Press Release FeedGet the RSS feed
Menu

Browse press releases

The newest releases come first, each with its full text here and a link to its original. Try the filters to narrow them down.

1,071 resultsPage 50 of 90, newest first
  1. AIHong Kong's Belt and Road Summit explores new cross-regional opportunities this SeptemberHONG KONG, Sep 1, 2026 - The 11th Belt and Road Summit, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held from 9 to 10 September (Wednesday to Thursday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. For over a decade, Hong Kong has brought together government and business leaders from Belt and Road countries and regions to deepen local, regional economic and trade ties through this signature event. With the theme of Advancing High-quality Development - Embarking on a New Journey, this year’s Belt and Road Summit will explore fresh potential arising from new patterns of regional cooperation in trade, investment and development among Belt and Road and other markets, particularly ASEAN, Central Asia and the Middle East. Presenting insights from nearly 100 distinguished policymakers and business leaders, new multifaceted thematic showcases and business matching activities, this year’s Summit offers a wealth of knowledge, extensive networks and quality investment and business opportunities, facilitated through Hong Kong, the global business platform that connects the Chinese Mainland and the world. The 11th Belt and Road Summit will be held from 9 to 10 September (Wednesday to Thursday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. In 2025 (shown in photo), the event’s 10th edition attracted 6,200 participants from 70+ countries and regions. The picture shows the Belt and Road Summit in 2025. Anna Cheung, Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: "Amid the reconfiguration of the global economic landscape, Hong Kong has been both an important platform for Mainland enterprises to go global and a preferred gateway for international enterprises to enter the Mainland and Asian markets. As a core member of the GoGlobal Task Force which was established by the HKSAR Government to facilitate enterprises to go global, the HKTDC has been leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths as an international business and investment platform to facilitate cooperation. To further support Mainland enterprises in tapping opportunities in the Belt and Road and other emerging markets, this year’s Belt and Road Summit will introduce a dedicated Go Global Chapter, featuring thematic breakout sessions focusing on go global opportunities and Hong Kong’s professional services strengths, the newly established GoGlobal Connect Zone for service providers, roundtable discussions and the GoGlobal Business Study Mission to Nansha, Guangzhou. These initiatives will further strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a ‘superconnector’ and ‘super value-adder’, promoting high-quality cooperation in Belt and Road and other markets. The HKTDC has also been actively advancing cross-regional economic and trade cooperation. This year, we have organised a business delegation to visit Belt and Road countries and regions and hosted the flagship overseas promotion event ‘Think Business, Think Hong Kong’ in Malaysia, continuing to develop new markets, connect with new partners and explore new opportunities, further leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths in connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world, while deepening Hong Kong’s links with global markets." This year’s Belt and Road Summit will feature a new GoGlobal Connect Zone, showcasing professional services solutions across different sectors in Hong Kong and providing consultation and practical support for enterprises going global. The picture shows the Asia Summit on Global Health held in May 2026, featuring the “GoGlobal Connect” and the Business of Healthcare Advisory Zone. New directions in global economic development from the policy perspective The first day of the Summit will open with exchanges between government and corporate leaders. The Opening Session will feature heavyweights such as John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Carolina Cosse, Vice President of Uruguay, Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, and Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, sharing their perspectives on global economic and trade development from the policy and international cooperation perspectives. The highly anticipated Policy Dialogue session, with the theme of Building Resilient Trade and Investment Frameworks in a Diverse Global Landscape, will be chaired by Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR. He will exchange views with such government officials as Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Minister for Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute of Bangladesh, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development of Sri Lanka, and Dr Kirida Bhaopichitr, Vice Minister for Commerce of Thailand, to discuss strengthening cross-border trade and investment cooperation and enhancing economic resilience, as well as sharing experiences in promoting trade facilitation and investment cooperation. The Business Plenary I: Harnessing Business Opportunities for Sustainable Growth and Shared Prosperity session, with a market focus on ASEAN and Central Asia, will explore how enterprises can promote sustainable development and achieve more inclusive economic growth while expanding business opportunities and advancing investment cooperation. The session will be chaired by Dr Victor K Fung, Chairman of Fung Investments, and feature Dr Jonathan Choi, Chairman of Sunwah Group, Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, CEO of Sintesa Group and Chairman of the Indonesian Employer Association, Vikrom Kromadit, CEO of Amata Corporation PCL, Farkhad Rashidovich Okhonov, Member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Management Board of Halyk Finance, Somboun Phongsavanh, Chairman of Shareholder Committee, Phongsavanh Group. They will share practical experiences from different markets and industries and explore ways to seize cross-border cooperation opportunities and foster mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. The Keynote Luncheon will feature welcome remarks by Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR, opening remarks by Wang Shuguang, Vice Chairman of the Board, President and Member of the Management Committee of China International Capital Corporation Limited, and a keynote address by Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN. Exploring cooperation with Central Asia and the Middle East to support enterprises in going global through Hong Kong Continuing to focus on expanding international markets, deepening cross-regional cooperation and advancing high-quality development, this year’s Summit will introduce new thematic chapters, namely, the Go Global Chapter, Central Asia Chapter and Middle East Chapter. The new Go Global Chapter will provide a one-stop platform for Mainland enterprises to exchange ideas and connect with potential partners as they expand overseas. On the first day, the Thematic Breakout Session Hong Kong: Super Connector - World-class Springboard – Professional Services Empowering Global Expansion will explore how Hong Kong’s professional services can support enterprises in expanding into Belt and Road markets. On the second day, the Thematic Breakout Session Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global: Driving Mutual Growth Across Belt and Road Economies will further share practical experiences of enterprises expanding into overseas markets. In addition, the Summit will feature a new GoGlobal Connect Zone, showcasing professional services solutions across different sectors in Hong Kong and providing consultation and practical support for enterprises going global. The Summit will also arrange one-on-one meetings between Mainland enterprises seeking to expand overseas and potential partners and service providers, as well as hold roundtable discussions on going global, providing more comprehensive and enhanced support for Mainland enterprises expanding overseas. The Summit will also organise the GoGlobal Business Study Mission to Nansha, Guangzhou, enabling participants to gain first-hand understanding of development and investment opportunities in the Greater Bay Area. Central Asia and Middle East Chapters showcase investment opportunities Following the successful delegations led by John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, and organised by the HKTDC over the past two years, Hong Kong, Central Asia and the Middle East have strengthened ties with reciprocal exchanges. The Summit will further enhance these ties by inviting government officials and business leaders from these regions to share their latest development opportunities and investment prospects, and will feature a dedicated Central Asia Chapter and a Middle East Chapter, featuring consulates, business organisations and companies showcasing investment projects and commercial opportunities across the regions. The two-day Project Investment Sessions held during the Summit will also explore investment, infrastructure, smart city and professional services opportunities arising from major development projects in Central Asia and the Middle East. The Cocktail Reception will be officiated by Paul Lam, Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR, who will