealth management. Held under the theme “Redefining Value in the Silver Age: Uncovering Blue Ocean Market Opportunities”, the summit forum featured Dr. KO Wing Man, GBS, JP, Standing Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC; Mr. Angus CHAN, Director of Elderly Care Services of Chinachem Group; Mr. Terry WONG, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation; and Mr. Wilson TANG, Chief Executive of BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited. Drawing on a macro perspective on industry structure, the speakers analysed the business opportunities within the silver economy and explored how to drive supply chain transformation and integration across traditional industries such as healthcare and insurance, while offering a forward-looking view of the immense potential of this emerging market.

Thematic Workshops and Immersive Digital Experience Zone, Showcasing Comprehensive Wealth Growth Strategies

The Expo also held several thematic workshops, in which experts analysed prevailing topics, including global fund and equity market conditions, retirement wealth planning, and emerging markets, equipping clients with insights into wealth growth strategies. Two fund workshops focused respectively on emerging markets and global income opportunities. The first workshop, “Focusing on Emerging Value in Asia: Embarking on a New Chapter for RMB Assets and China’s Equity and Bond Markets”, examined how the Chinese Mainland’s deepening cooperation with ASEAN, the Global South, and Belt and Road Initiative partner countries is generating new investment opportunities in emerging markets. The workshop also offered an investment outlook of the implications of the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the shifting global landscape for RMB assets and the Chinese Mainland’s equity and bond markets. The second fund workshop, “Harnessing Multi-Asset Strategies to Capture Asia-Pacific Income Opportunities,” explored how investors should diversify asset portfolio amid heightened volatility in global equity and bond markets, while capturing income opportunities from Asia-Pacific and emerging markets.

The retirement planning workshop, “Forward-Looking Wealth Planning: Charting Your Own Path to a Premium Retirement”, addressed the retirement pain points commonly faced by Hong Kong residents, offering financial advice for the silver generation to build a solid safety net for themselves and their families. The equities workshop, “Navigating 2026: Decoding Stock Market Strategies”, dissected global equity market performance and explored how different financial products can be used to balance aggressive and defensive positioning to capture markets with growth potential. The wealth management workshop, “AI-led Future: Blue Ocean Opportunities in Southeast Asia and New Horizons for Enterprises Going Global”, examined the AI investment boom and analysed the unique edge of Hong Kong as a “super value-adder” for enterprises going global.

A 3D immersive digital experience zone highlighted BOCHK’s capabilities across its expansive network reach, anti-fraud education, professional services, digital innovation leadership and award-winning credentials.

BOCHK Private Wealth also officially unveiled its new Wealth+ service proposition at the event, expanding its scope beyond wealth management to encompass multi-dimension of clients’ lives, including lifestyle experiences, family financial planning and holistic well-being, with a commitment to addressing client’s unique and individual needs.

The “Wealth Management Expo 2026” concluded successfully with fruitful outcomes. Through a full day of engaging forums, workshops, digital experience zone and sponsored booths, industry professionals, investors and the public can gain insights into global opportunities, keep abreast of the latest development in the international use of RMB and the strategic advantages of enterprises going global, while capitalising on the diverse opportunities presented by the silver economy, and mastering financial management and wealth growth.

Hashtag: #WealthManagementExpo2026

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The defining feature of the new network is Vietnam’s first and only multi-connected robotic surgery ecosystem. Rather than deploying standalone robotic systems, Vinmec has established an integrated operating platform that brings together multiple world-leading robotic technologies across its hospital network. Vinmec Times City International Hospital serves as the clinical coordination hub, linking robotic surgery centers at Vinmec Smart City, Vinmec Da Nang, Vinmec Central Park, Vinmec Can Tho and other Vinmec hospitals throughout the country.

For general surgery, Vinmec operates three of the world’s leading robotic surgery platforms: Da Vinci Xi at Vinmec Times City, Hugo RAS at Vinmec Da Nang and Vinmec Central Park, and Toumai MT-1000 at Vinmec Smart City and Vinmec Can Tho. Together, these technologies enable surgeons to access deep anatomical structures, perform highly precise procedures within confined surgical spaces, and select the most appropriate platform based on each patient’s condition. Notably, the Toumai MT-1000 also introduces the capability for 5G-enabled remote robotic surgery, laying the foundation for future models of connected healthcare delivery.

In orthopedic surgery, Vinmec has deployed a comprehensive portfolio of next-generation joint replacement robots, including ROSA at Vinmec Smart City, MISSO at Vinmec Times City and Vinmec Can Tho, and CORI across Vinmec Ocean Park 2, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Central Park, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang. These technologies enable personalized surgical planning based on each patient’s anatomy while supporting millimeter-level precision in implant positioning and joint balancing, helping optimize clinical outcomes and accelerate postoperative recovery.

