ACN Newswire

- 5 Fan-powered Steam Units, 3 Hybrid Evaporative Warm-mist Systems, 4 Limited-edition E-commerce Models -

- Water level window and display brightness control newly added to 350ml/h fan-powered steam model
- Sequential operation of hybrid evaporative warm-mist units with Mitsubishi room air-conditioners expanded to high-performance models

TOKYO, Aug 23, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Starting September 1, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Corporation, a Group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), will progressively launch its 2018 lineup of "roomist" humidifiers for the Japanese market. The lineup will consist of eight standard models, plus four limited-edition models available exclusively through amazon.co.jp. The fan-powered steam type units--five standard and four available only online--are designed for easy operation and engineered for outstanding energy savings and quiet operation. The three hybrid evaporative warm-mist units achieve one of the highest levels of energy efficiency among products of their type; they are also the industry's only humidifiers for residential applications equipped with a function enabling sequential operation with an air-conditioner.(1)

Among the five standard fan-powered steam type humidifiers, the two with a humidifying capacity of 350 milliliters per hour (ml/h) consume a maximum of only 250 watts (W) and operate at 27 decibels (dB), making them the most energy-efficient and quietest humidifiers of their type. They also offer superlative operating ease. Features newly added in the new lineup include a window enabling easy monitoring of the remaining humidifying water, brightness control of the digital display panel, and the return of a fragrance tray permitting aroma therapeutic enjoyment. This lineup also includes two 600ml/h models--the only humidifiers of this capacity offered by the major Japanese manufacturers--and one 1,200ml/h model. The 350 and 600ml/h models in this series are available in two color variations, the widely popular pure white and monotone black.

All models in the fan-powered steam humidifier lineup come with a standard-equipped ion filter that curbs scaling, for easy overall maintenance. As with earlier models, they feature "double plasma bacterial removal" functions: one suppresses viruses and airborne bacteria through the release of plasma ions, and the other uses a special filter to capture bacteria and mold(2). The 350 and 600ml/h models also come with retractable handles convenient for carrying the unit, replenishing or removing water, etc.

All fan-powered steam humidifier models adopt a proprietary system in which vaporization is achieved simply by heating the water absorbed by the vaporization cloth, so there is no worry of possible scalding even in the unlikely event the unit were to topple over, as there is no spillage of boiling water. All systems kick in swiftly, requiring only about 1 minute after operation start. Also, because with this type of system humidifying capacity is only marginally affected by temperature or humidity, dependable moisturizing is provided even in low-temperature ambient environments normally difficult to humidify. Maintenance is simple, and an "ECO" operating mode is provided to reduce the humidifying capacity.

The three hybrid evaporative warm-mist humidifier models offer humidifying capacities of 500, 700 and 850ml/h and come equipped with the "double plasma bacterial removal" feature. Hybrid models integrate two vaporizing systems: one in which a moist filter is fanned to induce humidification, the other in which a moist filter is placed in a warm air current generated by a heater to begin humidification. When humidity is low, humidification is achieved swiftly by the latter "warm-mist vaporization" mode; then, when the preset humidity level is reached, the unit switches to the former "vaporization" mode and adjusts the level of humidification. As changeover between the two modes is automatically carried out depending on the humidity level, unnecessary electricity costs can be significantly curbed. When the unit is set to "ECO" operating mode, the heater is shut off and power consumption is reduced by roughly 90% compared to during normal operation.

All hybrid evaporative warm-mist humidifier models are equipped with a function enabling sequential operation with room air-conditioners made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd.: not only the five top-of-the-line models in the SRK-SW Series as before, but now also the five high-performance models in the SRK-RW Series. Employing a humidity sensor on the air-conditioning unit, signals (ON/OFF) are sent to the humidifier to control the preset humidity level. All models of this type also offer superlative ease of maintenance. Their pleated humidifying filter lasts a remarkably long eight seasons (SHK50 model) before replacement is needed, and the standard-equipped silver ion antibacterial agent suppresses water putrefaction and growth of bacterial and mold.

The four limited-edition fan-powered steam humidifier models to be available exclusively through amazon.co.jp, the domestic e-commerce website operated by Amazon Japan G.K., come in two types: 350 and 600ml/h. They will be
offered in a choice of two colors: pure white or monotone black.

(1) According to a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration survey valid as of August 23, 2018
(2) The only exception is the 350ml/h type units, which feature the latter removal system only.

About Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial firms. For more than 130 years, we have channeled big thinking into solutions that move the world forward - advancing the lives of everyone who shares our planet. We deliver innovative and integrated solutions across a wide range of industries, covering land, sea, sky and even space. MHI Group employs 80,000 people across 400 locations, operating in three business domains: "Power Systems," "Industry & Infrastructure," "Aircraft, Defense & Space." We have a consolidated revenue of around 40 billion U.S. Dollars. We aim to contribute to environmental sustainability while achieving global growth, using our leading-edge technologies. By bringing people and ideas together as one, we continue to pave the way to a future of shared success.

For more information, please visit MHI's website: https://www.mhi.com
For Technology, Trends and Tangents, visit MHI's new online media SPECTRA: https://spectra.mhi.com

Contact:
Joseph Hood, PR Manager
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Email: mhi-pr@mhi.co.jp
Tel: +81-(0)3-6716-2168
Fax: +81-(0)3-6716-5860

- Investment speeds development of in-vehicle OLED displays, and brings HD images, improved lighting and efficient design to car cockpits -

KARIYA, JAPAN, Aug 23, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - DENSO Corporation today announced it has invested 30 billion yen ($270 million) in JOLED Inc., a developer of printed organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays. The investment accelerates JOLED's development and mass production of in-vehicle OLED displays, which are used for human-machine interfaces (HMIs) in car cockpits to deliver key driving information to the driver quickly and accurately. Compared to conventional HMIs, which use thin-film transistor liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCDs), JOLED's OLED displays offer higher-definition images, more vivid colors, and are designed to be thinner, lighter, and bendable--making them easier to install and produce more optimized light output for improved HMI functionality.

"DENSO's investment in JOLED directly enhances the advancement of human-machine interfaces -- technologies which are critical to keeping drivers informed behind the wheel safely," said Hirotsugu Takeuchi, executive director of DENSO. "Working with JOLED will help us create a new mobility future that's safer for all, emphasizes efficiency and smartly applies problem-solving innovations to the real world."

As cars become more connected, more information can be provided to drivers to help them ensure effective road safety. Because of this, there is a growing demand for HMIs that can display information in a more visually appealing, larger, and easier-to-understand format -- all while encouraging drivers to stay focused on the road. OLED displays enable these characteristics and will continue to gain prominence as HMIs are called upon to deliver improved visibility, more dynamic design and increased operational efficiencies.

JOLED was the first in the world to commercialize printed OLED displays, and the company's OLED printing method is simpler and more efficient than traditional manufacturing approaches. This investment will enable DENSO to combine its accumulated technology and know-how regarding HMIs with JOLED's OLED printing, thereby speeding up the development and mass production of various types of OLED displays for instrument clusters, center-stack displays, and other devices, and thus contribute to the development of more attractive and convenient cockpits.

DENSO will continue to emphasize the development of its HMI technologies, which underpin the ongoing evolution of vehicles, and seek to create cockpits that streamline interaction between human and machine to create a society free from road traffic accidents.

About JOLED

JOLED Inc. is headquartered in Tokyo and uses its Ishikawa, Kyoto, and Atsugi Technology Development Centers as bases to conduct research, development, manufacturing, and sales activities for OLED displays, their parts, materials, manufacturing equipment, and associated products. JOLED was founded in January 2015, combining the OLED display development divisions of Sony Corporation and Panasonic Corporation, with the goal of accelerating mass production development and commercialization of OLED displays.

In 2016, the company started up a pilot line (substrate size: G4.5), establishing a mass production technology and improving productivity. Later, in December 2017, JOLED began shipment of its first product, the 21.6-inch 4K OLED display. To further expand the business, in July 2018, JOLED established Nomi site in Nomi city, Ishikawa prefecture. Now the company started establishing the world's first mass production line for printed OLED, aiming to commence production in 2020. https://www.j-oled.com/english/

About Denso

DENSO Corp., headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan has more than 220 subsidiaries in 35 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs approximately 170,000 people worldwide. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, totaled US$48.1 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 8.8% of its global consolidated sales on research and development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges.

For more information, go to www.denso.com, or visit our media website at www.denso.com/global/en/news/media-center/.

Contact:
Sadayoshi Yokoyama, Toshiko Watanabe 
DENSO CORPORATION 
Phone: 81-566-25-5594 
Fax: 81-566-25-4509 
sadayoshi_yokoyama@denso.co.jp 
toshiko_watanabe@denso.co.jp

BANGKOK, Aug 23, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - B.Grimm Power PCL (SET:BGRIM) President, Mrs. Preeyanart Soontornwata discusses the company's strategy and outlook in The Executive Talk (TET) by ShareInvestor.com.

TET: Please explain the history of BGRIM.

BGRIM: B.Grimm as a group has been operating in Thailand since 1878 and we have been at the forefront of infrastructure development in Thailand ranging from telecommunications to transportation. As an organisation we were and are exploring for businesses that suit our business culture. Thus in the mid-1990's when Thailand's economy was developing at a rapid place the Thai Government begun to open to the private sector the opportunity to participate in the power generation business to facilitate the ever growing energy needs of the country we felt that this industry was a fit for B.Grimm's culture. It was a fit for the culture because of the structure of the concession as it is for 20 to 25 years and if a plant generates 130-160 MW then 90 MW is sold to EGAT for 25 years and the rest to industrial users.

At the time the objective of the Small Power Producer (SPP) framework was to promote industrial estates to build power plants within their estates thereby attracting foreign companies to invest into Thailand. Together with strong partners in Amata City, Siemens and KfW we set up B.Grimm Power and developed our first power plant valued at THB 5 billion. Our strategy was to become a real power developer by developing, constructing, and operating the plant ourselves to ensure its success, it has proven to be the right strategy and one that we have maintained until today.

One of our strengths is our culture because we take the viewpoint of doing business with compassion and because of this we have strong partnerships in place to weather difficult periods. The first power plant in Amata City Chonburi was during the Asian Financial Crisis and because of our history of doing business, strong teamwork and strong relationships with our business partners and financial partners we were able to successfully complete the project and continue to successfully grow BGRIM over the past 22 years.

TET: What is BGRIM's business structure and outlook today?

BGRIM: Today BGRIM is one of the largest SPP's in Thailand with the highest installed capacity at 1.8 GW with the highest number of operating power plants throughout the energy industry. SPP's within industrial estates represent 75% of our portfolio, 25% in renewable energy and the remaining in transmission and distribution. For the SPP's we have a total of 2.2 GW with 1.8 GW in operation, 15 plants, five in Amata City Chonburi, five in Amata City Rayong, two in Bangkadi, one in Hemraj and two which we acquired from Sime Darby Energy in Laem Chabang industrial estate.

As a power developer we were able to acquire these two plants from Sime Darby because we have the necessary economies of scale for dispatch management, understanding loan factors and demand requirements of customers in real time which in turn allows us to manage the gas cost effectively as 80% of costs is from gas. And the acquisition of those two plants has proven to be successful as we were able to double operational efficiency due to our scale and technological capabilities. What is very important is the relationship with the customers, in each of the industrial estates we have the exclusivity to provide power to customers and because of our location within the estates we are able to supply power directly to them which results in the stability and reliability being higher than the government's sources due to the distance from the main power sources and distribution lines.

Today we have 300 customers including those in Thailand and Vietnam and they are world-class companies in big industries such as Sumitomo, Bridgestone, Denso, Michelin, Colgate-Palmolive and many others. Under the renewable group, we have 718 MW with 134 MW in operation across solar, hydro, industrial waste to energy and wind and this segment has been a positive diversification for our portfolio as energy supply within Thailand and the region will be a combination of multiple forms of power generation.

TET: BGRIM has been expanding throughout the region, could you provide an update on these developments?

BGRIM: In Vietnam there are big opportunities, the opportunities for solar investments have just opened as the country has signed the Paris Protocol. We recently completed a signing ceremony with the Prime Minister of Vietnam for 420 MW solar projects, which is the largest in ASEAN and we have aspirations to continue growing within the country. In Korea we signed an MOU with KEPCO to explore the opportunity to invest in renewable energy, smart grid system and energy storage systems. The government in Korea is very supportive of these projects and we are currently in the due diligence phase. In Laos we have a small hydro power plant with 20 MW in operations already and target an additional 15 MW to be completed by the end of this year.

TET: What differentiates BGRIM from its competitors?

BGRIM: We are a true power developer beginning from the planning and designing phase to the construction and operations until the end of the concession. We have a committed growth pipeline to 2.9 GW by 2022. So our strength is in the experienced engineering and business development teams where we have kept the same Managing Directors for each cluster since inception. This combined with world-class technology, with standards of business, strong financials and a well-managed capital structure allow for us to continue expanding and maintain high operational excellence throughout the region.

Initially we were focused on highly efficient operating plants and this gradually expanded to look for attractive M&A opportunities, and then we expanded to renewable energy projects both within Thailand and internationally. By combining our strategies, being a real power developer and efficiently evaluate projects we are able to benefit from being a member of B.Grimm by utilising the business relationships to explore new opportunities throughout the region.

TET: How do you view the energy sector developing within Thailand and the region?