deliver welcoming remarks. The reception will also feature ethnic music performances, allowing participants to gain a deeper understanding of Central Asia and Middle East from another perspective and promoting cultural exchanges. Global expert insights on finance, technology, green development and youth The second day of the Summit will open with a special address session, featuring Professor Teresa Cheng, Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation and other distinguished guests. Making its debut this year, a Dialogue for Future session themed Think Tank Dialogue: The Belt and Road Initiative and Asia-Pacific Cooperation in a Changing Global Landscape will feature a conversation between Professor Li Cheng, Director of Centre on Contemporary China and the World and Professor of School of Governance and Policy, The University of Hong Kong and Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director of Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum. A Business plenary on the same day, themed Unlocking New Market Opportunities along and beyond the Belt and Road, will focus on the Middle East and African markets. Chaired by Professor KC Chan, Chairman of WeLab Bank, the panel of speakers will include Mansoor Rashid Al-Khater, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Financial Centre, Muneer Ali Al Muneeri, Deputy President for Operations of Oman Investment Authority, Dr Mteto Nyati, Chairman of Eskom, Cliff Zhang, CEO & Founding Partner of Templewater Hong Kong Limited and Samaila Zubairu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Finance Corporation. The session will examine the immense potential of emerging markets within and beyond the Belt and Road countries and regions amid evolving global business landscapes, as well as how Hong Kong can support global enterprises in capturing new market opportunities. Alongside themes of Finance, Green Development, Youth and Technology, this year’s summit will introduce brand-new thematic breakout sessions including going global and the low-altitude economy. From corporate global expansion and emerging-industry advancement to talent nurturing, these sessions will explore fresh opportunities for high-quality development. Among them, the Thematic Breakout Session: Dialogue with Youth Business Leaders - Hong Kong as an International Hub for High-Calibre Talent will discuss how Hong Kong can leverage its strengths in local education, research, innovation and technology to attract top talent worldwide and inject new momentum into Hong Kong and regional growth. Project investment enhanced with signature projects and extended deal making The Summit will once again host Project Investment Session, Belt and Road Summit Deal Making and Exhibition zone, featuring more than 300 investment projects, with a combined investment value exceeding US$3.7 billion, and over 800 one-on-one project matching meetings to help enterprises connect with potential partners. The Project Investment Session will provide a platform for project owners from different countries to present their projects, giving investors and service intermediaries a comprehensive understanding of the investment opportunities in different sectors. Pitching sessions will focus on five main areas: (1) energy, natural resources and public utilities, (2) urban development, (3) New Market Focus: The Middle East, Africa and Latin America, (4) transport and logistics infrastructure, and (5) innovation and technology. The Signature Projects Session will highlight the massive infrastructure and investment potential of Alatau City and Data Centre Valley in Kazakhstan, as well as the Ankara-Istanbul High-Speed Rail in Türkiye. The Belt and Road Summit Deal Making session will create vital negotiation opportunities for participants. Running in parallel with the Summit and extended online from 14 to 15 September, it pools global resources and facilitates long-term collaboration and resource integration through one-on-one meetings. The exhibition zones bring together over 120 exhibitors. Alongside the Hong Kong Zone and Global Investment Zone, three new zones have been introduced this year. The University Zone assembles local universities to showcase research outputs, innovative technologies and talent-related strengths. The GreenTech Zone features artificial intelligence, green technologies and smart-city solutions, building bridges between technology enterprises and investors. The GoGlobal Connect Zone displays services and resources supporting enterprises’ overseas expansion, connecting businesses to global commercial networks and empowering them to tap into international markets. There are also regional-themed zones, including the returning Chinese Mainland Zone and the ASEAN Zone, which showcase promising investment projects and business opportunities from Belt and Road markets. The 11th Belt and Road Summit is supported by a wide range of partners, including China International Capital Corporation Limited as Strategic Partner, and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited as the Banking Partner. Other supporters include Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited as Cross-border Business Partner, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited as the Global Connectivity Partner, Huatai International Financial Holdings Company Limited as Innovative Finance Partner, International Financial Centre of Oman as Diamond Sponsor, as well as CCB International (Holdings) Limited and China Mobile International Limited as Platinum Sponsors. New ASEAN Market Day to be held alongside Belt and Road Week The Belt and Road Summit is one of the key flagship events of Belt and Road Week, a themed week featuring events related to the Belt and Road Initiative held around Hong Kong. With representatives of ASEAN member states coming to Hong Kong to participate in the Summit, the HKTDC will introduce a new flagship event, ASEAN Market Day, which will be held on the afternoon of 10 September. The event, the first in a series of market days, will bring together business leaders and experts to share practical experience, helping Hong Kong businesses, particularly SMEs, gain a deeper understanding of the latest development trends and business opportunities in different ASEAN markets before taking steps to expand. Following the session, participants can visit the ASEAN Zone at the Summit for consultation sessions with representatives from the HKTDC’s offices in ASEAN and various ASEAN Consulates General and associations to exchange views and connect with potential partners. Looking ahead, the HKTDC will continue with the series of market days focusing on different regions with high business potential, such as Africa and the Middle East, and closer to home, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area in the Chinese Mainland. Held alongside the Summit is the Belt and Road Global Forum Annual Roundtable, a closed-door roundtable held on the morning of 11 September, which brings together Hong Kong, Mainland and international organisations and business associations to share information, interact and explore multilateral cooperation. The 11th Belt and Road Summit Date 9 to 10 September 2026 Venue Hall 5B-E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Remarks Video and audio recordings at the Summit should be used only in the context of media reporting Media Registration Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] for media registration Websites Belt and Road Summit: https://www.beltandroadsummit.com/conference/bnr/en Programme: https://www.beltandroadsummit.com/conference/bnr/en/programme Speaker list: https://www.beltandroadsummit.com/conference/bnr/en/speaker Media representatives who would like to conduct interviews with the speakers, please submit interview requests to [email protected] or [email protected] by 4 September 2026. Photo download: https://bit.ly/45WBpUo The 11th Belt and Road Summit will be held from 9 to 10 September (Wednesday to Thursday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. In 2025 (shown in photo), the event’s 10th edition attracted 6,200 participants from 70+ countries and regions. The picture shows the Belt and Road Summit in 2025. This year’s Belt and Road Summit will feature a new GoGlobal Connect Zone, showcasing professional services solutions across different sectors in Hong Kong and providing consultation and practical support for enterprises going global. The picture shows the Asia Summit on Global Health held in May 2026, featuring the “GoGlobal Connect” and the Business of Healthcare Advisory Zone. Media Enquiries Yuan Tung Financial Relations:Louise Song Tel: (852) 3428 5691 Email: [email protected] Leung Tel: (852) 3428 2361 Email: [email protected] Wong Tel: (852) 3428 3122 Email: [email protected] HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs DepartmentNavin Law Tel: (852) 2584 4525 Email: [email protected] Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4572 Email: [email protected] Kan Tel: (852) 2584 4055 Email: [email protected] HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en About HKTDC The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
  2. MediaACG METALS LIMITEDACG Metals Achieves First Copper Concentrate Production at GediktepeACG is pleased to announce the production of first copper concentrate from its Gediktepe operation in Türkiye on 31 August 2026. Please see the link to the latest video on the website: https://acgmetals.com/first-copper-conncentrate-production...
