News related to
watch

Dubai’s Jumeirah coastline is set for a major hospitality expansion as The Island by Wasl moves towards a planned third-quarter 2028 opening, bringing MGM Grand, Bellagio and Aria-branded hotels to a waterfront development near Burj Al Arab. The project, led by Wasl Hospitality in partnership with MGM Resorts International, is one of Dubai’s most closely watched leisure developments because it combines Las Vegas-linked hotel brands with a […]

Adani Enterprises has expanded its qualified institutional placement to ₹150 billion after demand from large investors exceeded the original ₹100 billion target, giving Gautam Adani’s flagship company a sizeable pool of equity capital for its next phase of infrastructure and industrial expansion.

The share sale, opened to institutional investors this week, drew bids of about ₹380 billion, or roughly 3.8 times the base offer. The indicative price was set at ₹2,883 a share, below the regulatory floor price of ₹3,034.68 and at a discount to the stock’s previous close, reflecting the typical pricing structure used to secure large-block institutional participation.

The enlarged issue marks one of Adani Enterprises’ biggest equity-raising exercises since the group was hit by a market rout in 2023 following allegations by US short-seller Hindenburg Research. The conglomerate denied wrongdoing, and group companies have since rebuilt access to capital through a mix of equity, debt, asset recycling and strategic partnerships.

The strong response to the placement signals that institutional investors are again willing to back the group’s growth strategy, even as they continue to price in governance, leverage and execution risks. The investor book included global funds and domestic asset managers, with demand high enough for the company to lift the deal size by 50 per cent.

Adani Enterprises is the incubator of the group’s newer businesses. Its portfolio spans airports, roads, data centres, green hydrogen, mining services, defence, solar manufacturing and other infrastructure-linked ventures. The company has been central to the group’s plan to build large operating platforms before eventually listing or separating mature units.

The latest fundraising comes as the group accelerates capital spending across transport, energy transition and materials. Its airports business operates eight airports and is preparing for the opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport, a project expected to strengthen the group’s presence in aviation infrastructure. Data centres and green hydrogen remain capital-intensive bets that require long gestation funding and steady access to institutional capital.

The timing also follows Adani Enterprises’ rights issue of about ₹250 billion completed in late 2025, which was oversubscribed. That offer was used to support capital expenditure, debt repayment and shareholder loan obligations. The new placement gives the company additional flexibility at a time when infrastructure companies are competing for long-duration capital amid rising demand for logistics, power, digital infrastructure and manufacturing capacity.

The share sale is also significant because it reduces reliance on borrowings for the next leg of expansion. Equity funding can ease pressure on balance sheets and improve investor perception of leverage, particularly for companies pursuing several projects at once. At the same time, the discounted pricing means some dilution for existing shareholders, a common trade-off in large institutional placements.

Market reaction was measured. Adani Enterprises shares initially faced pressure after pricing details emerged but later stabilised, suggesting investors had largely anticipated a discount. The stock has recovered substantially from its 2023 lows, though it remains closely watched because of the group’s debt profile, promoter holdings and regulatory scrutiny around past allegations.

The company’s investment cycle has broadened further with plans linked to a major aluminium project in Odisha in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company. The proposed project, valued at about $11.5 billion, is expected to include bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting and downstream capacity. The partnership underscores the group’s continuing effort to deepen industrial manufacturing alongside infrastructure.

IHC has been a notable backer of the group through periods of market volatility. Its involvement provides strategic weight to Adani’s expansion into metals, a sector that requires heavy upfront investment, access to raw materials, power security and strong execution discipline. Aluminium demand is being driven by transport, packaging, power transmission, construction and renewable energy infrastructure.

Adani Enterprises’ fundraising also fits a broader trend across the equity market, where companies have used qualified institutional placements to raise growth capital while valuations remain supportive. QIPs allow listed companies to place shares with large investors without the longer timelines associated with some other public offerings. For issuers, the format is faster; for institutions, it provides access to sizeable allocations in liquid companies.

