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Hong Kong High Court Convicts Lai Chee-Ying of Collusion to Endanger National Security

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 December 2025 – The Court of First Instance of the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (December 15) convicted Lai Chee-ying and three associated companies (Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited, and AD Internet Limited) in a case involving a total of three charges of offences endangering national security.

The charges included “conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security” (contrary to Article 29 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and sections 159A and 159C of the Crimes Ordinance), and “conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications” (contrary to sections 10, 159A and 159C of the Crimes Ordinance).

The reasons for the verdict are set out in an 855-page document that is fully available for public inspection. The court adjourned the case of Lai and the three defendant companies, as well as the related cases of eight people who previously pleaded guilty, to January 12, 2026 for mitigation. The date for sentencing will be announced afterwards.

The HKSAR Government welcomed the court’s conviction.

“Lai Chee-ying has long been using his media outlet, Apple Daily, to wantonly create social conflicts, incite social antagonism, incite hatred, glorify violence and openly beg for foreign sanctions against China and the HKSAR, attracting external interference,” said John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR. “He has harmed the fundamental interests of the country and the well-being of the people of Hong Kong; his actions are shameful and his intentions malicious.”

Impartial court proceedings

A spokesperson for the HKSAR Government emphasised that the court clearly pointed out in the reasons for verdict Lai was not on trial for his political views or beliefs.

“The court’s verdict of guilty is reasoned and well-founded, and fully demonstrates that the court arrived at the verdict in strict accordance with the laws and evidence, free from any interference, and entirely devoid of political considerations,” the spokesperson said.

The court conducted a total of 156 days of public hearings, having considered up to 2 220 exhibits, over 80 000 pages of documents, and evidence from 14 prosecution witnesses. Lai Chee-ying himself even testified in court for 52 days. “These are the testaments to the fact that Lai and other defendants were found guilty only after a fair trial,” the spokesperson said, noting the court found that Lai had harboured resentment and hatred of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for many years. “Long before the enactment of the HKNSL, Lai had already been applying his mind as to what leverage the United States (US) could use against the PRC. When the protests in 2019 metamorphosed into a resistance movement, Lai and Apple Daily were amongst those in the forefront.”

Appropriate treatment and medical care during detention

The spokesperson stressed that Lai had received appropriate treatment and medical care during his detention, in line with the commitment of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy for the persons in custody (PICs), regardless of their identities.

“Senior counsel representing Lai also clearly informed the court that the correctional institution arranged daily medical check-ups for Lai and that Lai had made no complaints about the medical services received while in custody,” the spokesperson said.

“Regarding the so-called solitary confinement, the Commissioner of Correctional Services is empowered to make arrangements under the Prison Rules that the prisoner should not associate with other prisoners. One of the purposes of such arrangements is to ensure the personal safety and well-being of the PICs. The arrangements for Lai Chee-ying have all along been made at his own request and approved by the CSD after considering all relevant factors in accordance with the law.”

Safeguarding national security

Mr Lee said the HKSAR had a responsibility to safeguard national security and will resolutely combat acts and activities endangering national security.

“Hong Kong is underpinned by the rule of law and the HKSAR Government is committed to ensuring that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account,” Mr Lee said. “The HKSAR Government’s stance is unequivocal. The Judiciary acts confidently, undaunted by any threats. We will resolutely fulfil the responsibility of safeguarding national security.”

The HKSAR Government noted that throughout the enforcement, prosecution and trial stages of Lai’s case, there were smears and attacks as well as interference and pressures from all sides, especially external forces led by the US and some western countries.

“They continuously smeared the law enforcement actions and judicial procedures of the HKSAR. They also, through despicable political manipulations and lies, attempted to glorify the criminal acts of Lai and his syndicate, and sought to impose so-called ‘sanctions’ to intimidate judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers and other officials of the HKSAR Government, in an attempt to interfere with the court to exercise judicial power in accordance with the law and engage in acts of perverting the course of justice and undermining the rule of law,” the spokesperson said.

“Some individuals with ulterior motives have conflated the criminal acts in this case with freedom of the press, while external forces have even played up different cases to vilify the HKSAR.

“In spite of that, the fact remains that Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. In fact, the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security.

“The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of the press, of speech and of publication, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civic and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR, are protected in accordance with the law. However, like all other places in the world, journalists, like everyone else, have an obligation to abide by all the laws.

“Besides, the opening hearing of the case revealed that Lai repeatedly colluded with foreign forces to beg for sanctions against the Central Authorities and the HKSAR Government. His case has absolutely nothing to do with press freedom. The defendants have merely used news reporting as a pretext for years to commit acts that harmed the country and Hong Kong,” the spokesperson added.