BGRIM: Technology is very wide ranging and we are continuously educating ourselves on energy storage systems and battery technologies but will not rush to invest because it is rapidly changing. Instead we look to understand the whole process of the power system and to aim for technologies that will allow for us to stabilise power delivery to our customers. For example within Amata City the Thai government wishes for it to become a smart city with solar rooftop power and this means that we have to be able to integrate both solar and gas energy to provide reliable and stable power to our customers. I believe that Distributed Generation (DG), which is what the smart city and smart grid concepts are based upon, will become more prevalent in the future. To construct large power plants and distribute the energy via long transmissions lines are becoming less feasible for the country and I expect to see Thailand developing more DG's in the future.

TET: Where do you see BGRIM in five years from now?

BGRIM: Maintaining our core values and vision of Empowering the World Compassionately in that all stakeholders, whether they be customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders continue to perceive that BGRIM is at the forefront of the industry as a true power developer.

About The Executive Talk Interview Series

The Executive Talk Interview Series is presented by ShareInvestor, Asia's leading financial internet media and technology company, the largest investor relations network in the region.
To learn more, please visit www.ShareInvestorThailand.com.
For enquiries, please email admin.th@shareinvestor.com.

SYDNEY, Aug 23, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Asia-Pacific specialist CRO Novotech has been selected as one of the Top 10 CROs globally by leading industry media magazine Pharma Tech Outlook.

See the article here: https://bit.ly/2LkwdO3

Pharma Tech Outlook said CROs are an integral part of the pharma industry because they can reduce the risks and costs associated with clinical trials.

The Magazine said the selection process for the Top 10 CROs involved a distinguished panel of CEOs, CIOs and VCs and analysts, along with the Pharma Tech Outlook editorial panel to identify the leading CROs using key metrics including technology platforms and capabilities.

The Magazine said that by continually deploying cutting-edge technologies including wearables and sensors, AI and Machine Learning, CROs will be able to support rapid and high-quality research to bring new treatments to market faster.

Novotech CEO Dr John Moller said the company was pleased to receive the Top 10 accolade and said Novotech was especially focused on the Asia-Pacific and providing sponsors with value from local partnerships, regulatory knowledge, and integrated technology to successfully speed-up approvals and timelines.

The size of the urban population, now more than 1.4 billion, is also a key factor in the decision by sponsors to include the Asia-Pacific in their global studies.

"These patients can be accessed professionally and quickly via modern specialist and hospital facilities that work with our advanced technology platforms to ensure the highest quality data and reporting," said Dr Moller.

Novotech has now signed 10 MoUs with strategic specialist medical facilities around the region to support high-quality investigator access, patient recruitment, and advanced imaging and clinical testing procedures.

"Our in-country relationships enable a more comprehensive understanding of local regulatory changes, access to leading PIs, strong site connections, and productive patient populations to deliver success for our clients within timelines and budgets," he said.

Novotech was established in 1996, headquartered in Australia with offices in 11 countries across the region, and MOUs with major health providers.

About Novotech - https://novotech-cro.com/welcome
Headquartered in Sydney, Novotech is internationally recognized as the leading regional full-service contract research organization (CRO). With a focus on clinical monitoring, Novotech has been instrumental in the success of hundreds of Phase I - IV clinical trials in the Asia Pacific region.

Novotech provides clinical development services across all clinical trial phases and therapeutic areas including: feasibility assessments; ethics committee and regulatory submissions, data management, statistical analysis, medical monitoring, safety services, central lab services, report write-up to ICH requirements, project and vendor management. Novotech's strong Asia Pacific presence includes running clinical trials in all key regional markets. Novotech also has worldwide reach through the company's network of strategic partners.

For RFP enquiries: Please fill out the form available at www.novotech-cro.com/contact-us-0

Media Contact
Susan Fitzpatrick-Napier
communications@novotech-cro.com
AU: +61 2 8218 2144
USA: +1 415 951 3228
Asia: +65 3159 3427

TOKYO, Aug 23, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to serve as a Tournament Supplier (Telecommunication category) of Rugby World Cup 2019 (RWC 2019), which will be held in Japan from September 20 to November 2, 2019.

RWC, one of the world's most popular sporting events, is held every four years and runs more than two months. RWC 2019, the ninth edition of the event, will mark the tournament's first appearance in Asia.

DOCOMO is delighted to be a tournament sponsor of the historic RWC 2019.

"World Rugby is delighted to be welcoming NTT DOCOMO to the Rugby World Cup commercial program family for the first time as a tournament supplier," said World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont.

"Rugby World Cup is the world in union and we look forward to partnering with NTT DOCOMO to bring the whole of Japan and over 400,000 international visitors together in celebration of the host nation, friendship and rugby. With a network of 76 million subscribers and an excellence in mobile technology solutions, NTT DOCOMO is the perfect partner in that regard."

"It will be an honor for DOCOMO to participate as a Tournament Supplier in Asia's first-ever Rugby World Cup," said Kazuhiro Yoshizawa, president and CEO of NTT DOCOMO. "Through our corporate rugby team, NTT DOCOMO Red Hurricanes, DOCOMO has been active in supporting the popularization of rugby as well as the promotion of regional sports. In sponsoring Rugby World Cup 2019, we hope to enhance the value and excitement of watching sports supported by DOCOMO's highly advanced, world-class mobile communication technologies."

About NTT DOCOMO

NTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 76 million subscriptions, is one of the world's foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities ("+d" partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations. DOCOMO is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (9437). https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/.

Contact:
NTT DOCOMO
International PR
Public Relations Department
Tel: +81-3-5156-1366    
Fax: +81-3-5501-3408
URL: www.nttdocomo.com
Contact: https://nes.nttdocomo.co.jp/PINQ01/showinquiry.do

Fosun Pharma donates antimalarial medicines to Zambia Ministry of Health and its platform, Chongqing Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co., Ltd., received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to research and develop a large scale semi-synthetic artemisinin process

HONG KONG, Aug 23, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Malaria is one of the leading fatal infectious diseases in the world. According to the 2017 World Malaria Report from WHO (World Health Organization), about half of the population in 91 countries around the world are still threatened by malaria, with 216 million malaria cases and 445 thousand malaria deaths reported at the end of 2016. New artemisinin-based combination therapy is used as the first-line treatment for malaria in over 80 countries.

As a leading pharmaceutical company in China, Fosun Pharma, specialized in the research, development and manufacturing of antimalarial drugs, and its subsidiary, Guilin Pharma, with products portfolio covering malaria prevention, treatment of uncomplicated and severe malaria is the global leading company in developing and manufacturing antimalarial medicines.

Zambia, a country in the south-central Africa, has been using injectable artesunate as a first-line drug for the treatment of severe malaria since 2014, and has attached great importance to malaria prevention and control. Fosun Pharma who sticks to continuous innovation and exploration to accelerate the achievement of ambitious goal of end malaria for good in malaria endemic areas, especially in sub-Saharan Africa held a ceremony for Fosun Foundation to donate antimalarial medicines to Zambia Ministry of Health during High-Level Meeting on China-Africa Health Cooperation and 3rd Beijing Health Conference on Aug 18th. The medicines donated by Fosun Pharma will be used in the malaria prevention and research project of Zambia Ministry of Health to explore possible solutions to effectively reduce the incidence of malaria in malaria areas in Africa. In addition to supplying WHO PQ-certified artesunate products to Zambia, Fosun Pharma has assisted Zambia in conducting clinical training programs for injectable artesunate for first-line medical staff for three consecutive years to improve local malaria control level.

At present, Fosun Pharma has supplied 100 million vials of Artesun (Artesunate for injection 60 mg) worldwide, which are estimated to have cured more than 20 million patients with severe malaria, among which most are African children under five. At earlier time, in July 2018, Chongqing Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co., Ltd ("CPRI"), the Research and Development platform of Fosun Pharma, was awarded with 450,000 USD from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ("Gates Foundation"), a non-profit organization, for the development of a semi-synthetic Artemisinin manufacturing process. At present, the production of artemisinin is limited by price fluctuations, complex extraction process, and environmental and ecological protection. The realization of a chemical synthesis and industrial production of artemisinin has been a significant challenge in the pharmaceutical industry around the world. CPRI has recently developed a semi-synthetic batch process for the manufacture of Artemisinin. The process was successfully demonstrated on a 300 L scale. CPRI is committed to further develop the process using continuous flow reactor technology to improve the manufacturing efficiency, and reduce the cost for commercial production.

About Fosun Pharma
Established in 1994, Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. ("Fosun Pharma"; stock code: 600196.SH, 02196.HK) is a leading healthcare group in the PRC. Dedicated to the mission of improving human health, Fosun Pharma's business covers all key sectors of healthcare industry chain, including pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing, healthcare services, medical devices and medical diagnosis, as well as pharmaceutical distribution and retail.

About Guilin Pharma
Guilin Pharma, a subsidiary of Fosun Pharma is the global leading company in developing and manufacturing antimalarial medicines, with products portfolio covering malaria prevention, treatment of uncomplicated and severe malaria.

About CPRI
Chongqing Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co., Ltd. (CPRI), is a comprehensive research institute, jointly established by Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. and Chongqing Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd., to develop and manufacture pharmaceutical products. Over the past twenty years, CPRI has completed over 200 projects related to National "Seventh Five-Year Plan", "Eighth Five-Year Plan", "Eleventh Five-Year Plan", "Twelfth Five-Year Plan", "863" Project, and key Chongqing's research projects and SciTech Planning projects. CPRI is the recipient of 30 Science and Technology achievement awards at national and provincial levels. CPRI is recognized nationally as a "Chongqing High-tech Enterprise", "Chongqing Chemical Pharmaceutical Engineering Technical Research Center" and "National Enterprise Technical Center".

Mr. Zhao Qi, Deputy Secretary General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee addressing guests during the opening ceremony of the China Giant Panda International Culture Week.

Austria's Ambassador to China, His Excellency Dr. Fritz Stift noted that Giant Pandas have been the most popular attraction at the Vienna Zoo since a pair was loaned in 2003. Four years later the first Panda conceived naturally in Europe was born.

Mr. Jing Shuiqing Vice President, China Intercontinental Communication Center (CICC) and Mr. Zhang Zhizhong, Deputy Director Department of Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Management of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Party Committee Secretary of China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, exchanging China Giant Panda Global Promotional Agreement.

Baby Panda (daughter of Washington Panda couple, Meixiang and Tiantian) returned to the China Giant Panda Conservation and Protection Centre.

Zhang Jianlong, Administrator of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, handed over the archives of "Meng Meng" and "Jiao Jiao" to Dr. Andreas Knieriem, Director of Zoo Berlin (2017)

A new international initiative celebrating China's Giant Panda conservation and research officially inaugurated on August 23 at Beijing's China Millennium Monument

BEIJING, Aug 23, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - China's admired achievements in Giant Panda conservation and research rescuing the Giant Panda from the brink of extinction were celebrated with the launch of "China Giant Panda International Culture Week" on August 23.

The new international initiative was officially inaugurated at The China Millennium Monument in Beijing.

'Panda Week' is in future scheduled on the environmental calendar as a biennial international celebration of China's 60 years of conservation efforts saving the icon of vulnerable species.

The Giant Panda has since become a beloved cultural envoy representing friendly Chinese foreign exchanges and global environmental cooperation.

Gifts of giant pandas to foreign zoos marked some of the first cultural exchanges between China and the western world in the 1970s - known as "panda diplomacy" - and research and breeding has since extended worldwide to 22 zoos in 17 countries.

Continuing this theme as a global ambassador, 'Chinese Giant Panda International Cultural Week' extends a philosophy of "peace, development, cooperation and mutually beneficial relationships" to the world", said Mr. Li Chunliang, Vice Administrator of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration at the opening ceremony.

"The Giant Panda is revered as a "living fossil" and "China's national treasure", a flagship species of global biodiversity, as well as a unique national and cultural symbol," he said.

"China has always attached great importance to their conservation and protection, and President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that more efforts need to be made to strengthen the protection and restoration of their panda habitats, scientific research and personnel training to promote rejuvenation of the wild population.

"This fully reflects China's confidence and determination to boost ecological protection, laying a solid foundation and guidance for the protection and management of Giant Pandas."

He said habitat protection has since extended to 67 reserves through Sichuan and neighboring Northern provinces Shaanxi and Gansu - with key ecological projects including forest resources protection, returning farmland to forests and grasslands, wildlife protection and natural reserve construction.

"We have also made great efforts to reinforce the construction of wildlife protection laws, artificial breeding and releasing giant pandas to the wild," he said. Key research in rare animal protection biology has meanwhile brought "important scientific and technological breakthroughs" including nearly 100 national patents "driving the research on giant panda protection to a higher level, enabling effective conservation".

As a result, the wild population has "gradually restored" to 1,864 individuals, along with 518 in captivity worldwide, this represents "a healthy, dynamic and sustainable species".

In addition, he said a pilot project for a "Giant Panda National Park" with an area of 27,000 square kilometers has been launched, "opening a new chapter for the conservation of Giant pandas".

The park will cover three times the area of Yellowstone National Park in the US, with major ecological projects including construction of reserves, ex-situ protection and release of giant pandas to the wild, focused on solving the problems of fragmented habitats and isolated genes.

Last but not least, he said China will promote panda culture globally through "peace, friendliness, green and sharing" with scientific and international exchanges "headlined by Chinese characteristics, spirits and wisdom, leading the world to raise people's awareness of ecological civilization".

"The Giant panda is a messenger of peace and a symbol of friendship," he added. "Panda culture is an important part of Chinese traditional culture, promoting China's philosophies of international peace, development, cooperation and mutually beneficial relationships."

"We have made great efforts and accumulated a wealth of experience in the conservation and protection of giant pandas as well as related cultural exchanges and cooperation.

