FEATURED NEWS
- October 27, 2026Business
Frost & Sullivan Released the 2026 Global Gene Therapy Industry Development Blue Book
Frost & Sullivan officially released the 2026 Global Gene Therapy Industry Development Blue Book in October 2026, in collaboration with industry partners. The report systematically examines the industry’s development history, core technology classifications, policy and capital market dynamics, upstream and downstream value chains, bottlenecks in viral vector manufacturing, clinical progress across key indications, reimbursement pathways, and the competitive landscape. It also identifies key challenges and opportunities in vector technologies, large-scale manufacturing, clinical translation, commercial reimbursement, and regulatory frameworks, while exploring the industry's current landscape and future trends driven by technological breakthroughs, regulatory improvements, capital investment, and commercialization. By connecting industry participants, investment institutions, and regulatory authorities, the report provides forward-looking market insights and strategic guidance for technology planning, product development, industrialization, international collaboration, and the improvement of industry standards. (To read the 2026 Global Gene Therapy Industry Development Blue Book , visit: https://hub.frost.com/global-gene-therapy-industry-development/ ) Gene therapy is an innovative therapeutic approach that treats diseases by modifying, replacing, supplementing, or regulating human genes, targeting genetic abnormalities at the root cause of disease. Unlike conventional drugs that primarily alleviate symptoms or slow disease progression through long-term administration, gene therapy aims to provide one-time or long-lasting therapeutic benefits, offering new possibilities for treating inherited disorders, ophthalmic diseases, cancer, and chronic conditions. With continued advances in gene editing, delivery systems, manufacturing processes, and commercialization capabilities, the global gene therapy industry is transitioning from early-stage technological exploration toward large-scale application. Key Market Observations from the Blue Book 1. Technological Revolution: Gene Therapy Shifts Disease Treatment from Symptom Management to Addressing Underlying Causes Gene therapy is built around the principle of addressing the underlying causes of disease. Four core technological approaches have emerged: gene replacement, gene addition, gene expression alteration, and gene editing. 2. Industry Advancement: Scalable Manufacturing and Quality Control Become Critical to Commercialization As gene therapy pipelines progressively advance into late-stage clinical development and commercial registration, industry competition is shifting from R&D capabilities toward manufacturing capacity and Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) capabilities. 3. Commercialization Prospects: From High-Value Patient Populations to Broader Chronic Disease Markets The core value of gene therapy lies in its potential to transform disease treatment from continuous drug administration toward one-time intervention with long-term or potentially lifelong benefits. However, successful commercialization depends not only on technological advancement but also on achieving an appropriate balance between clinical benefits and economic value. In general, diseases associated with a high disease burden, substantial unmet medical needs, and high long-term treatment costs are more likely to offer initial commercialization opportunities. Global and Chinese Markets Enter an Accelerated Growth Phase The global gene therapy market is transitioning from early commercialization toward large-scale application. According to the Blue Book, the global gene therapy therapeutics market is projected to grow from USD 0.1 billion in 2021 to USD 32.0 billion by 2035. Between 2021 and 2025, the market experienced rapid growth from a relatively small base, primarily driven by new product approvals, accelerated clinical translation, and the low-base effect. Growth rates are expected to moderate during 2025 - 2030 and 2030 - 2035, while the overall market continues to expand, reflecting a gradual transition from early-stage market expansion toward more stable growth. By 2035, the global market is projected to reach USD 32.0 billion, while China’s gene therapy therapeutics market is expected to reach RMB 22.8 billion. China's gene therapy therapeutics market is characterized by an early regulatory breakthrough, delayed commercialization growth, and substantial future growth potential. In 2003, Shenzhen SiBiono’s recombinant adenovirus-p53 injection, Gendicine®, received regulatory approval, marking an early milestone in gene therapy product approval and clinical translation in China. As gene delivery vectors, manufacturing processes, clinical research capabilities, and regulatory review mechanisms