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Autism in Hong Kong SAR and Mainland China under the Spotlight

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2026 – The Hong Kong Autism Institute (HKAI)[1] has announced a landmark collaboration with UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and Special Olympics East Asia (SOEA) to promote the celebration of the World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) 2026 in Hong Kong SAR.

WAAD is an observance designated by the United Nations, held annually on April 2nd. It aims to raise awareness about autism while promoting acceptance, inclusion, and quality of life for autistic individuals.

“Autism is one of the defining conditions of our times, impacting 1 in 40 children in the Hong Kong SAR and more than 2 million children in Mainland China. Crucially, autism has now overtaken cancer as the leading cause of juvenile critical illness insurance claims in the Hong Kong SAR,” said Mr. Damien Green, Founder of the HKAI.

Mr. Green is the former CEO of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau and former Asia President of Manulife. He is a prominent advocate for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) stakeholders in Hong Kong. “Through our collaboration with UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and SOEA, we aim to significantly elevate autism awareness and understanding amongst opinion leaders and policymakers in the region,” he added.

“Autism brings as many opportunities as it does challenges for societies and economies,” said Professor Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and Chair of the United Nations Theme Group on Disability in China. “UNESCO is pleased to partner with the HKAI and SOEA to bring autism into clearer public focus. WAAD 2026 is about moving from awareness to participation, ensuring persons with autism are present and included in education, sport, work and community life. That inclusion benefits everyone, and it must be shaped with autistic voices and lived experience at the center.”

Freda Fung, Regional President and Managing Director of SOEA stated, “Our organization has witnessed the transformative impact of inclusion when persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, are meaningfully engaged in unified social activities, particularly in sport. Through sports, inclusive community engagement, and leadership opportunities, individuals can build confidence, develop a strong sense of belonging, and emerge as leaders within their communities.”

The WAAD 2026 program in Hong Kong SAR includes a major plenary event, where Carlson Tong, the Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), will deliver welcoming remarks. The event will feature speakers and panelists with autism who will address an audience of opinion leaders, policymakers and key stakeholders. Other initiatives will include the launch of an Autism Docuseries made in Hong Kong, and awareness events conducted by major Hong Kong employers.

WAAD 2026 aligns with the Government of China’s evolving policy focus on autism, including recent national-level policy initiatives.


[1] Hong Kong Autism Institute Limited is a non-profit organization in Hong Kong

Hashtag: #HKAI #WAAD

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

About World Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is an observance designated by the United Nations, held on April 2nd every year. WAAD arises from a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly in 2007 (A/RES/62/139) which highlighted the need to raise public awareness of autism. UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia leads the execution of WAAD 2026 activities in China. This year’s WAAD theme is “Autism and Humanity — Every Life Has Value: Affirming the dignity and worth of all autistic people as part of our shared human future.”

About Hong Kong Autism Institute Limited

Founded in 2026, Hong Kong Autism Institute Limited aims for Hong Kong SAR to become Asia’s Centre of Excellence for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) — initially focused on China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA) catchment — through driving innovation, leading high-impact service delivery and achieving sustainable social and economic outcomes. Its mission is to enable clinical innovation centered on diagnosis, early intervention and therapeutics; ensure access to impactful services across the socio-economic spectrum that improve outcomes and quality of life; and to operate as a multi-stakeholder platform to catalyse and enable significantly higher levels of cooperation and integration across the entire ASD service, support and R&D ecosystem.

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MarsLab Introduces Singapore-Based AI Inference Infrastructure Roadmap for Enterprise and Edge Deployment

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MarsLab outlines a system-first approach to AI inference infrastructure for enterprise and edge deployment scenarios.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 May 2026 – MarsLab Pte Ltd today introduced its Singapore-based AI inference infrastructure roadmap, focused on deployment-oriented systems for enterprise and edge AI workloads.
MarsLab takes a system-first approach to AI infrastructure, bringing together hardware systems, software stack integration, workload validation, and deployment economics. The company is focused on practical scenarios where AI inference needs to operate reliably across real-world environments, including enterprise applications, edge deployment, and industry-specific systems.
MarsLab’s near-term M100 platform is designed for commercial and system-level validation. The platform is intended to help the company evaluate real workloads, software behavior, integration requirements, operational constraints, and customer deployment needs. These learnings will support MarsLab’s longer-term M200 roadmap, which is planned as a future self-designed silicon direction informed by practical deployment data.
“We believe future AI infrastructure should be developed with a system-first mindset,” said Zhongwei Liao, CEO of MarsLab. “Before moving toward deeper technology roadmaps, it is important to understand real workloads, system integration requirements, and deployment economics in practical environments.”
MarsLab is building its presence in Singapore and engaging with partners across Southeast Asia’s semiconductor and AI infrastructure ecosystem. The company aims to support enterprises and technology partners seeking practical, efficient, and deployable AI inference infrastructure.

