May 15 2026 – Donald Trump leaves Beijing declaring success after two days of high-level talks with Xi Jinping, but the absence of concrete detail from the summit between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies is where investors should focus their attention, according to Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group.

“The headlines sound reassuring, but the substance underneath them remains remarkably thin.

“Markets heard promises of stronger ties, major purchases and stabilised relations. What they did NOT hear was, perhaps, far more important.”

Trump claimed China would buy 200 Boeing aircraft, alongside significant increases in purchases of US agricultural goods and energy exports. Yet no formal agreement has been released publicly by Beijing, no timetable has emerged, and no financial framework has been disclosed.

“Global investors are being asked to price optimism without documentation,” notes the deVere CEO.

“Aviation orders, agricultural commitments, and trade pledges only matter if there’s enforceable detail attached to them. Right now, there’s very little of that.”

US-China trade exceeded $575 billion last year despite years of tariffs, export controls and strategic hostility.

China remains central to global manufacturing supply chains, while the US remains one of China’s most important export destinations. Financial markets have been desperate for signs that tensions between Washington and Beijing are easing in a meaningful way.

Nigel Green argues the summit delivered optics rather than resolution.

“Unfortunately, there was no serious public breakthrough on tariffs, semiconductors, export controls, rare earth minerals or industrial subsidies,” he says.

“Those are the core disputes shaping the economic relationship. None of them disappeared because the language between the two leaders softened.”

Rare earths remain among the most strategically sensitive issues.

China controls roughly 70% of global rare earth production and close to 90% of processing capacity. Those materials are essential for semiconductors, EVs, military systems, aerospace manufacturing and advanced tech infrastructure.

Yet despite months of pressure from US industry groups and mounting concern over supply-chain vulnerabilities, the summit produced no detailed framework around future access or export guarantees.

“Rare earths sit at the centre of the global industrial race,” explains Nigel Green. “Washington wanted stability. Markets wanted visibility. Neither emerged from Beijing.”

Semiconductors represent another major silence.

The US continues restrictions on advanced AI chip exports to China, while Beijing accelerates efforts to build domestic alternatives and reduce reliance on American tech.

The deVere chief executive says the omission carries enormous implications for investors globally.

“AI has become one of the most powerful investment themes in the world economy,” he says.

“But the infrastructure behind AI is increasingly shaped by geopolitical confrontation. The summit offered no indication that either side is prepared to retreat.”

Taiwan also remained unresolved beneath the diplomatic theatre.

Xi Jinping reportedly reiterated Beijing’s hardline position during private discussions, while Trump avoided major public escalation. Markets interpreted the restraint positively, but Nigel Green warns the underlying tensions remain acute.

“Taiwan is one of the single biggest geopolitical risk factors facing global markets. Any deterioration would instantly hit semiconductors, shipping routes, defence spending, commodity prices and global equities.”

The summit also failed to produce meaningful clarity around the future of tariffs imposed during the original US-China trade war.

Average US tariffs on many Chinese goods remain significantly above pre-2018 levels, while Beijing has maintained retaliatory measures across multiple sectors. Global manufacturers have spent years restructuring supply chains around the uncertainty.

Nigel Green says businesses were hoping for a clearer direction.

“Corporate leaders wanted evidence of a longer-term framework for economic engagement,” he says.

“Instead, they received broad political language designed to calm sentiment without addressing the structural fractures underneath.”

He also points to the contradictions inside the economic announcements themselves.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer spoke about large future agricultural purchases from China, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested some key commodity arrangements had already effectively been settled under earlier agreements.

“Mixed messaging creates more uncertainty, not less,” concludes Nigel Green.

“Washington and Beijing may have lowered the temperature publicly, but the unresolved economic conflict beneath the surface remains very much alive.”

deVere Group is one of the world’s largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

MIL OSI

When AI Meets Artistic Intelligence — Cross-City, Cross-Disciplinary Creative Education in Action

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BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – From May 15 to 24, 2026, Beijing Chaoyang Park will host a unique cultural event — the first China New Cultural and Creative Market & Trendy Toy Carnival.

This is not a traditional exhibition, but an urban carnival that seamlessly blends popular IPs, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) crafts, immersive performances, and top-tier cultural and creative products from across China. The fair brings together high-quality creative cultural products, time-honored ICH brands, and trendy toy labels. Covering a total area of approximately 66,000 square meters, it features both indoor and outdoor zones. Centered around two main themes — “New Oriental Aesthetics” and “The Rise of Guochao (Chinese trendy culture)” — the event showcases over 10,000 creative products.

In the “Rise of Guochao” zone, leading Chinese trendy toy brands present immersive installations. 52TOYS brings the “Panda Roll Playful Panda Forest,” where dozens of lifelike, giant panda sculptures are scattered among the trees, creating perfect photo opportunities. Pop Mart hosts a special exhibition celebrating the 20th anniversary of its hit IP “MOLLY,” featuring a giant castle inflatable and vending machines for blind boxes. Also making its offline debut as a themed zone, “The Emoji Clinic,” the globally recognized emoji brand launches several exclusive items not yet available in stores.

The ICH section is equally impressive. Ten nationally recognized master artisans showcase their representative works at the “Oriental Showcase,” presenting ten traditional crafts, including filigree inlay, Hepu horn carving, polished lacquerware, Longquan celadon, and Shui ethnic group’s horsetail embroidery. Traditional ICH techniques are creatively combined with trendy toy designs — Peking silk figurines, cloisonné, and Beijing embroidery are integrated into modern doll clothing and accessories, giving birth to a unique Oriental trend aesthetic. Additionally, over 40 other ICH items — such as jade carving, cloisonné, Beijing embroidery, Miao embroidery, and carved lacquer — allow visitors to observe master artisans at work up close and participate in hands-on activities like seal carving, tie-dyeing, and clay sculpting.

Throughout the event, five major venues in Chaoyang Park will host over 100 performances, spanning street dance, traditional Chinese music, symphony, opera, and parades. The Shell Theater will present an ACG symphony concert and a symphony of Hong Kong film golden melodies. At the East Square of Chaoyang Planning Art Museum, the “New Oriental Aesthetics” pop-up stage will feature continuous performances of Jingxi Taiping Drum dance and classical umbrella dance. The East Square of Weibo IN will focus on trendy crossover acts, with breakdance battles and jazz quartets taking turns on stage.

And when night falls, even more intriguing adventures begin. A mecha parade weaves through the crowds — you might brush past Black Myth: Wukong and a troupe of mascots. On the Fangzhou Lake, lantern-lit flower boats set sail, their slow journey accompanied by ancient music and shimmering water, creating a moving Oriental painting. From daytime blind-box surprises to nighttime lantern-lit garden strolls, the park offers unexpected delights at every turn.

No tickets are required — just a sense of curiosity. Bring your camera, gather your friends, come to Beijing Chaoyang Park, become a “power player,” and join this immersive carnival of trendy toys and intangible cultural heritage.

Hashtag: #Chaoyang

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – The Hong Kong Association for Customer Service Excellence (HKACE) hosted the HKACE Customer Service Excellence Award Presentation Ceremony cum 26th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon last week at The Regent Hotel Hong Kong. Over 100 awards were presented to recognize outstanding customer service practitioners, with MTR Corporation named the Grand Award Champion as the highlight of the occasion.

Held under the theme “High Tech, High Touch – AI Empowers a New Era in Customer Service”, the event attracted more than 450 guests. The Honourable Algernon Yau, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. The award presentation ceremony was also privileged to have The Hon Shiu Ka Fai, BBS, JP, Member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and Member of the Legislative Council; The Hon Perry Yiu, MH, JP, Member of the Legislative Council; together with representatives of professional associations who served as award presenters. Members of the award judging panels and customer service industry leaders also joined the celebration to recognize the outstanding achievements of the award winners.