"We are willing to make joint efforts with the international community to protect giant pandas and promote panda culture, and make a positive contribution to building a community of a shared future for mankind while enhancing international peace and development!"

Austria's Ambassador to China, His Excellency Dr. Fritz Stift, said: "Pandas are a symbol of friendship between Austria and China. I would like to congratulate the National Forestry and Grassland Administration for its great success in protecting Giant Pandas.

He noted that Giant Pandas have been the most popular attraction at Vienna Zoo since a pair was loaned in 2003. Four years later the first Panda conceived naturally in Europe was born. Two more cubs followed in 2010 and 2013, followed by twins in 2016 - the first in the world raised without human assistance.

"Austria also would like to continue contributing to this great endeavor in the future," he added. "We hope our success story of raising Panda cubs can be continued."

'Panda Week' features a public exhibition from August 23-26 (free entry, 8am-9pm) at The China Millennium Monument telling the multi-faceted story of the panda through photos, film, television, virtual reality, research exhibits, works of art and cultural and creative products.

A 'First Day Cover' of postage stamps presses the message home nationwide and abroad.

With the inaugural event themed 'Panda Culture, Shared Around the World', international involvement is also encouraged with a Chinese Giant Panda Promotional Agreement.

To help panda lovers around the world better understand the species and learn more about panda culture, Mr. Cui Baohua, Deputy Chairman of Sichuan Provincial Political Consultative Conference, announced that Sichuan will launch a recruitment campaign for "Panda Culture Global Promotion Envoys", inviting 100 from around the world to visit Sichuan over the next five years.

He added: "China Giant Panda International Culture Week will be a great platform that helps promote scientific research and protection of Giant pandas in Sichuan, as well as ecological civilization construction, opening-up international cooperation. It will be an important bridge that fosters cultural exchanges and friendships between Sichuan and the world."

"It showcases China's great achievements in multiple aspects, including conservation and research of giant pandas, international exchanges and cooperation, and ecological civilization construction".

"This event will certainly enhance exchanges and friendships between China and other countries, and promote sharing of Chinese culture with the world," he said.

Known as the "Land of Abundance" and "Hometown of Giant Pandas", he said Sichuan Province has been at the forefront of protecting the species with natural forest protection, returning farmland to forests and grasslands, wild fauna and flora protection, natural reserve construction and scientific research.

"The Giant panda has become the most dynamic and most promising wildlife tourism brand in Sichuan, and most charming 'business card' for Sichuan and even China in international cultural exchanges," he added.

A Chinese Giant Panda International Design Competition was also launched, inviting designers from around the world to create "a unique cultural image" and international symbol for the species.

The invitation extends until December 31, 2018 with the winning design revealed in 2019 for global promotion.

"We hope this campaign will convene global inspiration and strength of cultural and artistic creation, helping promote the sharing of panda culture with the world," said Mr. Jing Shuiqing, Vice President, China Intercontinental Communication Center (CICC), which promotes international exchanges and Chinese culture.

"The Giant Panda is gentle and adorable in the eyes of people all over the world, and a "business card of China" with worldwide popularity," he said. "It symbolizes gentleness, friendliness, sustainability and sharing in Chinese culture, resonating with the philosophies of respect for life, harmony between human and nature and sustainable development."

'China Giant Panda International Culture Week' is supported by the State Council Information Office, organized by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the Provincial People's Governments of Sichuan, Shanxi and Gansu, the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda and CICC.

China's Giant Panda Conservation

Native to south-central China, the Giant Panda was on the brink of extinction from deforestation of its natural habitat of bamboo forest and poaching until conservation efforts formally began in 1958 with the establishment of Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan.

Habitat protection has since extended to 67 nature reserves through Sichuan and neighboring Northern provinces Shaanxi and Gansu - compared to just 13 reserves in 1998.

Wild population estimates vary, with latest estimates of steady growth reaching 1,864 individuals along with 518 in captivity worldwide - representing a healthy, sustainable breeding population.

While strengthening protection and preservation of wild Giant Pandas, research centres including the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and Shanxi Louguantai Giant Panda Rescue Center continue advancing scientific research into breeding in captivity.

As well as loss of habitat, the Giant Panda's survival has been additionally hindered by a curious lack of libido, brief breeding season, low fertility and poor survival rate of cubs.

To increase their interest in procreating, some research centres have even tried inspiring their sex-drive with a version of Viagra, and showing them the equivalent of adult movies - with film of other pandas mating.

"After nearly 40 years of hard work, the number of artificially bred Giant Pandas is now steadily on the rise," said Mr. Yang Chao, Director of Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Management of National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

"As the technique for artificial breeding becomes more sophisticated, the number of captive Giant Pandas is reproducing at a faster rate."

China has so far bred 63 Giant Panda cubs through artificial insemination, with 58 surviving. "By the end of 2017, the captive Giant Panda population reached 518, achieving basic self-sustainment," said Director Yang.

As a result of conservation success, the International Union for Conservation of Nature reclassified the species in 2016 from endangered, meaning threatened with extinction, to 'conservational-reliant vulnerable', indicating population recovery with conservation support.

As the National Forestry Administration of China continues to reinforce conservation efforts for one of the worlds most adored and protected rare animals, the Giant Panda is one of the few species with its natural habitat designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries covering seven natural reserves were inscribed onto the World Heritage List in 2006.

China is now embarking on amalgamating and extending reserves in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu under a Giant Panda National Park protecting 70% of its habitat and 86% of the wild population.

The park will cover 27,134 square kilometres, three times the area of Yellowstone National Park in the US.

By spanning three provinces, it aims to encourage migration of the species to strengthen its gene pool.

As most of the area is mountainous where residents are poor, it will also enable local governments to alleviate poverty.

A fund of at least 10 billion yuan (US$1.57 billion) will finance a variety of poverty alleviation projects from 2018 to 2023. The programme includes financial assistance, charity foundation, disaster relief, community education, tourism development and ecological construction.

Qumu Shiha, head of a national park working group, called the initiative a "big step to building a moderately well-off society" in the region.

"It will help mobilize the efforts of the whole society into protecting giant pandas, promoting harmony between nature and humans, and exploring a new model to combining environmental protection, financing, poverty reduction and charity care."

He described the vision as a "model for ecological development and social development globally."

For more information please contact:
Rhoda Adams
GHC Asia Beijing
Mobile: +86 (0) 158 1034 2850
Email: rhoda.adams@ghcasia.com

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is staging the mega promotion event "In Style, Hong Kong" in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to promote Hong Kong's advantages as an international business centre and a lifestyle trendsetter. At the press conference held in Ho Chi Minh City today (23 August), Peter Wong (R), HKTDC Regional Director of Southeast Asia and South Asia, and Tina Phan (L), Director, Indonesia, HKTDC, announced details of the campaign.

The two-day (20-21 September) In Style, Hong Kong Expo will feature more than 130 of Hong Kong's leading branded and designer-led lifestyle products, including activewear and fashion, fashion accessories, fine jewellery, watches and clocks, gourmet and delicacies, premium houseware, electronics, and gifts and toys.

From now until the end of September, a series of citywide promotions will be held across Vietnam. Shopping and dining discounts at more than 70 retail outlets and restaurants are now available for consumers in the city to get a taste of Hong Kong's dynamic lifestyle.

Mega Promotion to Spotlight Professional Services, Branded Products

HONG KONG, Aug 24, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Organised by the HKTDC, the mega promotion "In Style, Hong Kong" is making its debut in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in September. Following its previous successful editions in Jakarta, Bangkok and Malaysia, this year's campaign aims to highlight Hong Kong's vibrant lifestyle and unique creativity, and showcase the city's branded, design-led products and world-class professional services, and how Vietnamese companies could leverage on Hong Kong's advantages to expand business globally.

Vietnam is Hong Kong's largest export market among ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and sixth largest export market globally, with the city's exports to the country amounting to US$10.2 billion in 2017. Vietnam is Hong Kong's tenth largest trading partner.

"The connection between Hong Kong and Vietnam has always been strong. The newly signed Hong Kong-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement has further boosted the momentum for bilateral collaboration and connectivity," Peter Wong, HKTDC Regional Director of Southeast Asia and South Asia, said at today's press conference. "Despite the uncertainties in the global environment, Vietnam's economy remains resilient. 'In Style, Hong Kong' aims to leverage the momentum and the various growth opportunities to strengthen the economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and Vietnam. We look forward to bringing the best of Hong Kong's services and products to Vietnam in September."

"In Style, Hong Kong" in Ho Chi Minh City will include a full-day symposium on business services, a two-day trade expo and a high-level gala dinner, as well as a wide array of shopping and dining promotions in the city.

Symposium on Hong Kong's World-class Professional Services

The main symposium will be held on 20 September at GEM Center, highlighting Hong Kong's advantages in various services sectors, particularly cross-border logistics and creative branding and design.

Vincent HS Lo, Chairman of HKTDC; Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); and a high-level local official will officiate at the opening ceremony.

The main symposium themed "Hong Kong- Vietnam: Partnering for Prosperity", will be chaired by HKTDC Director of Research Nicholas Kwan, who will be joined by other business leaders from Hong Kong, including Jonathan Choi, Chairman of Sunwah Group; John Cheh, Vice Chairman and CEO of Esquel Group, as well as Wallace Lam, Managing Director, Co-head of Global Banking, HSBC Hong Kong. The speakers will share practical insights on the opportunities brought by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and discuss how both countries could collaborate to stay competitive and expand their global businesses together.

Navigating the Future of Retail

As e-commerce in Asia has experienced explosive growth over the years, the retail industry is facing vast opportunities and challenges at the same time, notably in delivery channels and cashless trading. A thematic session on "Navigating the Future of Retail" will highlight the growing trend of e-tailing, cross-border transactions, online payments, as well as their impacts on the supply-chain management and logistics.

Anthony Lau, Chairman of Pacific Air (Hong Kong) Limited; Craig Price, Senior Vice President, International Projects - HKT Global Development Services, PCCW Global Limited, as well as the moderator Cris D. Tran, Director, QRC Hub will share their experience and insights on how Vietnamese e-tailers can leverage Hong Kong's edge in logistics services to expand their online businesses in other markets.

From Ideas to Business

The steady growth of Asian economies offers Vietnamese companies new business opportunities. A session entitled "From Ideas to Business" will explore the latest trends in creative and innovative branding, interior design and licensing solutions. Distinguished speakers will share their experience on how various solutions helped upgrade their businesses in Asia. They include March Richardson, Group Director of Sedgwick Richardson (Hong Kong) Limited; David Lo, Creative Director of LOMATTERS Creative Studio; Steve Leung, Founder of Steve Leung Design Group Limited and Eddie Hui, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Semk Products Limited, who will share their insights in terms of branding and design, product packaging, interior design and licensing.

In addition, the symposium will feature a Business Support Zone with 11 Hong Kong services providers from various fields, including design and branding, accounting, logistics, information technology, architecture and management consultancy. These services providers will deliver free on-site business consultation services to participants from Vietnam and other ASEAN countries.

Gala Dinner to Foster Closer Ties between Hong Kong and Vietnam

An exclusive high-level gala dinner will be held at the InterContinental Hotel Saigon on 20 September 2018 to welcome prominent officials and influential business leaders from Vietnam and Hong Kong. The special occasion provides an effective platform for businesspeople to network and appreciate the dynamic cultures of both sides.

The HKTDC has invited Hong Kong star chefs KK Chan and Vicky Lau to create a special menu for the evening. The cocktail reception will present a Hong Kong Pub feature to showcase award-winning Hong Kong craft beers. There will be a Sand Art x Cheongsam Crossover Ao dai Fashion Presentation at the dinner which features sand-painting artist Hoi Chiu, as well as Hong Kong fashion designers Grace Choi, Polly Ho and Janko Lam. In addition, a photo display presented by the Hong Kong Tourism Board featuring "Old Town Central" of Hong Kong will be on show.

Trade Expo to Present Lifestyle Brands

The "In Style, Hong Kong" Expo, a trade exhibition showcasing over 130 of Hong Kong's leading branded and designer-led lifestyle products, will be held at GEM Center from 20-21 September 2018. A series of business matching activities and fringe events will take place during the two-day expo, which is expected to connect Hong Kong companies with importers, distributors, retailers, e-tailers, mail-order houses, department stores and specialised stores in Vietnam and neighbouring ASEAN countries with Hong Kong companies.

Product zones include:
- Activewear and Fashion
- Fashion Accessories
- Fine Jewellery
- Watch and Clocks
- Gourmet and Delicacies
- Premium Houseware, Gifts and Toys
- Electronics

Highlighted exhibitors include renowned jewellery brand Chow Tai Fook, prominent food and beverage brand Kampery and Hong Kong start-up focusing on Italian marble watches Concentri.

A Taste of Hong Kong for Vietnamese Consumers

A Citywide Promotion comprising a variety of activities will be launched across Vietnam to highlight Hong Kong's dynamic lifestyle via design-led and creative products, trendy fashion and unique culinary experience. Local merchants and restaurants around the city, including well-known brands G2000, Starbucks and Royaltea, will give promotional offers to Vietnamese consumers. In collaboration with Foody.VN, the citywide promotion will feature more than 10 Hong Kong-style restaurants.

To enjoy these offers, consumers can simply pick up a Citywide Promotion coupon booklet at one of the participating outlets. E-coupons are also available at citywide.instyle-hk.com.