Hashtag: #AIInfrastructure #AIInference #EdgeAI #EnterpriseAI #Singapore


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

About MarsLab Pte Ltd

MarsLab Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based AI inference infrastructure company focused on enterprise and edge AI deployment scenarios. The company works across hardware systems, software stack integration, workload validation, and deployment economics, with a system-first approach to practical AI infrastructure.

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CP AXTRA Partners with Ayala to Strengthen Mall Development and Asset Management

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BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 May 2026 – CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, the operator of ASEAN’s leading wholesaler – retailer Makro and Lotus’s, will strengthen mall development and asset management at Makro in Thailand under a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed with Ayala Corporation, one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates. Through its consumer retail and mall arms, ACx Holdings Corporation (“ACx”) and AyalaLand Malls, Inc (“ALMI”), the partnership will also unlock greater shared value from CP AXTRA’s mall assets nationwide.

Under the agreement, ACx and ALMI will share methodologies and best practices in mall asset operations, leasing strategy and project development to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experience and maximize the long-term value of CP AXTRA’s land and assets, initially focusing on seven key stores of Makro. The parties will also explore future investment opportunities related to mall and asset development in Thailand, alongside collaborative initiatives for the development of new sites and the redevelopment of existing CP AXTRA sites across the country. This is the third agreement signed between CP AXTRA and Ayala, underscoring the strong partnership and continued collaboration between the two groups, following their previous agreements to operate Makro in the Philippines and expand regional business opportunities.

“This agreement with Ayala allows us to combine CP AXTRA’s deep understanding of the Thai retail market with Ayala’s decades of experience in developing and leasing shopping mall spaces. By applying proven methodologies to our Makro mall, we aim to elevate the standards of the retail environment we offer, not only improving the experience for our shoppers and tenants, but also fostering sustainable growth and creating long-term value for our asset and the surrounding community,” said Tanit Chearavanont, Group Chief Wholesale Business Officer, CP AXTRA Public Company Limited.

“This is another milestone in our growing relationship and collaboration with the CP Group. Through this partnership, we intend to leverage the complementary strengths of two leading conglomerates to create world-class retail and real estate developments across markets. This also marks Ayala’s entry into the Thailand market, giving us a strong opportunity not only to share our expertise, but also to gain valuable insights from one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and developed retail markets. More broadly, this partnership aligns with Ayala’s strategy of bringing the best of the world to the Philippines while showcasing the best of the Philippines to the world,” said Mark Uy, Managing Director and Group Head of Strategy and Business Development, Ayala Corporation.

“Makro’s nationwide footprint gives it a meaningful role in the everyday lives of Thai consumers. Our opportunity is to help turn that everyday relevance into places people choose to stay, explore, and return to. By combining CP AXTRA’s market knowledge with Ayala Malls’ experience in curating retail partners, improving customer journeys, and building community-oriented retail destinations, we believe these sites can become stronger platforms for shoppers, merchant partners, and long-term asset growth,” said Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Managing Director and Group Head of Leasing and Hospitality of Ayala Land.

The collaboration brings two complementary strengths together. CP AXTRA is one of ASEAN’s leading wholesale and retail operators, with more than 2,700 Makro and Lotus’s stores. The company is a regional leader in multi-format, omnichannel retail platforms across Southeast Asia and is advancing toward retail-tech company. ALMI, is one of the Philippines’ leading mall operators, managing 34 shopping centers recognized for their strong retail planning, curated tenant mix, and enhanced customer experience across Southeast Asia. With extensive expertise in leasing, mall operations, facility management, and mixed-use development, ALMI is well positioned to support CP AXTRA in maximizing the value and potential of its Makro mall assets in Thailand. Ayala Corporation also brings a broader consumer and enterprise ecosystem that can complement CP AXTRA’s regional retail expansion, while ACx, its consumer retail unit, adds perspective on evolving customer behavior, format innovation, and retail partnerships.

The MoC builds on the two groups’ existing strategic partnership, which began in 2025 with the formation of CP AXTRA AC CORPORATION to operate Makro stores in the Philippines and was expanded to include a wider range of collaborative opportunities. This new agreement deepens that partnership further, marking the first time Ayala will bring its mall development and leasing expertise directly to CP AXTRA’s operations in Thailand.