Hon Algernon Yau: Government Injected HK$200 Million into BUD Fund to Support AI-driven Digital Transformation

In his opening address, The Honourable Algernon Yau, JP, noted that artificial intelligence was driving customer service into a new era, shifting from human-led operations to a model that integrates data analytics and intelligent systems. Mr Yau stressed that as technology advances, human warmth becomes increasingly precious. He emphasized that true excellence in customer service is built on a customer-centric foundation, requiring service professionals to integrate technology with empathy, sincere communication and personalized attention to achieve a balance of efficiency and human warmth.

“2026 marks the start of the planning and layout for the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which prioritizes high-quality development, innovation-driven growth and the deep integration of the digital economy. Hong Kong is proactively aligning itself with the country’s development strategy, contributing its unique strengths to meet national needs. The services sector, in particular, must upgrade and transform. To help, the Hong Kong SAR Government has put HK$200 million into the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund), offering targeted support for AI adoption and helping businesses transform digitally.” Mr Yau stated.

Derek Choi: 40% Surge in Applications Reflected High Competitiveness and Recognition of the Awards

Mr Derek Choi, Chairman of HKACE, said “the Customer Service Excellence Award 2025 received 220 applications – a significant 40% increase from the previous year – reflecting the industry’s growing emphasis on service quality. A total of 102 awards were presented, making the competition exceptionally fierce.”

“Participants had to be nominated by the member companies and submit a written proposal in the first round to be shortlisted among the five finalists for a panel interview,” Mr Choi explained. “An independent judging panel, composed of industry elites and academics, then determined the gold, silver, bronze, and merit award winners. This rigorous assessment process upheld the award programme’s standing.” Mr Choi also extended his heartfelt gratitude to all judging panel members, noting that their selfless dedication and strong support had contributed significantly to the credibility of the awards programme.

Customer Service Excellence Award 2025 Winners Unveiled: MTR Crowned Grand Champion

The Customer Service Excellence Award 2025 featured three main categories – Individual Awards, Team Awards and Programme Awards – alongside the Grand Award. MTR Corporation scooped a total of 15 awards, standing out among a strong field of competitors to be named Grand Champion. HKT Limited and The Hong Kong Jockey Club also secured the 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner-up of the Grand Award respectively.

Other gold award winners included AIA International Limited, BMW (Hong Kong) Limited, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Cathay Pacific Airways, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, Hong Kong Fire Services Department, Hongkong Post, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited.

Appendix 1: List of Winners of the HKACE Customer Service Excellent Award 2025

This press release is issued by Passion PR Limited on behalf of the Hong Kong Association for Customer Service Excellence.

Hashtag: #HongKongAssociationForServiceExcellence #HKACE

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Jointly Building an AI Ecosystem Embedded with “Computing Power + Talent + Scenario” in Central Asia

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Air Corporate data reveals 9 in 10 founders incorporated in Hong Kong do so remotely, driven by a 20% surge in Middle Eastern entrepreneurs seeking cost-effective operational alternatives to Dubai.

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Immigration advisers say residency rules are driving an unprecedented surge in the number of foreign students paying $30,000-50,000 a year to study masters degrees.

Education Ministry figures showed 14,840 full-time equivalent international students were enrolled in masters programmes last year, enough to outnumber domestic masters students (10,830) for the first time.

Last year’s figure was 48 percent higher than 2024, two-and-a-half times the previous high of 5705 full-time equivalents in 2020 and well above 2022’s Covid-driven low of 2820.

Nearly all the enrolments came from Asia, especially China (4465) and India (4235), and most (9535) were in universities, with a further 2125 in polytechnics and 3175 in private institutions.

The total was also close to the 16,100 full-time equivalent international students enrolled in bachelors degrees.

Immigration advisers contacted by RNZ said work and residence rules were behind the increase.

Immigration lawyer Alastair McClymont said the rules would become even more favourable for masters graduates in August.

“The view out there now is that, by doing a master’s degree in New Zealand, you can get all of the points that you need to apply for residency,” he said. “The only thing that’s then going to be required is a skilled job after graduating to enable the students to then apply for residency and that’s what’s really driving the demand in these master’s degree courses.”

McClymont said the looming August rule changes had shifted students’ interest away from qualifications in skill-shortage areas and towards any masters degree at all.

“There was a particular interest in things like early childhood teaching and healthcare workers, and those sorts of qualifications, because there were pathways to residency,” he said. “Now that they’re going to have the potential of getting maximum points simply by having any masters degree, then really people are just looking for the cheapest and easiest masters degrees that they can do, so that they can get the postgrad work visa, then look for a skilled job.”

University of Waikato had 555 international EFTS in masters’ programmes in 2019 and 1700 last year. Vice-chancellor Neil Quigley said the “very substantial increase” was the result of a deliberate strategy.

“Pre the pandemic, so up to 2019, most of our international students were in undergraduate programmes, but even by then, we’d seen international demand shifting more towards the masters degrees, so we used the pandemic to bring on a new range of masters programmes that were aimed at the international market,” he said.

Professor Quigley said most courses were focused on pathways to employment, such as digital business and cyber-security.

He said the growth in masters enrolments at Waikato appeared to have levelled off this year, but international undergraduate enrolments were rising, particularly from China.

Quigley said work and residence rights affected international demand for masters courses, but domestic students were also increasingly interested in postgraduate courses.

Recent international masters graduates Alka Chaurasia told RNZ residence and work rights did not drive her decision to study there last year.

“When I started doing the research, I realised that New Zealand has got a very strong reputation for education,” she said. “It offers a multi-cultural environment so, for me, it looked like a good balance of quality education, natural beauty and quality of life.”

Education New Zealand acting chief executive Linda Sissons said three factors contributed to the growth in masters enrolments – a general shift globally toward postgraduate study, the relatively short-duration of masters courses, and the stability of New Zealand’s post-study work rights and residency rules compared with other countries.

“We’re finding, with global research, that prospective students are increasingly prioritising the return on investment for international education, the labour market relevance and flexibility, and a Masters degree is at a high enough level and it’s a brief enough that it can be seen as as leading to employment.”

Dr Sissons said more postgraduate students were good for tertiary institutions and good for the economy, although she sounded a note of caution.

“Masters programmes are relatively short, so enrolments turn over more quickly and can be sensitive to market changes,” she said.

“There’s a there’s an upside and a downside, but I think, in terms of New Zealand being seen as a focus for people who want higher level qualifications and ones that have a good quality reputation, it’s a very positive trend.”

Sissons said PhD enrolments also increased to an all-time high of 4120 full-time students, compared to 3630 domestic PhD students last year.

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 – On May 14, 2026, the Asia Link Cable (ALC) international submarine cable, led and constructed by China Telecom, has successfully landed at the Chung Hom Kok Cable Landing Station in Hong Kong, China. The successful landing marks a key milestone in the project’s construction and lays a solid foundation for its subsequent full commercial operation.

Led by China Telecom and jointly developed by 13 leading operators across the Asia-Pacific region, the ALC system spans approximately 6,200 kilometers, connecting China (Hong Kong and Hainan), Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia, with a total designed capacity exceeding 325 Tb/s. Once completed, ALC will become the highest-capacity international submarine cable for the Hong Kong-to-Singapore route, and marks another new submarine cable landing in Hong Kong by China Telecom following the full commissioning of the ADC submarine cable in 2025. The ALC system will efficiently support the growing transmission demands for high-bandwidth and low-latency transmission driven by cloud computing, AI large models and other emerging digital applications, while providing strong communications infrastructure support for the development of Hong Kong’s international innovation and technology hub.