continue to mature, alongside growing unmet medical needs in oncology, rare diseases, and inherited disorders, China’s gene therapy market is expected to enter a period of accelerated growth. Future product approvals, expanded clinical applications, improved reimbursement systems, and stronger value chain capabilities will collectively support further market expansion. Looking ahead, gene therapy commercialization is expected to follow a development pathway characterized by initial breakthroughs in diseases with high treatment burdens, improved clinical translation through well-defined targets and measurable endpoints, and gradual penetration into chronic disease markets. Ophthalmic diseases, hematologic disorders, and certain rare inherited diseases are expected to establish reimbursement pathways first. Oncology, CNS disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic conditions may subsequently unlock broader market opportunities as evidence of long-term efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness continues to accumulate. 4. Industry Ecosystem: Regulatory, Technological, and Quality Advances Accelerate the Scaling of Gene Therapy The gene therapy industry is evolving from individual product breakthroughs toward a more mature ecosystem driven by coordinated advances in regulatory policies, technological innovation, and quality management systems. On the regulatory front, global and Chinese regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, with increasingly clear technical guidelines and expedited approval pathways covering pharmaceutical development, nonclinical research, clinical development, long-term follow-up, and rare disease therapies. These developments are expected to reduce uncertainty in R&D and regulatory registration, facilitating the clinical translation of gene therapy products. Meanwhile, technological advances in AI-assisted AAV vector design, base editing, RNA editing, and novel delivery systems are improving delivery efficiency, tissue targeting, editing precision, and in vivo safety. These innovations are supporting the expansion of gene therapy from early clinical proof of concept to applications across a broader range of diseases. About Frost & Sullivan's Life Sciences Practice The Life Sciences Practice of Frost & Sullivan has professional analytical capabilities and extensive project experience in the field of life sciences. Leveraging Frost & Sullivan's global think tank resources and the cross-industry business development platform in Greater China, the Life Sciences Practice of Frost & Sullivan has unique core advantages in investment and financing services for the life sciences industry. The Life Sciences Practice of Frost & Sullivan has a wide range of corporate clients in China and has established a vast client network over the past 20 years, accumulating extensive project experience in various sub-sectors of life sciences. Project types include Knowledge Center projects (in-depth content, promotional activities), Pre-IPO projects (DCF valuation, business plan services), IPO listing projects (industry consulting, clinical audit, fundraising and investment writing), market research, market value management, and strategic consulting. We also cooperate with well-known domestic and international information platforms and investment and financing institutions to provide one-stop solutions for enterprises in specialized sub-fields such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices, attracting widespread attention from investors. Editorial Team Yiwen Ding Frost & Sullivan Greater China Life Sciences Consulting Manager Email: [email protected]
- October 26, 2026Travel & Leisure
Jetstar makes history with the first-ever passenger flight from Western Sydney International Airport
Jetstar has made Australian aviation history, operating the first-ever commercial passenger flight from Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) today. Jetstar flight JQ362 departed Western Sydney for the Gold Coast at 11am (AEDT), carrying the first customers to fly out of Sydney's new 24-hour airport. The sold-out service was the first from a major new Australian airport in more than 50 years. The celebrations continue all day with Jetstar flight JQ363 from the Gold Coast set to land at 3pm as the airport’s first-ever commercial passenger arrival, followed by the first departure to Melbourne, flight JQ375, at 6pm. Demand has been so strong since flights went on sale in June that Jetstar has already grown the Western Sydney to Gold Coast route from four flights a week to daily. The airline will fly up to 24 return services a week from Western Sydney, including up to 14 to Melbourne, daily services to the Gold Coast, and three to Brisbane. Flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft seating up to 188 customers, carrying around 460,000 seats to and from WSI each year. The new services add to Jetstar and