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VinFast Advances Ecosystem Strategy in Philippines’ EV Catch-Up
Emerging Asia’s electric vehicle market reached nearly 400,000 sales in 2024[1], but the gains were spread unevenly across the region.
In Southeast Asia, Vietnam led the way with nearly 90,000 electric cars sold, accounting for 17.6 percent of the country’s car market.[2] Thailand followed closely with just over 70,000 new EVs, accounting for 13 percent of all car sales[3]. Indonesia recorded 49,200 EVs, representing over 7 percent of national sales.[4]
The Philippines lags behind. Fewer than 19,000 electrified vehicles were sold in 2024, making up only around 4 percent of new car purchases.[5]
Can the Philippines draft a catch-up strategy in Southeast Asia’s EV sprint? The short answer is yes, but it needs to work closely with all stakeholders, especially OEMs like VinFast, which is bringing a comprehensive ecosystem designed to address the major concerns of potential EV buyers.
The ASEAN EV Race
Regional competitors are deploying aggressive strategies to dominate the electric transition. Thailand offers big multi-year tax holidays and targets 30 percent domestic EV production by 2030. Indonesia leverages its world-leading nickel reserves to attract battery manufacturers. Vietnam is using homegrown VinFast as a launchpad into export markets.
Manila isn’t standing still either, as the 2022 Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) lays out a roadmap for EV adoption that includes reduced import tariffs, EV-only parking slots, and a requirement for 5 percent of large fleets to be electric. However, the policy offers few supply-side incentives, and so while EV sales have picked up in recent years, they still account for only a single-digit share of total car sales.
The country’s oil dependency adds pressure. MUFG estimates that a 10-dollar increase per barrel in crude oil would widen the Philippines’ current-account deficit from roughly 3.5 percent to over 4.5 percent of GDP.[6] That is a full percentage-point increase, largely driven by fuel imports.
The Philippines pledged to trim greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 75% by 2030 under the Paris Agreement. And EV is a big part of this[7]. But electrifying transportation means consumers need more affordable, serviceable zero-emission options. More than that, the government needs partners who can support the full ecosystem, including infrastructure, services, and education, not just the vehicles themselves.
VinFast’s Whole-of-Ecosystem Approach
VinFast vehicles are already on Philippine roads. In July 2024, the company opened its first three showrooms. Almost a year later, the OEM became a full member of CAMPI, giving it a seat at the local policy table alongside other traditional automotive brands.
What’s notable about VinFast’s approach is its effort to build a comprehensive “For a Green Future” ecosystem. The company has partnered with local dealers to open more than 60 new showrooms by the end of the year. Collaborations with tire and maintenance chains like Goodyear and Tire King will extend after-sales service coverage, aiming for over 100 authorized service workshops across the Philippines by 2025. This tackles the “who fixes my EV, and where?” anxiety head-on.
VinFast has also launched a free charging program alongside the debut of its VF 6 subcompact model. This initiative allows customers to charge for free at its dedicated network until May 1, 2027. The network, operated by V-GREEN, aims to roll out 15,000 charging ports across the country in 2025.
VinFast’s strategy targets three major EV adoption barriers all at once. It eases range anxiety through accessible charging, tackles maintenance fears with a broad service network, and addresses upfront cost concerns through policies such as a buyback program that offers up to 90 percent of the vehicle’s original value.
Even without building a local factory, VinFast’s ecosystem creates jobs in sales, repairs, software, and charging infrastructure. This supports Manila’s EVIDA goals, helps reduce urban pollution, and contributes to lowering oil dependence.
Another hidden challenge to EV adoption and one VinFast aims to solve is lack of familiarity, which, according to some studies, is actually the largest barrier. One American study found that once drivers experience EVs firsthand, concerns about range, costs, and charging drop significantly[8].
To help bridge that gap, VinFast is working with various B2B partners and mobility service providers that are helping make electric vehicles more visible and accessible in everyday life, including Green GSM, the Philippines’ first all-electric taxi service, which recently launched on June 10, 2025.
By interacting with Green GSM drivers, all of whom operate VinFast vehicles, everyday commuters are given a practical and low-barrier introduction to EVs. These conversations can help the public understand how EVs work, what they feel like to drive one, and why they might be worth considering. Eventually, that exposure could encourage more people to make the switch.