As the largest investor in the project, China Telecom has undertaken core management responsibilities and played a leading role in driving the project throughout the entire process, from preparation, planning and design to construction. The ALC system represents an important strategic initiative in strengthening China Telecom’s international communications backbone network across the Asia-Pacific region. After it goes into service, it will add more than 100 Tb/s of bandwidth capacity for China Telecom, significantly enhancing its network capacity, connectivity and traffic scheduling capabilities across the region.

In addition, ALC is China Telecom’s first international submarine cable landing in Hainan. It will effectively fill gaps in Hainan’s international communications capacity toward Hong Kong, Macao and Southeast Asia – serving as a key initiative for China Telecom to implement the strategy for building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and to support the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Chung Hom Kok Cable Landing Station in Hong Kong, where the ALC submarine cable landed this time, is China Telecom’s first self-built submarine cable landing station outside mainland China. Going forward, the station will continue to handle landing tasks for international submarine cables heading to multiple regions and directions, including the Asia-Pacific, Asia-Europe and other regions- further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a key communications hub in the Asia-Pacific region and supporting China Telecom build a more comprehensive global communications network.

Hashtag: #ChinaTelecom

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Hashtag: #ACESInstitute

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 – IDC today released its China AI Software Market Semi-Annual Tracker, 2025H2 report. According to the report, Phancy Group (Stock Code: 6682.HK) achieved a 30.4% market share, securing the No.1 position in China’s private deployment machine learning platform market for the eighth consecutive year, further strengthening its industry leadership.

Dr. Dai Wenyuan, Founder of Phancy Group, said: “Being ranked No.1 for eight consecutive years in IDC’s China private deployment machine learning platform market is a powerful recognition from our customers and the market of our technological strength, product maturity, and proven large-scale implementation capabilities. This milestone reflects eight years of persistent innovation and dedication. Moving forward, we will continue to deepen our domestic computing ecosystem, while delivering standardized, full-stack AI products and solutions to help more enterprises achieve truly scalable AI adoption.”

Since launching the Sage AIOS platform in 2016, Phancy has leveraged core technologies such as AutoML to significantly lower the barrier to AI development. This has enabled enterprises across finance, retail, manufacturing, and other industries to rapidly build high-performance, high-efficiency AI models, markedly improving business outcomes and laying a solid foundation for long-term market leadership. Recently, the company introduced PhanthyModel, an AI-powered intelligent modeling tool that elevates machine learning model development to a new level. Users simply describe the problem in natural language, and PhanthyModel automatically handles data analysis, model construction, and result iteration. Early tests show it reduces what previously took 5 to 6 hours of manual work to approximately 10 minutes, while continuously learning from expert feedback to achieve self-evolution.

In the era of generative AI, Phancy continues to expand its technological edge. Through its standardized AI development platform, the company has built an end-to-end closed loop from model development to deployment and operations, greatly improving enterprises’ large-scale AI implementation efficiency. In December 2024, Phancy completed a strategic upgrade and outlined its technology roadmap of “AI Agent + World Models”, offering more scenario-adapted and decision-intelligent solutions for industry transformation.

On the ecosystem front, Phancy continues to bridge domestic computing power, large models, and enterprise scenarios. Its ModelHub XC has completed compatibility certification for over 70,000 models, effectively solving compatibility issues between models and domestic chips. It now supports mainstream domestic computing platforms including Huawei Ascend, Cambricon, TianShu, Kunlun Core, Moore Threads, Hygon, Biren, Enflame, and others, further advancing China’s indigenous AI ecosystem.

IDC forecasts that China’s AI software private deployment market will maintain strong growth in 2026, with the mid-market segment becoming a key growth driver. Competition is shifting toward the ability to convert industry Know-how into scalable product capabilities. Leveraging its long-term technological depth, industry expertise, and ecosystem advantages, Phancy is well positioned to continue leading China’s private deployment machine learning platform market.

Hashtag: #Phancygroup

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 — Cushman & Wakefield, a leading global real estate services firm, has again been recognized at the Asia Pacific Property Awards, scoring six best Five Star Awards plus two “Award Winner” recognitions for outstanding achievements in the Greater China commercial real estate market, highlighting the firm’s leading industry position and exceptional service offerings.

• Property Agency/Consultancy, China — Five Star Award
• Lettings/Rentals Agency, China — Five Star Award
• Property Agency/Consultancy Marketing, China — Five Star Award (Project Sine, Capital Markets)
• Property Agency/Consultancy Marketing, Hong Kong — Five Star Award (One Causeway Bay, Capital Markets)
• Real Estate Agency Marketing, China — Five Star Award (COFCO Qianhai Innovation Center, Shenzhen, Project & Occupier Services)
• Real Estate Agent, Beijing Municipality, China — Shanshan Deng — Five Star Award
• Real Estate Agency Marketing, China — Award Winner (The Pier Shanghai, Project & Occupier Services)
• Real Estate Agent, Shanghai Municipality, China — Amanda He — Award Winner

KK Chiu, International Director and Chief Executive, Greater China at Cushman & Wakefield, said,”We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition for our commitment to performance excellence. These awards highlight our teams’ market‑leading expertise and ongoing dedication to delivering outstanding outcomes for clients across the Greater China real estate market.”

Francis Li, International Director, Vice President, Greater China, Head of Capital Markets, Greater China, Cushman & Wakefield, added: “We are deeply honored that our Capital Markets team has won the highest honor at the Asia Pacific International Real Estate Awards, with several benchmark projects. This demonstrates the continued preference of capital for high-quality assets, and confirms our team’s professional capabilities across regions, asset classes, and the entire lifecycle of our services. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage cross-border resource integration and professional analysis to help build a more efficient and resilient real estate investment ecosystem in Greater China.”

Jonathan Wei, President of Project & Occupier Services, China, Cushman & Wakefield,commented, “Congratulations to the team on receiving these top honors at the 2026 Asia Pacific Property Awards. Our focus on delivering comprehensive and diversified real estate brokerage services spans corporate clients, developers, government bodies, real estate investment funds and institutions. Supported by extensive resources and deep market insight, we remain committed to playing an integral role in providing high‑quality brokerage and letting services.”

Tony Su, Managing Director, Head of Industrial & Logistics Properties, China, highlighted, “Despite the challenges faced by China’s logistics and industrial sectors, our team delivered an exceptional performance in 2025 to receive this recognition at the 2026 Asia Pacific Property Awards. We will continue to leverage our local expertise and global network to provide our clients with high-quality solutions and to drive sustainable development of the industry.”

Established in 1993, the Asia Pacific Property Awards (APPA) is part of the global International Property Awards, which celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. The Awards are judged by an independent panel of over 80 industry experts who evaluate design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.

Hashtag: #Cushman&Wakefield

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New data showing international visitor numbers continue to grow shows confidence is increasing in the sector, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.

New international travel figures released by Stats NZ today show 358,900 international visitors arrived in March 2026, up 15.1 per cent on the same time last year, approaching closer to the number of visitors we were receiving in 2019. 

Louise Upston says more visitors means more money flowing into New Zealand.

“More visitors means more people staying in our hotels, eating at local cafes, booking tours and shopping in our towns and cities. That supports jobs and helps businesses and our wider economy grow.

“Our mates in Australia remain our biggest source of visitors, with 138,360 people arriving in March, up 21 per cent on the same time last year.