  3. AIHong Kong's Belt and Road Summit explores new cross-regional opportunities this SeptemberHONG KONG, Sep 1, 2026 - The 11th Belt and Road Summit, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held from 9 to 10 September (Wednesday to Thursday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. For over a decade, Hong Kong has brought together government and business leaders from Belt and Road countries and regions to deepen local, regional economic and trade ties through this signature event. With the theme of Advancing High-quality Development - Embarking on a New Journey, this year’s Belt and Road Summit will explore fresh potential arising from new patterns of regional cooperation in trade, investment and development among Belt and Road and other markets, particularly ASEAN, Central Asia and the Middle East. Presenting insights from nearly 100 distinguished policymakers and business leaders, new multifaceted thematic showcases and business matching activities, this year’s Summit offers a wealth of knowledge, extensive networks and quality investment and business opportunities, facilitated through Hong Kong, the global business platform that connects the Chinese Mainland and the world. The 11th Belt and Road Summit will be held from 9 to 10 September (Wednesday to Thursday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. In 2025 (shown in photo), the event’s 10th edition attracted 6,200 participants from 70+ countries and regions. The picture shows the Belt and Road Summit in 2025. Anna Cheung, Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: "Amid the reconfiguration of the global economic landscape, Hong Kong has been both an important platform for Mainland enterprises to go global and a preferred gateway for international enterprises to enter the Mainland and Asian markets. As a core member of the GoGlobal Task Force which was established by the HKSAR Government to facilitate enterprises to go global, the HKTDC has been leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths as an international business and investment platform to facilitate cooperation. To further support Mainland enterprises in tapping opportunities in the Belt and Road and other emerging markets, this year’s Belt and Road Summit will introduce a dedicated Go Global Chapter, featuring thematic breakout sessions focusing on go global opportunities and Hong Kong’s professional services strengths, the newly established GoGlobal Connect Zone for service providers, roundtable discussions and the GoGlobal Business Study Mission to Nansha, Guangzhou. These initiatives will further strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a ‘superconnector’ and ‘super value-adder’, promoting high-quality cooperation in Belt and Road and other markets. The HKTDC has also been actively advancing cross-regional economic and trade cooperation. This year, we have organised a business delegation to visit Belt and Road countries and regions and hosted the flagship overseas promotion event ‘Think Business, Think Hong Kong’ in Malaysia, continuing to develop new markets, connect with new partners and explore new opportunities, further leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths in connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world, while deepening Hong Kong’s links with global markets." This year’s Belt and Road Summit will feature a new GoGlobal Connect Zone, showcasing professional services solutions across different sectors in Hong Kong and providing consultation and practical support for enterprises going global. The picture shows the Asia Summit on Global Health held in May 2026, featuring the “GoGlobal Connect” and the Business of Healthcare Advisory Zone. New directions in global economic development from the policy perspective The first day of the Summit will open with exchanges between government and corporate leaders. The Opening Session will feature heavyweights such as John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Carolina Cosse, Vice President of Uruguay, Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, and Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, sharing their perspectives on global economic and trade development from the policy and international cooperation perspectives. The highly anticipated Policy Dialogue session, with the theme of Building Resilient Trade and Investment Frameworks in a Diverse Global Landscape, will be chaired by Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR. He will exchange views with such government officials as Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Minister for Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute of Bangladesh, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development of Sri Lanka, and Dr Kirida Bhaopichitr, Vice Minister for Commerce of Thailand, to discuss strengthening cross-border trade and investment cooperation and enhancing economic resilience, as well as sharing experiences in promoting trade facilitation and investment cooperation. The Business Plenary I: Harnessing Business Opportunities for Sustainable Growth and Shared Prosperity session, with a market focus on ASEAN and Central Asia, will explore how enterprises can promote sustainable development and achieve more inclusive economic growth while expanding business opportunities and advancing investment cooperation. The session will be chaired by Dr Victor K Fung, Chairman of Fung Investments, and feature Dr Jonathan Choi, Chairman of Sunwah Group, Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, CEO of Sintesa Group and Chairman of the Indonesian Employer Association, Vikrom Kromadit, CEO of Amata Corporation PCL, Farkhad Rashidovich Okhonov, Member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Management Board of Halyk Finance, Somboun Phongsavanh, Chairman of Shareholder Committee, Phongsavanh Group. They will share practical experiences from different markets and industries and explore ways to seize cross-border cooperation opportunities and foster mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. The Keynote Luncheon will feature welcome remarks by Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR, opening remarks by Wang Shuguang, Vice Chairman of the Board, President and Member of the Management Committee of China International Capital Corporation Limited, and a keynote address by Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN. Exploring cooperation with Central Asia and the Middle East to support enterprises in going global through Hong Kong Continuing to focus on expanding international markets, deepening cross-regional cooperation and advancing high-quality development, this year’s Summit will introduce new thematic chapters, namely, the Go Global Chapter, Central Asia Chapter and Middle East Chapter. The new Go Global Chapter will provide a one-stop platform for Mainland enterprises to exchange ideas and connect with potential partners as they expand overseas. On the first day, the Thematic Breakout Session Hong Kong: Super Connector - World-class Springboard – Professional Services Empowering Global Expansion will explore how Hong Kong’s professional services can support enterprises in expanding into Belt and Road markets. On the second day, the Thematic Breakout Session Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global: Driving Mutual Growth Across Belt and Road Economies will further share practical experiences of enterprises expanding into overseas markets. In addition, the Summit will feature a new GoGlobal Connect Zone, showcasing professional services solutions across different sectors in Hong Kong and providing consultation and practical support for enterprises going global. The Summit will also arrange one-on-one meetings between Mainland