BlueFive Capital has co-led a near $3 billion funding round for Kling AI, marking one of the largest capital injections into a generative video company and giving the Abu Dhabi-based investment platform a prominent position in China’s fast-growing artificial intelligence race. The financing values Kling AI at about $18 billion after investment and brings together a heavyweight group of backers including CPE, Guofang Investment, Tencent and CITIC […]

Gulf banking systems remain well placed to absorb near-term shocks from the US-Iran conflict, but their credit strength is now tied closely to whether the ceasefire holds and whether the Strait of Hormuz returns fully to dependable commercial use. Fitch Ratings says the durability of the truce between Washington and Tehran will be central to the outlook for banks across the Gulf Cooperation Council, where lenders entered […]

SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 July 2026 – The automotive aftermarket faces a technician shortage: only one candidate exists for every four open roles. Today, THINKCAR unveiled Tyler, the industry’s first AI Diagnostic Agent, at its 2026 Global Distributors Conference in Shenzhen, with hundreds of distributors from 30+ countries gathered under the theme “Igniting the Era of AI Diagnostic Agents — AI That Knows. AI That Acts.”

Tyler is an AI Diagnostic Agent that perceives, reasons, acts, and learns with every session. It runs a full diagnostic workflow — from fault capture to repair plan — and predicts future failures before warning lights turn on. The technician keeps working. Tyler handles the rest. Related Tyler videos:

Video 1:Tyler: The AI Diagnostic Agent That Listens, Thinks, and Fixes

Video 2:I Am Tyler — An AI Diagnostic Agent Tells Its Own Story

Built on THINKCAR’s proprietary ThinkLLM, Tyler delivers answers in seconds, backed by 2.4M users, 400K+ daily sessions, and 140+ AI patents.

“Empowering every vehicle, that is the promise of a whole life. The independent repair shop deserves the best tools in the world,” said Ben Tan, Chairman of THINKCAR.

“Tyler does not replace your technicians. It replaces the tools that waste their time,” said Peter, VP of THINKCAR’s Diagnosis Business Center.

Tyler Ships Today. More Products Announced.

The THINKTOOL 394 AI ships with Tyler onboard. Dedicated AI Agent series will follow.

Alongside Tyler, THINKCAR announced:

T394 IMMO — Immobilizer diagnostics

T391 & T391 EV — Next-gen platform with EV capabilities

TPMS Tools — Tire pressure monitoring

Garage Equipment — Expanded maintenance line

Partnership with Solera AutoData
THINKCAR integrated 375,000+ Solera AutoData repair procedures covering 99% of models into Tyler’s workflow.

Conference by the Numbers
Hundreds of distributors from 30+ countries
30 awards across 4 categories: Diamond, Excellent, Outstanding, THINKCAR Star

  1. day program (June 24-27)

Availability
Tyler is available today on THINKTOOL 394 AI. 10-inch series (399, 394 IMMO, T391, T391 EV) expands late 2026. You wrench. Tyler handles the rest. Diagnostics. Assessment. Parts. Prediction. The End-to-end Expert.

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

About THINKCAR

THINKCAR is a leading AI-powered automotive diagnostic provider serving 2.4 million users across 215 countries, with products spanning 8 categories including diagnostic tools, TPMS, ADAS calibration, EV diagnostics, and remote service platforms.

Metaplanet has added 2,823 Bitcoin to its corporate treasury, taking its total holdings to 43,000 BTC and deepening its position among the world’s largest listed corporate holders of the digital asset. The Tokyo-listed company’s latest acquisition is valued at about $170 million at current market prices, while its total Bitcoin reserve is worth roughly $2.58 billion. The purchase extends a rapid accumulation strategy that has transformed the […]

Bengaluru-based Mohalla Tech is preparing to raise as much as $400 million through an initial public offering next year, putting the operator of ShareChat, Moj and QuickTV on course for one of the most closely watched consumer internet listings after years of heavy losses, restructuring and valuation pressure.

The company, led by co-founder and chief executive Ankush Sachdeva, is expected to seek public market capital after tightening costs, narrowing operating losses and pushing harder into advertising, live-streaming and subscription-driven entertainment. The proposed listing would test investor appetite for a local-language social media business that has repositioned itself from a high-burn growth platform into a more disciplined digital entertainment group.

Mohalla Tech’s IPO plans come at a point when technology companies are being judged less on user growth alone and more on cash flow, margins and the durability of revenue. ShareChat was valued at about $5 billion during the venture funding boom of 2022, when large investors including Google, Temasek, Lightspeed and Times Group backed the company. Its valuation came under pressure as the start-up funding environment tightened, forcing the firm to raise convertible debt and cut costs.