In Southeast Asia’s e-mobility race, the Philippines may lack a domestic factory. Still, VinFast’s ecosystem-focused approach gives the country a real opportunity to catch up and perhaps even pull ahead.
Hashtag: #VinFast
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Razer Blade 2026 Laptop Lineup Compared: Blade 14 vs 16 vs 18
The result is a range built to dominate anything from AAA gaming at 4K to AI workloads and content creation, regardless of which form factor suits you best.
Choosing the right Razer Blade laptop in 2026 between the Blade 14, Blade 16 and Blade 18 comes down to what kind of gamer, creator or AI developer you are and what you want out of your laptop: portability or maxed out performance.
Quick Answer: The Right Razer Blade For Every Type of User
- Razer Blade 14: The ideal pick if you game anywhere and value portability and battery life above all else. Built for gamers with things to do and places to be.
- Razer Blade 16: A balanced pick. Slim enough to commute with, powerful enough to skip a desktop. Best for gamers and creators who want the most possible performance in a premium but portable gaming laptop.
- Razer Blade 18: The closest a laptop comes to replacing a full gaming tower or AI dev workstation. For hardcore gamers and AI developers who demand breakthrough performance and the best of the best.
2026 Razer Blade 14 vs 16 vs 18 Laptop Comparison at a Glance: Specs, Use Cases and More
| Spec | Razer Blade 14 (2026) | Razer Blade 16 (2026) | Razer Blade 18 (2026) |
| Graphics | Up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070 (Up to 115W TGP) | Up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 Laptop GPU, 24GB GDDR7 (Up to 165W TGP) | Up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 Laptop GPU, 24GB GDDR7 (Up to 175W TGP) |
| Processor |
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| Display |
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| Memory | Up to 32 GB LPDDR5X 8000 MHz (Soldered) | Up to 64 GB LPDDR5X 9600 MHz (Soldered) | Up to 128 GB DDR5 6400 MHz (Slotted) |
| Storage | Installed
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Installed
Expandable
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Installed
or
Expandable Supports PCIe SSDs, each slot upgradeable to 8 TB SSD (Dual Sided M.2)
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| Weight | 1.63 kg / 3.59 lbs | 2.14 kg / 4.71 lbs |
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| Dimensions |
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| Price | From US$2,299 – US$2,899 | From US$2,399 – US$5,599 | From US$3,499 – US$6999 |
| Best For | Gamers on the move who want flagship-tier portability and battery life without giving up serious GPU power. | Gamers and creators who want flagship performance and a class-leading 240 Hz OLED in a chassis they can still commute with | Hardcore gamers, AI developers and pro creators who want desktop-class performance, upgradeable RAM and storage in a portable form factor |
*Spec ranges reflect the highest configurations available at the time of writing. Razer rotates configurations periodically, so please confirm your exact build before buying.
Razer Blade 14: For Gamers on the Move
The Blade 14 is built for the gamer who refuses to choose between portability and proper gaming performance. Daily commuters, students, frequent travellers and creators who want to work and play from anywhere are the natural fit. If your laptop spends real time in a bag, this is the Blade for you.
- Genuine all-day portability: At 1.63kg/3.59 lbs and just 0.62 inch thin, you won’t have to remove anything from your bag to carry the Blade 14
- Massive battery life for a svelte gaming laptop: Packing a 72 Wh battery, the Razer Blade 14 is good for a full day of work or play on a single charge.
- Enough power on the move: The RTX 5070 and AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 handle modern AAA titles with ease, plus AI workloads via the 50 TOPS NPU
- Calman Verified OLED display: A 120 Hz refresh rate that’s smooth enough for most games, with the colour accuracy creative work demands
Explore the Razer Blade 14.
Razer Blade 16: The Travel-Ready All-Rounder
The Blade 16 is for the user who wants flagship performance without committing to a desktop replacement form factor. Streamers running OBS alongside competitive titles, creators handling 4K video and AI-accelerated workflows and gamers chasing a true 240 Hz OLED experience on the go all fit the profile. It’s the model that gets recommended most often, and the 2026 generation strengthens the case.
- Flagship-class performance: The RTX 5090 hits 160 W TGP and pairs with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 to push AAA games and AI workloads past what most desktops achieve at QHD.
- The display that does it all: A 16-inch QHD+ OLED at 240 Hz with VESA TrueBlack 1000 HDR and Calman Verified colour, capable of displaying competitive-gaming levels of framerates and creator-grade colour accuracy at the same time.