“There was also strong growth from other key tourism markets, including an 8.3 per cent increase in visitors from the United States (53,390 visitors) and a 20 per cent increase in visitors from China (24,620 visitors). 

“Annual figures show we welcomed 3.63 million international visitors in the year ending March 2026, up 9.2 per cent percent on the previous year.

“Tourism is our second largest export earner, and when it does well, New Zealand does well. 

“Every extra visitor helps support jobs, from hospitality workers and tour guides to retail staff and transport operators.

“These numbers are also encouraging given the fuel crisis, which has led to some uncertainty that could have affected people’s travel plans. I continue to monitor the situation and work closely with industry to ensure New Zealand retains its appeal.”

MIL OSI

MIL OSI

HKUST Led Project Marks Hong Kong’s First Scientific Payload on the National Space Station

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 May 2026 – HGC Global Communications (“HGC” or “the Group”), a fully-fledged ICT service provider and network operator with extensive global coverage, yesterday hosted its fourth annual Partner Day, bringing together more than 200 industry leaders, representatives from industry associations and government organization from over 80 companies across various ICT sectors worldwide.

Under the theme “Navigating the Digital Frontier, Accelerating Collective Success”, the gathering underscored HGC’s deepening partner alliance and its positioning as an AI Enabler and Service Company Group that is leveraging owned infrastructures to enable individuals, enterprises and international business partners to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies application at scale.

Bridging AI Ambition and Reality: The AI Enabler Delivering Integrated Services

In a rapidly evolving AI landscape, HGC is sharpening its position as an AI Enabler and Service Company Group, focused on turning enterprise AI ambition into secure, scalable and operational reality.

As an AI enabler, HGC delivers the critical foundations corporates need to deploy and operate AI with confidence. This includes AI-ready infrastructure and high-speed, low latency connectivity linking data centres and cloud environments for AI workload; intelligent operations platforms, such as the award-winning, self-developed GodEye, which enhances network management and service delivery; end-to-end AI lifecycle support spanning testing, rollout, monitoring and optimization. Equally critical, HGC embeds AI governance and security to ensure AI solutions remain compliant, resilient and fully controlled. Positioning as a service backbone, HGC enables customers and partners to focus on value creation and innovation.

These fundamental capabilities are underpinned by HGC’s identity as a Service Company Group, where value is created through one-stop shop service, expertise and accountability, rather than one-off service delivery. HGC owns the full operating journey – from solution design and deployment to 24/7 monitoring services and ongoing optimization. Combining human expertise with AI‑driven intelligence, HGC delivers long‑term, subscription‑based partnerships that ensure enterprise AI systems remain secure, reliable and future‑ready.

Strong Performance in Various Market Sectors Reflect the Winning Strategy

The practical impact of being an AI enabler that provides integrated services was demonstrated across different market sectors:

Corporate Business: Under its customer-centric approach, HGC’s ICT business combining digital infrastructure, ICT services intake drove a 6% year-on-year growth in vertical expansion. HGC’s Corporate & Enterprise business continued to deepen its engagement across eight major sectors in Hong Kong, including FSI, government, education, logistics, property, retail, professional services, and trading & manufacturing. Backed by deep industry expertise and long-established customer relationships, HGC provides integrated end-to-end solutions covering secure connectivity, cybersecurity, managed services, and digital transformation capabilities. This continued momentum was reflected in Q1 2026 performance, where gross profit from cybersecurity solutions increased by 32% year-on-year, while SME data bandwidth subscription grew by 12%.

International Business: HGC is building the backbone of its AI regional infrastructure, with OTT number of customers up 20% year-on-year in Q1 2026. Under the East-West Gateway Project, a Memorandum of Understanding with Johor Capital Group, it is creating a next-generation digital infrastructure hub in Johor, integrating submarine landing points, terrestrial networks, data centre interconnects and internet exchanges to serve one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing AI data centre clusters. By simplifying network implementation, HGC gives enterprises, service providers and OTT providers greater flexibility to connect across diverse data centres. Additionally, HGC has obtained a strategic pilot approval from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, to engage value-added telecommunications services in Chinese Mainland. This milestone supports the country’ digital economy, facilitating the opening-up of China’s telecommunications market and more Chinese Mainland enterprises to go global.

Consumer Market: HGC’s consumer business continued its steady upward trajectory in Q1 2026, driven by strong growth in 2Gpbs and above high-speed broadband subscribers, which record a 39% year-on-year increase. The robust uptake reflects rising customer demand for high‑capacity network services, reinforcing the competitiveness of the Group’s premium residential broadband offerings. HGC also marked a key milestone with the launch of HGC Mobile, a new brand extending HGC’s footprint into mobile telecommunications services. The new brand delivers a highly flexible, best in value “network-on-the-go” experience, further strengthening engagement across HGC’s residential customer base through a more integrated suite of connectivity solutions.

Andrew Kwok, Chief Executive Officer of HGC, said, “I would like to extend my deepest thanks to every partner who joined the HGC partner day – a true convergence of the East and the West, and demonstrates the strong alliance and important future that we are building together. I am equally grateful for the consistent support of local governments that have helped to make our vision a reality. Your belief in open, collaborative digital infrastructure gives us the confidence to push ahead. As we navigate a landscape being rewritten by AI, HGC will continue to embrace the challenges ahead with our partners, turning headwinds into shared opportunities.”

At the panel discussion featuring speakers from A & A Limited, Byteplus and CBC Tech, together with HGC experts explored how the entire AI ecosystem, from infrastructure to cloud to application, can tackle shared challenges and accelerate adoption. The dialogue reflected HGC’s commitment to uniting diverse players across the ICT landscape.

“At HGC, we will continue to seize every opportunity that the shifting landscape creates, not by chasing trends, but by staying true to our core strengths while transforming our business model in pace with the market. The advancement to AI Enabler and Service Company Group is just the beginning. As we look ahead, HGC will remain resourceful, flexible and relentlessly adaptable, building highways for AI adoption so that our partners can focus on driving value. I am confident that together, we will turn the uncertainties of this AI era into the defining opportunities of this generation,” concluded Andrew.

Hashtag: #HGC

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Good evening, everyone. Thank you to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs for the invitation to deliver this year’s annual lecture. It’s a pleasure to be here.

I would like to acknowledge NZIIA Patron and former Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, members of the diplomatic corps, distinguished guests. I would also like to acknowledge the outgoing members of the NZIIA Board, Dr James Kember and Suzannah Jessep and new board members Rosemary Banks and Dr Julia Macdonald.

The NZIIA has been asking hard questions about New Zealand’s place in the world for over seventy years. Tonight those questions are as relevant as at any point in that history.

I want to start with a simple observation. New Zealand is a trading nation. Not in the casual sense that politicians invoke when they want to sound economic – but fundamentally, and structurally.

One in four jobs in this country depends on our ability to sell to the world. A quarter of our GDP is generated offshore. We know that exporters pay higher wages at home and are more productive than domestically focused firms. We are geographically remote, domestically small, and globally dependent. That is not a problem to be solved. It is the defining condition of our economic prosperity.

And the system that has underwritten that economic life – the rules-based international trading order – is under more pressure than at any time since it was constructed after the Second World War.

The Global Trade Landscape
Two developments in the past twelve months have made that pressure acute.

The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global supply chains in ways our exporters are feeling directly. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz – which carries around 20% of the world’s daily oil supply – has driven up fuel costs and made getting products to market harder and more expensive.

The ceasefire is welcome, but the situation remains fragile, and the impacts on our exporters are real. They are navigating challenges with sourcing key inputs, maintaining competitiveness in the face of rising production and distribution costs, and finding reliable routes to market.