enterprises seeking to expand overseas and potential partners and service providers, as well as hold roundtable discussions on going global, providing more comprehensive and enhanced support for Mainland enterprises expanding overseas. The Summit will also organise the GoGlobal Business Study Mission to Nansha, Guangzhou, enabling participants to gain first-hand understanding of development and investment opportunities in the Greater Bay Area. Central Asia and Middle East Chapters showcase investment opportunities Following the successful delegations led by John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, and organised by the HKTDC over the past two years, Hong Kong, Central Asia and the Middle East have strengthened ties with reciprocal exchanges. The Summit will further enhance these ties by inviting government officials and business leaders from these regions to share their latest development opportunities and investment prospects, and will feature a dedicated Central Asia Chapter and a Middle East Chapter, featuring consulates, business organisations and companies showcasing investment projects and commercial opportunities across the regions. The two-day Project Investment Sessions held during the Summit will also explore investment, infrastructure, smart city and professional services opportunities arising from major development projects in Central Asia and the Middle East. The Cocktail Reception will be officiated by Paul Lam, Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR, who will deliver welcoming remarks. The reception will also feature ethnic music performances, allowing participants to gain a deeper understanding of Central Asia and Middle East from another perspective and promoting cultural exchanges. Global expert insights on finance, technology, green development and youth The second day of the Summit will open with a special address session, featuring Professor Teresa Cheng, Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation and other distinguished guests. Making its debut this year, a Dialogue for Future session themed Think Tank Dialogue: The Belt and Road Initiative and Asia-Pacific Cooperation in a Changing Global Landscape will feature a conversation between Professor Li Cheng, Director of Centre on Contemporary China and the World and Professor of School of Governance and Policy, The University of Hong Kong and Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director of Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum. A Business plenary on the same day, themed Unlocking New Market Opportunities along and beyond the Belt and Road, will focus on the Middle East and African markets. Chaired by Professor KC Chan, Chairman of WeLab Bank, the panel of speakers will include Mansoor Rashid Al-Khater, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Financial Centre, Muneer Ali Al Muneeri, Deputy President for Operations of Oman Investment Authority, Dr Mteto Nyati, Chairman of Eskom, Cliff Zhang, CEO & Founding Partner of Templewater Hong Kong Limited and Samaila Zubairu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Finance Corporation. The session will examine the immense potential of emerging markets within and beyond the Belt and Road countries and regions amid evolving global business landscapes, as well as how Hong Kong can support global enterprises in capturing new market opportunities. Alongside themes of Finance, Green Development, Youth and Technology, this year’s summit will introduce brand-new thematic breakout sessions including going global and the low-altitude economy. From corporate global expansion and emerging-industry advancement to talent nurturing, these sessions will explore fresh opportunities for high-quality development. Among them, the Thematic Breakout Session: Dialogue with Youth Business Leaders - Hong Kong as an International Hub for High-Calibre Talent will discuss how Hong Kong can leverage its strengths in local education, research, innovation and technology to attract top talent worldwide and inject new momentum into Hong Kong and regional growth. Project investment enhanced with signature projects and extended deal making The Summit will once again host Project Investment Session, Belt and Road Summit Deal Making and Exhibition zone, featuring more than 300 investment projects, with a combined investment value exceeding US$3.7 billion, and over 800 one-on-one project matching meetings to help enterprises connect with potential partners. The Project Investment Session will provide a platform for project owners from different countries to present their projects, giving investors and service intermediaries a comprehensive understanding of the investment opportunities in different sectors. Pitching sessions will focus on five main areas: (1) energy, natural resources and public utilities, (2) urban development, (3) New Market Focus: The Middle East, Africa and Latin America, (4) transport and logistics infrastructure, and (5) innovation and technology. The Signature Projects Session will highlight the massive infrastructure and investment potential of Alatau City and Data Centre Valley in Kazakhstan, as well as the Ankara-Istanbul High-Speed Rail in Türkiye. The Belt and Road Summit Deal Making session will create vital negotiation opportunities for participants. Running in parallel with the Summit and extended online from 14 to 15 September, it pools global resources and facilitates long-term collaboration and resource integration through one-on-one meetings. The exhibition zones bring together over 120 exhibitors. Alongside the Hong Kong Zone and Global Investment Zone, three new zones have been introduced this year. The University Zone assembles local universities to showcase research outputs, innovative technologies and talent-related strengths. The GreenTech Zone features artificial intelligence, green technologies and smart-city solutions, building bridges between technology enterprises and investors. The GoGlobal Connect Zone displays services and resources supporting enterprises’ overseas expansion, connecting businesses to global commercial networks and empowering them to tap into international markets. There are also regional-themed zones, including the returning Chinese Mainland Zone and the ASEAN Zone, which showcase promising investment projects and business opportunities from Belt and Road markets. The 11th Belt and Road Summit is supported by a wide range of partners, including China International Capital Corporation Limited as Strategic Partner, and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited as the Banking Partner. Other supporters include Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited as Cross-border Business Partner, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited as the Global Connectivity Partner, Huatai International Financial Holdings Company Limited as Innovative Finance Partner, International Financial Centre of Oman as Diamond Sponsor, as well as CCB International (Holdings) Limited and China Mobile International Limited as Platinum Sponsors. New ASEAN Market Day to be held alongside Belt and Road Week The Belt and Road Summit is one of the key flagship events of Belt and Road Week, a themed week featuring events related to the Belt and Road Initiative held around Hong Kong. With representatives of ASEAN member states coming to Hong Kong to participate in the Summit, the HKTDC will introduce a new flagship event, ASEAN Market Day, which will be held on the afternoon of 10 September. The event, the first in a series of market days, will bring together business leaders and experts to share practical experience, helping Hong Kong businesses, particularly SMEs, gain a deeper understanding of the latest development trends and business opportunities