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Connecting South and Southeast Asia, Linking Trade Worldwide: The 10th China–South Asia Expo Series of Activities and the 4th Junfa-New Luosiwan International Procurement Festival Open in Kunming
By building platforms for open cooperation, trade exchange, industrial collaboration, cultural connectivity, and consumption promotion, the event aims to further strengthen Yunnan’s role as a gateway linking China with South and Southeast Asia while creating new opportunities for regional economic growth and international cooperation.
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from government agencies, business associations, enterprises, buyers, and media organizations. Delegations from South and Southeast Asian countries, representatives of the Myanmar Trade Center, members of chambers of commerce, merchants, and influencer alliances gathered alongside nearly 40 national, provincial, and municipal media outlets.
Guo Huaiguang, Party Secretary of the Kunming Municipal Bureau of Commerce, stated that this year’s Procurement Festival builds upon the achievements of previous editions while delivering three key upgrades: stronger open-platform capabilities, deeper integration of emerging trade models, and closer coordination between economic and cultural exchange. He noted that New Luosiwan has successfully leveraged the combined advantages of market procurement trade, the China–Laos Railway, and multimodal transportation networks, significantly reducing logistics costs and customs clearance times while becoming an important export platform for Kunming’s small commodities and specialty agricultural products.
Shi Fei, Vice Mayor of the Guandu District People’s Government, emphasized that New Luosiwan International Trade City has developed into one of Southwest China’s leading commercial and trade complexes. He highlighted its important role in stimulating consumption, expanding foreign trade, and supporting employment, noting that this year’s Procurement Festival creates value through trade promotion, domestic demand stimulation, and enhanced market participation.
At the opening ceremony, You Jian, Vice President of Junfa Group, unveiled the development blueprint for Junfa-New Luosiwan during China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. Guided by the vision of “Everything You Imagine Can Be Found at New Luosiwan,” the strategy aims to build a trillion-yuan integrated trade platform serving South and Southeast Asia through the combination of physical commerce, digital innovation, wholesale-retail integration, and online-offline collaboration.
Advancing Regional Trade Cooperation Through Strategic Connectivity
The Procurement Festival serves not only as a commercial event but also as a practical demonstration of Yunnan’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
As an important supporting event of the China–South Asia Expo, the festival leverages the strengths of Junfa-New Luosiwan International Trade City to promote a development model in which logistics drives trade, trade drives industry, and industry drives regional economic growth. The initiative seeks to further establish Yunnan as a key commercial hub connecting China with South and Southeast Asia.
Integrating Trade and Logistics to Strengthen Cross-Border Connectivity
One of the major highlights of this year’s festival is the strategic partnership between Junfa-New Luosiwan and SF International. Together, the two parties have launched an integrated digital trade and logistics platform serving South Asia, Southeast Asia, and extending into Central Asia.
Leveraging the China–Laos Railway, often referred to as a “golden corridor” for regional trade, the platform combines market procurement trade, railway transportation, and multimodal logistics solutions. It also pioneers the regularized mixed transportation of “1039 market procurement goods” and the Lancang-Mekong Express service, helping reduce transportation costs and improve customs clearance efficiency.
Drawing on New Luosiwan’s extensive product ecosystem and incorporating logistics services, cross-border payment solutions, and AI-powered technologies, the platform provides merchants with a comprehensive pathway covering customs clearance, logistics, and settlement services for international expansion.
Accelerating Digital Transformation and Integrated Commerce
Digital transformation was another major focus of this year’s event. LuoLe Technology officially unveiled its Future Development Strategy, introducing five core business segments centered on a B2B cross-border digital trade platform and a consumer-focused digital commerce ecosystem.
Built around the OneID membership system, the platform connects online and offline experiences through the LuoleGO experiential marketplace, the Luole Private Domain Mall, and LuosuDa instant retail services. Together, these initiatives create an integrated digital commerce ecosystem that combines offline engagement, online transactions, fulfillment services, and data-driven operations.