ShareChat operates as a social network focused on users in non-English language markets, while Moj competes in the short-video segment. QuickTV, a subscription-led micro-drama app, is part of the company’s attempt to build paid entertainment formats alongside advertising-led services. The group is seeking to show that a platform built around regional content can generate more predictable income from a mix of brands, creators and paying users.

The company’s turnaround has been built around a sharp reduction in losses. Its adjusted Ebitda loss for FY25 fell to about ₹219 crore from ₹793 crore a year earlier, helped by lower marketing spend, headcount reductions and tighter control over creator and technology costs. Revenue is expected to rise further in FY26, with management targeting stronger contributions from advertising, live services and short-form drama subscriptions.

Mohalla Tech’s challenge is that scale has not yet translated into the kind of profitability public investors typically demand. Social media and short-video businesses need sustained spending on content moderation, creator incentives, product development and cloud infrastructure. Advertising demand can also shift quickly, especially when large platforms such as Meta, Google and YouTube continue to dominate brand budgets.

The company has sought to distinguish itself by focusing on language diversity and community-led engagement. ShareChat is available across more than 15 languages and has built a large audience outside the metro-focused English internet market. Its Google Play listing shows more than 500 million downloads for the ShareChat app, while Moj has emerged as a major short-video platform after the 2020 ban on TikTok created room for local alternatives.

That opportunity also brought intense competition. Moj, Josh, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels all chased the same creator and viewer base, triggering high spending on influencers, content discovery and user acquisition. Mohalla Tech expanded through acquisition, including the purchase of MX TakaTak, but later shifted to consolidation as the funding environment changed and investors pressed for cleaner unit economics.

The company’s management has already gone through a period of transition. Sachdeva remains the public face of the business, while co-founders Bhanu Pratap Singh and Farid Ahsan stepped back from operating roles in 2023. The firm also implemented multiple rounds of layoffs, including deep reductions in 2023, as it moved away from expansion at any cost.

An IPO would give early backers a potential path to liquidity, though the final size, timing and valuation will depend on market conditions, revenue momentum and profitability milestones. A $400 million issue would be significant for a consumer internet company whose fortunes have mirrored the wider cycle in start-up funding: rapid capital inflows, aggressive expansion, a valuation reset and a pivot towards financial discipline.

The listing plan also comes as equity markets have shown selective support for digital businesses that can demonstrate clear paths to profit. Investors have rewarded companies that cut burn and improved governance, while punishing firms with weak disclosure, unclear revenue models or stretched valuations. Mohalla Tech will have to convince public shareholders that its audience base can support sustainable revenue without a return to heavy promotional spending.

Advertisements

A Brazil-linked banking trojan has shifted its focus to Spain and Portugal, using fake PDF files, hidden code and location checks to reach banking customers while keeping analysts and automated security tools away from its payload. The malware, known as Ousaban or Javali, has long been associated with attacks on financial users in Brazil. Its latest campaign shows a more selective and evasive operation aimed at Windows […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Washington and Tehran have used a new round of indirect talks in Doha to move from crisis management towards implementation of a preliminary understanding that has lowered fears of a wider Gulf confrontation but left major disputes unresolved. The discussions, hosted by Qatar with Pakistani mediation, began on Tuesday night and continued on Wednesday in separate sessions involving senior negotiators and technical experts. […]

Kuwait has opened a $4.25 billion three-year term loan to a wider group of lenders, using the Kuwait Investment Authority as borrower on behalf of the Ministry of Finance in a transaction that underlines the Gulf state’s broader return to international financing markets. The facility has moved into general syndication after a group of major international banks was appointed to lead the deal. Mizuho Bank, HSBC, Standard […]

Nearly 1,700 British investors have taken Binance and its founder Changpeng Zhao to London’s High Court, seeking at least £150 million in damages over allegations that the crypto trading platform unlawfully sold them high-risk derivative products without regulatory authorisation. The claim, filed on Monday, marks one of the largest private actions brought in Britain against a global crypto exchange. The investors allege that Binance entities promoted and […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Iran has rejected French involvement in clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that Tehran alone will manage security operations in the strategic waterway under its memorandum of understanding with the United States. The rejection, delivered by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, followed President Emmanuel Macron’s offer for France to work with Oman and other partners on demining and safe passage through […]