- The fastest laptop memory shipping today: Up to 64 GB of LPDDR5X-9600 MHz means dozens of browser tabs, OBS, your game and a Premiere timeline can all stay open without anything stuttering.
- Travel-ready flagship: At 14.9 mm and 2.14kg/4.71 lbs, the Blade 16 fits a regular sleeve, and Thunderbolt 5 plugs it straight into a full desktop setup when you’re back at base.
Explore the Razer Blade 16.
Razer Blade 18: Desktop-Class Performance for Power Users
The Blade 18 is built for users who want desktop-class performance without completely trading mobility. The natural audience includes professional creators editing 4K footage, hardcore gamers chasing high frame rates and developers running VMs or AI training jobs. It’s the right pick if you’d rather have one machine that handles everything than maintain a desktop and a separate laptop.
- Desktop-grade silicon: A 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus paired with an RTX 5090 at 175 W TGP runs AI training, 4K rendering and maxed-out AAA gaming without throttling.
- Swap and expand your memory and storage: The only Blade with slotted DDR5 RAM (up to 128 GB) and two M.2 NVMe slots (up to 8 TB), so your Razer Blade can grow with your project files, AI model weights or game library.
- A desktop display in a laptop: The 18-inch dual-mode panel runs UHD+ at 240 Hz for content creation or FHD+ at 440 Hz for competitive gaming.
- Sustained performance under marathon workloads: Triple-fan vapor chamber cooling handles hour-long renders, AI training runs and ranked sessions without throttling, with overclocking support in Razer Synapse when you want to push further.
Pick Your Razer Blade for 2026
The 2026 Razer Blade lineup offers three distinct paths: maximum portability with the Blade 14, balanced flagship power with the Blade 16 and desktop-class performance with the Blade 18. Whichever fits your style of play, there’s a Blade with your name on it.
Browse all Razer Gaming Laptops to see current configurations and pricing for the Razer Blade and more.
Hashtag: #razer #razerblade #razerblade14 #razerblade16 #razerblade18 #gaminglaptop
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Razer
Razer™ is the world’s leading lifestyle brand For Gamers. By Gamers.
The triple-headed snake trademark of Razer is one of the most recognized logos in the global gaming and esports communities. With a fan base that spans every continent, the company has designed and built the world’s largest gamer-focused ecosystem of hardware, software and services.
Razer’s award-winning hardware includes high-performance gaming peripherals and Blade gaming laptops.
With over 200 million users, Razer’s software platform includes Razer Synapse (an Internet of Things platform), Razer Chroma RGB (a proprietary RGB lighting technology system supporting thousands of devices and hundreds of games/apps), and Razer Cortex (a game optimizer and launcher).
Razer also offers payment services for gamers, youth, millennials and Gen Z. Razer Gold is one of the world’s largest game payment services, and Razer Fintech provides fintech services in emerging markets.
Founded in 2005, Razer is dual headquartered in Irvine, California and Singapore, with regional headquarters in Hamburg and Shanghai and 19 offices worldwide.
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OneGrowth 2026: Shared AI Token Era Ahead China Telecom Global Partner Conference Held
Global Industry Leaders Convene, Charting a New Chapter for the Intelligent Era
Liu Ying, Executive Vice President of China Telecom, stated in her speech that China Telecom closely align with the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting the deep integration of mature domestic technological capabilities with global cloud and network resources, and steadily enhancing its international operational strength. Through continuous cultivation, China Telecom has built an AI Token international operation capability system, consolidating the foundation for expanding the global market and deepening ecosystem cooperation. Based on the new stage of the AI Token era, China Telecom is committed to leveraging Token operations as a bond to share the new global computing network, co-create a new paradigm of AI services, jointly govern the new cross-border compliance order, and collectively embrace the new value of the digital intelligence wave.
OneGrowth 2026, Upgraded, Annual Milestones Revisited
At the conference, China Telecom Global (CTG) officially launched the AI-powered and upgraded OneGrowth 2026 Global Cooperation Initiative. This upgrade centers on the three core dimensions of capabilities, applications, and cooperation. Leveraging on the AI Token empowerment system, it accelerates the standardization, commercialization, and global promotion of core AI capabilities.