in different ASEAN markets before taking steps to expand. Following the session, participants can visit the ASEAN Zone at the Summit for consultation sessions with representatives from the HKTDC’s offices in ASEAN and various ASEAN Consulates General and associations to exchange views and connect with potential partners. Looking ahead, the HKTDC will continue with the series of market days focusing on different regions with high business potential, such as Africa and the Middle East, and closer to home, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area in the Chinese Mainland. Held alongside the Summit is the Belt and Road Global Forum Annual Roundtable, a closed-door roundtable held on the morning of 11 September, which brings together Hong Kong, Mainland and international organisations and business associations to share information, interact and explore multilateral cooperation. The 11th Belt and Road Summit Date 9 to 10 September 2026 Venue Hall 5B-E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Remarks Video and audio recordings at the Summit should be used only in the context of media reporting Media Registration Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] for media registration Websites Belt and Road Summit: https://www.beltandroadsummit.com/conference/bnr/en Programme: https://www.beltandroadsummit.com/conference/bnr/en/programme Speaker list: https://www.beltandroadsummit.com/conference/bnr/en/speaker Media representatives who would like to conduct interviews with the speakers, please submit interview requests to [email protected] or [email protected] by 4 September 2026. Photo download: https://bit.ly/45WBpUo The 11th Belt and Road Summit will be held from 9 to 10 September (Wednesday to Thursday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. In 2025 (shown in photo), the event’s 10th edition attracted 6,200 participants from 70+ countries and regions. The picture shows the Belt and Road Summit in 2025. This year’s Belt and Road Summit will feature a new GoGlobal Connect Zone, showcasing professional services solutions across different sectors in Hong Kong and providing consultation and practical support for enterprises going global. The picture shows the Asia Summit on Global Health held in May 2026, featuring the “GoGlobal Connect” and the Business of Healthcare Advisory Zone. Media Enquiries Yuan Tung Financial Relations: Louise Song Tel: (852) 3428 5691 Email: [email protected] Tiffany Leung Tel: (852) 3428 2361 Email: [email protected] Fung Wong Tel: (852) 3428 3122 Email: [email protected] HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department Navin Law Tel: (852) 2584 4525 Email: [email protected] Serena Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4572 Email: [email protected] Winnie Kan Tel: (852) 2584 4055 Email: [email protected] HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en About HKTDC The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
  4. SaaSMantaManta’s Under the Oak Tree Lands on USA TODAY Bestseller ListSEOUL, South Korea, September 01, 2026--Manta, a global content platform, announced that Under the Oak Tree: Volume 3 (the Comic) hit No. 30 on the USA TODAY Best-selling Booklist.
  5. FinanceJF SmartInvest Holdings Ltd Announces 2026 Interim ResultsHIGHLIGHTS: - Gross billings amounted to approximately RMB1,679.8 million, representing a slight decrease of 1.5% from approximately RMB1,705.4 million in the Corresponding Period, with business fundamentals remaining robust. - Total revenue was approximately RMB1,290.0 million, and profit attributable to Shareholders was approximately RMB32.3 million. - As of the end of the Reporting Period, the balance of contract liabilities was approximately RMB1,889.4 million, which will primarily be recognized as revenue for 2026 and 2027. HONG KONG, Sep 1, 2026 - 31 August, JF SmartInvest Holdings Ltd (the "Company”; together with its subsidiaries, the "Group" or "We") announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (the "first half of 2026" or the "Reporting Period"). Sound Financial Performance with Contract Liabilities Rise Sharply to Support Future Performance During the Reporting Period, under the dual-driver strategy of “technology + investment research”, the Group continued to advance product innovation, AI application and investment research capabilities, maintaining a stable development momentum. Gross billings amounted to approximately RMB1,679.8 million, representing a slight decrease of approximately 1.5% from the Corresponding Period in 2025. Total revenue was approximately RMB1,290.0 million, the non-HKFRS adjusted profit for the period (i.e. excluding the share-based compensation expense) amounted to approximately RMB113.7 million, the profit for the period was approximately RMB31.9 million, and the profit attributable to Shareholders was approximately RMB32.3 million. The changes in revenue and profit were primarily because the majority of orders during the Reporting Period were derived from repurchases by existing customers, and the provision of services for most of these orders had not yet commenced. Such order amounts are expected to be gradually recognized as revenue in subsequent reporting periods upon the commencement of services. As of the end of the Reporting Period, the balance of contract liabilities amounted to approximately RMB1,889.4 million, representing a substantial year-on-year increase of approximately 133.6%. These contract liabilities will primarily be recognized as revenue for 2026 and 2027, providing solid support for subsequent performance. Leveraging its sound financial position and ample cash reserves, the Group consistently places great emphasis on Shareholder returns. During the Reporting Period, it repurchased a total of 4,440,800 Shares at an aggregate consideration of approximately HK$134 million, fully demonstrating the management’s confidence in the Company’s long-term development prospects. Overseas Business Breakthrough and Globalizations Advancement During the Reporting Period, the Group continued to deepen its strategy of “diversifying product layout domestically + exploring business overseas”. In terms of overseas business, the Group completed the strategic acquisitions of entities including Forthright Securities and Forthright Capital (collectively referred to as “Forthright”) in January 2026. The Group established “dedicated investment advisory”, “in-depth investment research” and “AI intelligent investment” as its core engines, and adopted a dual-track approach to serve mass and private wealth clients by integrating online efficiency with offline trust, advancing various business integrations and infrastructure development in an orderly manner. Since the beginning of 2026, Forthright SmartInvest App successively launched batch trading functions for US stocks and Hong Kong stocks, with core functions such as AI assistant, AI stock diagnosis, intelligent stock selection, and AI account analysis deeply integrated into usage scenarios. The Forthright AI Stock Machine was officially launched in July 2026. The flagship store located in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, has been put into operation, reaching a broader customer base through pop-up stores and shopping mall events. In terms of licences and qualifications, Forthright have been approved by the SFC for the addition of virtual asset-related service qualifications, and virtual asset dealing services were launched in July 2026, forming a full-chain service capability covering virtual asset dealing, investment advisory, and asset management. AI Agent Full-Stack AI Technology System Empowers as Intelligent Investment Advisory Services Enter the Application Stage With “AI+” as its core, the Group focused on the three