The festival also launched a dual-channel consumption model integrating digital procurement and large-scale retail experiences. Through online subsidy programs and participation from more than 10,000 merchants, traditional commerce is being revitalized through digital innovation and enhanced consumer engagement.
Supporting Global Expansion of Yunnan Brands
During the opening ceremony, organizers officially launched the Merchant Global Expansion Program and Brand Internationalization Initiative.
The program establishes a four-pillar service system consisting of digital commerce platforms, overseas warehouses, international showrooms, and localized overseas operations. The initiative aims to help merchants transition from traditional export-oriented supply models toward global brand development.
More than 1,100 core merchants from the New Luosiwan Chamber of Commerce are participating in the program, transforming individual export efforts into coordinated international expansion strategies. Strategic partnerships have also been established with Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar through reciprocal product exhibition and promotion zones.
Supported by the international visibility of the China–South Asia Expo and the presence of overseas buyers, the Procurement Festival provides direct business matchmaking opportunities between regional merchants and international purchasers while offering comprehensive foreign trade services to facilitate transactions and export growth.
Creating New Consumer Experiences Through Wholesale-Retail Integration
The festival also explores innovative consumption scenarios by integrating wholesale and retail operations into one of China’s leading “experience plus retail” marketplaces.
A key focus is the development of Yunnan’s original fashion industry through designer showcases, runway presentations, and pop-up stores featuring local brands including Jinlinrong, VVFUSHI, T-Stage Jues, Jianpai, Lexiannu, NV Hanzi, and HK.
At the same time, the event incorporates youth-oriented lifestyle elements such as live music, street dance, DJs, fashion performances, and influencer engagement activities. By combining daytime trend experiences with evening entertainment, the festival creates a vibrant atmosphere that injects new energy into traditional commerce.
Promoting Cultural Exchange Through Trade
Beyond business and commerce, the Procurement Festival also serves as a platform for cultural exchange and people-to-people connectivity.The event showcases imported products from South and Southeast Asia alongside Yunnan specialties, including premium coffee, cultural and creative products, jewelry, jade crafts, tie-dye textiles, and other intangible cultural heritage items. By bringing together diverse products and traditions, the festival promotes mutual understanding and cultural appreciation across the region.
Through collaboration with international influencers, content creators, and overseas students, the event further expands its global reach and strengthens cultural ties between China and countries across South and Southeast Asia.
The Procurement Festival will continue through June 16.As Junfa-New Luosiwan advances its development strategy for the 15th Five-Year Plan period and accelerates its digital commerce transformation, it is positioning itself as a more open, innovative, and globally connected trade hub. From Kunming to South and Southeast Asia and beyond, the platform aims to strengthen regional economic connectivity and contribute to a new chapter of international trade cooperation.
Website: https://www.jfxlsw.com
Hashtag: #JunfaNewLuosiwan
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CUHK’s Academic Excellence and Global Research Impact
CUHK’s academic rigour is further recognised in the 2026–27 Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report, where it ranks 28th globally and 5th in Asia, remaining Hong Kong’s top university for the fourth consecutive year. The University features 15 subjects in the global top 50, including five in the top 10, such as Education and Educational Research (#1), Gastroenterology and Hepatology (#2), Computer Science (#7), and Arts and Humanities and Artificial Intelligence (both ranked #9).
CUHK: Where Bold Ideas Become Impactful Research
CUHK provides an exceptional environment for impactful research, supported by approximately 300 research institutes and centres, alongside four state key laboratories approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. Reflecting on the academic environment, Zhamilya Zhirenova, a PhD student in Biomedical Science from Kazakhstan, has deepened her expertise through her involvement with the Centre for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine (CNRM), an InnoHK research centre CUHK established with Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet.