Hashtag: #hongkong #law #nationalsecurity





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Global Wellness Forum 2026 Set for June 23 in Kuala Lumpur as Malaysia’s Nutraceutical Industry Embarks on Next-Gen Transformation

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – Malaysia’s wellness market is moving beyond traditional competition over ingredients, dosage, and pricing toward product-format experience, sustained use, and differentiated innovation. The Global Wellness Consumer & Product Trends Forum 2026 will hold a forum on June 23, 2026, in Kuala Lumpur. Under the theme “Defining the Next Generation of Health Industry,” the event will bring together Malaysian trade associations, leading distribution channels, and Taiwanese R&D teams to jointly explore market opportunities.

As a core component, James Pereira, general manager of MADSA, will share insights on Malaysian health industry regulations. Adrian Toh, CEO & Executive Director of R Pharmacy, will provide frontline retail channel observations regarding shifting consumer demands. Alex Liao, General Manager of Welbloom Bio-Tech, will represent Taiwan to share how format innovation effectively responds to brand differentiation, consumption experiences, and market compliance needs.

Faced with brands’ attention toward differentiated experiences, Welbloom Bio-Tech will showcase its proprietary, Halal-certified FRESH-Jelly® technology on-site, demonstrating the innovative application to make supplements more food-like. Through ingredient payload capacities, zero- or low-sugar designs, and customized flavor development, FRESH-Jelly® allows supplements to maintain functionality while becoming more enjoyable to consume regularly, providing Malaysian brands with a distinctive option beyond capsules and tablets.

With the rapid rise of Malaysia’s wellness consumer market, its mature distribution channels and exceptional potential for regional expansion are accelerating the country’s growth as a critical hub for the Southeast Asian health industry. Welbloom Bio-Tech states that this forum is a bridging platform connecting Taiwan’s manufacturing capabilities with Malaysian market insights, aiming to unlock commercially viable partnerships for both regions.

The event is organized by The PAGE, co-organized by Welbloom Bio-Tech and SEAbizs, and supported by NTBSA, MATRADE, R Pharmacy, and MADSA.

Event Information】
Time: June 23, 2026, 09:30 – 14:00
Venue: The Zenith – Connexion Conference & Event Centre, Kuala Lumpur

Hashtag: #WelbloomBioTech

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

About Welbloom Bio-Tech

Welbloom Bio-Tech focuses on health supplement R&D, manufacturing, and dosage form innovation. Through forward-looking market foresight and robust R&D technologies, it provides one-stop services from formulation design and flavor development to manufacturing, assisting clients in Malaysia and Singapore to build highly competitive health supplements.

To learn more, please search “Welbloom” or click the link:

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Doing Good Index 2026: Asia’s US$753 Billion Philanthropic Potential Remains Unrealized

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In the 2026 edition of its flagship policy report the Doing Good Index, the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) finds that Asia’s capacity to deploy private capital for social good is not keeping pace with its potential.

  • Asia’s social sector is under strain: 78% of the 2,166 social delivery organizations (SDOs) surveyed report insufficient domestic funding.
  • Asia is one of the fastest-growing regions for wealth creation, yet the policies and incentives needed to channel it toward social good are not keeping pace.
  • Singapore has become the first economy to enter the “Doing Excellent” category, demonstrating what alignment across regulations, tax incentives, government partnerships and efforts to create a culture of giving can achieve.
  • 84% of Asian SDOs surveyed apply the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their operations, pointing to their enduring value as a shared framework for coordination and collective action beyond 2030.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – Asia’s social needs are intensifying, and official development assistance is declining. Yet, while the region’s wealth is growing dramatically, the policies, incentives and partnerships needed to channel private capital toward social good are not keeping pace. That is a key finding of the Doing Good Index 2026, the fifth edition of CAPS’s flagship policy report, which assesses the enabling environment for private social investment across 17 Asian economies.

The report finds that while the enabling environment for private social investment is in place across much of the region, its effectiveness remains uneven. Improvements in registration processes and accountability mechanisms have been accompanied by persistent barriers, including restrictions on foreign funding, regulatory complexity, and inconsistent government engagement. In many cases, policies exist on paper but are not fully implemented in practice, limiting their impact.

At the same time, although trust in SDOs remains high across the region, broader ecosystem conditions, such as media sentiment, talent pipelines, and institutional support, are showing signs of strain. 81% of SDOs struggle to secure unrestricted funds for their work, while 73% report difficulty recruiting staff, constraining the sector’s ability to turn trust into impact.