major pillars of multi-agents, large models, and high-quality financial data to establish a full-stack AI product system, driving the paradigm shift in AI capabilities from “tool-based applications” to an “agent ecosystem”. During the Reporting Period, the number of FinSphere AI Agent users increased by approximately 50.9% year-on-year, with the number of effective interactions reaching 20.335 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 50.5%. The To-C AI Q&A token consumption reached approximately 254.3 billion, roughly 8 times the level in the Corresponding Period, signalling that intelligent investment advisory services have entered the phase of large-scale application. In August 2026, FinSphere AI Agent was officially integrated into Tencent WorkBuddy and Alibaba Qwen Platform, becoming an officially certified securities domain expert on the platforms. In the first half of the year, the Group continued to drive the deep integration of AI technologies with specific business scenarios and product service workflows, extending AI capabilities from single-point products to the full business matrix. The Group concurrently upgraded “AI Xiaojiu Steward”, launching features including AI stock diagnosis, AI stock selection, AI stock monitoring, and AI post-investment review; Decision Master upgraded its exclusive Q&A intelligent agent “AI Xiaoce”; and Forthright SmartInvest App launched exclusive functions such as AI account diagnosis and AI position analysis. During the Period, the Group also launched the digital employee assistant “AIX” and built an AI content centre reaching 3.109 million users, processing a daily average of approximately 1.5 million customer messages. Research and development expenses for the Reporting Period amounted to approximately RMB167.1 million (representing approximately 13.0% of revenue), with 657 R&D personnel. As of the end of the Reporting Period, the Group had 167 software copyrights and patents, representing a year-on-year increase of 28. Upgrading Product Matrix with AI and Quantitative Capabilities In the first half of 2026, the Group continued to deepen its diversified product strategy, and the synergistic effects of its multi-level product system gradually emerged. The VIP products steadily iterated around “AI + Quantitative”, launching the Xingtou Quantitative Platform and introducing multiple quantitative indicators such as the Sentiment Barometer , as well as 6 AI quantitative strategy portfolios. Decision Master launched the “Premium Version”, achieving an upgrade from delivery of viewpoints and content to full-process decision-making support, with AI services covering approximately 55% of active users during the Reporting Period. The Enjoy-Stock Pad launched the new-generation “Intelligent Navigation Edition”, covering six core AI functions. Jiuyao Stocks continuously enriched its small-denomination product matrix, with the AI upgrade coverage rate of its products reaching 43%. Star-tier Services created a closed-loop ecosystem of “tools-services-trading”, continuously enriched premium functional modules. Through its tiered product matrix, the Group precisely addressed the differentiated needs of investors ranging from entry-level to advanced users. The enhancement of product capabilities directly drove steady growth in user scale and operational performance. During the Reporting Period, the number of paying users reached 462,217. The Group operated approximately 1,180 accounts on different internet platforms, attracting over 73 million followers. Monthly active users of SmartInvest App increased by approximately 15% year-on-year, with a 30-day retention rate exceeding 60%. Service quality improved simultaneously, with the refund rate for VIP products further optimized to approximately 19.8%, representing a decrease of 4.8 percentage points from the Corresponding Period, and user satisfaction steadily increased. Deepening Investment Research with Breakthroughs in Density and Depth The Group continuously deepened its “1 research institute and N business lines” investment research system, with JF Financial Research Institute as the core. It adhered to the “buyer-side investment advisory” philosophy and combined AI technology for service efficiency enhancement. This empowered user service scenarios, product capability optimization, and employees” professional standards. During the Reporting Period, the institute cumulatively conducted 336 research sessions on listed companies, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 270 sessions. It also undertook on-site visits to more than 20 cities nationwide, covering more than 10 trending industries including biomedical science, mechanical equipment, and electronic semiconductors. Concurrently, the institute newly established a quantitative research team, supported by a supercomputing system and a quantitative factor library covering A-shares and ETFs. The quantitative products have been incorporated into the VIP business service system. As of the end of the Reporting Pemachinriod, the Group had 625 employees who possessed qualifications for securities investment advisors and 2,745 employees who possessed qualifications for securities practitioners. Adopting postdoctoral cultivation as a long-term talent strategy, the Group continuously enhances its competitiveness in investment research. Future Outlook The chairman of the Board and chief executive officer of JF SmartInvest Holdings Ltd, Mr. Chen Wenbin said: “In the first half of 2026, we consistently adhered to the dual-driver strategy of “technology + investment research”, and our overall development remained robust. During the Reporting Period, gross billings remained generally stable year-on-year, and contract liabilities grew substantially, accumulating ample momentum for subsequent performance release. We successfully completed the strategic acquisitions of Forthright, achieving a key milestone in our overseas expansion. AI capabilities are accelerating their penetration across the entire product matrix, the “1+N” investment research system continues to deepen with significant improvements in research density and depth, and all strategic deployments have made substantial progress. Looking ahead, the Group will firmly implement its Group-wide AI technology strategy, driving the continuous evolution of AI capabilities from “tool-based applications” to an “agent ecosystem”. At the same time, we will deepen our globalization strategy, leveraging Forthright as platforms and taking “dedicated investment advisory”, “in-depth investment research” and “AI intelligent investment” as core engines to build a new generation of internet securities brokerage and cultivate a second growth curve. We will continue upgrading product functions, enriching our product matrix, and precisely addressing investors' diverse needs across all levels and markets. In addition, we will optimize our omni-domain traffic system to drive synergy between public and private channels, further strengthening user stickiness. We are committed to making investment and wealth management simpler and more professional, and enhancing the sense of happiness in investment and wealth management.” About JF SmartInvest Holdings Ltd (Stock Code: 9636) JF SmartInvest Holdings Ltd is a next-generation stock investing assistant, providing individual investors with equity investment tools, securities investment advisory, investor education and other services, with product offerings including Stock Navigator, Super Investor, Decision Master, Enjoy-Stock Pad, Jiuyao Stocks and Star-tier Services. Through the “Technology + Investment Research” model, the Company develops AI products such as FinSphere AI Agent based on artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technology, achieving innovative industry practices and scenario applications. Overseas, the Company conducts securities-related businesses in Hong Kong through licensed entities such as Forthright Securities and Forthright Capital. Taking “dedicated investment advisory”, “in-depth investment research” and “AI intelligent investment” as its core engines, the Company is committed to building a new generation of internet securities brokerage in the AI era. For enquiries, please contact:Financial PR (HK) LimitedEmail: [email protected]: 852 2610 0846Fax: 852 2610 0842