Websites:
In Style, Hong Kong website: www.instyle-hk.com
In Style, Hong Kong Symposium and Speakers' List: http://symposium.instyle-hk.com
In Style, Hong Kong Expo and Exhibitors List: http://expo.instyle-hk.com
In Style, Hong Kong Citywide Promotion: http://citywide.instyle-hk.com
Photo Download: https://bit.ly/2w45fpq

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong's businesses. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing business insights and information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. Please visit www.hktdc.com/aboutus or follow us on Google+, Twitter@hktdc, LinkedIn.

Contact:
Nguyen Thieu, Tel: +84-28-38235883, Email: nguyen.thieu@hktdc.org
Banbi Chen, Tel: +852 2584 4525, Email: banbi.yc.chen@hktdc.org

Benjamin Chau, Deputy Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) highlights the significant industry recognition received by CENTRESTAGE as a result of the growing number of international brands participating since its 2016 launch.

Felix Chung, Chairman of Fashion Summit (HK) 2018 Steering Committee, shares his views on the sustainable fashion movement in Hong Kong.

CENTRESTAGE offers an ideal platform for local and international brands to raise global brand awareness and exposure.

Over 220 Fashion Brands and about 40 Exciting Events in Focus

HONG KONG, Aug 24, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - CENTRESTAGE, Asia's premier fashion event, is returning in just two weeks' time for its third edition running from 5-8 Sept at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the event has rapidly gained momentum since its inception and continues to solidify Hong Kong's position as a fashion hub in Asia, offering an ideal platform for fashion brands and designers to gain local and international exposure.

"We are excited that CENTRESTAGE can offer local and international designers a platform to grow their brands. It provides brands with a unique opportunity to engage with global buyers and fashionistas in the fashion hub of Asia," said HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau at today's media preview of the event. He noted that this year's CENTRESTAGE is eagerly anticipated, given the growing number of participating international fashion brands.

Record Number of Brands

CENTRESTAGE 2018 promises to be the largest edition of the event yet, with a record-breaking 220 fashion brands from 22 countries and regions participating. Brands and designer labels from Austria, Germany, Poland and Switzerland will participate at CENTRESTAGE for the first time.

This year's event will centre on the theme of "TOMORROW LAB". It will feature three thematic zones: ALLURE - representing craftsmanship, refinement and elegance; ICONIC - displaying contemporary, chic and avant-garde designs; and METRO - showcasing casual, youthful expressions of urban life.

CENTRESTAGE 2018 will also present about 40 not-to-be-missed events, including more than 20 fashion shows, over its four-day run. Brands and designers will have the opportunity to connect with buyers, media and fashion professionals during these activities.

Stage for World-famous Designers and Young Local Talents

Three internationally celebrated Asian fashion labels will present their latest 2019 Spring/Summer collections at the opening gala show CENTRESTAGE ELITES: Japanese avant-garde streetwear label FACETASM by Hiromichi Ochiai, Hong Kong ready-to-wear womenswear label IDISM by design duo Cyrus Wong and Julio Ng, and Chinese luxury womenswear label Ms MIN.

More than 20 fashion shows presenting the latest collections by exhibiting brands will be held during the four-day show. The "Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show", following CENTRESTAGE ELITES on 5 Sept evening, will feature eight Hong Kong designer labels that have previously participated in international fashion weeks, such as New York, London, Copenhagen and Tokyo. These eight local brands are ANVEGLOSA, DORISKATH, HARRISON WONG, HOUSE OF V, LOOM LOOP, Maison Vermillion, MEIKING NG and METHODDLOGY.

Also on the first day, online fashion hub FASHIONALLY will feature its FASHIONALLY Collection #12 fashion show, where 10 rising local fashion designers will collaborate to highlight Hong Kong's design prowess. Moreover, the FASHIONALLY Presentation will spotlight three budding Hong Kong labels, TAK LEE, REDEMPTIVE, and YLYstudio. Each of them will stage an unconventional hybrid presentation combining a fashion show and theatrical performance for their 2019 Spring/Summer collection.

Another highlight of this year's CENTRESTAGE will be the finals of The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest 2018 (YDC). Since 1977, YDC has nurtured an ecosystem of emerging fashion design talent in Hong Kong. This year, 16 shortlisted candidates will compete for five awards including the New Talent Award and Best Footwear Design Award. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 8 Sept. The VIP judge of YDC 2018 Martine Rose, an industry titan and London-based international designer, will share her insightful critiques with the finalists.

Furthermore, Redress, a non-government-organisation promoting environmental fashion, will present the Redress Design Award, the world's largest sustainable fashion design competition, on 6 Sept. The Knitwear Innovation and Design Society will present the Knitwear Symphony 2018 & the 8th Hong Kong Knitwear Designers' Contest on 7 Sept to promote Hong Kong's knitwear design and wool manufacturing capabilities. On the same day, renowned local designer Dorian Ho will stage a fashion show to unveil the latest collection of his namesake label.

Fashion Experts to Explore Trends and Share Industry Insights

A star-studded line-up of international style masters and industry experts will share their perspectives on industry trends and the future of fashion during the Meet the Visionaries Series and Trend Talk Series of seminars. The first Meet the Visionaries Series seminar on 6 Sept will address the theme "In Conversation with the Asian Creative Forces Shaping the International Fashion Scene", featuring the CENTRESTAGE ELITES designers. On 7 Sept, at another seminar of the series, internationally acclaimed fashion designer Martine Rose will share insights and anecdotes from her career. The Trend Talk Series will feature prominent industry experts including Matthew Lovett, Director of Retail at Omnilytics; Anupreet Bhui, Senior Editor of Global Street Style at WGSN and Jorge Martin, Head of Fashion Research at Euromonitor International.

The Fashion Summit, the first large-scale summit in Asia on sustainability in fashion, will be held from 6-7 Sept under the theme "Circular Economy". A panel comprising leading academics, key industry players, NGOs, media, decision makers and leaders from various disciplines and across geographical boundaries will discuss sustainability solutions for fashion.

Hong Kong in Fashion: 90+ Not-to-be-missed Events over Six weeks

In collaboration with over 100 partners, including retail stores, hotels and institutions, Hong Kong in Fashion will feature more than 90 entertaining and engaging events beyond the CENTRESTAGE fairground, including exhibitions, workshops and dance performances, as well as promotions featuring themed afternoon tea sets and giveaways. The diverse range of activities aims to garner wider attention and generate "fashion heat" citywide. On 26 Aug, singer Det Dik will join the "Fashion in Town" flash mob along with a group of dancers at Fashion Walk in Paterson Street, Causeway Bay. Other highlighted activities include "Mira Mira Funk it up" fashion dance performances at Mira Place and The Mira Hong Kong hotel (25 Aug), the CENTRESTAGE Fashion Afternoon Tea Set promotion at The Mira Hong Kong hotel (25 Aug-30 Sept), the "Fashion Experience: Fashiongram in Town" photo booth in Haiphong Road in Tsim Sha Tsui (25 Aug) and Paterson Street in Causeway Bay (26 Aug), the Fashion Avenue Fest in Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai (1-2 Sept), and the Hong Kong in Fashion Fiesta at D2 Place in Cheung Sha Wan (1-2 Sept).

CENTRESTAGE website: http://centrestage.com.hk
CENTRESTAGE activity schedule: http://centrestage.com.hk/en/event/schedule.php
Hong Kong in Fashion activity schedule: http://centrestage.com.hk/en/event/hkinfashion/index.php
The Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest webpage: http://www.fashionally.com
Photo Download: https://bit.ly/2OZdGcp

For more information or to request interviews, please contact:
Sinclair at +852 2915 1234
Nikki McLucas, nikki@sinclaircomms.com, +852 6895 0534
Shanti Sadhwani, shanti@sinclaircomms.com, +852 6386 4904
Wing Ng, wing@sinclaircomms.com, +852 6106 8605
Kelly Chan, kelly@sinclaircomms.com, +852 6825 4496

HKTDC's Communications and Public Affairs Department
Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org
Selina Fan, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: selina.mi.fan@hktdc.org

TOKYO, Aug 24, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Corporation(MC) is pleased to announce that its consolidated subsidiary Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC) has entered into a definitive agreement and plan to acquire 100% of shares of Specialty Foods Group, LLC (SFG), a manufacturer of processed meat products in the United States. The acquisition agreement is subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions.

Established in 1914, SGF produces and markets processed meat products such as ham and sausage in the United States. SFG sells to a diverse customer base throughout the United States under a number of leading brands, "Kentucky Legend" being the most representative.

IPC is a fully integrated pork processor and owner of one of the largest hog slaughtering facilities in the United States. By acquiring SFG, IPC aims to expand its processed meats business and further strengthen the integration of its product chain.

Pork has already secured its position, along with chicken, as an essential protein source in the United States as well as in Asia, Latin America and other regions. Demand, however, is expected to continue seeing solid growth. In addition, the United States, where economic growth is forecast at around 3% per annum, remains one of the main consumer markets for pork. These factors, coupled with high productivity in feed grain raw materials such as corn, are reasons to expect the United States to maintain its global competitiveness for pork production.

MC's aim is to leverage its fresh food (meats and marine products) business to achieve sustained growth by building a strong production, procurement and sales network for fine animal protein products. Combined with the know-how built up in meat production and processing across the MC Group worldwide, this will help expand its livestock and meat business.

The acquisition of SFG by IPC is expected to create greater synergies that allow IPC to strengthen and stabilize the integration of functions across its production chains, thereby contributing to enriching the food choices available to consumers.

About Mitsubishi Corporation

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC; TSE: 8058) is a global integrated business enterprise that develops and operates businesses across virtually every industry, including industrial finance, energy, metals, machinery, chemicals, and daily living essentials. MC's current activities have expanded far beyond its traditional trading operations to include investments and business management in diverse fields including natural resources development, manufacturing of industrial goods, retail, new energy, infrastructure, finance and new technology-related businesses.

With over 200 offices and subsidiaries in 90 countries and regions worldwide and a network of approximately 1,300 group companies, MC employs a multinational workforce of over 70,000 people.

For more information, visit https://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/

Contact:
Mitsubishi Corporation
Telephone: +81-3-3210-2171
Facsimile: +81-3-5252-7705

Video is approaching half of daily internet consumption, with mobile driving growth chart

WARC Global Ad Trends - A focus on online video advertising

LONDON, Aug 24, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Advertisers are expected to spend a combined $30bn on online video advertising this year, most of which will be paid to social media platforms despite the continuing risks of negative adjacency and ad fraud. The rise of mobile usage is driving video consumption (particularly on mobile-optimised social platforms), which in turn is driving up advertiser investment in video.

These and other key findings are included in the latest monthly Global Ad Trends report focusing on online video advertising compiled by WARC, the international authority on advertising and media effectiveness.

Online to account for 17.5% of global video spend this year, at $30bn - most will go to social platforms

Online video advertising expenditure - inclusive of pre/mid/post roll, social and broadcaster VoD - is expected to rise 27.5% to reach $29.8bn this year. This compares to an anticipated rise of 1.1% for linear TV, which equates to $140.2bn - on a par with the level recorded in 2010. Consequently, online video is set to account for 17.5% of the total $170bn spent on video advertising worldwide this year, up from a share of just 1.3% in 2010.

Rates vary between markets. Online's share in the US, the largest video market by far, is expected to rise to 19.3% this year, at $15.3bn. China's online share is projected to rise to 24.7% ($6.5bn) this year, while in the UK online video is expected to account for 38.2% ($2.6bn) of all video adspend.

Most of this money is going to social platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. UK data from the AA/WARC Expenditure Report show that of the GBP1.6bn spent on online video advertising last year, 81.2% (GBP1.3bn) was paid to social platforms (up from a share of 55.4% in 2014).

Online video is set to account for almost half of daily internet consumption, with mobile driving growth

Online video consumption - the majority of which is via mobile devices - is rising steadily worldwide. Projections show consumption will rise to 84.1 minutes per day in 2020, up 26.6% from a projected 66.5 minutes this year. Of this, 62.3% of the time will be spent watching via mobile devices (compared to 60.7% currently).

Comparing these figures to wider media consumption data shows that online video's share of daily consumption is rising across the board. It is expected to reach almost half (46.7%) of all internet usage and 17.1% of total daily media consumption by 2020.

One in ten video ads poses a risk to brands, and video is a prime target for fraud

Data for the second half of 2017 show that at least one in ten online video ads poses a risk of negative adjacency to brands.

For mobile, the content types that pose the most frequent brand risk are violence, and offensive language & controversial news regardless of whether the ad is bought programmatically or publisher direct.

Fraud also poses a risk to online video advertising, especially if the ad is not optimised against such activity. A recent study by Guardian US and Google found that as much as 78% of video spend is susceptible to fraud if the publisher does not employ the ads.txt script within their website.

Summing up, James McDonald, Data Editor, WARC, says: "The vast and continuing increase in video consumption via mobile devices has directed ad dollars to social platforms, despite the well documented and persistent risks around negative adjacency and ad fraud.

"Facebook hopes to regain the initiative with its Watch platform, which is being positioned as a safe brand environment offering advanced audience segmentation."

Global media analysis: A round-up of online video
17.1% online video's share of all daily media consumption by 2020
17.5% online's share of global video advertising spend this year
46.7% online's share of total daily video consumption by 2020
58.0% marketers in EMEA intending to use mobile video in their campaigns this year
81.2% online video spend directed towards social platforms in the UK last year
84.0% influencers' share of YouTube views in Q1 2018
Other new key media intelligence on WARC Data
AT&T aims to get personal after $1.6bn AppNexus acquisition
Branded content set to become core to mobile marketing
Print display ad revenue rises for the first time in seven years
Global Ad Trends is part of WARC Data, a dedicated online service featuring current advertising benchmarks, data points, ad trends and user-generated expanded databases.