Looking back at the past year, the key cooperation achievements of the China Telecom OneGrowth blueprint have gradually been put into practice. The “main artery” of the computing power network is smoother, the “2+5+X” global AIDC layout is accelerating, the ALC international submarine cable successfully landed in Hong Kong, and international submarine and terrestrial cables have increased to 185, with a capacity exceeding 304T. The “new engine” of platform capabilities is fully activated; the all-scenario Vision Network platform “OmanEye” officially commenced commercial trial provisioning, the International Seelink Vison Network Platform successfully put into service, and the global traffic platform operation has cumulatively served millions of customers. Four lightweight quantum products, including eSurfing Quantum Secret, took the lead in landing in the Asia-Pacific region. The “experimental field” of industry applications landed at scale; the Satellite Direct-to-PhoneService successfully landed in Hong Kong and Laos, and the global Internet of Vehicles (IoV) “One Card” capability covers more than 230 countries and regions. The “ecosystem” of cloud-intelligence integration continues to prosper, connecting to over 300 mainstream large models via more than 230 global cloud nodes.
United Through Tokens, Cultivared the AI Ecosystem
China Telecom comprehensively implementing the corporate strategy “Cloudification, Digital Transformation, and AI for good” and actively promotes Token-based operations, sincerely inviting global partners to activate the infinite potential of AI Tokens jointly defining a brand-new map for the intelligent era with OneGrowth initiative.
1. Capabilities Fully Upgraded, Building a “Five-in-One” Token Operation System
China Telecom deepens the “Five-in-One” Intelligent Cloud System, builds an “L-shaped” capability layout, and continuously enhances capabilities in compute, platforms, data, models, and applications, externally launching a one-stop comprehensive Token service platform—XINGCHEN TokenHub.
The Xingchen Super Intelligent Agent TeleAgent enables one-click access to mainstream global large models, creating a lightweight and highly efficient AI Token experience for various customers. The platform provides large model access and public cloud cooperation for leading customers in the industry, and providing standard and customized packages for SME customers in subdivided industries, achieving full-chain value management of “Production—Orchestration & Distribution—Application.”
2. Layout of Four AI Sectors, Building a Token Value Community
Building on the comprehensive layout of four core AI business sectors, and simultaneously opening up all platform resources of XINGCHEN TokenHub, differentiated cooperation schemes are launched for each track, joining hands with global partners to build a Token value community.
AI+ New Connectivity:
With cloud-network integration and computing-network unity as its foundation, and relying on intelligent dedicated lines, it achieves one-point cloud access, proximate high-speed connection, and ubiquitous coverage, providing low-latency, highly stable compute-network support for the high-speed flow of Tokens. It can provide partners with full-process services from technology to deployment, realizing intelligent connections that are manageable, controllable, and security-compliant.
AI+ Vision Network:
Jointly building an open and collaborative vision network platform with 30+ global partners. The international visual platform has deployed across multiple sites in Oman, the UAE, and the Asia-Pacific region, boasting over 10 landing scenarios. Driven by the twin engines of “platform + terminal” and “standards + operations”, creating a Token operation gateway to support overseas operators in achieving breakthrough growth and value-driven operations.
AI+ IoT:
Empowered by mature eSIM technology and an AI+ unified management platform, the business covers 230+ countries and regions, accumulating overseas service cases from 30+ leading automotive enterprises. The cooperation model has upgraded to a joint-operation framework, providing DMP platform customization, joint laboratory R&D, AIoT operation upgrades, and automotive industry eco-partnerships to enhance global user experience.
AI+ Digital Life:
Building the core AI entrance for families based on “one all-optical network, one intelligent cloud, and one Better Home.” It empowers externally by leveraging mature domestic experiences of 290 million users of Xiao Yi Guan Jia (Wing Butler) and 580 million ubiquitous smart terminal connections. Centering on overseas market demands, it opens up international cooperation for core products such as the eSurfing Smart Screen and eSurfing Cloud Drive, together with partners explore brand-new business models and empower global smart families.
Alliance Inaugurated, Consolidating the Foundation for Intelligent Upgrades
During the conference, the AI Token Global Service Ecosystem Alliance was officially inaugurated. Co-initiated by leading enterprises in domestic and overseas computing power supply, large model R&D, and vertical industry applications, the alliance is dedicated to unblocking the full-link synergy of AI Tokens from production and scheduling to application and monetization, jointly building an open, interoperable, and value-sharing globalized AI comprehensive service network to provide a solid foundation for the intelligent upgrade of global industries.
