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2025 Beijing CBD Forum Annual Conference Kicks Off
Beijing CBD is the city’s “golden business card” and a vital gateway for the capital’s global engagement. During the forum, over 6,000 representatives from politics, business, and academia worldwide gathered in Beijing to explore international economic and trade cooperation. The opening ceremony, alongside the 2025 Beijing CBD Multinational Corporation Summit, the Beijing CBD Global Board Meeting, and four other flagship international events, as well as numerous parallel forums, were held simultaneously.
70% of Speakers Are International Guests, Representing Over 40 Countries and Regions
On the morning of June 11, the China World Hotel was filled with distinguished guests. Over 20 representatives from Asian cities, 30 delegates from international organizations and business associations, and more than 6,000 participants from the Global Alliance for Innovation in Business Districts and the China Business District Alliance attended the forum. Statistics show that 70% of the main forum speakers were international guests, with attendees hailing from over 40 countries and regions and spanning more than 10 core industries, sparking in-depth discussions across specialized fields. This diverse international participation infused the forum with global perspectives and cutting-edge ideas.
Centered on the permanent theme of “Dialogue with the World for Common Development,” the forum featured one opening ceremony (including the 2025 Beijing CBD Multinational Corporation Summit), four flagship international events, and multiple parallel forums.
During the opening ceremony’s achievements release session, Chaoyang District unveiled several high-quality development projects and outcomes. International business associations and global business district representatives jointly launched the “Building a Clean, Beautiful, and Sustainable World Together” initiative. Additionally, the “Belt and Road” Express Service Platform’s “CBD Lounge” was inaugurated. The forum also recognized the second batch of standing council members of the Beijing CBD Multinational Corporation Summit, establishing a new benchmark for foreign-funded enterprises based on headquarters prioritization and industry leadership.
Beijing CBD ranks as China’s top and the world’s seventh-largest business district. In 2024 alone, the CBD area added 10 new regional headquarters of multinational corporations, bringing the total to 122. Since 2000, the Beijing CBD Forum has evolved into a frontline platform for China’s global dialogue and a robust pillar for Beijing’s role as an international exchange hub.
UNDP Asia Mayors Forum Held Concurrently, Four Flagship Events to Boost Economic Cooperation
Beijing CBD is the most concentrated area for foreign-funded enterprises in the capital. The forum aims to foster international economic collaboration and attract investment. During the event, Beijing CBD will host four flagship international activities: the Beijing CBD Global Board Meeting Series, Government-Business Dialogue, Global Business Districts “Experience Beijing” Event, and Sino-Foreign Automakers Roundtable.
On June 12, the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau and the CBD Administrative Committee will co-host a policy-focused government-business dialogue on stabilizing foreign investment. The session will interpret the latest policies, address corporate needs, and facilitate exchanges to support foreign enterprises in China.
Held concurrently, the UNDP Asia Mayors Forum, themed “Collaborative Innovation: Co-Creating Low-Carbon and Sustainable Future Cities,” brings together global urban leaders, multinational executives, international organization representatives, and academic experts. Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the forum emphasizes international cooperation, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and financial and technological innovation to drive urban sustainability.
Beijing is accelerating its development as a global green economy leader. As a high-density economic hub, the CBD plays a critical role in energy conservation, renewable energy adoption, and efficiency improvements.
In recent years, Beijing CBD has implemented policies like the “Measures to Promote High-Quality Development of Beijing CBD” and the “CBD Building Quality Grading Standards” to support green industries and enhance smart, eco-friendly services. Currently, LEED Gold or higher-certified buildings in the area span 4.9 million square meters.
Beijing CBD Elected Chair of Global Alliance for Innovation in Business Districts
Today, Beijing CBD stands among the world’s premier business districts, alongside Manhattan, La Défense, and Hong Kong’s Central. Hosting nearly 16,000 foreign entities, it is Beijing’s most concentrated area for multinational regional headquarters. The CBD Administrative Committee continues to refine its business-friendly environment.
Initiatives like the “CBD Investment Service Center” streamline administrative processes, while the “Headquarters Growth Plan” assists companies like BMW China and Toyota Financial Services in obtaining regional headquarters status. In May 2025, the “Beijing CBD Foreign Investment Service Center” launched, positioning itself as the “first stop for foreign enterprises entering China.”
Through institutional innovation, Beijing CBD advances the integrated business environment of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. In June 2023, the “Beijing CBD-Tianjin Port Collaborative Service Center” was established with Tianjin Port Group and Beijing Customs, offering one-stop logistics services.