Aimed at media and brand owners, market analysts, media, advertising and research agencies as well as academics, WARC Data provides current advertising and media information, hard facts and figures - essential market intelligence for ad industry related business, strategy and planning required in any decision making process.

WARC Data is available by subscription only. For more information visit www.warc.com/data.

About WARC

- Your global authority on advertising and media effectiveness

warc.com is an online service offering advertising best practice, evidence, insights and data from the world's leading brands. WARC helps clients grow their businesses by using proven approaches to maximise advertising effectiveness. WARC's clients include the world's largest advertising and media agencies, research companies, advertisers, market analysts and academics.

WARC runs two global and two regional case study competitions: WARC Awards, WARC Media Awards, WARC Prize for Asian Strategy and WARC Prize for MENA Strategy.

WARC publishes three global rankings of advertising excellence: Gunn 100 (creativity), WARC 100 (effectiveness), Gunn Media 100 (media innovation) and publishes leading journals including Admap, Market Leader, the Journal of Advertising Research and the International Journal of the Market Research Society. In addition to its own content, WARC features advertising case studies and best practices from more than 50 respected industry sources, including ARF, Effies, Cannes Lions, ESOMAR and IPA.

Founded in 1985, WARC has offices in the UK, U.S. and Singapore. In June 2018 WARC was acquired by Ascential plc, the global specialist information company.

Contact:
Amanda Benfell
PR Manager
+44 20 7467 8125
amanda.benfell@warc.com

With two years to go until the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games (August 25-September 6, 2020), Toyota is supporting Para sports and inclusivity through mobility at multiple levels.

TOKYO, Aug 24, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - As a worldwide partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Toyota Motor Corporation is supporting Para sports and contributing to creating a more inclusive society at the grassroots level, as well as through cooperation with The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee) and the broader business community in Japan. During the upcoming Paralympic Games, Toyota will encourage further interest in Para sports around the world while providing "Mobility for All" solutions.

Speaking on Toyota's focus on the Paralympics, Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, said, "Through my meetings with Sir Philip Craven when he was President of the International Paralympic Committee in 2015, and with many Para athletes since, I have become even more committed to the idea that Toyota should provide mobility solutions for all people. With this in mind, we are taking steps as a mobility company, not just by making 'ever-better cars', but also by aiming to address various mobility needs above and beyond cars."

He continued, "I am convinced this journey will help us appreciate differences as individuality, and lead us to free ourselves from the sort of fixed thinking that can hold back large organizations like ours, and from prejudice and discrimination in society at large. I see Toyota's involvement with the Paralympic movement as taking a decisive step toward our goal of "One Toyota" and as a humble step to help achieve Sir Philip's motto, "One World, One Dream, One People."

Akio Toyoda and Sir Philip Craven / Fight for Future, One World, One Dream, One People
"Toyota's aim of 'Mobility for All' is not just for those with impairments, but has broader implications for all people, and therefore has special meaning," said Sir Philip Craven, a member of Toyota Motor Corporation's board of directors since June 2018. "The first time Akio Toyoda visited the IPC headquarters a few years back, he recorded in our guestbook, and that left a strong impression on me. I came to believe that fighting together with Toyota may truly lead to a better future where all people will be able to have the freedom to move."

Toyota is supporting the Paralympic movement through internal activities involving its employees, and by working in partnership with Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and the All Japan Business Committee.

I. Grassroots activities towards an inclusive society by Toyota employees

In 2017, Toyota began grassroots activities around the world related to expanding interest in Para sports, including:

a) Activities to expand interest in Para sports

When signing the agreement to become worldwide partner of the IPC, Toyota also signed an agreement to become a partner to approximately 180 local National Paralympic Committees (NPCs). Working closely with each NPC, Toyota aims to increase and develop interest in Para sports globally.

1. Technology support for Para athletes:
- Toyota is challenging itself to develop equipment for Para athletes with the technological capabilities and engineering know-how learned from making cars in America, Japan, and Germany.
- For the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, Toyota worked with other equipment developers and athletes, including alpine skier Taiki Morii, on the development of a new chair ski, and cross-country skier and biathlete Andrea Eskau, on the development of a ski-sled with Toyota Motor Sports GmBH.
- Looking ahead to Tokyo 2020, Toyota R&D employees are forming project teams to take on the challenge of improving equipment used by athletes in the summer para sports.

2. Support to National Paralympic Committees:
- The Agitos Foundation, the IPC's development arm, is the leading global organization for developing Para sport as a tool for changing lives and contributing to an inclusive society for all. It works with NPCs and other organizations around the world.
- The worldwide partnership agreement between Toyota and the IPC has made it possible for the Agitos Foundation to deliver a program called "NPC Development Programme powered by Toyota", which offers support and training in the areas of organizational development, sport technical training and athlete development. The objective is to increase the organizational capability and professionalism of NPCs so they can better expand the reach of Para sports in their countries.
- In various countries, working closely with the NPCs, Toyota aims to expand interest in Para sports by working with local populations and by connecting local businesses to each NPC.

3. Activities to increase awareness of Para sports:
- Toyota became a gold partner of the Japan Boccia Association in May 2017 and the official sponsor of the Japan Wheelchair Basketball Association.
- With these two partnerships as a focal point, Toyota will help increase awareness of Para sports by hosting experiential events in regions in Japan, providing operational volunteers, and by having Toyota employees attend local Para sports events, supporting the athletes, especially those where Toyota employee athletes are competing.
- Additionally, Toyota is sponsoring other major international Para competitions, such as the 2018 World Para Swimming European Championships held in Dublin, Ireland from August 13-19.

4. Employment and sponsorship
- Toyota already employs and sponsors a large number of athletes, both within and outside of Japan, including Para athletes.
- In addition, Toyota is exploring how it may employ more Para athletes around the world.

5. The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) "Mobility Unlimited Challenge"
- As a separate entity, the Toyota Mobility Foundation is currently running a global idea contest, the "Mobility Unlimited Challenge," aiming to develop innovative assistive tools to help provide the freedom of movement to those with impairments. The challenge was issued in November 2017, and the winning idea will receive up to $4 million USD in development support. The winner is scheduled to be announced at Tokyo 2020.

b) Activities related to mobility solutions

1. Toyota is engaged in activities with various stakeholders and local communities in Japan to support the movement of people with limited transportation options.
Regional transportation assistance project:
(Joint verification project in Akita Prefecture, Yokote City)

- With a declining population, the people in Yokote City are seeing reductions in the scheduled bus routes they rely on.
- To maintain these routes, Toyota is providing assistive vehicles (WelCab) at no cost. The vehicles are driven by paid volunteers over the age of 60, operated by the city, and service six small towns in the area.
- By participating in activities to maintain routes in the area and working with local authorities and residents to help provide alternative ways to move from place to place, Toyota is able to contribute to local needs by exploring potential solutions to mobility problems.
- Similar activities are currently being considered for additional regional/rural towns and villages within Japan.

2. Barrier-free promotion project with train-transport operators:
- Toyota has started working with train operators in the Kanto and Chubu areas of Japan to implement barrier-free options.
- Toyota is using the know-how and experience it has gained from its own systems at its factories to improve accessibility at public transportation locations.

II. Contribution to the Tokyo 2020 Games

As worldwide partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in addition to the mobility solutions that it will provide to the Games, Toyota will also work with its dealers, group companies and Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Japanese government and the city of Tokyo in the following ways:

1. Everyone's Medal Project ("Minna no Medaru" Project)
- Toyota's Japanese dealers across the country are participating in the "Everyone's Medal Project" promoted by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment and the City of Tokyo.
- The project aims to make 5,000 gold, silver, and bronze medals for Tokyo 2020 by collecting and recycling metal from small and portable electronics.
- To do this, Toyota will be placing return/recycling boxes at more than 6,000 Toyota and Lexus dealers and Toyota Rent-a-Lease dealers nationwide starting from September 2018, where people can bring in their old portable electronic devices such as unused cell phones, etc. and contribute to a sustainable society.

2. Employee Volunteerism
- For Tokyo 2020, Toyota will be supporting and promoting volunteerism in various ways, including offering hundreds of dealer, group company, and its own employees the opportunity to participate as games volunteers for the Games.

III. Activities with the business world in Japan

To support the Games, the business community in Japan created the "All Japan Business Committee" with the objective of creating legacy for Tokyo 2020 and the future after the Games. The group is the coming together of three Japan economic/business organizations: the Japan Business Federation, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Japan Association of Corporate Executives. Akio Toyoda is supporting the effort by chairing the Committee which is encouraging the participation of companies large and small nationwide in cooperation with state and local governments and civil society.

1. Experiencing Para sports
- Toyota and the All Japan Business Committee will deepen understanding of Para sports by creating opportunities for people to meet athletes and experience their sports.
- There have already been more than 2,500 people from approximately 280 organizations that have participated and been connected directly to the nationwide movement, and Toyota athletes or staff took part in all of them.

2. Creating a barrier-free map / Conducting training for barrier-free access
- Progress is being made regarding efforts to create a barrier-free map, based on open data gathered on information collected around town by company volunteers.
- As of July 2018, information about barriers has been gathered from 12 cities around Japan at 54 companies.
- From last year, Toyota has been conducting barrier-free training, and has encouraged employees to participate in cities' activities in roles as operational staff and/or volunteers.

3. Combined business product exhibition (Tohoku, Kyushu Recovery Support)
- Providing venues and volunteers, Toyota has supported activities of the All Japan Business Committee-run "Japan City Expo," an exhibition of products from businesses held in cities through Japan to promote the attractiveness of Japan based on the themes of traditional culture and Olympic revival.
- The All Japan Business Committee, working together with the chambers of commerce and industry in major metropolitan areas nationwide, has held exhibitions in six metropolitan areas in Japan with the theme of supporting the revival of these regions hit by severe natural disasters in recent years. Since July 2018 volunteers offered by approximately 300 organizations and companies, including Toyota, have participated.

4. Promoting Japan's technological leadership
- The All Japan Business Committee has gathered the latest cutting-edge technologies from across Japan that will support Tokyo 2020, and has opened a joint technology business "COUNTDOWN SHOWCASE" exhibit together with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.
- The exhibit highlights 40 small and medium-size companies in Tokyo. Toyota exhibited its Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle and its Human Support Robot (HSR) designed to support human lifestyle activities.

About Toyota's Top Olympic Partnership and Worldwide Paralympic Partnership

Toyota became the official worldwide mobility partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Committees in 2015 for the 2017-2024 period, covering the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 (South Korea) and Beijing 2022 (China) and the Olympic and Paralympic Games of Tokyo 2020 (Japan) and Paris 2024 (France). As a partner, Toyota aims to encourage creating a peaceful society without discrimination through sports and is committed to creating a sustainable society through mobility. Toyota's values of continuous improvement and respect for people are shared by The Olympic and Paralympic Games, which brings together the entire world in friendship and solidarity to celebrate the highest realization of human potential. Toyota believes that mobility goes beyond cars; it is about overcoming challenges and making dreams come true, which is encapsulated in the company's "Start Your Impossible" corporate initiative and is the basis for its transformation from a car company to a mobility company. When you are free to move, anything is possible.

About Toyota

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is the global mobility company that introduced the Prius hybrid-electric car in 1997 and the first mass-produced fuel cell sedan, Mirai, in 2014. Headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, Toyota has been making cars since 1937. Today, Toyota proudly employs 370,000 employees in communities around the world. Together, they build around 10 million vehicles per year in 29 countries, from mainstream cars and premium vehicles to mini-vehicles and commercial trucks, and sell them in more than 170 countries under the brands Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.

Contact:
Public Affairs Division
Global Communications Department
Toyota Motor Corporation
Tel: +81-3-3817-9926

From left to right: Mr. Wong Lun, Executive Director and Assistant President; Mr. Huang Youquan, Executive Director and Executive President; Mr. Wong Chiu Yeung, Chairman, President and Executive Director; Mr. Li Siu Po, Financial Controller and Company Secretary

Achieves Record-high Contracted Sales of RMB20.8 Billion;
Actively Replenishes Land Bank in Second-tier and Strong Third-tier Cities

HONG KONG, Aug 24, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - China SCE Group Holdings Limited ("China SCE" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; Stock Code: 1966), announced its interim results for six months ended 30 June 2018.

For the six months ended 30 June 2018, the Group's revenue increased by 15.3% to approximately RMB9.41 billion, attributable mainly to the increase in property sales income. Gross profit increased by 21.4% to RMB3.04 billion. Gross profit margin rose by 1.6 percentage points to 32.3%, thanks to the delivery of higher gross profit margin products in first-tier cities during the period. Profit attributable to owners of the parent saw a significant 99.3% increase to approximately RMB2.02 billion. Basic earnings per share were approximately RMB52.8 cents. The Board has declared an interim dividend of HK7 cents per share.

In the first half of 2018, the Group achieved record-high contracted sales again in the amount of approximately RMB20.81 billion, with contracted sales area reaching about 1.645 million square meters ("sq.m."), representing a year-on-year growth of 34.1% and 93.1% respectively. The average selling price of properties was RMB12,648 per sq.m..

The Group prides a healthy financial position. As at 30 June 2018, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of approximately RMB17.07 billion. Gearing ratio was 69.2%, down by 2.6 percentage points when compared with that at year-end 2017. In March 2018, Standard & Poor's Rating Services upgraded the corporate credit rating of the Company to "B+", affirming that the Company has a "stable" rating outlook.