And even before that conflict, our exporters were already navigating a fundamentally changed approach to tariff policy from the United States. And the US is not the only one. Just ask our dairy exporters to Canada. The major economies really are playing outside the rules with very sharp elbows. These shifts are the clearest signal yet of a broader global trend: we are moving from a world governed by shared rules to one increasingly shaped by power.
For a small trading nation, that shift matters more than it does for many other countries.

I want to be clear about the stakes. Our exports rose 11.8% last year in 2025 – growth that happened because Kiwi exporters are world class and consumers will pay a premium for what we produce. That is a remarkable achievement in a difficult environment.

But it is not an achievement we can take for granted. It depends on continued access to markets, continued investment in relationships, and a continued commitment to the rules that provide certainty and transparency and enable our exporters to compete on a level playing field.

Tonight I want to talk about how this Government is responding to that challenge. Not reactively. Not defensively. But with a clear plan. Our plan has three parts: 
•    shoring up and creating new rules that underpin our trade. 
•    building resilience so our exporters can weather disruption. 
•    and innovating – because in a world where the old rules are contested, New Zealand has to earn its seat at the table.

Shoring Up Trade Rules
For a small trading nation like New Zealand, the rules-based system has always mattered more to us than it does to the large economies that can apply asymmetrical bilateral leverage.

Kiwis believe in fairness and the rules deliver exactly that. They level the playing field. They give our exporters the certainty, the transparency, and the market access that no amount of diplomatic relationship-building can substitute for.

It is worth remembering that despite everything, 72% of world trade still takes place under WTO rules. The system is battered. But it is not broken – and New Zealand has a clear national interest in saving as much of the multilateral furniture as possible.

That said, we are pragmatic. Progress at a multilateral level moves slowly. Too slowly for our exporters, who need better and certain access now. Which is why this Government has invested heavily in free trade agreements – the bilateral and regional deals that lock in the access we need and provide certainty that WTO processes alone cannot deliver.

FTAs
In 2025, 71% of New Zealand’s exports were covered by 17 high-quality FTAs. That is not an accident. It reflects a sustained, deliberate investment in trade architecture over 25 years – and this Government has moved faster and further than any that came before.

The results are tangible. Since our EU FTA entered into force in May 2024, New Zealand’s exports to the EU have grown by NZ$3 billion. Our exports to the UK grew 13% in the year to December 2025, following the conclusion of our UK FTA. 
Our exports to the UAE have seen record growth of 33% following that agreement’s entry into force.

And we have now concluded a deal with India – the world’s soon-to-be third largest economy, with 1.4 billion people and within the next 5 years a middle class of 700 million. That’s greater than the entire population of the EU or ASEAN.

When our Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) agreement enters into force, 75% of New Zealand’s exports will be covered by FTAs. These are not theoretical gains. These are the binding international treaties that are the building blocks of long-term prosperity for New Zealand.

Shoring up trade rules is not only about securing new FTAs – equally important is investing in existing FTAs to make sure they continue to deliver for the evolving needs of our exporters. This means upgrading and expanding these FTAs. We upgrade them by negotiating new rules to meet the new issues and challenges our traders are grappling with – for example last year an upgrade negotiation for Asean- Australia New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA) was informed by the COVID supply shock experience and delivered outcomes which make trade of essential goods easier and more efficient during times of crises.

We are working energetically to expand our plurilateral FTAs through accession negotiations. This brings more economies within the umbrella of FTA rules our exporters rely on and provides new preferential market access. CPTPP already consists of 12 economies that represent around 16% of global GDP, and we have concluded accession negotiations with Costa Rica, with an ever-growing list of countries queueing up to join.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is the world’s biggest FTA globally by population and total GDP, and we are working to expand it further including into important markets where New Zealand does not currently have FTAs, such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

WTO
These agreements will continue to be an essential component of New Zealand’s economic resilience strategy. And we will continue to prioritise the WTO which provides the foundation for the global system of trade rules that matters so much to New Zealand.

But let me be direct about the WTO. The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon was deeply disappointing. And I say this as the Vice Chair of the Conference and as the facilitator for the negotiations on reform.

The absence of multilateral outcomes – extending WTO reform, on the e-commerce moratorium, on agriculture and fish subsidies – reflected the entrenched positions of major economies unwilling to compromise. That is a real setback, and we should not pretend otherwise.

New Zealand will not walk away. We will continue to be a constructive, pragmatic broker. We will continue to push on agricultural trade reform, harmful fisheries subsidies, trade-distorting industrial policy, and digital trade rules. Because in a world shifting from rules to power, every institution we can support and every norm we can embed makes New Zealand safer. The alternative – abandoning the multilateral system – is not an option for a country like ours. And we will invest in the institution. I am delighted that the 165 WTO members have endorsed the appointment of the New Zealand Ambassador to Geneva to lead the WTO peak body, the General Council.

Building Resilience
Trade rules alone are not enough. Our second pillar is resilience – the ability to keep New Zealand’s trade flowing when the system is under stress. I see our resilience agenda through three lenses: engagement with our exporters, diversification in our international relationships, and the unglamorous but high-value and critical work of removing non-tariff barriers.

Engaging our exporters
When the US tariff announcements hit, we moved immediately to get real-time information out to exporters and to hear from them directly. We have run regular, well-attended webinars since then. And MFAT’s website contains 754 market intelligence reports for New Zealand traders.

I have already done five India FTA roadshows around the country over the past few months with more to come. Getting out and hearing from our exporters and the public – not just in Auckland and Wellington, but across the regions – is one of the most valuable things I do as a Minister. It shapes our priorities and it builds trust.

We will continue to prioritise this kind of engagement, particularly in the current tumultuous environment. Kiwi exporters have shown time and again that they are resourceful and resilient. Our job is to make sure they have the information, the access, and the support they need to make the most of the opportunities we have secured for them.

Take for example an ice cream company that established a New Zealand and Asian plastic packaging supply chain following COVID 19.  Given the low stocks, they are now exploring how cardboard could be used instead.

Investing in relationships
This Government has prioritised both investing in our partnerships and diversifying our trade relationships.  This has included more international visits than any previous government in a parliamentary term to build and strengthen New Zealand’s relationships with key partners.  

Trade missions are about opening doors for New Zealand exporters – helping them build relationships, understand markets, and turn opportunities into real contracts, and the trade missions we’ve achieved to date have helped deliver over 200 commercial outcomes valued at more than NZ$2 billion. Those are not just numbers. They represent new connections, new contracts, and new confidence for Kiwi businesses in markets they might not have entered alone.

Our Saudi Arabia mission is a good example. We unlocked five commercial deals worth over $100 million. The 21 businesses who came with us opened doors in premium food, technology, services, construction, and the creative industries. Those doors opened because we showed up.  We invested in the relationship, and we demonstrated that New Zealand is a serious partner.

Our relationship with Singapore tells a similar story. New Zealand’s original trade agreement with Singapore was one of our first. We have invested in that relationship for over two decades. And that investment recently produced something genuinely new – the world’s first Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies, designed specifically to keep essential goods moving in times of crisis. It delivers better fuel predictability for New Zealand and food security for Singapore. 
It only became possible because we had built the relationship long before we needed it.

Not only have we prioritised engagement with our long-standing partnerships – such as Australia and the EU- but we are also future-proofing our trade resilience through diversification, which can help open alternative markets and sources of supplies.

This is why we saw the China market as a good opportunity back in 2008 – when no other developed country had an FTA with China. China is now New Zealand’s largest export market and the value of our exports to China has soared from between $2 to $3 billion to around $23 billion per annum.