China widened its export-control campaign against Japan by placing 40 more entities under restrictions, intensifying a political and security feud with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government over defence policy, Taiwan and the use of critical dual-use technologies. The measures announced on Monday add 20 entities to a restricted export list and place another 20 on a watch list, tightening Beijing’s scrutiny of Chinese-origin goods, software and technology […]

XI’AN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 June 2026 – The world’s first commercial multimodal large language model (LLM) for cultural tourism, called BoGuan, has entered broad application in Xi’an, China. This model generates commercial returns by supporting the creation of digital IP for intangible cultural heritage, the development of cultural tourism applications, and the improvement of short drama production. This is injecting new momentum into both China’s heritage preservation initiatives and the cultural tourism industry.

A visitor tries out the BoGuan-powered AI photography app
A visitor tries out the BoGuan-powered AI photography app

Xi’an is one of China’s oldest cities and one of its most popular international tourist destinations. Shaanxi Culture Industry Investment Group (SCG) is working with partners like Huawei, China Telecom Shaanxi, and China West Airport Group (CWAG) to promote cultural tourism using digital technologies including AI and 5G-A.For example, BoGuan is used to support a new AI travel companion agent that had been made available to over 4 million users by March of this year.

In September 2025, SCG and Huawei unveiled the BoGuan Large Model, the world’s first commercial multimodal LLM for cultural tourism. It is also China’s first industry-specific model dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage. This model is built on intelligent computing infrastructure and a high-quality dataset. The dataset has over 1.2 PB of data, including 31 million images, 4.4 million minutes of video footage, 2.18 million minutes of audio recordings, 510 3D models, and 960 million pieces of structured text.

BoGuan can generate highly-accurate multimodal content, such as museum-quality content about cultural relics. This allows it to support the creation of new digital relic presentations, the digitalization and preservation of traditional craftsmanship, and the creation of digital IP for intangible cultural heritage. Zhang Beiyuan, a dough sculpture artisan, said, “With this model, I can complete a dough sculpture that used to take two or three months in less than a week.” BoGuan is also used to create digital IP like the popular cartoon character Tang Biaobiao, which is designed by integrating local cultural heritage elements with the stone carvings of the Six Steeds of Zhao Mausoleum. The sales of related digital collectibles and creative products have exceeded CNY2 million.

In addition to supporting cultural heritage preservation, BoGuan has been used to develop a range of cultural tourism apps, such as AI photography and AI travel companion agent. Visitors can directly talk with this agent on the GO-SHAANXI app to create and adjust travel itineraries and get real-time performance recommendations at attractions. The Zhiying Camera mini program provides paid services that instantly integrate user photos with AI-generated scenes from history, allowing visitors to “travel back to ancient times.” These new consumption options unlock the business value of quality cultural tourism data. Furthermore, SCG is using BoGuan to integrate short drama production with cultural tourism and improve production efficiency and quality in Xi’an, a renowned short drama hub.

Additionally, China Telecom Shaanxi and Huawei have deployed a 5G-A network based on three component carrier aggregation (3CC) technology at Xi’an’s Grand Tang Mall, a popular tourist attraction. The network delivers peak uplink and downlink rates of 600 Mbps and 3.5 Gbps, respectively, about 10 times faster than common 5G networks. During the 2026 May Day holiday, this network supported concurrent access for 23,000 users, guaranteeing smooth video watching and social media experiences. Furthermore, 5G-A-powered HD live streaming at the Grand Tang Mall has become an important way for the attraction to bring in new visitors. According to public data, the average user dwell time of these live streams has nearly doubled and the average transaction value has increased by 62%.

Edric Chu, General Manager of Huawei's Shaanxi Rep Office, giving a speech
Edric Chu, General Manager of Huawei’s Shaanxi Rep Office, giving a speech

Edric Chu, General Manager of Huawei’s Shaanxi Rep Office, said, “Artificial intelligence is not simply a stack of technologies. It has become a key enabler that can activate thousands of years of cultural heritage, reshape travel experiences, and inject new momentum into the industry. Moving forward, Huawei will continue working with our partners to enhance cultural heritage preservation with digital and intelligent technologies, and stimulate development within the cultural tourism industry.”