In the first half of 2018, the Group acquired 31 projects, mainly in second-tier and strong third-tier cities, with the aggregate above-ground buildable area of approximately 5.07 million sq.m. and at the average land cost of RMB5,181 per sq.m. As at 30 June 2018, the Group owned a land bank with aggregate planned gross floor area of approximately 19.86 million sq.m., believed to be sufficient for development by the Group in the next three to four years.

Subsequent to the review period, the Company changed its English name from "China SCE Property Holdings Limited" to "China SCE Group Holdings Limited" and Chinese name from "China SCE Property Holdings Limited" to "China SCE Group Holdings Limited", to reflect more accurately the current status of the Group's business and help promote the corporate image and future business development of the Group.

In the long run, the Group remains optimistic about the prospects of the real estate market in China. Continuous urbanisation and traffic network expansion are expected to see people not only moving to first-tier cities, but also moving to certain second-tier and strong third-tier cities. These cities thus will be the Group's future development focus. The Group will seize opportune time to acquire land at lower prices and actively replenish its land bank in target cities. In the second half of 2018, China SCE plans to launch over 30 projects with expected saleable resources amounting to RMB60.0 billion.

Looking ahead, the Group will expands its business within the "Fun+Happy Life Ecosystem" based on the study of consumption upgrades and customers' lifestyle. Through the development of new business segments such as long-term rental apartments, shared-offices, fitness and health, and education industries, the Group is dedicated to setting the trend of smart living, so as to meet the social, work, fitness, commercial, lifestyle and other needs of users. The Group will strive to meet market expectations with the most outstanding products and services.

About China SCE Group Holdings Limited
China SCE Group Holdings Limited (formerly known as "China SCE Property Holdings Limited") was established in 1996 and listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in February 2010 (Stock Code: 1966.HK). The Group's major businesses include property development, property investment and property management. The Company is headquartered in Shanghai for its business operations, while implementing regional focused development strategy targeting the first- and second-tier cities in the Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone, the Bohai Rim Economic Zone, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the West Taiwan Strait Economic Zone and Central Western Region.

The Group's property projects are distributed in 30 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Chongqing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao, Jinan, Nanchang and Xiamen, etc. Its products cover a wide range of properties including high-rise residential buildings, low-rise residential buildings, villas, commercial buildings and offices. The Company upholds "We Build to Inspire" as its key value proposition, "Creating Smart Living to Help Seize Happiness" as mission. The Company was awarded the "2018 Best 40 China Real Estate Listed Companies with Strongest Comprehensive Strengths", "2018 Best 50 of China Real Estate Developers" and "Fortune China 500" in 2018.

Enquiries
Strategic Financial Relations Limited
Vicky Lee / Fanny Yuen / James Fung
Tel.: 2864 4834 / 2864 4853 / 2114 4956
Email: vicky.lee@sprg.com.hk / fanny.yuen@sprg.com.hk / james.fung@sprg.com.hk

Introduced "Take a Green Break" to Provide Healthy Food Products
Developing a "New Retail" Business Model with Good Progress

HONG KONG, Aug 24, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Hop Hing Group Holdings Limited ("Hop Hing" or the "Group;" stock code: 47) has today announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2018 (the "period under review").

Financial Highlights
- Revenue increased by 14.1% to HK$1,195.6 million
- Continued to achieve favorable profitability:
-- Gross profit increased by 13.5% to HK$764.1 million, with gross profit margin remaining stable at 63.9%
-- Store EBITDA maintained stable at 21.4%
-- Net profit was HK$75.8 million
- Recorded about 4 million loyalty members as at 30 June 2018 since the launch of the CRM system in 2H2017
- Introduction of new salad products "Take a Green Break" to provide healthy food products
- Smooth progress to develop the "New Retail" business model to provide instant food, salad and pre-packaged products

During the period under review, the Group's sales revenue increased by 14.1% to HK$1,195.6 million (2017 interim: HK$1,048.0 million). Despite the challenging operating environment including the involvement of e-commerce giants in the catering industry via new retail models as well as the low price strategy frequently adopted by industry peers to compete for market share, the Group was able to boost sales through the opening of new stores and precise marketing strategies through the loyalty membership program.

Consequently, the Group's gross profit increased by 13.5% to HK$764.1 million (2017 interim: HK$673.3 million), with gross profit margin remaining stable at 63.9%. Profit attributable to equity holders was HK$75.8 million (2017 interim: HK$86.3 million). Basic earnings per share for the period were HK0.77 cents (2017 interim: HK0.88 cents).

Mr. Marvin Hung, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hop Hing, said, "Despite the challenging environment we faced during the first half of 2018, we are pleased to have delivered satisfactory results with growing revenue and reasonable profitability. In the meantime, we are actively seeking to develop a new retailing business model in order to further expand our new integrated online-and-offline retail operations. We have been actively integrating our existing internet resources, including the customer data collected from our growing loyalty membership base, as well as the well-established mobile payment infrastructure; coupled with our mature logistic operations and extensive physical store network. We are delighted to see that our new retail business model has realized solid progress during the first half of 2018 and more accomplishments have subsequently been made."

Business review and growth strategy
As at 30 June 2018, the Group had 521 stores in operation (As at 31 December 2017: 516 stores), including 334 stores under the Yoshinoya brand, 156 stores under Dairy Queen brand and 31 stores under other brands.

The Group's delivery business continued to grow during the review period with the expansion of both Yoshinoya and Dairy Queen's delivery business. These two brands contributed RMB299 million and RMB10 million of revenue respectively through their delivery businesses during 1H2018, accounting for 36% and 9% of their respective sales. It is worth noting that sales from Dairy Queen's delivery business jumped significantly by 94.1% as compared with the same period last year, while Yoshinoya's delivery business still recorded an impressive growth of 22.5% as compared with 1H2017.

During the period under review, the Group has earnestly implemented the following business strategies at the beginning of the year: 1) store upgrades, including service, brand image, and product enhancement; 2) self-owned brand expansion, which involves the creation and nurturing of new brands to expedite expansion of the self-owned brands; 3) ongoing organizational development to improve efficiency, including the allocation of more resources towards training potential staff to enhance their performance; 4) launch of a new retail business model, applying customer feedback data to stimulate "impulse purchasing through different scenarios," establishing a "full channel" service mode to provide "solutions for eating" and providing value-added services to increase customer satisfaction; and 5) modifying the Customer Relationship Management ("CRM") membership system, including enhancing customer data management and intelligent management of all networks. Through effective implementation, the different strategies have contributed in varying degrees to enhance operating efficiency via organizational evolution.

In order to enrich the product portfolio, the Group has intensified product development by enriching product categories and creating cost-effective products to combat the low-price strategies employed by rivals. The Group has also developed and increased the variety of beverage products offered to its customers. In view of the increasing awareness of green and healthy dining habits, the Group has launched salad products under the new brand of "Take a Green Break" during the review period, in order to satisfy consumers' desire for "natural" and "healthy" food options.

On the other hand, since the CRM system was launched in the second half of 2017, the number of loyalty members has notably increased. About 4 million members have been recorded as at 30 June 2018. This loyalty program has facilitated the analysis of the data captured and a better understanding of customers' consumption habits, which in turn enables the Group to support cross-brand membership, achieve more precise marketing, and cultivate and strengthen online sales.

Prospects
Looking ahead, the Group will actively transform and innovate and continue to implement its five business strategies, in order to further optimize and upgrade its services, brand image and product quality. The Group will also strive to improve and optimize its new retail business model by integrating its well-established brands, extensive store network and high quality products, together with the new technology and artificial intelligence ("A.I."). Having already launched artificial intelligence vending machines in the second quarter of 2018 to provide instant food, salad and pre-packaged products, the Group will aim to open about 50 A.I. vending machines by the end of 2018. The Group sees that integration of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, mobile payment, and customer data analysis, are essential for the development and advancement of the new retail business model. At the same time, the Group will also seek to expand coverage of self-owned delivery teams, so as to facilitate further integration of online-and-offline operations, leading to a better business performance and service quality. Focusing on opening high-quality new stores is yet another objective, which will enable the Group to enhance total revenue contributions.

Mr. Hung concluded, "In spite of market challenges in China and worldwide, we are confident of maintaining a steady and continuous growth on the back of a trend of consumption upgrading leveraging our quick-service-restaurant (QSR) operating experience over more than 27 years. Besides, we will continue to explore various opportunities, including advancing cooperation with our franchisors and existing business partners, and exploring possible opportunities that enable the Group to develop into a leading multi-brand QSR operator in China. We also remain committed to creating satisfactory returns for our shareholders in the long run."

About Hop Hing Group Holdings Limited (stock code: 47)
Hop Hing is a leading quick service restaurant ("QSR") chain operator in the PRC. By entering into long-term franchises, Hop Hing owns the rights to operate QSR chains of the Yoshinoya, Dairy Queen ("DQ") and other brand Uncle Fong, together with its self-developed brand "Take a Green Break" in the northern regions in the PRC, spanning across Beijing and Tianjin Municipalities, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces, and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the PRC. Yoshinoya is a well-known beef bowl brand with over a century of history, while Dairy Queen is a popular ice-cream brand with a history of more than 70 years.

For more details, please visit: http://www.hophing.com.

HONG KONG, Aug 24, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - China Leon Inspection Holding Limited (the "China Leon" or the "Company", Stock Code: 1586.HK) is pleased to announce its interim results for the 6 months ended 30, June 2018 (the "Review Period").

Given coal's long-term dominant position in China's energy structure, only a moderate portion of coal is currently subject to independent testing and inspection, so the coal testing and inspection industry still has steady growth potentials. China Leon fully seized the favourable opportunities in the industry and market environment, increased its input of resources and actively planned the strategy layout, which helped to cope with challenges domestically and abroad, and reinforced the market leading position and. During the Review Period, the Company recorded a revenue about RMB101.9 million, and a gross profit about RMB54.2 million.

Largely Focused on Overseas Business Expansion and Completed the Service Center Network
The Company stepped up efforts in market development as per the established corporate strategy, upgrading the 13 service centers in Mainland China on an ongoing basis. Deeply understanding the importance of overseas business expansion to the internationalization of the Company, the Company was selectively opening service facilities to provide coal testing services in countries with abundant coal export and import volume which represent large potential markets. The Company increased the considerable input and has established overseas service centres in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Australia (all five overseas service centres are under construction) through new construction as well as acquisition. Thereby further completing the service network. The establishment of overseas service centres will not only enhance the Company's brand recognition internationally, setting off on the Company's march to the international market, but also will increase overseas revenue, creating new profit growth points and bringing greater returns to the shareholders of the Company.

Successfully Won the Bid for Qualified Project with the Promissing Revenue Growth
The Company never stops looking for the projects that cater to development needs and new development direction. During the Review Period, Beijing Huaxia Lihong Commodity Inspection Co., Ltd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of China Leon, successfully won the bid for the commercial coal third-party coal inspection services project in Northern Shannxi Mining Area for Shaanxi Coal Selling and Transportation (Group) Corporation*) ("Shaan Coal"). This project generates an income of approximately RMB30,000,000 per year with a contractual term of five years and is expected to contribute over RMB140,000,000 to the Company's revenue. Besides, Shaan Coal agreed to engage Beijing Huaxia Lihong to provide Shaan Coal with commercial coal third-party coal inspection services in Northern Shannxi Mining Area. The Project not only further consolidated the Company's leading position in the coal inspection industry but also represented a milestone for the Company, which would be important to drive the Company's business promotion and pursue similar projects in the subsequent period.

Fully Graspping the Favorable Policies, Established Xinjiang Subsidiary and Set up a Mobile Laboratory
The "Outline of the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan for the National Economic and Social Development of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region" issued in 2017 mentions "promoting clean and efficient use of coals as its main direction, focusing on industrial restructuring and development transformation and establishing the 14th major coal base in China based on four major coal fields in Dzungar, Tuha, Ili and Kubai, respectively". Also, "Coal transfer from Xinjiang to other areas" and "Electricity Transmission from Xinjiang to other areas" will become key projects. China Leon seized the development opportunities brought by favorable policies, in the first half of 2018, the Company established a subsidiary in Xinjiang and set up a mobile laboratory, with remarkable scientific research results as well as further expansion of coal testing and inspection business.

Mr. LI Xiangli, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer stated: "We believe that coal testing and inspection are our core competency. In future, we will upgrade and expand our network of service centres, strengthen our research and development capabilities to improve our testing procedures and laboratorial capabilities, as well asconsolidate China's coal testing and inspection market through selected acquisitions, thereby further consolidating the Company's leading position in the coal inspection industry and striving to develop into an international, diversified and intelligentized advanced third party quality assurance service provider."

About China Leon Inspection Holding Limited
China Leon is the largest coal testing and inspection services provider in China. Through an extensive network of service centers strategically positioned primarily at major coal-trade ports in China together with new overseas service centers, the Company offers a comprehensive suite of testing and inspection services to customers in the coal industry as well as other various domestic and foreign industrial sectors, which includes (1) testing services, (2) surveying services and (3) witnessing and ancillary services. The Company is committed to developing itself into the most credible independent quality assurance service provider in the world.

Mabi Concession Towards Commercialization

HONG KONG, Aug 24, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - AAG Energy Holdings Limited ("AAG Energy" or the "Group"; HKEX stock code: 2686), the leading independent coalbed methane ("CBM") producer in China, announced it has achieved remarkable interim results with net profit of RMB205.7 million, up 222.9% year-on-year ("YoY"), for the six months ended June 30, 2018 ("1H 2018").

During 1H 2018, the Group's gross gas production increased by 30% YoY to 381.2 million cubic meters ("MMCM") (13.5 billion cubic feet ("bcf") (comprising Panzhuang's gross production of 331.3 MMCM or 11.7 bcf and Mabi's gross production of 49.9 MMCM or 1.8 bcf).