Unlike traditional research pathways, where students are often confined to a single university laboratory, Zhamilya gained extensive experience at Hong Kong Science Park, a dynamic setting that closely resembles industry. “It feels more like an industrial company,” she reflected, “and that experience has been invaluable.” For researchers with ambitions beyond academia, such early exposure to the pace and expectations of the biotech industry provides a distinct advantage.
Nurturing the Next Generation of Scientific Innovators
Many of CUHK’s scholars are globally renowned experts who have made significant breakthroughs in their respective fields. These experts provide valuable mentorship, cultivating an intellectually stimulating environment for innovative research.
At the Centre for Novostics, an InnoHK research centre dedicated to advancing molecular diagnostics, Yasine Malki, a Chemical Pathology PhD student from Hong Kong, highlighted mentorship as a defining aspect of his experience at CUHK. Benefiting from the mentorship of Professor Dennis Lo, CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President, and a pioneer in molecular diagnostics, Yasine collaborates with specialists in molecular technologies, bioinformatics, and clinician-scientists, exemplifying CUHK’s dynamic, multidisciplinary approach to medical science.
Through the latest global rankings, CUHK continues to demonstrate the impact of its research and scholarship. The University offers robust financial support to attract top-tier global talent, such as the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) for the 2027–28 intake, which provides over HK$1.81 million (approximately US$232,420) in funding. Applications open on 1 September 2026.
Hashtag: #CUHK
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About CUHK
Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a leading comprehensive research university with a global reputation and world-leading rankings. Located in the heart of Asia, CUHK has a vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. The University has eight faculties: Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Science. Together with the Graduate School, the University offers over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. All faculties are actively engaged in research in a wide range of disciplines, with an array of research institutes and research centres specialising in interdisciplinary research of the highest quality.
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HKDL’s Immersive Interactive Experiences Win Guests’ Hearts Lucky Nugget Spin at Grizzly Gulch Surpasses 30,000 Participations
Immersive experiences fuel collectible merchandise craze and extend magical memories
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 July 2026 – In tune with the growing popularity of experiential travel and guests’ desire for participation and immersive experiences throughout their journeys, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) has been integrating retail with storytelling at the park through an endless flow of innovative interactive experiences and distinctive merchandise offerings. Emotional connections with guests are strengthened as merchandise is transformed into meaningful souvenirs interwoven with their Disney memories.
Launched in April this year at Grizzly Gulch, the Chip ‘n’ Dale Lucky Nugget Spin has recorded more than 30,000 participations as of the end of June, becoming one of the park’s most popular activities. Combining storytelling, live interactions, and surprises, the experience has been warmly received by guests and has further enhanced the atmosphere throughout the land.
David Koo, director of merchandise at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, shared: ‘Today’s guests are looking for more than products; they want keepsakes that capture the stories and memories of their visit. Through interactive experiences, we hope to make merchandise a natural extension of the Disney park journey. Whether it is a plush toy, a pin or an accessory, the true value lies not only in the item itself, but in the magical moments and personal memories it represents.’
David Koo, director of merchandise at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, is pictured in the center
This story- and interaction-driven strategy has been incorporated into various guest experiences across the resort. For example, in an engaging experience at the Popcorn Pop-Up Shop on Main Street, U.S.A., guests can reach into a giant popcorn bucket-themed installation to catch a “popcorn” and reveal the hidden Pixar pals plushie together with Disney cast members on the spot. Meanwhile, the Snow White Grotto, located beside the Castle of Magical Dreams, has introduced a new “Lock of Dreams” experience, offering guests a sense of ceremony and a souvenir to cherish.
Disney’s Classic Pin Trading Tradition Extends the Magic Beyond the Visit
Disney’s iconic Pin Trading tradition has long been an important part of how guests explore the park and connect with others. Reopened in June, Main Street Collectibles now features dedicated pin display areas designed to celebrate and elevate this beloved tradition. Guests can discover unexpected treasures while searching for favorite designs as they trade pins with Disney cast members and fellow collectors. More than just an addition to a collection, each pin carries unique memories and extends the guest journey.