Another approach we have taken to strengthening partnerships is through our leverage of CPTPP to establish formal dialogues with the EU and ASEAN – something the PM and I have prioritised in these challenging times.  This provides a valuable opportunity for large trade blocs (with the EU and CPTPP representing a third of global trade) to move on issues that are currently paralysed at the WTO.

And our partnerships with the Pacific, through the PACER Plus agreement, are essential to the prosperity and resilience of our region. That is why our government, alongside Australia, has invested NZD 38 million in Aid for Trade initiatives that strengthen countries’ trade capacity under the agreement.
I will also continue to strengthen relationships with Pacific Island Countries that have yet to join PACER Plus, including Fiji, because regional economic integration through trade makes us all more resilient.

Removing non-tariff barriers
Our relationships are also critical to resolve many of New Zealand’s non-tariff barriers (NTBs) – from certification requirements, labelling rules, testing regimes, to environmental regulations – these issues slow growth.

NTBs currently affect almost NZ$9 billion worth of New Zealand’s exports across more than 50 markets, and this government is committed to finding solutions. 
Last year alone, we resolved NTBs affecting around $600 million of exports. Some examples include unlocking access to China’s $200 million cosmetics and skincare market, signing and implementing a deer velvet arrangement with China providing market growth worth $64.5 million in the year to December 2024, and expanding access for New Zealand dairy products and blueberries to Korea worth $5 to $10 million, and $5 million, respectively.

We are also progressing a new plurilateral arrangement with like-minded partners to tackle NTBs in third markets cooperatively. This work does not generate headlines. But it directly affects whether Kiwi exporters can compete.

Innovation: Securing Our Seat at the Table
Our third pillar is innovation. I have heard the phrase: “New Zealand needs the world to trade, but the world doesn’t need New Zealand.” That just means we have to earn our place. And innovation is how we do that.

New Zealand has a record of bringing trade ideas to the world that larger countries haven’t thought of yet. The Digital Economy Partnership Agreement – DEPA – is a clear example. New Zealand, Singapore, and Chile created the world’s first standalone digital economy agreement, covering everything from business facilitation and digital trust through to AI and digital inclusion. The Republic of Korea has since joined. Costa Rica and Peru are seeking membership. That agreement started as an idea from three small, like-minded countries, and it is now shaping the architecture of global digital trade.

Similarly, we are working to maximise the commercial value of indigenous business connection through the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPECTA).

Our leadership in institutions like APEC, the OECD, and the Small Advanced Economies’ Initiative has gradually found its way into the hard rules of agreements like CPTPP. That is how small countries shape the world.

We are building on that legacy with the Green Economy Partnership Agreement. Working with Chile and Singapore, GEPA will make the green transition easier for producers, exporters, and investors, and position Kiwi businesses to compete in a global green economy projected to be worth US$11 trillion by 2040.

And through the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership – FIT-P – New Zealand is working with 16 like-minded, trade-dependent economies with a global reach ranging from Norway to Rwanda to Malaysia. Our approach is to cooperate on practical solutions for supply chains, paperless trade, non-tariff barriers, and trade-distorting subsidies. This initiative came about when I got together with trade colleagues from Switzerland, Singapore and the UAE. We knew we needed to find a way to support each other, reinforce the rules-based system, and work together to create new rules that give our traders more certainty.

Most recently at MC14, Eleven FIT-P members released a Joint Statement on maintaining open and resilient supply chains given the impact on global trade of the Middle East conflict. New Zealand and these FIT partners have committed to working together to identify disruptions to the trade of essential goods and exchanging information on how we will approach and mitigate these.

I will host my fellow trade ministers at the next FIT-P Ministerial in Auckland later this year. That is a leadership role, and we intend to use it to find new ways to support our exporters and their jobs, incomes and productivity in New Zealand.

The Long Game
Our goal is ambitious: to double the value of New Zealand’s exports in ten years. That requires growth in trade relationships – but it also requires growth in investment.

New Zealand is well below the OECD average for foreign direct investment as a share of GDP. That gap has a direct cost in productivity and wages. That is why this Government established InvestNZ – New Zealand’s first dedicated foreign investment agency – to attract more capital into sectors with the highest growth potential: renewable energy, technology, data infrastructure, advanced manufacturing. More capital means higher productivity. Higher productivity means better wages for New Zealanders.

And we are also seeing our export base diversify in ways that are genuinely exciting. Technology, commercial services, and education are growing fast. Companies like Auror – which exports retail crime prevention software to Australia, the UK, and North America – and Halter, exporting high-tech livestock management solutions globally, are proving that New Zealand innovation can compete anywhere. These are exactly the kinds of businesses we want to see more of, in more markets, with more support behind them.

We also want to venture deeper into global markets that are bursting with opportunities – like Latin America, which is fast becoming a key growth market for New Zealand exporters, with our exports to the region rising by 41% since 2021.  

This Government has already started making inroads – the Minister of Foreign Affairs led a Parliamentary and large business delegation to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay earlier this year to strengthen our partnerships, deepen our people-to-people links, and boost our profile.  

The visit was a huge success, with a range of New Zealand exporters announcing new commercial agreements with companies in Argentina – fostering connections, and growing partnerships.  

We’re also exploring additional markets in Asia and looking at opportunities in Africa.  Diversification is not just an economic strategy – it is insurance.

Conclusion
Let me finish with this.

The world New Zealand trades in today is harder and much more uncertain than the one we were trading in five years ago. The rules are more contested. The relationships are more complex. The disruptions are more frequent. I do not expect that to change anytime soon.

But this is not a new challenge for a country like ours. New Zealand has always had to work that much harder and smarter than larger economies to secure and protect its access to markets. We have always had to be more creative, more constructive, more persistent, and more present.

What this Government has done is bring that same mindset – and more energy, and more urgency – to the task.

That’s why this Government has run more trade missions than any previous administration in a parliamentary term.

That’s why this Government established New Zealand’s first dedicated investment agency.

Because 400 million people around the world get around 10% of their diet from New Zealand. Our farmers, our food producers, our tech companies, and our service exporters are among the best in the world. They deserve a government that fights for them on the world stage.

We are fighting for them. And we are not finished.
 

MIL OSI

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has promised “careful” immigration policy and signalled more capital spending than expected in an annual pre-Budget speech,

Speaking about the need for social cohesion, Luxon highlighted his own electorate of Botany as “more diverse than most”, saying many of Chinese, Korean, Malaysian and Indian New Zealanders were being “unfairly and unreasonably vilified”.

He said during the Covid-19 pandemic, ministers had “too often prioritised their own political interests over the interest of the public”, and the media “determined to flatter New Zealand’s relative performance, also failed”.

“Since then, failed immigration policies in Europe and North America have also stoked a politics of division online. Despite prudent policies and the natural advantages of geography, immigration now seems to be an emerging political issue in New Zealand, too,” he said, in what could be seen as a swipe at New Zealand First’s criticisms of the India free trade deal.

He pointed to the government’s moves to tighten immigration law and said National would be watching closely.

“And you should expect to see careful policy on immigration from National as we get closer to the election … when it comes to immigration, when faced with a choice between social stability and your bottom line, I will choose the former every single time.”

Pointing to the United States “now focusing more exclusively on its own view of its own interests – America first”, and Russia having made “its brutal intentions clear in Europe” and China “expanding its influence”, Luxon painted a now-familiar picture of an erosion of the international rule of law.

“When you turn on the news at night and see alliances straining, trade wars flaring and the rules being rewritten by the powerful, it is only natural to feel as though the ground is shifting beneath you,” he said, before offering an optimistic observation.

“We have faced similar challenges before, and we have overcome them.”