Due to increased demand for gas in China, Panzhuang's average selling price (" released ASP") increased from RMB1.26 per cubic meter in 1H2017 to RMB1.53 per cubic meter in 1H2018; Mabi's realized ASP also went up from RMB1.13 per cubic meter in 1H2017 to RMB1.42 per cubic meter in 1H2018. The combination of improved performance of existing production wells from operation efficiency, new wells drilled in Panzhuang during 2017 and 2018, and better well design, implementation and performance in Mabi led to increased production output in 1H2018.

For 1H 2018, revenue increased by 90.8% to RMB430.5 million YoY. Net profit surged by 222.9% to RMB205.7 million, while EBITDA went up by 108.7% to RMB367.6 million.

AAG Energy has achieved considerable progress towards key operational objectives during 1H2018:

Panzhuang concession continues to outperform with stable production growth
- Gross production increased 24% YoY in 1H2018 to 331.3 MMCM (11.7 bcf)
- Sales utilization rate maintained at high level of 98%
- Daily average gas production during 1H2018 increased by 24.5% 1.83 MMCM per day ("MMCMD") (64.6 million cubic feet ("mmcf")/day)
- Ahead of schedule with 29 single lateral horizontal ("SLH") wells and 6 pad drilled wells ("PDW") completed drilling and 5 PDWs were fracture stimulated
- Added 29 wells into production after dewatering or other work over activities
- The average drilling cost for 1 SLH well in 1H2018 remained low at RMB2.9 million per well with wells drilled in just 16 days on average
- Upgrade work for central gathering station completed, which enables the Group to supply gas with higher pressure. There is a 35KV power facility construction in progress.

Mabi concession achieved considerable progress towards commercialization
- Produced 49.9 MMCM (1.8 bcf), a 91% YoY increase, despite that no new wells drilled in 1H 2018 as a results of the delay in Mabi Overall Development Plan Phase I ("ODP I") regulatory approval
- Average daily production was 276 thousand cubic meters per day ("MCMD") (9.73 mmcf/ day) for 1H2018
- Hydraulic fracturing completed for 24 wells, and put 57 wells into pilot production, including 9 wells in northern Mabi previously for exploration purpose. In total, there are 184 wells in pilot production as of the end of June 2018
- Carried out abandonment work for a total of 44 exploration wells. The site land reclamation work of 14 exploration wells has been completed
- In June 2018, PetroChina submitted Mabi ODP I to the NDRC to commence the NDRC Approval Process. The Group expects to obtain the approval from NDRC for Mabi ODP I by end of 2018 and be able to start the scaled development of ODP I in 2019

During 1H 2018, AAG Energy continued to achieve excellent progress on Health, Safety and Environmental performance metrics. Specifically, the employee's Total Recordable Injury Rate, Lost Time Injury Rate, and Preventable Motor Vehicle Accident were all zero.

The Group will continue to invest in Panzhuang and Mabi as follows:

- Panzhuang
The Group is confident to complete the 2018 drilling plan of 49 SLH and 12 PDW wells. The new wells to be drilled in 2H2018 will contribute to production from 2019.

AAG expects production in 2H2018 will be greater than production in 1H2018 subject to
anticipated project execution and related government approval.

- Mabi
In light of the above Mabi ODP I progress, the Group has revised the 2018 capital expenditure ("CAPEX") plan from the original RMB570 million down to RMB170 million and will continue to focus on the preparation of scaled commercial development, including fine tuning the implementation plan, and continue drilling and completion in core development zone. In 2H 2018, the Group plans to drill 39 PDW wells and to perform 5 well completion works.

Despite the change in the CAPEX plan, there will not be significant changes in the Group's expected production target for Mabi in 2018 as most production is expected to be contributed from the existing 184 producing wells. The Group's full year gross production expectation for Mabi remains 97.3 MMCM (3.4 bcf) subject to anticipated project execution, especially the optimization of existing wells and facilities, and related government approvals.

Update on Liming's Partial Offer
On 14 May 2018, Liming Holdings Limited ("Liming"), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Xinjiang Xintai Natural Gas Co., Ltd., a company incorporated in the PRC and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (stock code: 603393), announced it will make a voluntary conditional partial cash offer to acquire a maximum of 1,692,295,936 shares (representing approximately 50.5% of the shares in issue as at that date) or such higher number of shares representing 50.5% of the shares in issue as at the Final Closing Date at the offer price of HK$1.75 per share and extend an appropriate offer to cancel or acquire a maximum of 100,956,224 options and 20,444,228 RSU shares (representing approximately 50.5% of the outstanding options and RSU shares, respectively, as at that date). Liming further announced that as at 2 August 2018, all the conditions for the partial offer have been fulfilled and that the partial offer has become unconditional in all respects.

On 16 August 2018, being the final closing date, Liming announced that it had received valid acceptances of the partial offer in respect of 2,758,498,386 shares, representing approximately 82.3% of the issued share capital of the Company as at the date of the Announcement (or approximately 82.3% of the issued share capital of the Company as at 16 August 2018), 194,462,080 valid acceptances in respect of the option offer, and 36,116,793 valid acceptances in respect of the RSU offer. Pursuant to the terms of the partial offer, Liming will take up 1,692,871,886 shares at HK$1.75 per share. Pursuant to the terms of the option offer and RSU offer, Liming also will take up and cancel 100,323,140 options and 20,154,383 RSUs at HK$0.5647 per option and HK$1.75 per RSU, respectively.

Going forward, besides the government's coal-to-gas policy, NDRC introduced a Circular on Straightening the Gas Station Price of Natural Gas Used for Residential Purpose (Fa Gai Price Gui [2018] No. 794) in late May 2018 to merge the two-tier gas pricing mechanism of residential-use gas prices together with non-residential-use gas prices in China. This will further improve expected gas prices in China and benefit the Group's growth aspirations beyond being the leading independent producer of CBM in China.

Dr. Stephen Zou, Chairman and Executive Director of AAG Energy, said, "We are confident that as a high productivity, low-cost upstream gas producer with a strong balance sheet, the growth momentum of our business will continue in the second half of 2018 as we are well positioned to further expand our production in Panzhuang and commercial development in Mabi to satisfy China's growing energy demand and realize good return to our shareholders."

About AAG Energy Holdings Limited (HKEX stock code: 2686)
AAG Energy Holdings Limited is an international energy company and a leader in China's CBM exploration and development sector. It focuses on developing and optimizing the value of unconventional gas resources to supply clean energy to the Chinese economy. AAG Energy's key operating assets, Panzhuang and Mabi concessions, are located in the Southwestern part of Qinshui Basin, which boasts the largest proved CBM geological reserves of any basin in China. AAG Energy's Panzhuang concession in partnership with China United Coalbed Methane Corporation Ltd., is the most commercially advanced Sino-foreign CBM asset in China and the first Sino-foreign CBM cooperative project to have entered full-scale commercial development and production. The Project has a designed annual production capacity of 500 million m3. AAG Energy's Mabi CBM Project in partnership with PetroChina received preliminary ODP Phase I approval from NDRC in November 2013. The designed production capacity of Mabi Phase I is 1 billion m3 per year. With proven ability to commercialize CBM and a highly-respected management team, the Group has attracted support from leading international and Chinese investors. For further details, please visit www.aagenergy.com

HONG KONG, Aug 27, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Guangzhou Rural Commercial Bank Co., Ltd. ("GRC Bank" or the "Bank;" Stock Code: 1551.HK), a leading rural commercial bank in China, ranking first in this category in Guangdong Province, is pleased to announce its unaudited 2018 interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2018 (the "Period"). During the Period, the Bank has further enhanced its market position, and it has been assigned the long-term credit ratings of "Baa2 Investment Grade" and "BBB-Investment Grade" by Moody's and S&P respectively. The Bank has become the only regional bank in China that has been rated as investment grade by two world-renowned authoritative rating agencies.

Accelerating integration of Internet business and traditional business - Industry-leading profit growth

GRC Bank has consolidated the competitive advantages of traditional banking businesses while accelerating the development of electronic Internet finance business, resulting in a steady growth in business performance. During the Period, the Bank recorded a operating income of RMB8,175 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 30.98%. Net interest income amounted to RMB5,589 million, accounting for 68.37% of the total operating income. Net fee and commission income amounted to RMB966 million, accounting for 11.82% of the total operating income. The Bank recorded a profit before tax of RMB4,333 million and a net profit of RMB3,391 million, representing year-on-year increases of 26.90% and 28.49% respectively. Net profit attributable to equity holders of the Bank was RMB3,322 million, and the basic earnings per share were RMB0.34.

GRC Bank commented, "In the first half of 2018, faced with complicated economic situations both domestically and abroad, China's economy continued to grow steadily, along with continuous improvement in economic restructuring. Both the employment and consumer prices were generally stable, and replacement of old growth drivers with new ones was further promoted, with improvements in both quality and efficiency. Together with an accelerated pace of reform and opening up, and new industries and businesses have emerged as high-quality development has achieved a good start. Under the favorable macroeconomic situation, the Bank's operations, scale of assets and profitability grew steadily in step with continuous improvement in quality of its assets, thus the overall performance in the first half of 2018 remained stable and moving in a positive direction."

Asset scale grows steadily and non-performing loan ratio continues to decrease

In the first half of 2018, China's economy was experiencing gradual recovery and the real economy showed a strong credit demand, which led to a rapid growth in the scale of loans under the direction of national policies including the Belt and Road initiative and de-stocking. Against this backdrop, the asset scale of GRC Bank achieved steady growth. As at June 30, 2018, the bank's total assets amounted to RMB753,636 million, representing an increase of RMB17,923 million or 2.44% HoH as compared with the end of last year, and had exceeded the target of RMB750,000 million. Among which, total loans and advances to customers was RMB336,035 million, representing a increase of RMB50,333 million or 17.62% HoH as compared with the end of last year. The increase of the Bank's total assets, as well as the total loans and advances to customers, was mainly attributable to the recovery and the credit demand of the real economy in the region has continued to expand.

The Bank's profitability has continued to increase as a result of the steady growth in credit scale and the substantial increase in net trading income. In the first half of the year, the Bank recorded a profit before tax of RMB4,333 million, and a net profit of RMB3,391 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 26.90% and 28.49% respectively. Along with the rapid growth in net profit, the return on average total assets and the return on average equity were 0.91% and 13.64% respectively, up by 0.12 percentage points and 0.80 percentage points respectively. The net fee and commission income to operating income was 11.82% and the cost-to-income ratio remained at a low level of 33.64%.

Faced with the complicated and ever-changing external economic situation, the Bank continued to optimize its industry-specific credit access standard for customers. Therefore, the total non-performing loans remained stable and non-performing loan ratio continued to decrease, and the quality of assets was stable with overall risks under control. As at June 30, 2018, the Bank's non-performing loan ratio was 1.41%, dropping by 0.10 percentage points as compared to the end of last year. During the Period, GRC Bank's capital strength has remained strong. The core tier 1 capital adequacy ratio and the tier 1 capital adequacy ratio were 10.46% and 10.49% respectively.

Matrix of electronic Internet finance takes shape, to cover the entire country through the Zhujiang Banks network

In the first half of the year, GRC Bank continued to familiarize itself with the new business forms of the financial industry, to cope with the new policies and accelerate the penetration and integration of the transformative business with traditional banking. As such, the Bank has successfully built its electronic Internet financial matrix which includes direct banking, mobile banking, online mall (Sun Market), Internet banking, smart banking (VTM banking) and WeChat banking. This enables it to provide a variety of electronic Internet financial services, such as the cash management business, electronic commercial drafts, corporate settlement cards and corporate intelligent terminal and mobile marketing platform and more.

GRC Bank has continued its efforts in the field of electronic Internet finance and many of its businesses began to generate results during the Period. Direct banking and mobile banking has become the important distribution channels of the Bank. During the Period, with regard to direct banking, the Bank continued to enhance the accessibility and diversification of its platform services, with the number of direct banking clients reaching 610,000, and the transaction volume was about RMB9.724 billion, representing a spectacular increase of 1,063% YoY. As for mobile banking, the Bank launched scan code collection and payment functions in order to provide customers with comprehensive and convenient mobile services. The number of individual customers and corporate customers totaled about 3,440,000 and 12,300 respectively, with overall financial transactions increased by 29% to 5,753,800, while the value of transactions accumulated to RMB136.96 billion, a year-on-year surge of 55%. Among which, the financial transactions of corporate customers reached 67,700 and the accumulated transactions amounted to RMB3.141 billion. Meanwhile, the Bank had engaged in 153 million new-type payment transactions worth RMB112.433 billion, representing an increase of 30% and 60% respectively. Besides, Sun Market, the Bank's online mall, was undergoing healthy growth as it prudently enlarged its scale of business. During the Period, the number of online mall customers was approximately 130,000 while the number of orders increased by 48% to 52,000.