“Asia has the wealth, the will, and in many economies, the foundations of a strong enabling environment. What is needed now is concerted, aligned effort to bring them together. The potential is enormous,” said Ruth Shapiro, Co-Founder and CEO, Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society.

Unlocking Asia’s US$753 Billion Philanthropic Potential

Even as Asia’s wealth continues to grow, the region faces significant and intensifying challenges across climate, education and health. Official development assistance is declining, and there is increasing pressure on domestic resources at precisely the moment demand for social services is rising.

If Asian economies were to contribute just 2% of GDP to philanthropy, as the United States does, it could generate an estimated US$753 billion annually for social good. That represents 15 times the official development assistance flowing into the region, and almost half the financing needed to hit the UN’s SDGs in Asia. But realizing that potential depends on strengthening the policies, incentives and partnerships that enable private capital to flow toward social good. The Doing Good Index 2026 finds that across much of Asia, those conditions are not yet in place.

“The world has changed dramatically, and Asia can no longer rely on others to address its social challenges. The Doing Good Index 2026 shows the region has the potential to meet this moment, but only if governments and philanthropists act together to build the conditions that make it possible,” said Ronnie Chan, Chairman, Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society.

Singapore Shows What Alignment Can Achieve
Singapore has, for the first time, entered the top “Doing Excellent” category in the Doing Good Index 2026, reflecting years of deliberate effort to build a strong culture of philanthropy and civic engagement. Clear regulations, generous tax incentives, openness to foreign funding, and close collaboration between government and the social sector have created a strong enabling environment.

Singapore’s achievement demonstrates that when regulations, fiscal policy, ecosystem conditions and procurement work in concert, the outcomes are stronger. While no two economies will follow the same path, Singapore’s experience highlights the conditions that matter, such as the active promotion and alignment of philanthropy and giving across the whole of society.

The SDGs: Falling Short but Still Relevant in Asia
In the run-up to 2030, global progress toward the SDGs has fallen short of ambition, and Asia is no exception. Yet the Doing Good Index 2026 finds that 84% of SDOs continue to apply the SDGs in their work. Further, the rise of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting has not displaced them, because most SDOs see the two frameworks as complementary rather than competing.

As the deadline approaches, the Index points to their enduring value not as a target but as a shared framework for strategy, coordination and collective action in the years ahead.

Other Findings from the Report

  • Talent shortages persist for Asia’s social sector: more than 70% of SDOs face difficulty recruiting and retaining staff across Asia.
  • AI adoption is happening, but usage remains limited: only 13% of surveyed SDOs report using AI regularly.
  • 39% of SDOs say claiming tax benefits is difficult, suggesting administrative barriers may be limiting the impact of existing incentives for giving.

Hashtag: #CAPS #DoingGood #PrivateCapital #PublicGood #Philanthropy #Impact

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

About the Doing Good Index

Released biennially and now in its fifth edition, the Doing Good Index is CAPS’s flagship policy research that assesses the enabling environment for doing good in Asia: the systems, policies and practices that facilitate or constrain philanthropic giving and the deployment of this capital.

CAPS’s research team surveyed 2,166 social delivery organizations (SDOs) and conducted 132 interviews with sector experts across 17 Asian economies to provide a comparative, evidence-based view of where environments are supportive, where gaps persist, and how systems can be strengthened to better mobilize private resources for public good.

The Index looks at indicators under four sub-indexes: regulations, tax and fiscal policy, ecosystem, and government procurement, which provide an understanding of the specific measures economies have taken to catalyze philanthropic giving and promote social sector development.

Since its inception, the Index has been an essential resource for policymakers, philanthropists, and nonprofit leaders seeking to understand and improve the conditions for giving across the region.

For more information, and visit .

About the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS)

Established in 2013 and working across more than 17 economies in Asia, the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quantity and quality of philanthropic and private giving throughout Asia. Our mission is to maximize private capital for public good, conducting research, advisory, convening and capacity building to engage philanthropists, foundations, family offices, corporates, government bodies, social sector organizations and experts on best practices, models, policies and strategies to facilitate private giving and social investment in the region. For more information, visit and .

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Frost & Sullivan White Paper Names Phancy Rise vGPU a Tier 1 Leading Platform

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Rise vGPU + ModelHub Power China’s AI into the Heterogeneous Orchestration Era

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 June 2026 – Frost & Sullivan, a globally renowned growth consulting firm, has released its “2026 AI Infrastructure Orchestration Platform White Paper”. The report recognizes Phancy Group’s Rise vGPU as a Tier 1 Leading Platform, the highest maturity tier in heterogeneous GPU orchestration. Phancy’s ModelHub also achieved the highest Overall Score in the enterprise-grade model management platform evaluation. This marks a significant endorsement of Phancy’s technological capability in heterogeneous AI infrastructure.