Hashtag: #Huawei

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

Fourteen Saudi nationals were killed when a helicopter belonging to Aramco crashed on Sunday morning at Ras Tanura, a key energy hub on Saudi Arabia’s eastern Gulf coast, authorities said, opening an investigation into the cause of the accident. The aircraft went down at about 6am local time in the Ras Tanura area, west of the Strait of Hormuz, with all those on board reported dead. The […]

PlayStation 5 sales in the United States fell sharply in May, dropping to the weakest May performance for Sony’s console hardware since 2000, as higher prices and a maturing console cycle weighed on demand while Nintendo’s Switch 2 dominated the market. Unit sales of PlayStation 5 declined 58 per cent from a year earlier, while dollar sales fell 43 per cent. Xbox Series hardware also showed strain, […]

Anthropic has restored limited access to Claude Mythos 5 for selected U. S. organisations involved in protecting critical infrastructure, easing a two-week suspension that had disrupted cybersecurity work across major companies and public-sector partners. The decision allows more than 100 vetted organisations to resume use of the company’s most advanced cyber-focused artificial intelligence model. The approved users are understood to include major enterprises, government-linked agencies and institutions […]

Bitcoin slipped below $60,000 in the final week of June as digital assets endured one of their sharpest weekly reversals of the year, with Dogecoin, XRP and Solana showing relative resilience while broader market sentiment weakened under pressure from interest-rate expectations, a stronger dollar and fund outflows. The largest cryptocurrency changed hands near $59,873 after briefly falling through a level watched closely by traders for signs of […]

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 June 2026 – TCL, as a Worldwide Olympic Partner, proudly supported the “2026 Olympic Day cum Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run”, organised by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, joining more than 2,500 members of the public and athletes in celebrating International Olympic Day and showing support for Hong Kong athletes competing in the Asian Games. TCL also provided smart TV prizes worth approximately HK$180,000.

TCL supports the 2026 Olympic Day cum Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run, celebrating the Olympic spirit with more than 2,500 members of the public.
TCL supports the 2026 Olympic Day cum Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run, celebrating the Olympic spirit with more than 2,500 members of the public.

This year’s Olympic Day event was themed “Run with Hong Kong Athletes” and was held at Hong Kong Science Park. It featured three categories: the 4km Individual Run, the 2km Family Fun Run and the 2km Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run. The venue also offered a variety of sports experiences and interactive zones. Among them, TCL set up the “SQD Advantage Challenge”, where participants experienced TCL’s SQD-Mini LED display technology through a fun ball-toss game and won Olympic-themed gifts. The lively atmosphere attracted many families and members of the public to take part and enjoy the energy and excitement of Olympic Day.

In addition to receiving commemorative gifts upon completing the event, runners could also enter a lucky draw using their bib numbers. TCL offered several smart TV prizes, with the highlight being the TCL flagship 75-inch X11L SQD-Mini LED TV, valued at HK$44,900. This model delivers peak brightness of up to 10,000 nits and features 20,736 precise local dimming zones for detailed reproduction of high dynamic range scenes. With Super QLED, WHVA 2.0 Ultra panel technology, and Ultra Colour Filter, it achieves 100% BT.2020 full-scenario wide colour gamut, ensuring vivid colour performance even in bright environments. Whether for watching the Olympics or everyday entertainment, the X11L recreates an immersive viewing experience at home, allowing the public to relive the excitement and emotion of sport.

Mr Roger Gao, General Manager of TCL Hong Kong Branch, said: “As a Worldwide Olympic Partner, TCL firmly believes that both technology and sport have the power to inspire and unite communities. By supporting the ‘2026 Olympic Day cum Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run’, we are demonstrating TCL’s commitment to promoting sports culture through innovation. We hope to extend the Olympic spirit from the sporting arena into everyday life.”

TCL and the International Olympic Committee announced a global partnership in 2025, with the collaboration running through 2032. TCL became the official Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner in the Home Audiovisual Equipment and Home Appliances category.
Hashtag: #TCL

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

TCL

Founded in 1981, TCL is committed to delivering forward-looking technology experiences and smart, healthy living solutions. TCL stands for “The Creative Life”, reflecting the brand’s belief in using creativity to inspire life. TCL operates in more than 160 countries and regions worldwide.

