Media OutReach
Surging AI, Connecting ASEAN — Guangxi’s “A-Super” League Drives Collaborative Achievements
From AI completing a food safety test for Luosifen in 30 seconds to autonomous port vehicles operating safely without human drivers, a series of innovative scenarios have emerged from the meticulous incubation of this “A-Super” League.
At the forefront of China-ASEAN cooperation, Guangxi is using the A-Super League as a fulcrum to accelerate an intelligent transformation across industries—turning the development model of “R&D in Beijing-Shanghai-Guangzhou + integration in Guangxi + application in ASEAN” into a vivid practice of regional digital growth.
A Diverse Set of Tracks Linking to the World
Along the Yongjiang River, innovation momentum continues to rise. On October 30, the AI-Empowered Market Supervision Innovation Application Competition held its final roadshow and awards ceremony in Nanning. Among more than 1,300 national registrations for this track, 36 teams were independently formed by ASEAN countries, while 69 were joint China-ASEAN teams—making it the most active and diverse track for ASEAN participation in the first round of the A-Super League.
This event is only a snapshot. Since its launch in July, all 19 sub-competitions have advanced in full swing. Twelve tracks—including automotive, e-commerce, and healthcare—have hosted their finals or roadshows, while seven tracks—covering education, esports, and transportation—are attracting enthusiastic registrations. The series has drawn 9,739 teams across 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and 10 ASEAN countries. With Chinese and international teams competing on the same stage, technical ideas are colliding and merging, helping build an open and resilient regional industrial ecosystem with broad participation and full-chain collaboration.
To deepen cross-border cooperation, the A-Super League issued an open invitation to ASEAN companies from the outset, while encouraging joint team formation between Chinese and ASEAN enterprises. Through collaboration, both sides have developed high-quality outcomes such as smart ports, intelligent vehicle cabins, and digital orchards.
Today, 584 ASEAN teams are participating across all tracks. The talent track and e-commerce track each have more than 100 ASEAN teams, reflecting multi-level, wide-coverage cross-border participation. Overseas sub-venues have also been set up in Bangkok (Thailand) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), drawing strong engagement from ASEAN students.
Guangxi Takes on the Mission of Integration
“It is no longer just a technical competition—it has become a major platform for China-ASEAN digital cooperation.” This remark by Lu Xinning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of Guangxi and Vice Chairman of the Autonomous Region, at a State Council Information Office press conference in September, precisely captures the deeper value of the A-Super League.
Guangxi is maximizing its role as an integrator by proactively connecting resources and building a solid bridge for transforming competition results into industrial applications.
The A-Super League has established a full-chain mechanism of “competition selection — resource matchmaking — industrial incubation.” Each event organizer screens projects together with local cities; the Autonomous Region Data Bureau consolidates results; the Autonomous Region Park Office manages industrial landing; and the Autonomous Region Science and Technology Department promotes technology transfer. With clearly defined roles, Guangxi ensures that leading AI technologies from across China align with market needs in ASEAN, unlocking vast regional development potential.
Local Guangxi companies have also made strong showings. Guangxi PinGe Intelligent Life Sciences Co., Ltd. won first prize in the “AI + Market Supervision” track with its independently developed “AI-powered Robotic Microbial Testing Smart Laboratory.” “Our robotic AI lab has been deployed at Bright Dairy in Shanghai, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Fortune Global 500 company Doosan Group in Korea, and is being used in pharmaceutical factories operated by major European and American companies in India—all developed, researched, and manufactured here in Guangxi,” said company representative Liang Zhihong with pride.
In the “AI + Automotive” Innovation Competition, Malaysian automotive aftermarket leader ServAuto Sdn Bhd showcased an AI-driven one-stop service platform. Through an AI marketing engine, AIGC content production, and omnichannel distribution, the platform enables precise customer acquisition; meanwhile, its AI automotive service engine enhances the user experience with intelligent diagnostics, multilingual customer support, and predictive maintenance. The platform now connects more than 50,000 repair shops and 17 million car owners.