  6. FinanceJF SmartInvest Holdings Ltd Announces 2026 Interim ResultsHIGHLIGHTS: - Gross billings amounted to approximately RMB1,679.8 million, representing a slight decrease of 1.5% from approximately RMB1,705.4 million in the Corresponding Period, with business fundamentals remaining robust. - Total revenue was approximately RMB1,290.0 million, and profit attributable to Shareholders was approximately RMB32.3 million. - As of the end of the Reporting Period, the balance of contract liabilities was approximately RMB1,889.4 million, which will primarily be recognized as revenue for 2026 and 2027. HONG KONG, Sep 1, 2026 - 31 August, JF SmartInvest Holdings Ltd (the "Company”; together with its subsidiaries, the "Group" or "We") announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (the "first half of 2026" or the "Reporting Period"). Sound Financial Performance with Contract Liabilities Rise Sharply to Support Future Performance During the Reporting Period, under the dual-driver strategy of “technology + investment research”, the Group continued to advance product innovation, AI application and investment research capabilities, maintaining a stable development momentum. Gross billings amounted to approximately RMB1,679.8 million, representing a slight decrease of approximately 1.5% from the Corresponding Period in 2025. Total revenue was approximately RMB1,290.0 million, the non-HKFRS adjusted profit for the period (i.e. excluding the share-based compensation expense) amounted to approximately RMB113.7 million, the profit for the period was approximately RMB31.9 million, and the profit attributable to Shareholders was approximately RMB32.3 million. The changes in revenue and profit were primarily because the majority of orders during the Reporting Period were derived from repurchases by existing customers, and the provision of services for most of these orders had not yet commenced. Such order amounts are expected to be gradually recognized as revenue in subsequent reporting periods upon the commencement of services. As of the end of the Reporting Period, the balance of contract liabilities amounted to approximately RMB1,889.4 million, representing a substantial year-on-year increase of approximately 133.6%. These contract liabilities will primarily be recognized as revenue for 2026 and 2027, providing solid support for subsequent performance. Leveraging its sound financial position and ample cash reserves, the Group consistently places great emphasis on Shareholder returns. During the Reporting Period, it repurchased a total of 4,440,800 Shares at an aggregate consideration of approximately HK$134 million, fully demonstrating the management’s confidence in the Company’s long-term development prospects. Overseas Business Breakthrough and Globalizations Advancement During the Reporting Period, the Group continued to deepen its strategy of “diversifying product layout domestically + exploring business overseas”. In terms of overseas business, the Group completed the strategic acquisitions of entities including Forthright Securities and Forthright Capital (collectively referred to as “Forthright”) in January 2026. The Group established “dedicated investment advisory”, “in-depth investment research” and “AI intelligent investment” as its core engines, and adopted a dual-track approach to serve mass and private wealth clients by integrating online efficiency with offline trust, advancing various business integrations and infrastructure development in an orderly manner. Since the beginning of 2026, Forthright SmartInvest App successively launched batch trading functions for US stocks and Hong Kong stocks, with core functions such as AI assistant, AI stock diagnosis, intelligent stock selection, and AI account analysis deeply integrated into usage scenarios. The Forthright AI Stock Machine was officially launched in July 2026. The flagship store located in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, has been put into operation, reaching a broader customer base through pop-up stores and shopping mall events. In terms of licences and qualifications, Forthright have been approved by the SFC for the addition of virtual asset-related service qualifications, and virtual asset dealing services were launched in July 2026, forming a full-chain service capability covering virtual asset dealing, investment advisory, and asset management. AI Agent Full-Stack AI Technology System Empowers as Intelligent Investment Advisory Services Enter the Application Stage With “AI+” as its core, the Group focused on the three major pillars of multi-agents, large models, and high-quality financial data to establish a full-stack AI product system, driving the paradigm shift in AI capabilities from “tool-based applications” to an “agent ecosystem”. During the Reporting Period, the number of FinSphere AI Agent users increased by approximately 50.9% year-on-year, with the number of effective interactions reaching 20.335 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 50.5%. The To-C AI Q&A token consumption reached approximately 254.3 billion, roughly 8 times the level in the Corresponding Period, signalling that intelligent investment advisory services have entered the phase of large-scale application. In August 2026, FinSphere AI Agent was officially integrated into Tencent WorkBuddy and Alibaba Qwen Platform, becoming an officially certified securities domain expert on the platforms. In the first half of the year, the Group continued to drive the deep integration of AI technologies with specific business scenarios and product service workflows, extending AI capabilities from single-point products to the full business matrix. The Group concurrently upgraded “AI Xiaojiu Steward”, launching features including AI stock diagnosis, AI stock selection, AI stock monitoring, and AI post-investment review; Decision Master upgraded its exclusive Q&A intelligent agent “AI Xiaoce”; and Forthright SmartInvest App launched exclusive functions such as AI account diagnosis and AI position analysis. During the Period, the Group also launched the digital employee assistant “AIX” and built an AI content centre reaching 3.109 million users, processing a daily average of approximately 1.5 million customer messages. Research and development expenses for the Reporting Period amounted to approximately RMB167.1 million (representing approximately 13.0% of revenue), with 657 R&D personnel. As of the end of the Reporting Period, the Group had 167 software copyrights and patents, representing a year-on-year increase of 28. Upgrading Product Matrix with AI and Quantitative Capabilities In the first half of 2026, the Group continued to deepen its diversified product strategy, and the synergistic effects of its multi-level product system gradually emerged. The VIP products steadily iterated around “AI + Quantitative”, launching the Xingtou Quantitative Platform and introducing multiple quantitative indicators such as the Sentiment Barometer , as well as 6 AI quantitative strategy portfolios. Decision Master launched the “Premium Version”, achieving an upgrade from delivery of viewpoints and content to full-process decision-making support, with AI services covering approximately 