Hashtag: #CPAXTRA

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

About CP AXTRA

CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, is an operator of Asia’s leading wholesaler and retailer, Makro and Lotus’s. The Company is based in Thailand, with operation across 10 countries. CP AXTRA is committed to fulfilling people’s lives with good health, love, joy, and well-being, by providing solutions and meeting customers’ daily needs with technology, innovation, and operational excellence. With over 30 years of retail experience, CP AXTRA is a trusted partner for both B2B and B2C customers, offering a comprehensive range of products and services. Today, it manages over 2,700 offline stores in Thailand and Asia, with strong online presence.

About Ayala Corporation

For more than 190 years, Ayala Corporation has been building businesses that enable people to thrive.
Ayala, currently one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines, has meaningful presence in real estate, banking, digital services and telecommunications, and renewable energy. It likewise has a growing presence in healthcare, mobility, and logistics as well as investments in industrial technologies, education, and other ventures. Ayala manages its corporate social responsibility initiatives through Ayala Foundation.

About Ayala Malls

Ayala Malls is the premier lifestyle mall network in the Philippines, known for creating vibrant, well-curated destinations that bring together shopping, dining, culture, and community experiences. With 34 malls nationwide, Ayala Malls continues to lead in elevating the Filipino retail experience by offering a diverse mix of global and local brands, innovative spaces, and enriching events that celebrate local creativity and inclusivity. As part of Ayala Land, the country’s leading real estate developer, Ayala Malls is committed to building dynamic, sustainable spaces where people can connect, thrive, and enjoy life’s everyday moments.

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Aon Brings Leadership Forum to Manila to Help Organisations Navigate Risks and Drive Growth

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 May 2026 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, is today hosting its Better Decisions Leadership Forum in Manila, bringing together senior business leaders to discuss how organisations can navigate from risk to resilience and growth in an increasingly complex environment. The invitation-only forum is taking place at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati.

The event is expected to convene more than 70 C-suite and senior business leaders from top organisations across the Philippines for a closed-door exchange on managing economic, workforce, climate and operational pressures. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the forum aims to foster practical insights and strategies that help organisations navigate uncertainty, protect their businesses and drive sustainable growth.

The program will be officially opened by Karl Hamann, CEO of Philippines for Aon, followed by a keynote from Andrew Jeffries, country director for the Asian Development Bank on the macroeconomic and geopolitical trends shaping the business environment.

Notable speakers include Terence Williams, head of Commercial Risk in Asia Pacific for Aon, and other firm executives alongside external regional leaders, including Annacel Natividad, chief risk officer and sustainability head for Aboitiz Foods Group, and Raymond Martin Aguilar, vice president and head of risk and property management for Globe Telecom, Inc.

“This forum reflects a fundamental shift in how organisations are evolving their approach to risk,” said Williams. “Across Asia Pacific, we are seeing a growing focus on using data and analytics to understand trade-offs, test scenarios and act with greater confidence. Bringing leaders together to share practical experience is critical to strengthening resilience while continuing to drive growth.”

A central feature of the forum will be a C-suite panel on adaptive leadership in a digital world, where senior leaders will share how they are balancing risk, resilience and growth, and the decisions shaping their organisations today. The session will be moderated by Irma Gaviola, head of Commercial Risk, Philippines for Aon.

The program will include risk masterclasses focused on key enterprise exposures, including cyber and climate risks, exploring how organisations can quantify risk, strengthen resilience and design more effective risk transfer strategies.

Participants will also be introduced to Aon’s Risk Analyzers, an interactive environment where clients can experience a suite of analytics-led tools that support scenario testing and supports better risk capital decisions. The tools are designed to help organisations assess exposures and evaluate strategic choices in real time.

“The Philippines sits at the intersection of strong economic growth and increasing risk complexity, said Hamann. “This forum creates a space for candid dialogue and practical insights to help organisations navigate risk with greater clarity and confidence.”

The Better Decisions Leadership Forum is part of Aon’s ongoing commitment to helping organisations turn insight into action – enabling more informed decision-making to protect and grow their business.

Hashtag: #Aon

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

About Aon

(NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.

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Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is solely for information purposes, for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although Aon endeavours to provide accurate and timely information and uses sources that it considers reliable, the firm does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of any content of this document and can accept no liability for any loss incurred in any way by any person who may rely on it. There can be no guarantee that the information contained in this document will remain accurate as on the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or entity should make decisions or act based solely on the information contained herein without appropriate professional advice and targeted research.

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