Qantas’ existing network at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport, giving customers across Greater Western Sydney and the surrounding regions a choice of two Sydney airports depending on where they live, work, and want to travel. Jetstar’s plans at Western Sydney International Airport could soon reach beyond Australia, with the airline recently bidding to operate flights to Bali. The new route would grow its extensive Bali network and give people in Western Sydney a direct flight to one of Australians’ favourite holiday destinations. Opening day sale: To celebrate the start of flights from Western Sydney, fares are on sale starting from: Western Sydney – Gold Coast one way from $54^ Western Sydney – Melbourne one way from $61^ Western Sydney – Brisbane one way from $65^ Comments from Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully: “This is an historic day for aviation in Australia, and we’re proud to bring more choice and low fares to Western Sydney. “For many customers, the uber or taxi across the city has been the most expensive part of their trip. "From today, for three million people who live in and around Western Sydney, low fares start a lot closer to home. "We've got a strong track record of opening up new markets, and Western Sydney, one of the fastest growing regions in the country, is going to be one of the great ones. “We can't wait to help more people takeoff more for less." Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey said: “As Australia’s first major international greenfield airport in more than 50 years, in the cultural heartland of one of Australia’s most rapidly growing regions, WSI brings the world closer to Western Sydney and opportunity closer to home. “We are delighted to launch our inaugural passenger flight with Jetstar today – an airline, which since its inception, has continued to boost access to air travel for Australians across the nation. “Today we mark an incredible milestone for WSI, Western Sydney and New South Wales. Our city now has a 24-hour airport that will grow with Sydney for the coming century and expand choice and flexibility for travellers and airlines, and connect more people with more places and greater opportunities.” The Qantas Group at Western Sydney International The Qantas Group is building a strong presence at Western Sydney International Airport. Qantas Freight has been operating at WSI since July, with up to 72 flights per week, helping move parcels around the country. With more freighters arriving in recent weeks, WSI is going to be a critical part of freight operations this year’s peak from Black Friday and Cyber Monday right through to Christmas and the New Year sales. From 28 March 2027, Qantas will add passenger services with QantasLink Embraer E190 aircraft to Melbourne and Brisbane, four times a week on each route with business and economy cabins. ^Sale ends 11.59pm AEDT Monday 26 October 2026, unless sold out. Prices based on payment in AUD at jetstar.com. A Payment Fee applies for Afterpay and Zip payments, see jetstar.com/fees. One-way, includes one Underseat carry-on bag and Priority Carry-on can be purchased (subject to availability). Excludes checked bags. Travel dates and conditions apply.
- October 26, 2026Travel & Leisure
Celebrate togetherness this Deepavali with AirAsia’s special fares
In conjunction with the Festival of Lights, AirAsia is offering special fares* to an array of exciting destinations, including Langkawi, Bali, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Trivandrum, Maldives, Seoul, Melbourne and much more! Whether it’s reuniting with loved ones or embarking on a festive getaway, guests can make the most of the season by creating meaningful memories together. Booking Period : 26 Oct – 1 Nov 2026 Travel Period : Ahmedabad : 25 Oct 2026 – 30 Sept 2027 Amritsar: 2 Dec 2026 – 30 Sept 2027 Other routes : 2 Nov 2026 – 30 Sep 2027 Enhance your travel experience with additional offerings: Flexibility: Enjoy one-time change fee waiver** when you need to modify your travel plans, with no processing fee required. Convenience : Enjoy up to 30% off*** Value Pack, with greater convenience for your travel essentials, including checked baggage, meals, seats and more. Plan your next adventure with exclusive deals available via the AirAsia MOVE app and airasia.com . More destinations, more savings, more reasons to fly! Be among the first to watch AirAsia’s exclusive Deepavali music video featuring singer and actor Mugen Rao, celebrating the joy of togetherness and the spirit of the Festival of Lights. AirAsia wishes everyone a bright and joyful Deepavali filled with love, happiness and meaningful moments with family and friends. *Includes passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. Valid for selected flights only. **Fare differences may apply. ***Valid only for purchase during initial flight booking via AirAsia MOVE, subject to availability.