Aligned with global trade standards, Beijing CBD is building a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business ecosystem. It has attracted top arbitration bodies like the Beijing Arbitration Commission and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre.
In 2024, Beijing CBD was elected chair of the Global Alliance for Innovation in Business Districts, enhancing Beijing’s global influence. This year, multinationals like Aramco Asia and Hamamatsu Photonics have chosen the CBD for their global board meetings.
Chaoyang to Issue Consumption Vouchers, CBD Pop-Up Walkway Opens
Beijing CBD, home to landmarks like China World Mall, SKP, and Xiushui Street, is evolving into a trillion-yuan international commercial hub. During the forum, attendees and visitors can enjoy discounts across CBD’s retail spaces.
From June 13–15 (Friday–Sunday), a CBD Pop-Up Walkway will open at China World Summit Wing from 11 AM to 9 PM, featuring specialty products like Canadian ice wine, Thai cuisine, and Belgian skincare, alongside camping zones and stamp-collecting activities.
Chaoyang District will distribute ¥3.5 million in consumption vouchers for retail, supermarkets, F&B, and cultural-sports sectors.
The 2025 Beijing CBD Forum will host 50+ annual events, including a Hot Dog Festival, Coffee Festival, Beijing Spicy Festival, and Xiushui Street Fashion Show. Details are available on the official WeChat account “Beijing CBD Window.”
Hashtag: #BeijingCBDWindow
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Etiqa Insurance Singapore Appoints Claudia Soh as Chief Executive Officer to Lead Next Chapter of Growth
Veteran insurance leader to accelerate growth, strengthen partnerships and drive customer-focused innovation
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 August 2026 – Etiqa Insurance Singapore today announced the official appointment of Claudia Soh as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 14 Aug 2026. Over the past six months, while serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer and continuing in her role as Chief Financial Officer, Claudia has led Etiqa Insurance Singapore through a period of sustained growth and transformation, strengthening the company’s foundations while driving initiatives focused on innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centricity. Her appointment reflects the Board’s confidence in her leadership and vision as the company embarks on its next phase of growth.
With more than 20 years of experience in the financial services and insurance industry, Claudia brings extensive expertise across finance, strategic planning, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations and auditing. Her career spans both the public and private sectors, including experience at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and senior leadership roles within the insurance industry.
During her tenure at Etiqa, Claudia has helped build on the company’s strong momentum by supporting its growth agenda while advancing new initiatives. Her collaborative leadership approach and focus on long-term value creation have contributed to strengthening Etiqa’s capabilities for the future. She has also been an advocate for transforming the finance function from a traditional support role into a strategic business partner that helps create stronger outcomes for customers, employees and stakeholders.
“We are delighted to formally appoint Claudia Soh as CEO of Etiqa Insurance Singapore,” said Kamaludin, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etiqa Insurance and Takaful. “Claudia has demonstrated strong leadership, strategic clarity, operational excellence and resilience. Her ability to drive innovation, build strong teams and adapt to changing customer needs will continue to strengthen our market position in Singapore to deliver long-tern value for our customers, employees and stakeholders”
On her appointment, Claudia said, “I am honoured to undertake the role of CEO at Etiqa Insurance Singapore at a time of significant change for our industry. As customer expectations continue to evolve, we must remain agile, innovative and focused on delivering purposeful value. By combining digital innovation, data-driven insights and strong partnerships, we will continue to enhance the customer experience and help more individuals and businesses build financial confidence and resilience.”
Deepening Partnerships and Empowering Financial Readiness
As a leading composite insurer, Etiqa Insurance Singapore will continue to deepen its distribution capabilities and ecosystem partnerships to make protection more accessible and relevant to customers. Beyond its longstanding bancassurance partnership, Etiqa will work closely with Maybank to deliver more integrated financial and protection solutions, leveraging the strength of the Maybank network and customer ecosystem. Etiqa will also continue collaborating with partners across Singapore to develop innovative solutions that support customers’ evolving protection, savings and financial wellness needs.
Hashtag: #EtiqaInsuranceSingapore
https://www.etiqa.com.sg/The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Etiqa Insurance Singapore)
Protecting customers since 1961, Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (EIPL) is a life and general insurance company licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and governed by the Insurance Act 1966. Having protected customers in Singapore since 1961 under the name United General Insurance Co. Sdn. Bhd., the company transitioned into the Singapore branch of Etiqa Insurance Berhad in 2009. Today, EIPL in Singapore stands as the pivotal operating entity of Etiqa Insurance Group, a leading insurance and takaful provider in ASEAN.