“China has advanced rapidly in AI. We look forward to deeper collaboration with our Chinese partners and to promoting AI adoption in Malaysia’s automotive aftermarket,” said COO Foo Yong Hao.
Industry Empowerment Bringing Tangible Results
From labs to production lines, and from competition arenas to real markets, the A-Super League is accelerating the transformation of technological achievements. Each sub-competition is actively linking participating companies with investors, bringing in leading venture capital institutions and helping high-quality projects secure capital and commercialization.
Focusing on “AI + Culture and Tourism,” the city of Beihai has introduced a full-spectrum support package for award-winning teams, established the China-ASEAN Smart Culture and Tourism Innovation Lab under a “government-industry-academia-research” model, and built a demonstration zone for smart tourism on Weizhou Island. Eleven tech companies from Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen have already joined.
In the “AI + Cross-Border Talent” track, the U.S.-based team led by Luo Xiaozhong developed an AI visual detection system for packaging defects, overcoming the limitations of traditional inspection methods with the world’s first optical smart inspection device capable of addressing near-sightedness and presbyopia. The project has already engaged with Nanning Industrial Investment Group and is expected to settle in Nanning.
Centered on “AI + Automotive,” four teams—ModelBest, Banma Zhixing, Huayu Automotive Electronics, and Nanning Digital Technology Institute—signed major cooperation agreements on-site with institutions such as Geely Automobile Research Institute and Guangxi Haoling Automotive Technology, securing contracts worth tens of millions of yuan and creating strong links between industry, academia, and application. ModelBest VP Yuan Shuai noted that the company plans to deepen its presence in Guangxi and leverage Guangxi as a springboard to explore new opportunities in the ASEAN market.
In the “AI + Market Supervision” track, participating teams addressed core industry challenges and completed 30 technological breakthroughs across six major fields. Among the 42 finalist projects, seven have already been implemented and 35 have been incorporated into follow-up development plans. The outcomes span food safety, special equipment, safety oversight, and cross-border trade, providing strong support for intelligent market governance.
The “AI + Healthcare” track also yielded standout results. A joint research team from Guangxi CDC and Lang Son Province CDC in Vietnam developed an “AI-Powered Infectious Disease Prediction and Early Warning System,” tailored to public health needs across Guangxi and ASEAN. The system addresses issues such as insufficient computing resources and data delays at the grassroots level. It is now being piloted in several regions of Guangxi and, once mature, will be promoted in Vietnam to serve broader ASEAN public health needs.
Innovating for the Future
The A-Super League has become a hub for cutting-edge ideas and industry ecosystem building. Each track is guided by a panel of academicians and industry leaders to ensure rigorous evaluation and effective transformation of results. Leading Chinese tech companies and research institutions play active roles, while major enterprises collaborate with smaller companies in joint innovation.
Here, innovation resources concentrate rapidly: seven tracks—including automotive, e-commerce, culture and tourism, and talent—feature “challenge-based” project mechanisms targeting core technical bottlenecks. Tracks such as culture and tourism and safety are accelerating the development of industry datasets to support AI applications. The competition also includes special awards like “Future ASEAN-Oriented Unicorn Enterprises,” guiding innovation resources toward cross-border applications.
Standing at a new starting point, Guangxi’s A-Super League is expanding its influence beyond competition arenas and into real industries—radiating from Guangxi to ASEAN. Under the national-level platform of the China-ASEAN AI Application Cooperation Center, the innovation loop of “R&D in Beijing-Shanghai-Guangzhou + integration in Guangxi + application in ASEAN” is becoming increasingly solid.
As finals continue across multiple tracks, more innovations are expected to emerge, injecting new vitality into China-ASEAN digital economic cooperation. As Guangxi Party Secretary Chen Gang said at the competition’s launch: “Through this AI competition, we hope to enhance public awareness of AI, keep pace with the times, and embrace this era.”
The A-Super League is only the beginning. The ultimate goal—ensuring that the public shares in the benefits of AI development and fostering long-term, stable China-ASEAN cooperation in artificial intelligence—is the true horizon of this innovation journey.
Hashtag: #GuangxiInternationalCommunicationCenter
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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.
Media OutReach
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
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