He hearkened back to world wars, giving a message of hope in an increasingly volatile world.

“The outcome was not inevitable. It was not guaranteed. People were frightened, and they were right to be frightened,” he said. “They didn’t just win a war. They built the peace that followed.”

Also addressing a need for cooperation with like-minded partners on defence and trade, he also drew attention to the need for energy independence.

“On too many occasions, private capital, eager to bolster domestic energy production, has been pushed to the sidelines by overzealous planners and politicians in recent years,” he said.

“The reality is that when faced with energy shock after energy shock, it’s very hard to justify backing the skink over the solar farm.”

He pointed to the government’s responses to the fuel crisis, while noting “more action is required”.

That could be delivered through changes to Budget allowances – with less operational spending at $2.1b, down from $2.4b; but more capital spending at $5.7b.

“The recent crisis has acted as a timely reminder that significant levels of capital investment will be required in the coming years,” Luxon said.

“That doesn’t reflect a permanently higher rate of borrowing – we’ll need to get the balance right in the years ahead, as we rebuild our fiscal buffers … The truth is that as a country we don’t save nearly enough, and rely too much on money borrowed from overseas to support our lifestyles. That must change.”

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will deliver her third Budget on 28 May in what are constrained fiscal times.

The conflict in Iran and the global fuel crisis it has triggered required a certain level of re-forecasting and reprioritising of the Budget in recent months.

There were no pre-Budget announcements expected in Christopher Luxon’s speech to a Business NZ audience on Wednesday, though some are due to trickle out from other ministers in the coming days.

The only policy announced to date is the scrapping of the third year of fees-free tertiary study.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

A 13-year-old boy has written to immigration authorities imploring them to let his stepmother come to New Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said 30-year-old Chunxiang Chen provided false or misleading information in previous visa applications.

But the family’s lawyer said Harris Gu said INZ never completed a character waiver to assess its concerns, and Chen was the ‘missing piece’ in the Auckland family.

“The real issue is whether INZ is exercising its discretion lawfully, fairly, and humanely in light of the explanation, the waiver request, and the child-welfare circumstances.”

Yichen Lu moved from China to Auckland to live with his father, but work commitments were making care difficult. “My father often goes out early and comes home late due to work and sometimes even has to work overtime on weekends,” he said. “I want my stepmother to come and take care of me so that we can be reunited as a family.”

“As a child adjusting to a completely new environment, he needs a great deal of emotional support and companionship,” said his father Allen Lu, 44. “Unfortunately, due to my work responsibilities, it has been very difficult for me to provide him with the level of care and attention he truly needs. It’s really hard for the single dad like to raise the family. You have to look after your kids and also you have to make the money.”

The couple met three years ago in New Zealand, and married in China in December 2024. Both his son and wife were suffering from depression, he said.

INZ visa director Chris Adamson said it understood it was an upsetting situation. “During our assessment of her latest application, we noted she has previously provided false and misleading information on previous applications, including inconsistent information about her relationship with her now husband. Because of this, we are not satisfied she currently meets the character requirements to be granted a visa.”

He said INZ had outlined its concerns to their lawyer, including that she was a genuine visitor, with ties to her home country and sufficient funds held in her own name.

“We recognise the family’s concerns around their son’s wellbeing and the impact of family separation. While we do consider New Zealand’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, including the best interests of the child as a primary consideration, we are not able to grant a visa where core requirements are not met. In practice, this means we carefully consider the child’s circumstances and any impact on their wellbeing, but these factors must be weighed alongside all visa requirements.”

Gu said the family circumstances meant she would need to move onto another visa, but that did not mean she would overstay.

“For the current time being, it’s best for her to come here to reunite with the family and plan for the future. So other visa options include student visa or work visa in her own right. And, perhaps, the worst case scenario, she can request the minister to consider special direction to grant a resident visa.”

There had been no deliberate deception and she had been misled by an unlicensed agent. “She accepts the confusion caused, is remorseful, and has since engaged proper legal representation. A character waiver request was submitted to INZ in July 2025. The key point is that, since I started acting, INZ has never actually determined the character waiver.

“The applications have instead been declined, or progressed toward decline, on other grounds such as bona fides, funds, home-country ties, or lawful purpose. In my view, INZ’s response is selective and risks misleading by omission.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo opens today at The Venetian Macao, bringing together global leaders across gaming, entertainment, and integrated resorts as digital innovation continues to reshape the industry’s next phase of growth.

Taking place from May 12-14, 2026, the co-located events are expected to welcome 8,000 industry professionals from over 90 countries and regions. Spanning more than 30,000 sqm, the exhibition features over 150 brands showcasing next-generation technologies, immersive solutions, and digital infrastructure across the sector.

Against the backdrop of an estimated ~8% annual growth trajectory in Asia’s integrated resorts sector, according to a 2025 report by Research and Markets, the event underscores the region’s accelerating role as a global growth engine, where technology innovation and rising demand are increasingly converging.

Reflecting this shift, “Asia’s integrated resorts sector is entering a pivotal phase of transformation, as markets across the region continue to evolve with a broader mix of tourism, entertainment and lifestyle experiences,” said Yip Je Choong, Senior Vice President, Commercial, APAC, RX (Reed Exhibitions). “With G2E Asia and Asian IR Expo co-located, we are creating a platform that brings together stakeholders across the value chain to support innovation, collaboration and long-term, sustainable growth.”

Across the exhibition floor and conference programs, key industry leaders are actively engaging with peers to exchange insights and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

Leading Industry Figures Mark Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony, held in the Expo Hall, officially marked the commencement of G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo 2026, with senior industry figures from across gaming, hospitality, and entertainment in attendance.

Guests included: (List to be provided)

Their participation reflects the industry’s sustained engagement and long-term commitment to advancing innovation across integrated resorts, gaming, and entertainment ecosystems.

Conference Programs Led by Global Industry Voices

G2E Asia and Asian IR Expo each feature dedicated three-day programs led by senior industry figures addressing technologies, regulations, and market forces shaping the sector’s future.

On Tuesday, May 12, Mr. Grant Chum, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Sands China Ltd., delivers the opening keynote for G2E Asia Conference and Asian IR Summit, setting the strategic tone with insights into global industry trends shaping gaming and entertainment.

On Thursday, May 14, Mr. Mario Yau Kwan Ho, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of NIP Group INC., and Co-owner of Boston Celtics, is set to present a keynote for Asian IR Summit, offering perspectives on global market shifts and the evolving integrated resorts landscape.

Across both programs, speakers include:

• Mr. Adrian Lee, Head of Sales, Google Customer Solutions, Hong Kong & Macau, Google
• Mr. AI Watson, Chief Executive Officer, Dataworks Group
• Mr. Alan Teo, Chief Executive Officer, Hoiana Resort & Golf
• Mr. Cheng Wai Tong, Deputy Director, Macao Government Tourism Office
• Mr. Gregory Hawkins, President and Chief Operating Officer, Solaire
• Mr. Joseph Bufalino, Executive Director of Responsible Gambling, Marina Bay Sands
• Mr. Kenneth Feng, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, MGM China Holdings Limited
• Mr. Walt Power, Chief Executive Officer, The Grand Ho Tram
• And more.

Event Highlights Across May 12-14

Across three days, the co-located event presents a curated ecosystem of exhibition, education, and industry networking experiences.

Exhibition (May 12-14)
Discover innovation across gaming, entertainment, and integrated resorts, with more than 150 brands spanning the full industry ecosystem.

G2E Asia Conference (May 12-14)
Access critical market insights, regulatory developments, and business opportunities across Asia from the region’s leading platform for gaming and entertainment leaders.