According to the white paper, as large model applications scale rapidly, China’s AI industry is facing structural challenges stemming from multi-chip coexistence. These include hardware heterogeneity, fragmented software stacks, persistently low GPU utilization (generally below 30%), and rising model adaptation complexity — all of which have become major bottlenecks for enterprise-scale AI deployment.

The report highlights a fundamental shift in AI infrastructure competitiveness – moving away from “single-chip performance” toward “cluster-scale system coordination.” At this critical juncture, Phancy has positioned itself as a leader in advanced orchestration through its full-stack AI infrastructure platform, offering a proven solution to heterogeneous compute challenges and helping drive China’s AI industry from “compute accumulation” into a new era of “compute orchestration.”

Phancy Rise vGPU: Tier 1 Leading Platform

In its assessment of mainstream AI infrastructure platforms, Frost & Sullivan defined Tier 1 criteria across three core dimensions: heterogeneous support, fine-grained control, and production-grade execution. Phancy Rise vGPU meets all three standards and has been recognized as a Tier 1 Leading Platform.

Rise vGPU transforms AI infrastructure from fragmented, low-efficiency device-level management to a unified software-defined control plane. Its key technology breakthroughs include:

  • Comprehensive Heterogeneous Management: Unified onboarding and management across more than 10 mainstream GPU/NPU vendors, including NVIDIA, Ascend, Cambricon, Hygon, and others.
  • Ultra-Fine Resource Partitioning: Industry-leading sub-GPU level compute and MB-level memory granularity slicing.
  • Significant Utilization Improvement: Through safe oversubscription and time/space multiplexing, GPU utilization is increased from industry averages below 30% to 70%-90%.
  • Intelligent Precision Scheduling: Multi-dimensional scheduling algorithms based on priority, topology, load, and resource awareness to achieve optimal compute allocation.
  • Production-Grade SLA Assurance: The Deterministic Execution Layer delivers committed and auditable SLA guarantees for critical inference workloads.
  • Full Lifecycle Operability: Comprehensive monitoring, metering, and cost allocation capabilities that turn GPU resources into truly operable digital assets.

Model Hub: Highest Overall Score in Model Management Platform Evaluation

Beyond compute orchestration, the report underscores the strategic importance of enterprise-grade model management platforms. As a powerful complement to Rise vGPU, Phancy ModelHub enables enterprises to build a complete full-stack AI infrastructure — from compute to models and from resource scheduling to business delivery.

The white paper notes that Phancy ModelHub delivers leading performance in key areas such as Model & Chip Compatibility, Execution Stability & Performance, and Model-GPU Coordination & Scheduling, achieving the highest Overall Score. Through its unified model management and execution platform, ModelHub creates a seamless closed-loop process covering model onboarding, deployment optimization, inference services, and version governance — significantly lowering the barrier to model deployment and accelerating AI innovation.

Dr. Dai Wenyuan, Founder & CEO of Phancy, said: “The Frost & Sullivan white paper accurately captures the inflection point in AI infrastructure development. The recognition of Rise vGPU as a Tier 1 Leading Platform and ModelHub’s top Overall Score provide important authoritative validation of Phancy’s technology strategy and product strength. As a full-stack AI cloud service platform, Phancy believes the next wave of competitiveness in the AI industry will come from systematic improvements in compute orchestration efficiency. We will continue to focus on heterogeneous compute unified scheduling and model ecosystem operations, working closely with customers and industry partners to advance China’s AI industry from ‘compute accumulation’ to a true ‘compute orchestration’ era.”

Hashtag: #PhancyGroup

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

About Phancy Group

Phancy Group (6682.HK) is a leading full-stack AI cloud services platform, providing comprehensive solutions for the AI 2.0 era. Our offerings include Rise vGPU, ModelHub and SageAIOS, delivering efficient and scalable AI infrastructure with end-to-end capabilities. We provide a complete solution from heterogeneous compute resource management and optimization to the deployment of intelligent agent models. These solutions empower digital transformation across a wide range of industries, supporting our vision of building a large-scale and efficient “Token Factory.”

Guided by the mission of “AI for Everyone” and positioned as the “Navigator of AI,” Phancy Group is committed to becoming a global leader in Artificial General Intelligence.

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