EIPL offers a comprehensive range of life and general insurance products accessible through its diverse distribution channels, including bancassurance, agents, brokers, financial advisers, partnerships, direct and online sales via Tiq by Etiqa. Etiqa is rated ‘A’ by credit rating agency Fitch for the group’s ‘Favorable’ business profile. The company is a member of the Maybank Group.
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Airwallex and Air Corporate Launch One-Step Setup for Hong Kong Startups to Deliver Day-One Transaction Readiness
New partnership turns incorporation into a transaction-ready business in a single application — and sponsors 10 founders every month with a free upgrade to the fully-managed Expert package
Hong Kong SAR– Media OutReach Newswire – 14 August 2026 – Air Corporate, a Hong Kong-based digital corporate services provider, and Airwallex, a leading global payments and financial platform for modern businesses, have announced a strategic partnership that eliminates one of the most persistent friction points in business setup: the need to complete two separate applications for company registration and opening a payment account. Through a single application with Air Corporate, eligible founders now receive both a registered Hong Kong legal entity and a live Airwallex multi-currency account. To mark the launch, Airwallex and Air Corporate are sponsoring 10 Air Corporate clients each month with a complimentary upgrade to the fully-managed Expert package, removing the cost barrier that has historically kept early-stage founders on slower, self-managed paths.
The Two-Application Problem
Until now, setting up a business in Hong Kong has required two distinct processes. A founder first incorporates the company, then separately applies to a bank or payment provider, often resubmitting the same KYC, director, and shareholder documents that were already provided during incorporation. Approval timelines vary, rejections occur, and an incorporated company may remain unable to transact after the registration is complete. For founders trying to move quickly, this gap between incorporation and payment readiness has long been an operational obstacle.
One Application, Two Outcomes: The Expert Package
The Expert package serves as the primary component of this initiative. When a client onboards with Air Corporate under this tier, Air Corporate facilitates the entire Airwallex account-opening process on their behalf, thereby eliminating duplicate paperwork and the need for separate submissions to multiple providers. This consolidated approach allows founders to proceed from incorporation to operational status in as little as one to two weeks, compared to the typical weeks to months required for traditional banking solutions.
The Sponsorship: 10 Founders Every Month
Airwallex and Air Corporate are sponsoring a complimentary Expert upgrade for 10 Air Corporate clients each month. Founders who qualify receive a fully managed Airwallex account opening service at no additional cost. This is the same service available through the paid Expert tier. Sponsorship spots reset each month, with new availability opening to qualifying founders on an ongoing basis. Eligibility applies to new Air Corporate clients proceeding with company registration in Hong Kong, and available spots can be confirmed directly with the Air Corporate team.
Why Hong Kong?
Hong Kong remains the leading jurisdiction for founders entering Asian markets. Offshore profits are not subject to local tax; there are no foreign exchange controls; incorporation is fast; and the territory serves as a direct gateway to Mainland China and ASEAN. For international businesses, Hong Kong company registration has become the standard first step in a regional expansion strategy, given that the legal, regulatory, and financial infrastructure required to operate internationally is already in place.
What Airwallex Brings to the Partnership
Airwallex provides the payment infrastructure that enables day-one operability. Its platform supports multi-currency accounts, local collection in major currencies, foreign exchange at market-leading rates, and global payouts, all managed from a single interface. For founders operating across borders, having this capability active from the moment of incorporation removes the lag that typically delays first revenue and complicates early cash flow management.
Speaker Quote
“Our goal at Airwallex has always been to empower businesses to scale globally without borders or operational friction. Partnering with Air Corporate allows us to tackle one of the earliest and most persistent bottlenecks that founders face: the lag between becoming a legal entity and actually being able to transact. By consolidating company registration and financial setup into a single, seamless step, we are giving startups day-one operability so they can focus entirely on growth and building momentum from the very start,” said Marcus Cheng, Associate Director, GTM Partnerships, SME & Growth, Airwallex Hong Kong.
Who This Is For
This solution is built for e-commerce brands, cross-border trade, professional service providers, , and first-time founders expanding into or out of Asia who need to be fully operational and able to collect payments upon registration, without having to manage two separate onboarding processes simultaneously.
Available Now
Founders can apply directly through Air Corporate and check the availability of the monthly sponsored Expert upgrade spots. Further information is available at Air-Corporate.com/hk/Airwallex. Terms and conditions apply.
Hashtag: #Air-Corporate
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
As a leading overseas payment service provider (PSP), PayerMax has integrated Rakuten Pay to enable international merchants to adopt this payment method in Japan. This integration marks a significant milestone in the technical collaboration, successfully supporting merchants in leveraging Rakuten Pay for their local operations.