Asian IR Summit (May 12-14)
Explore strategic insights across hospitality, technology, sports, and entertainment with senior leaders across the evolving integrated resorts sector.

Tech Talk (May 12)
Gain actionable insights from leading experts on leveraging Artificial Intelligence, applying Machine Learning in real-world operations, and using data to drive smarter, more profitable decisions.

May 12 Slots Networking:
Engage in exclusive roundtables for slots operators and suppliers to co-design next-generation gaming cabinets with embedded biometric feedback.

May 12 G2E Asia After Party:
Unwind with industry peers at a Venetian-themed gala featuring a live preview of 2027’s most anticipated VR casino suite.

May 13 Table Games Networking:
Exchange insights between operators and providers on gameplay evolution, innovation, and future table game ecosystems.

Be Part of the Future of Entertainment and Integrated Resorts

Industry professionals from gaming, entertainment, and integrated resorts sectors – including operators, providers, and hospitality experts – will gain strategic insights, networking opportunities, and explore cutting-edge innovations that are shaping the future of the sector.

Registration is available online and onsite.

To learn more about G2E Asia, visit www.G2EAsia.com.
To learn more about Asian IR Expo, visit www.AsianIRExpo.com.

Hashtag: #G2EAsia #AsianIRExpo2026

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

SANTIAGO, CHILE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – XTransfer, the world’s leading B2B cross-border trade payment platform, participated in the Chile Fintech Forum 2026 as Platinum sponsor and introduced X-Net in Latin America for the first time. X-Net is a globally unified B2B cross-border settlement network and risk management platform designed to connect banks and financial institutions with SMEs, supporting more efficient, secure, and inclusive cross-border payment solutions as China–Latin America trade continues to expand.

Despite rising trade volumes, SMEs still faced “last-mile” friction in cross-border payments. Fragmented domestic rails and local banking practices often required payments to pass through multiple intermediaries and currencies, increasing cost, processing time, and operational failure points. Reliance on USD settlement further added double-conversion fees and FX constraints that could trap working capital and reduce margin predictability. Meanwhile, tighter fraud controls and stricter Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements made compliance checks more complex and harder to scale, which could leave legitimate businesses facing friction with onboarding difficulties, account restrictions, or frozen funds.

Introducing X-Net
XTransfer developed X-Net as an infrastructure purpose-built for B2B cross-border trade. The hybrid network works with regulators, banks, and payment institutions to advance standards for fund-flow design, product integration, and risk control. As a settlement and risk-control layer linking financial institutions to import-export enterprises, X-Net aims to standardise collections, payouts, and compliance workflows across participants, helping SMEs access secure, compliant, and seamless payment infrastructure once reserved for multinationals.

The LatAm market potential
Latin America is growing and upgrading fast. XTransfer data shows collections from the region rose 94% year-on-year in 2025, outpacing China’s 8% export growth there and signalling a shift toward secure, compliant collections. The XTransfer Export PMI, a sample survey of XTransfer’s 800,000 SME users, selecting over 3,000 companies nationwide, also points to strong fundamentals, with Latin America’s export order index at 56.47 and price index at 57.81 in March 2026, above global readings of 53.85 and 56.15.

Violas Xiao, Singapore and LatAm CEO of XTransfer, said, “Emerging markets are central to XTransfer’s expansion, and in Latin America. Next, we’ll deepen coverage in Brazil and Mexico while expanding into growth markets like Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina, improving minor-currency liquidity and risk automation so SMEs can pay and collect more predictably and compliantly.”

https://www.xtransfer.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtransfer.cn
https://x.com/xtransferglobal
https://www.facebook.com/XTransferGlobal/
https://www.instagram.com/xtransfer.global

Hashtag: #XTransfer #Chile #FintechForum #Crossborder #Payment #SMEs

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

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader, has supported the completion and opening of the Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section), marking the first major transport infrastructure project delivered in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis (NM).

Dr. Johnny Cheuk, AECOM’s Hong Kong executive leader, joined officiating guests from the Development Bureau, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and members of the Legislative Council at the opening ceremony on May 2. The project was officially commissioned on May 3.

“This milestone demonstrates the power of collaboration across government, industry, academia and research,” Dr. Cheuk said. “We are proud to contribute to a project that reflects Hong Kong’s Construction 2.0 vision while supporting the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan — bringing advanced engineering solutions and high-quality ‘Made in China’ materials to both Hong Kong and the global stage.”

The approximately four-kilometer, dual two-lane carriageway serves as a primary distributor linking the Fanling North New Development Area to Fanling Highway. The bypass is expected to ease congestion in Fanling town center, strengthen regional connectivity across the NM and support a planned population of around 95,100 residents in Fanling North New Development Area. Travel times during peak hours are reduced by up to 10 minutes.

The project showcases a series of engineering innovations, including:

• Hong Kong’s first horizontal bridge rotation, used to position a 140-meter-long, 7,000-ton bridge over the East Rail Line in a single overnight operation, which reduced the construction time by approximately 12 months
• The world’s first structural application of ultra-high-strength S960 steel in footbridges, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 2,400 tons of CO₂

AECOM delivered multidisciplinary consultancy services for First Phase and the Remaining Phase Development of Kwu Tung North and Fanling North New Development Areas. The team applied advanced digital and construction technologies — including 4D BIM, LiDAR and AI-assisted monitoring — alongside prefabrication methods supported by robotic welding and 3D swept path analysis to improve safety, quality and delivery speed.

One of the project’s most complex challenges was constructing a vehicular bridge across the active East Rail Line while navigating extensive facilities including large diameter watermains, high voltage underground power cables and an existing footbridge. To overcome this, the team implemented an innovative horizontal rotation technique, a first for Hong Kong, constructing the bridge adjacent to the alignment before rotating it into position overnight. This method minimized disruption to rail operations and enhanced overall safety.

Innovation extended to the development of two new footbridges, including Footbridge F6 at Lung Yeuk Tau Interchange — the first structural application of ultra-high-strength S960 steel.

Building on these industry-first innovations, AECOM is helping to shape the future of infrastructure delivery in Hong Kong. Drawing on experience from the project, the consulting firm contributed to a series of technical guidelines — including the “Practice Notes on Horizontal Bridge Rotation Method for Viaduct Construction Across Existing Railway Lines”, “Technical Guidance on the Structural Design of Plate Girder Structures using Ultra-High-Strength S960 Steel” and “Technical Guidelines for Robotic Welding Operations of Structural Steel in Construction” — published by CEDD. These guidelines are setting new benchmarks to advance safe, efficient and innovative construction practices across Hong Kong and beyond.

The Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) highlights how innovation and cross-sector collaboration can accelerate the safe and sustainable delivery of complex infrastructure, supporting the long-term development of Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis.

Learn more about the project here.

AECOM

Hashtag: #AECOM #NorthernMetropolis #FanlingBypass

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• The new warehouse enhances the company’s footprint in providing companies support in specialized goods logistics
• The addition is in line with the company’s plans in Asia Pacific to better support present and future storage needs for general commodities and specialized goods

“The new facility enhances our ability to provide fully integrated warehousing solutions for customers with both DG and non-DG requirements. Positioned within our KM19 main site, the key logistics hub in Thailand, we can leverage on shared resources, optimize costs, and deliver operational flexibility while maintaining the highest safety and compliance standards. This also enables us to offer scalable and efficient solutions which align with customers’ evolving supply chain needs,” said Pakpoom Chaokaweepong, General Manager – Warehousing Solution Operations, Rhenus Thailand.

Details of the new warehouse:

Hashtag: #Rhenus

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