Outstanding Partners Honored, Embarking on a New Journey Together
The conference concluded with an awards ceremony. China Telecom presented the OneGrowth Best Innovative Carrier Partner, OneGrowth Best Product Innovative Partner, OneGrowth Best Strategic Partner, and OneGrowth Best Benchmark Partnership to partners who have shown outstanding performance in global cooperation. This accolades recognize partners walking alongside China Telecom, synergizing deeply in industrial layout planning, tackling cutting-edge technologies, and expanding overseas markets, thereby gathering industrial synergy to consolidate the foundation for digital industry development and jointly boosting the global digital intelligent transformation process.
This conference marks the strategic progression of the OneGrowth Global Cooperation Initiative from ecosystem construction to deep cultivation of sub-tracks. China Telecom will continue to leverage its unique advantages of cloud-network integration and broad cross-border coverage, upholding the core cooperation philosophy of “Co-Creation, Sharing, Co-Governance, and Win-Win.” By building a computing power foundation, expanding the cloud-network backbone, innovating the intelligent core, and gathering ecological synergy, it will make AI Tokens the universal value carrier connecting the global intelligent ecosystem, continuously contributing China Telecom’s strength to building a smarter, safer, and more inclusive global digital industry ecosystem.
Hashtag: #ChinaTelecom
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Hong Kong celebrates surge of global enterprises driving investment and opportunities
During the reception, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the government’s investment promotion agency, announced impressive results for the first half of 2026, revealing that these enterprises are expected to bring in over HK$53 billion (US$6.8 billion) in foreign direct investment and create over 8,600 new jobs for Hong Kong.
Speaking at the reception, John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said Hong Kong is one of the best places in the world to do business, being ranked as the world’s freest economy by the Fraser Institute and the second most competitive economy according to the latest IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook.
“In choosing Hong Kong for your Asian and global business expansion, you share my belief in Hong Kong’s flourishing future,” Mr Lee said. “You have made a wise choice. Hong Kong is one of the world’s best economies to do business in and with.”
Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong possesses the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support from the country (China) and being closely connected to the world. The city offers an open and business-friendly environment, a simple and low tax regime, and a common law system that seamlessly connects with global financial centres.
Austria-based transport and logistics firm Gebrüder Weiss recently upgraded its Hong Kong office to become regional headquarters in East Asia and Oceania. Its Regional Director East Asia/Oceania, Michael Zankel, said of Hong Kong, “The business environment is great, you have a lot of talent around here to employ. It has always been the gateway to the Chinese Mainland but for us it is more a gateway to Asia.”
According to Merwann Younes, Global Head of Hospitality & Lifestyle Channels for Italian company Moleskine, Hong Kong is a “a very dynamic and creative city, which are also the core values for Moleskine as a brand.”
Etienne Dubois, Chief Strategy Officer, Unlimitics, which has developed an AI-powered school simulation game designed for neurodivergent children, said Hong Kong is a good place for start-up entrepreneurs like himself. “It is a very good melting pot for talent and opportunities and for growth,” he said.
Expanding on its first half results for 2026, InvestHK announced that its number of completed projects had increased 9% compared to the same period in 2025, while anticipated direct investment was up 36% and new jobs created rose 6% year-on-year.
In terms of place of origin of the 413 enterprises, 246 came from the Chinese Mainland, followed by Singapore (26), the United States (21), the United Kingdom (18), France (11) and Italy (11).
The top five sectors are innovation and technology (93), financial services and fintech (89), tourism and hospitality (55), transport, logistics and industrials (44), and business and professional services (39).
Looking ahead, Mr Lee said the HKSAR Government was expediting development of the Northern Metropolis, a new economic engine destined to rise as an international I&T and business hub.
“This will unlock abundant opportunities and shape a prosperous future for Hong Kong,” Mr Lee said, adding that the HKSAR Government is creating Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan, a strategic blueprint that will focus on long-term economic momentum, advancing technology and improving livelihoods.
Investment promotion results of InvestHK for the first half of 2026 are available at: https://gia.info.gov.hk/general/202606/25/P2026062500366_548202_1_1782386859629.pdf
Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #investhk #business #investment
https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-hong-kong/
https://x.com/Brand_HK/
https://www.facebook.com/brandhk.isd
https://www.instagram.com/brandhongkong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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