- October 26, 2026Marketing
Global Times: 'He felt he was coming home': US art historian James Cahill’s daughter remembers his dialogue with China
When Sarah Cahill arrived in Hangzhou on October 17 for events marking her father James Cahill's birth centennial, she unveiled a bronze bust of the US art historian on the campus of the China Academy of Art (CAA). James Cahill was one of the most influential overseas scholars of Chinese art history since the mid-20th century. The inscription beneath the bronze bust described him as "a towering peak in Western scholarship of Chinese art history." Yet, according to Sarah, the tribute that would have moved her father most was simpler: the thousands of students who still read his books and watch his lectures. "When I met students at the symposium who were engaging with my father's books and video lectures, and saw them published in translation in China, in beautifully conceived editions made accessible to students, that was, for my father, a dream come true," she said in a recent interview with the Global Times. Sarah was in Hangzhou for Stones from Other Hills, a series of events commemorating her father (1926-2014). The program included an international symposium on his legacy, an exhibition of his donated books and archives, and the premiere of a documentary on his life. Letters from the West Lake Her father first saw the West Lake in 1973, at the end of his first journey through China as a member of one of the first US art and archaeology delegations after President Richard Nixon's historic visit. He wrote home that the light on the water looked "just like a Southern Song painting." "It was deeply affecting to read his descriptions of the West Lake after he had made a lifetime study of the painters from that region," Sarah said. "He could see firsthand, finally, the landscape and terrain that had inspired some of his favorite artists. In his letters, he describes the lake in painterly terms, in tones of great excitement." China had fascinated him long before he ever set foot there. "Western organized religion didn't interest him. He always said he was far more interested in Confucianism and Taoism than in any Western religion," she recalled. "Since the 1940s he had been immersed in Chinese art and culture, and I can imagine how astonishing it was for him to visit China for the first time in 1973." James returned in 1977 as head of a US delegation. In the early years of China's reform and opening-up, he began what became a 30-year friendship with the China Academy of Art. In 1994 he became the first incumbent of the academy's Pan Tianshou Lecture. "He freely admitted that he had some unorthodox ideas about Chinese painting, which met with some resistance from scholars and colleagues in the United States, and also some in China," his daughter said. "The China Academy of Art welcomed him and understood what his scholarship was trying to achieve. He felt at home among like-minded intellects." What did that friendship give him and her family? "He was delighted to create such a close connection to the CAA, where he could engage in cross-cultural exchange," she said. In 2012, James sent his lifetime library - 112 boxes of books, slides and more than 12,000 images, from Berkeley to Hangzhou, insisting that the collection become a working research library. "He was highly impressed by the caliber of scholarship and intellectual debate, and felt a closer connection to the CAA than to most colleges and universities in the United States," Sarah said. "He felt his books would be valued." "He was very proud that his library of books are now at the CAA. When Professor Zhang Jian and his team came to Berkeley and spent several weeks organizing, packing and shipping his library, my father was very happy spending time with them, talking about the books and about future generations of students who could find them helpful." Art reaches something the news never can After her father's death, Zhang's team returned to Berkeley and shipped many more boxes of books. "It is so meaningful to become friends over the years," she said. "Now I have other great friends at the CAA and in Hangzhou and elsewhere in China, and hope to welcome them in California soon as well." Asked what she hoped China would do with everything her father had recorded - the books, the letters, the free video lectures he taped in his final years, the blog he updated until two days before his death - her answer was characteristically generous. "I think what he wanted was for China to use whatever might be helpful in his books, video lectures, letters and various materials - to be inspired, open-minded, receptive. He wanted everything to be accessible to everyone, and it is wonderful that the CAA is carrying on that legacy." Growing up, she often felt she was sharing her father with a country. "If he wasn't traveling, he was writing his books or delivering lectures. It didn't seem fair," she admitted. "It wasn't until much later, when I was already in my 40s, that I truly understood his strong engagement with China." She said that, in an era when headlines often widen the distance between the West and China, art reaches something the news never can. She recalled her father's habit of placing paintings side by side: Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa fills almost the entire canvas, while in Lu Hui's Waterfall on a Cold Cliff, two figures stand in the mountains, water and pines. "It is far better to understand our humble place in nature rather than conquer it so we can take over the whole picture," she said. "Looking at Chinese painting, and respecting that ancient culture, is of critical importance to those of us in the West who believe in the power of art, music and literature to build bridges between the East and West." The article first appeared in the Global Times: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1372799.shtml
- October 26, 2026Marketing
Global Times: 30 hours to a satellite captures the essence of ‘Xiong’an speed’