55% of active users during the Reporting Period. The Enjoy-Stock Pad launched the new-generation “Intelligent Navigation Edition”, covering six core AI functions. Jiuyao Stocks continuously enriched its small-denomination product matrix, with the AI upgrade coverage rate of its products reaching 43%. Star-tier Services created a closed-loop ecosystem of “tools-services-trading”, continuously enriched premium functional modules. Through its tiered product matrix, the Group precisely addressed the differentiated needs of investors ranging from entry-level to advanced users. The enhancement of product capabilities directly drove steady growth in user scale and operational performance. During the Reporting Period, the number of paying users reached 462,217. The Group operated approximately 1,180 accounts on different internet platforms, attracting over 73 million followers. Monthly active users of SmartInvest App increased by approximately 15% year-on-year, with a 30-day retention rate exceeding 60%. Service quality improved simultaneously, with the refund rate for VIP products further optimized to approximately 19.8%, representing a decrease of 4.8 percentage points from the Corresponding Period, and user satisfaction steadily increased. Deepening Investment Research with Breakthroughs in Density and Depth The Group continuously deepened its “1 research institute and N business lines” investment research system, with JF Financial Research Institute as the core. It adhered to the “buyer-side investment advisory” philosophy and combined AI technology for service efficiency enhancement. This empowered user service scenarios, product capability optimization, and employees” professional standards. During the Reporting Period, the institute cumulatively conducted 336 research sessions on listed companies, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 270 sessions. It also undertook on-site visits to more than 20 cities nationwide, covering more than 10 trending industries including biomedical science, mechanical equipment, and electronic semiconductors. Concurrently, the institute newly established a quantitative research team, supported by a supercomputing system and a quantitative factor library covering A-shares and ETFs. The quantitative products have been incorporated into the VIP business service system. As of the end of the Reporting Pemachinriod, the Group had 625 employees who possessed qualifications for securities investment advisors and 2,745 employees who possessed qualifications for securities practitioners. Adopting postdoctoral cultivation as a long-term talent strategy, the Group continuously enhances its competitiveness in investment research. Future Outlook The chairman of the Board and chief executive officer of JF SmartInvest Holdings Ltd, Mr. Chen Wenbin said: “In the first half of 2026, we consistently adhered to the dual-driver strategy of “technology + investment research”, and our overall development remained robust. During the Reporting Period, gross billings remained generally stable year-on-year, and contract liabilities grew substantially, accumulating ample momentum for subsequent performance release. We successfully completed the strategic acquisitions of Forthright, achieving a key milestone in our overseas expansion. AI capabilities are accelerating their penetration across the entire product matrix, the “1+N” investment research system continues to deepen with significant improvements in research density and depth, and all strategic deployments have made substantial progress. Looking ahead, the Group will firmly implement its Group-wide AI technology strategy, driving the continuous evolution of AI capabilities from “tool-based applications” to an “agent ecosystem”. At the same time, we will deepen our globalization strategy, leveraging Forthright as platforms and taking “dedicated investment advisory”, “in-depth investment research” and “AI intelligent investment” as core engines to build a new generation of internet securities brokerage and cultivate a second growth curve. We will continue upgrading product functions, enriching our product matrix, and precisely addressing investors' diverse needs across all levels and markets. In addition, we will optimize our omni-domain traffic system to drive synergy between public and private channels, further strengthening user stickiness. We are committed to making investment and wealth management simpler and more professional, and enhancing the sense of happiness in investment and wealth management.” About JF SmartInvest Holdings Ltd (Stock Code: 9636) JF SmartInvest Holdings Ltd is a next-generation stock investing assistant, providing individual investors with equity investment tools, securities investment advisory, investor education and other services, with product offerings including Stock Navigator, Super Investor, Decision Master, Enjoy-Stock Pad, Jiuyao Stocks and Star-tier Services. Through the “Technology + Investment Research” model, the Company develops AI products such as FinSphere AI Agent based on artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technology, achieving innovative industry practices and scenario applications. Overseas, the Company conducts securities-related businesses in Hong Kong through licensed entities such as Forthright Securities and Forthright Capital. Taking “dedicated investment advisory”, “in-depth investment research” and “AI intelligent investment” as its core engines, the Company is committed to building a new generation of internet securities brokerage in the AI era. For enquiries, please contact: Financial PR (HK) Limited Email: [email protected] Tel: 852 2610 0846 Fax: 852 2610 0842
  7. MediaNetflixListen Up: Netflix Renews Initial Podcast Lineup; Announces Originals From Katt Williams, Harlan Coben and MoreCompanies: Netflix, Inc.'Murder with My Husband, 'T'he Pete Davidson Show,' 'Shut Up Evan' and more renewed for additional episodes.
  8. MediaNetflixMarjorie Estiano and Any Gabrielly Fight for Justice and Redress: 'Habeas Corpus,' Netflix Brazil's First Legal Drama, Premiering September 23Companies: Netflix, Inc.Netflix Brazil has just released the trailer for Habeas Corpus, its first legal drama, starring Marjorie Estiano and Any Gabrielly.
  9. MediaNetflixMarjorie Estiano and Any Gabrielly fight for justice and redress Habeas Corpus, Netflix Brazil's first legal drama, premiering September 23Companies: Netflix, Inc.Netflix Brazil has just released the trailer for Habeas Corpus, its first legal drama, starring Marjorie Estiano and Any Gabrielly.
  10. MediaNetflixAre You Ready to Enroll? 'Minerva Academy': The Trailer for the Latest Teen Drama From September 22 Only on NetflixCompanies: Netflix, Inc.Entertainment 01 September 2026 GlobalItaly PHOTOS | KEY ART | PRESSBOOK A military high school, forbidden romances, rivalries and a truth that was meant to stay hidden. The trailer for Minerva Academy, the new eight-episode teen drama coming September 22 only on Netflix, offers a look at a back-to-school experience unlike any other. The series premiered at the 2026 Giffoni Film Festival, and was produced by Roberto
  11. MediaNetflixIs Beauty Hope or a Curse? ‘Plastic Beauty’ Unveils Main Trailer and Key Art Ahead of September 17 PremiereCompanies: Netflix, Inc.Netflix has released the main trailer and key art for the suspense series Plastic Beauty, which premieres globally on September 17.
  12. MediaNetflixNetflix Confirms Production and Cast of 'Materesa' (WT) by ‘Queen of Tears’ Director and ‘The East Palace’ WritersCompanies: Netflix, Inc.Netflix has confirmed the production and cast of its new Korean series Materesa (WT), a story about a cold-blooded criminal psychologist and professor named Ma Teresa (NANA), who investigates unsolved murder cases.