The Bank carried out extensive efforts exploring the local market of Guangzhou while actively implementing a cross-regional development strategy and achieved a national presence by launching Zhujiang County Banks and Zhujiang Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. and investing in rural commercial banks within and outside Guangdong Province. GRC Bank has acted as the main initiating bank of Zhujiang County Bank, which has established 25 Zhujiang County Banks across China, including Zhengzhou Zhujiang Rural Bank Co., Ltd. which, in turn, obtained a business license from the CBRC Henan Office and officially started operation on 16 May, 2018. As at 30 June, 2018, Zhujiang County Banks had aggregate assets of RMB43,807 million and the balance of deposits and loans totaled RMB35,852 million and RMB23,945 million, respectively. In 2014, the Bank had also registered and established Zhujiang Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., a dedicated financial leasing company owned by a rural commercial bank in China. As a pioneer in the cross-regional ownership of rural commercial banks, the Bank has invested in the controlling shares and participated in the restructuring of Hunan Zhuzhou Zhujiang Rural Commercial Bank Co., Ltd., which has commenced operation in December, 2017. As at June 30, 2018, the total assets of Hunan Zhuzhou Zhujiang Rural Commercial Bank Co., Ltd. reached RMB7.584 billion, with the balance of deposits and loans amounting to RMB6.089 billion and RMB1.443 billion respectively.

Looking ahead to the second half of the year, there remain challenges and opportunities at the same time. While focusing on the three tough battles, China is also facing some high-profile macroeconomic issues. These include geopolitics, the Fed's interest rate hike process, Sino-US trade friction and trends, and local crises in specific emerging markets, the trend of oil prices, structural deleveraging and financial risks, real estate market development uncertainties, rapidly falling investment growth, etc. Against the backdrop of so many unfavorable factors, downside risks for China's economy will increase in the second half of the year. In terms of investment, it is expected that the investment growth will remain low and the infrastructure investment growth may bottom out in the second half of the year. Along with the improving profitability of industrial enterprises, manufacturing investment is likely to rise in the second half of the year; under the influence of factors such as financing difficulty and tightening regulation, the investment of the real estate industry development may fall from the record high in the first half of the year. Consumption is expected to rebound slightly and export growth may slow down in the second half of the year. In the second half of the year, the Bank will continue to optimize its assets and liabilities structure and make continuous efforts towards improving its management capability and risk management levels, so as to better serve the real economy, achieve its strategic objectives and complete various business tasks, in striving for outstanding 2018 annual results.

HONG KONG, Aug 27, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Apex Ace Holding Limited ("Apex Ace" or the "Company"; Stock Code: 6036) and its subsidiaries (collectively referred as the "Group"), a supplier of digital storage products and electronic components along with relevant technical support, posted a total revenue of approximately HK$2,089.7 million, representing a year-on-year surge of approximately 65.4% for the six months ended 30 June 2018 (the "Review Period"). The significant increase was mainly attributed to the continuously booming technological product market, which drove a notable growth in demand for digital storage products and electronic components from downstream manufacturers. Together with the impressive rise in purchase orders and the Group's effort to develop new customer sources, the Group's gross profit rose by 58.7% to HK$96.4 million while profit attributable to owners of the Company was up by 37.3% to HK$21.7 million. Basic earnings per share were HK2.41 cents (same period last year: HK2.10 cents).

Excluding the listing expenses during the Review Period, the adjusted net profit would be HK$33.2 million.

Mr. Lee Bing Kwong, Chairman of Apex Ace, said, "The increasing popularity of electronic products continued to boost the market demand for electronic components. With an extensive product portfolio and an experienced engineering team, the Group mainly offers downstream manufacturers in the technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector in the PRC and Hong Kong products with quality electronic components produced by brand name upstream manufacturers. Furthermore, Apex Ace's listing in March has provided the Group with a more effective fund-raising platform to strengthen its financial capability and have more flexible responses to cope with the ever-changing demand of the TMT market. All of these enabled the Group to embrace the continuous development of its business and to achieve encouraging growth in performance".

Business Review
During the Review Period, the Group's Memory Products business segment saw a 46.0% revenue surge year-on-year to HK$1,327.8 million, which accounted for approximately 63.5% of the Group's total revenue. The improvement was attributable to notable growth in demand for memory components underpinned by increasing sales of multimedia and mobile devices, such as set-top boxes, smart TVs, wearable devices and mobile phones. Gross profit of the segment increased to HK$41.3 million, up by 10.6% when compared with the same period last year.

The Group's other two business segments, Data & Cloud Products and General Components, also recorded satisfactory results. Attributing to more than double the sales amount from one of its major Data & Cloud customers, revenue of the Data & Cloud segment leaped by 114.8% year-on-year to HK$522.6 million, making up one-fourth of the Group's total revenue. Gross profit of the segment increased by 92.9% to HK$33.2 million from HK$17.2 million in the same period last year.

Sales of the General Components business segment soared by 116.2% to HK$239.2 million, driven by the Group's success in securing new customers and increasing purchases of inductors, capacitors and main chips for smart TVs and set-top boxes to meet market demand from its existing and new customers. Gross profit of the segment rocketed by 252.8% to HK$21.9 million.

Prospects
Looking ahead, market demand for memory and data & cloud products is set to increase due to the widespread application of 5G mobile technology expected in the future and continuous pursuit of fiber-to-home products, which has substantially increased the Internet penetration in Mainland China. At the same time, supportive of a digital economy development in China, the Mainland Government has hastened to implement measures to help traditional industries to adapt to a new digital and intelligent technologies era, creating new opportunities for its economic development. The "Made in China 2025" strategic directive published in 2016 clearly states that integrated circuit and information processing and communications products are the key categories in the information technology industry. Also, with Internet of things (IoT) identified as one of the five emerging strategic industries in Mainland China, efforts will be made to widen application of IoT and effect in-depth integration of IoT with the new digital economy. It will further drive market demand for related electronic components, such as increasing the scale of production for data & cloud application components. Therefore, the associated components distribution operators like our Group are expected to grow at a remarkable rate.

Mr. Lee concluded, "Given the sustained success of Apex Ace's business as a provider of semiconductors and other electronics components, the Group shall continue to adhere to its low-margin high-volume business strategy. The Group will strive to maintain its gross profit margin at a reasonable level and aim for a balance between sales volume and profit, so that its business can continue to expand at a sustainable level. The Group also plans to maximize its newly developed market research team, which has been actively studying market intelligence and conditions, enhancing the Group to secure distributorship of more product lines from existing and new suppliers. The Group shall focus more on the sales of electronic components used in medical equipment, automobile and industrial applications which shall seize more new business opportunities in those promising markets to generate additional contributions to its operating results in the future."

About Apex Ace Holding Limited (Stock Code: 6036)
Apex Ace principally engages in the supply of digital storage products including Memory and Data & Cloud products and general electronic components as well as providing technical support. The Group's customers are primarily market players in the TMT sector in the PRC and Hong Kong. The electronic components the Group supplies are classified into three major segments, including Memory Products, Data & Cloud Products and General Components.

Media Enquiries:
Strategic Financial Relations Limited
Mandy Go Tel: (852) 2864 4812 Email: mandy.go@sprg.com.hk
Phoebe Leung Tel: (852) 2114 4172 Email: phoebe.leung@sprg.com.hk
Wilson Ngan Tel: (852) 2114 4318 Email: wilson.ngan@sprg.com.hk

OCB-JCB Platinum Credit Card

OCB-JCB Gold Credit Card

OCB-JCB Standard Credit Card

OCB-JCB Standard Debit Card

Ho Chi Minh City and Tokyo, Aug 27, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB), a commercial joint stock bank in Vietnam, and JCB International Co. Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd. (JCB), today announced the launch of OCB-JCB Credit and Debit Card in Vietnam.

The holders of OCB-JCB Card can access the JCB acceptance network with about 30 million merchants in the world, and enjoy a lot of benefits provided by OCB, special privileges at selected merchants, and customer service at JCB Plaza, an overseas service counter.

Moreover, OCB-JCB Platinum Credit Cardholders are entitled to a number of other privileges such as the access to over 73 airport lounges in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam; and 24/7 global support through a free hotline when booking car rental, hotel, restaurant, and golf in Japan.

In addition, OCB offers free annual fee during the validity period for the JCB Credit Card and free for the first year for the JCB Debit Card. For first 3 weeks since launching on Aug 27th 2018, OCB is also implementing a promotion program offering newly issued cardholders with gifts.

About OCB

Orient Commercial Bank (OCB) was established on June 10, 1996. Through 22 years of operation and development, OCB has affirmed its prestige in the financial market. In 8/2018, OCB was ranked by Moody's (one of the three most prestigious credit rating agencies in the world) to increase its Long-term Counter-party Risk rating from B2 to B1. This indicator reflects the ability and prestige of OCB to perform its financial obligations to its partners. In addition, OCB has received two awards from the International Financial Magazine (IFM) include: Most Innovative Digital Bank of Viet Nam 2018 and Best New Omni Channel Platform.

OCB is in the process of implementing the business strategy development for the period 2015 - 2020, bringing OCB to become a modern bank leading in retail and SME in Vietnam.

About JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading payment card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and card member base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to provide responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. Currently, JCB cards are accepted globally and issued in 24 countries and territories. For more information, please visit: https://www.global.jcb/en/
Note: Statistics about JCB are as of June 2018.

Contact
OCB
Customer Service Center
Tel: 1800 6678
Email: dvkh@ocb.com.vn

JCB Co., Ltd.
Kumiko Kida
Corporate Communications
Tel: +81-3-5778-8353
Email: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp

HONG KONG, Aug 27, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Minsheng Education Group Company Limited ("Minsheng Education" or the "Group," Stock code: 1569) has announced its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2018 ("Period under Review").

Financial Highlights

- Revenue increased by 24.2% to RMB316.3 million (1H 2017: RMB254.6 million)
- Gross profit grew by 13.5% to RMB188.5 million (1H 2017: RMB166.1 million). Gross profit margin at 59.6% (1H 2017: 65.2%)
- Core net profit increased by 22.4% to RMB227.2 million (1H 2017: RMB185.6 million). Core net profit margin at 71.8% (1H 2017: 72.9%)
- Net profit increased by 37.2% to RMB221.0 million (1H 2017: RMB161.1 million)
- Basic earnings per share were RMB5.42 cents (1H 2017: RMB4.52 cents)

For the six months ended 30 June 2018, Minsheng Education recorded revenue of RMB316.3 million, increased by approximately 24.2% when compared to the same period last year. Gross profit rose by 13.5% to approximately RMB188.5 million, with gross profit margin at 59.6%. Net profit increased by 37.2% to approximately RMB221.0 million. The core net profit also recorded double digit growth at 22.4% to RMB227.2 million, while core net profit margin is at 71.8%. Basic earnings per share amounted to RMB5.42 cents. The Board does not recommend an interim dividend for the six months ended 30 June 2018.

Mr. Li Xuechun, Chairman of Minsheng Education, said, "Minsheng Education continues to focus on providing high-quality private formal higher education in China dedicated to nurturing professional talent. In addition, the Group attributes the relatively high initial graduate employment rates to the effectiveness of its education, which it believes will continue to elevate its brand recognition and attract talented students. The Group acquires schools that are of high quality with preference in undergraduate schools, such as Dianchi College of Yunnan University and City College of Hebei University of Technology. This will help the Group to cultivate high-level and high-quality professionals and create high-end employment and high employment rates. Moving forward, Minsheng Education will continue to uphold its China first-class standard in private higher education institutions, cultivate high-level and high-quality professionals, enhance the value of the Group and create higher returns for shareholders in the long run."

Business Review

As at 30 June 2018, the Group had an aggregate of 43,344 students enrolled at the six schools that it owned and operated, primarily offers formal higher education, including formal undergraduate education and junior college education. The number of students increased at 33.3% year-on-year.

In addition, after the completion of the M&A projects announced by the Group, the number of students in Minsheng Education will reach more than 80,000.

For overseas market, apart from Beacon International College PTE. LTD. in Singapore and Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education Limited, the Group has further expanded its coverage to introduce advanced curricula and innovative teaching methods into its schools in the PRC, the Group has invested in Top Education Group Ltd. ("Top Education"), a private higher education provider in Australia offering accredited undergraduate and postgraduate award courses in business and law, it is aimed to bolster its education quality and reputation, and to offer more learning exchange opportunities for its students in the PRC.

Outlook

Looking forward, the Group will expand its higher education school network and increase number of student through mergers and acquisitions and internal growth. It will explore the investment opportunities in independent ordinary higher education institutions; independent colleges with preliminary conditions to be converted to independent ordinary higher education institutions; higher vocational (junior) colleges with preliminary conditions to be upgraded to independent ordinary higher education institutions; and specialized secondary colleges, such as colleges having medical, arts-specialised and aviation specialised majors. As for internal growth, the Group will increase the student enrollment quota, add new programmes, provide more professional training programs in education, raise the tuition fees appropriately and provide the service items.

To expand the internationalised school operation, the Group will set up an international college in each school to carry out a variety of models of cooperation in operating schools such as 2 + 2 and 3 + 1 programs. Additionally, the Group will cooperate with famous international universities to carry out network teaching and at the same time to develop an intelligence campus, to gradually expand the teaching-by-network scope and to achieve effective information management and services.

About Minsheng Education Group Company Limited (Stock code: 1569)
Minsheng Education Group Company Limited has been listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 22 March 2018 and is one of the largest private providers of higher education in China. As at 30 June 2018, the Group operated six schools in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC"), namely Chongqing College of Humanities, Science and Technology, Pass College of Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing Vocational College of Applied Technology, Inner Mongolia Fengzhou Vocational College (Qingcheng Branch), Chongqing Electronic Information College and Shouguang Bohai Experimental School. The Group primarily offers formal higher education, including formal undergraduate education and junior college education. For further details, please visit: http://www.minshengedu.com

Enquiries:
Strategic Financial Relations Limited
Stephanie Liu Tel: +852 2864 4852 Email: stephanie.liu@sprg.com.hk
Ovina Zhu Tel: +852 2114 4955 Email: ovina.zhu@sprg.com.hk
Fax: +852 2527 1196

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