The milestone not only enhances the localized payment experience for Last War players in Japan, but also demonstrates how international game publishers can leverage trusted local payment partnerships to accelerate market entry, strengthen localization and better engage Japanese consumers.
Connecting with Japanese Players Starts with Local Payments
As more global game publishers expand into Japan, localized payment experiences have become an increasingly important part of player acquisition, monetization and long-term growth.
As one of the flagship payment services within the Rakuten Ecosystem, Rakuten Pay plays a central role in Japan’s digital commerce landscape. The Rakuten Ecosystem connects more than 100 million registered members across e-commerce, financial services, travel, mobile and offline retail, and Rakuten Pay has become one of Japan’s most widely adopted local payment methods.
For international game publishers, integrating Rakuten Pay is about more than offering another payment option. It provides access to one of Japan’s most established consumer ecosystems, allowing games to deliver payment experiences aligned with local player preferences while building stronger engagement in one of the world’s most competitive gaming markets.
Supporting Last War Highlights PayerMax’s Local Payment Expertise in Japan
As one of the fastest-growing strategy games worldwide, Last War continues to expand its global footprint, with Japan representing one of its key strategic markets. As expectations for localized payment experiences continue to rise, enabling familiar and trusted local payment methods has become an important part of enhancing player experience and supporting sustainable growth.
With support from PayerMax, Last War successfully integrated Rakuten Pay, becoming a leading overseas game to support the payment method and offering Japanese players a more localized and seamless payment experience.
Designed to support international businesses entering Japan, PayerMax provides a unified payment solution that bridges the gap between global merchants and the local ecosystem. By leveraging PayerMax’s integration with Rakuten Pay, PayerMax serves as a gateway for international businesses to establish a strong presence in the Japanese market.
Faster Market Entry
Through PayerMax’s system integration with Rakuten Payment, eligible merchants benefit from a standardized integration pathway that shortens implementation timelines and accelerates go-to-market execution in Japan.
Reliable Compliance and Fund Management Enablement
Leveraging the established business relationships between PayerMax and Rakuten Pay, merchants are empowered to integrate Rakuten Pay through a streamlined, standardized pathway which is aligned with Japan’s local regulatory and operational requirements, thereby delivering a payment experience that resonates with the everyday spending habits of Japanese players. Furthermore, within this collaborative framework, PayerMax and Rakuten Pay facilitate the unified orchestration of critical processes including KYC, anti‑money laundering (AML) and fund management, effectively alleviating the operational complexities and associated costs of local payment execution. This enables merchants to refocus their resources on sustainable business growth and enriched player engagement.
Access to Japan’s Consumer Ecosystem
Through PayerMax, businesses can better engage local consumers, strengthen brand presence and build sustainable long-term growth in Japan.
The successful integration for Last War not only demonstrates the commercial value of the partnership between PayerMax and Rakuten Payment, but also provides a proven reference for more global game publishers and digital content companies expanding into Japan.
Executive Quotes
Hiroki Sogawa, Executive Officer, Rakuten Payment, said:
“We are pleased to partner with PayerMax and to see Last War, a leading title, successfully integrate Rakuten Pay as a payment option. Through this collaboration, we look forward to supporting more international businesses and digital content providers in delivering trusted, localized payment experiences for Japanese consumers.”
Will, APAC General Manager of PayerMax, said:
“Integrating with Rakuten Pay marks an important milestone in PayerMax’s expansion of local payment capabilities in Japan. The successful launch of Last War reflects the strength of our partnership and demonstrates our ability to help global game publishers and international businesses localize faster through trusted local payment infrastructure. Looking ahead, we will continue working with leading local payment partners worldwide to deliver secure, compliant and scalable payment solutions for global merchants.”
Strengthening Local Payment Infrastructure for Global Growth
The partnership with Rakuten Payment represents another important milestone in PayerMax’s strategy to strengthen local payment infrastructure across key global markets and further expand its local payment capabilities in Japan.
Today, PayerMax supports businesses across more than 150 markets and offers access to over 600 payment methods worldwide, backed by an extensive network of local payment partners spanning Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and other high-growth regions.
Rather than simply aggregating payment methods, PayerMax focuses on connecting businesses with the local payment ecosystems that shape consumer behavior in each market. By combining enterprise-grade payment technology with trusted local partnerships, PayerMax enables international businesses to localize faster, operate more efficiently and achieve sustainable global growth.
Hashtag: #PayerMax #RakutenPay
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