More Than 3.5 Million 20th Anniversary Merchandise Items Snapped up
New Pixar and Marvel Experiences on the Way
Merchandise sales grew continuously during Hong Kong Disneyland’s 20th anniversary celebrations, which attracted a large number of local, mainland, and international visitors and concluded with fanfare in June. Since late June last year, the resort has sold more than 3.5 million 20th Anniversary-themed merchandise. Among them, about 600,000 units of the SouvenEARS collection have been snapped up. Meanwhile, the blind-box series inspired by attractions and themed lands achieved sales of more than 500,000 units during fiscal year 2025, demonstrating the continued popularity of merchandise with strong storytelling elements and collectible appeal.
Looking ahead, HKDL will continue to enrich the guest experience across the resort. New Pixar-themed and Marvel-themed experiences will be introduced, further expanding both entertainment and retail offerings. Through ongoing innovation, HKDL remains committed to meeting guests’ demand for more immersive experiences, enhancing its appeal to local, mainland, and international visitors, and strengthening its position as a leading travel destination in the region.
Hashtag: #HongKongDisneylandResort
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The HR Asia Awards are among Asia’s most prestigious annual human resources awards, recognizing organizations that demonstrate excellence in workplace culture and sustainable people development. Winners are evaluated using the TEAM (Total Engagement Assessment Model), which measures employee engagement, organizational trust, and workplace experience, drawing on benchmarking data from more than 2.5 million employees across 20,000 organizations throughout the region.
According to the independent assessment conducted for the HR Asia Awards 2026, Green SM significantly outperformed market benchmarks in the “Best Companies to Work for in Asia” category, achieving outstanding scores across several key dimensions, including technology enablement in the workplace (4.8/5), workplace sustainability (4.71/5), and diversity, equity, and inclusion (4.72/5).
A defining element of Green SM’s workplace culture is its unwavering commitment to the principle that “Every Voice Counts.” This commitment is embedded through comprehensive employee engagement initiatives, including regular internal surveys, 360-degree performance evaluations, and multiple feedback channels that transform employee insights into tangible improvements in policies, workplace practices, and operational excellence.
At Green SM, talent development is viewed not merely as an HR function but as a strategic driver of service excellence. The Company continues to invest comprehensively in recruitment, professional training, operational standardization, workplace culture, and structured career development pathways for its Green Drivers. In parallel, Green SM delivers continuous capability-building programs for managers and employees, combining practical learning with digital learning platforms to strengthen leadership and management capabilities and organizational agility in an evolving business environment.
Alongside its investment in people, Green SM has been progressively building a unified organizational culture across its international markets. Rooted in values established in Vietnam while embracing the diversity of local cultures and communities, the Company fosters an environment that encourages collaboration, continuous learning, and empowerment. This enables teams across different countries to uphold consistent service standards while remaining responsive to the unique needs of local customers and communities.
Green SM also received the Technology Empowerment Awards in recognition of its continued digital transformation in human resource management. Through the digitalization of HR processes, the development of competency frameworks, the expansion of digital learning ecosystems, and the integration of data-driven people management, the Company has streamlined repetitive administrative tasks, enhanced decision-making efficiency, and enabled employees to devote greater focus to innovation, customer experience, and superior service delivery.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Global Chief Executive Officer of Green SM, said: “Our people have always been the cornerstone of Green SM’s sustainable growth. We believe that when individuals are empowered by technology and united by shared values, our teams across every market can deliver exceptional experiences for our customers. These two awards affirm the direction we have taken and further strengthen our commitment to building a truly multinational organization with its roots in Vietnam.”
In 2026, Green SM aims to expand its global workforce and partner network to approximately 400,000 people worldwide. As the Company continues to accelerate its international expansion, it will further invest in talent development and technology-driven people management to build a highly capable global workforce, maintain consistent service excellence across markets, and advance its vision of becoming the world’s leading green mobility platform.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
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