There is a particular kind of conversation happening in Munich, Vienna, and Zurich right now. A founder runs the numbers on another year of operating at home, looks at the tax line, the energy bill, and the months lost to permits and paperwork, and starts asking a question that would have seemed exotic a decade ago: what would it actually take to run this from Dubai? In […]

UAE investors are moving into the second half of 2026 with stronger risk appetite as easing energy-market stress and lower geopolitical risk premiums reshape sentiment across the Middle East, Standard Chartered has said. The bank’s latest market outlook points to a more constructive backdrop for regional portfolios after the US-Iran interim deal helped cool fears of a prolonged disruption to Gulf energy flows. The retreat in oil […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has assured Gulf Arab partners that Washington will not pursue a deal with Tehran at the expense of their security, as the Trump administration tries to build regional support for a preliminary accord aimed at ending months of confrontation with Iran. Rubio delivered the message in Manama at a meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Energy and commodity prices have retreated after the US-Iran agreement to halt hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the International Monetary Fund has warned that Gulf trade and price stability will not return immediately. IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said in Washington that the Fund had observed a fall in energy, fertiliser and base metal prices after shipments from Gulf countries began […]

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 June 2026 – With top teams from around the world gearing up for the hotly contested Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races this weekend (June 27-28), participants and spectators can expect a bumper programme of action, fun and entertainment along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui – one of the city’s most vibrant districts known for its iconic skyline views and tourist attractions.

There is much to celebrate. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races as well as 35th anniversary of both the co-organiser, Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, and the sanctioning body, International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF). The IDBF added to the occasion by announcing earlier this year the relocation of its headquarters back to Hong Kong.

Paddles up! Hong Kong marks 50 Years of international dragon boat thrills

Riding on the wave of excitement, the organiser, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), extended the annual Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival period to 13 days (June 19 – July 1), beginning on the historic Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival) and concluding on July 1, which is the 29th anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

As the headline international flagship event of “Hong Kong Summer Fun”, Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of the HKTB, said the Festival not only ran over a longer period, but also featured a stronger race line-up and more vibrant entertainment programmes than in previous years, offering an experience found only in Hong Kong for locals and visitors, while showcasing Hong Kong’s position as the Events Capital of Asia.

More than 220 teams from 16 countries and regions will compete for top honours in the world‑renowned setting of Victoria Harbour. This year’s event also introduces the special 50th Anniversary Fishermen Invitational Cup and the 50th Anniversary Championship, paying tribute to the traditional spirit of dragon boat racing.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a series of thematic activities along the Avenue of Stars, including a 22-metre traditional wooden dragon boat, a dragon boat-themed installation in collaboration with the new film Minions & Monsters, live music performances and a line-up of intangible cultural heritage performances, including martial art Wing Chun, Chinese juggling diabolo, traditional musical instruments ruan and guzheng.

Visitors can enjoy a series of thematic activities at the "Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival" which runs until July 1.
Visitors can enjoy a series of thematic activities at the “Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival” which runs until July 1.

Highlighting Hong Kong’s reputation as the birthplace of modern international dragon boat racing, as well as its strengths as a global hub city, the IDBF has taken a significant step in its long‑term global strategy with the formal incorporation of International Dragon Boat Federation Limited in Hong Kong on 29 April 2026.

“Incorporation in Hong Kong is not a conclusion, but a beginning. It anchors our Federation in the city where our international story started and strengthens our ability to serve our members and the global dragon boat family,” said Claudio Schermi, President of the IDBF.

As part of this new chapter, the IDBF has applied for funding under “the Pilot Scheme to Strengthen the Presence of Hong Kong in Asian and International Sports Associations”, which was recently introduced by the HKSAR Government’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. The Pilot Scheme is an initiative designed to support Asian and international sports associations establishing their headquarters or regional headquarters in the city.

The Dragon Boat Festival has a long and colourful history dating back more than two thousand years. Held each year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the day commemorates the patriotic poet Qu Yuan.

According to legend, Qu committed suicide for his beliefs by throwing himself into the Luo River. The villagers nearby raced out on their dragon boats, banging gongs and drums to scare away fish and other underwater creatures to stop them from eating Qu’s body. The tradition continues to this day, with dragon boat competitions taking place at locations across Hong Kong, each reflecting the unique characteristics of its neighbourhood.

Traditional dragon boat treats feature prominently during the festival, notably zongzi. These glutinous rice dumplings, traditionally wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed or boiled, are widely available during the festive period.

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #dragonboatraces #dragonboatfestival





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

VISHNU RAJA
RYO YAMADA
HITORI GOTOH
IKUYO KITA