For neurosurgery and spine surgery, Vinmec has integrated the StealthStation S8, Mazor X Stealth Edition robotic guidance system and the O-arm with StealthStation O2 imaging platform at Vinmec Smart City and Vinmec Da Nang. This advanced technology suite provides real-time navigation, intraoperative imaging and continuous surgical verification, enabling surgeons to accurately access complex anatomical structures while improving procedural safety and reducing the risk of complications.

Complementing its advanced technology ecosystem, Vinmec is also the first healthcare provider in Vietnam to develop a “3-in-1” robotic surgery model built on Personalization, Automation and Standardization. Every patient receives an individualized treatment plan through preoperative 3D reconstruction and surgical simulation, benefits from AI-enabled robotic assistance during surgery, and is treated according to internationally recognized standards in clinical practice, education and research.

Technology delivers value only when placed in the hands of highly skilled professionals. To operate this large-scale robotic surgery ecosystem, Vinmec has developed a multidisciplinary team of specialists who have undergone rigorous training, competency assessments and international robotic surgery certification programs. Their expertise forms the foundation for delivering safe, high-quality and consistently effective surgical care.

Alongside the launch of the robotic surgery network, Vinmec also announced the establishment of the Robotic Surgery Patient Support Fund, backed by nearly VND 300 billion in funding from Vingroup. The fund is expected to reduce financial barriers and expand patient access to advanced robotic surgery, particularly for those facing financial hardship.

At the event, Prof. Tran Van Thuan, MD, PhD, Deputy Minister of Health, remarked: “I highly appreciate Vinmec’s vision of not only investing in advanced medical equipment but also building a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing clinical care, medical education, scientific research, technology transfer, and international collaboration.” The Deputy Minister also acknowledged the humanitarian value of the Robotic Surgery Patient Support Fund, which helps expand access to advanced surgical technologies for eligible patients.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Prof. Tran Trung Dung, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Vinmec Healthcare System, said:

“Our High-Tech Robotic Surgery Network is built on a model of multidimensional connectivity connecting experts, hospitals and the world’s leading technology partners within a single integrated ecosystem. Our goal is to provide patients in Vietnam with access to the most advanced surgical innovations while progressively positioning Vietnam as a regional destination for high-tech healthcare and precision surgery.”

According to Assoc. Prof. Pham Van Binh, MD, PhD, Director of the Vinmec High-Tech Robotic Surgery Network, the true strength of the centers lies not only in their advanced robotic systems but also in their ability to transform technology into sustainable clinical excellence.

“Our vision extends beyond building a treatment center. We are establishing an academic institution for robotic surgery that integrates clinical practice, academic training, scientific research and technology transfer, bringing together leading robotic surgeons from Vietnam and around the world.”

The launch of Vinmec’s High-Tech Robotic Surgery Network represents not only a significant milestone in the healthcare system’s development but also an important step forward in accelerating Vietnam’s transition toward an era of precision, personalized and technology-driven surgery. By bringing world-class surgical innovation closer to patients, Vinmec is laying the foundation for Vietnam to emerge as a new regional hub for robotic surgery and advanced medical treatment in Southeast Asia.

Hashtag: #Vinmec

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The consensus emerged during the 12th CEIBS Europe Forum, a flagship dialogue held across Paris (22 June) and Brussels (24 June) bringing together policymakers, industry executives, and academics.

Addressing the forums, former President of the European Council Charles Michel stressed that AI is no longer merely a technological issue, but a matter of “sovereignty, leadership, and power.” He identified semiconductors, data infrastructure, and regulatory policy as the core variables shaping future international relations. While acknowledging intensifying global competition, Michel called for “responsible collaboration,” noting that Europe’s mature approach to corporate governance and data security could confer distinct long-term resilience.

The events highlighted a clear strategic divergence in global AI: the US leads in frontier investment, China excels in large-scale application and open-source models, while Europe dominates in regulatory frameworks. “The more intense the competition becomes, the more important dialogue and cooperation are,” noted CEIBS President Wang Hong, highlighting the need to balance global AI governance.

Other speakers included Chinese Ambassador to the EU Cai Run and Chinese Minister to France Chen Li.

Industry panels featuring executives from Siemens, EDF, and leading robotics firms reinforced this pragmatic approach. Across sectors like energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, experts agreed that AI acts as an enabler rather than a replacement for human expertise. However, they cautioned that AI’s massive energy demands present a critical challenge—and a prime opportunity for joint Sino-European innovation in grid technology and renewables.

Concluding the Brussels summit, CEIBS Co-President (European) Frank Bournois encapsulated the sentiment of both cities: “Competition is natural, but insufficient. The real formula we need is unity and trust.”

For more information, please visit the official website:
https://www.ceibs.edu/

Hashtag: #CEIBS

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