Standing in Xiong'an New Area's growing satellite industry hub in North China's Hebei Province, young engineer Chen Yuepeng had plenty of stories to tell. But one satellite stood out: Xiong'an-1, the first satellite manufactured in the new area. Even as he recalled the moment months later, Chen could not hide the pride and excitement on his face. The story takes us back to the morning of August 19, 2026. At 7:35 am, a Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket roared into the sky from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China, carrying Honghu-03, also known as Xiong'an-1. Flames lit up the launch pad as the rocket climbed into the sky. About two minutes later, the two stages separated, and the first stage began its journey back to Earth. At around 7:41 am, the booster touched down at its designated landing site in Gansu Province, marking a breakthrough in China's reusable rocket technology. Hundreds of kilometers away, at Hongqing's satellite operations center in Xiong'an, another moment of anticipation was unfolding. Zhang Zilong, the head of the satellite operations and management platform, and his colleagues kept their eyes fixed on satellite operation screens. At 7:45 am, confirmation finally came: Xiong'an-1 had entered its designated orbit, with its systems operating normally. At that moment, the tension inside the satellite operations center gave way to cheers of excitement and relief. Chen recalled eagerly sharing the news with his family and friends, telling them a “star” built in Xiong'an had successfully made it into space. Building speed on factory floor For Xiong’an, the more surprising story was unfolding much closer to the ground. Just over a year earlier, in spring 2025, the factory that produced Xiong'an-1 had yet to be built. Within months, Hongqing had completed construction, installed production equipment and rolled out its first satellite. "The speed and pace honestly exceeded what we had imagined," Chen told the Global Times, recalling how quickly everything had come together. Today, Hongqing's automated production line can complete the assembly of a satellite in roughly 30 hours, a process that traditionally could take around half a month. For Chen, who previously worked in Beijing, the change has been striking. What he witnessed was not just a factory rising from the ground, but an entire industry taking shape around it. This is what people here call "Xiong'an speed." And behind that speed lies a bigger story about how a new city is bringing together companies, technology and talent to build an emerging industry. Hongqing was registered, built its facility, began production and rolled out its first satellite all in 2025, achieving what the company calls "four milestones in one year," a vivid example of "Xiong'an speed," Sun Dezhi, deputy general manager of Hongqing's Manufacturing Center, told the Global Times. At the company’s 12,000-square-meter Xiong’an facility, the assembly line has demonstrated capacity for more than 100 flat-panel satellites annually, according to Sun. Compared with traditional methods, the company reports production cycles more than 80 percent shorter. For Chen, the quicker rhythm also brings an exacting responsibility. “A satellite only gets one chance when it goes into space,” he said, explaining why possible faults must be addressed on the ground. The challenge extends beyond one factory: manufacturing many satellites also requires enough components, testing capacity and deployment equipment to keep them moving. Chen has watched that ecosystem take shape around him. In Xiong’an, companies are no longer building in isolation: manufacturers, suppliers, and shared testing platforms are being brought into the same industrial cluster, allowing the different links of the satellite-making process to connect more closely. That clustering is becoming a defining feature of Xiong’an’s push to build a commercial space industry. The new industrial base already hosts nearly 70 aerospace information companies, while shared manufacturing and testing facilities are being built to support the wider ecosystem. Connecting companies across supply chain Scaling up production requires suppliers and testing facilities to keep pace with the assembly line. Xiong’an’s approach to industrial planning brings these links closer together, giving companies easier access to production partners and shared facilities as they expand. As the satellite industry takes shape, a range of leading companies making launch-support equipment are emerging alongside it. Hebei Xiong'an FutureSpace Technology Co is preparing booster equipment to help propel satellites into orbit. Born from the rise of commercial spaceflight, the company is China’s first spacecraft manufacturer dedicated to this emerging sector. The first vehicle in its FX Series Space Vehicles family, FX-1, has rolled out of the assembly workshop and entered the engineering preparation stage ahead of its maiden flight. The FX Series Space Vehicles platform is an orbital transfer vehicle that takes over orbital transportation after a rocket launch, carrying satellites from their initial orbits to their intended orbital positions while reducing consumption of the satellites’ own propellant, Bai Junbiao, deputy general manager of Hebei Xiong’an FutureSpace Technology Co, told the Global Times. Bai said the vehicle uses chemical propulsion to carry satellites to their target orbits more quickly, and can deploy multiple satellites at different altitudes during a single mission. After signing its factory lease in May, it spent roughly four months on renovation and preparations for production, Bai said. The planned annual capacity is 60 FX Series Space Vehicles. At Final Frontier (Xiong'an) Technology Co, another company in the pilot-scale production base, the pace of development has also been rapid. The company moved into Xiong'an in May, began renovating its production site in mid-June, and expected to complete commissioning of the line by the end of September. Once fully operational, the line is designed to produce up to 1,500 units a month, Yi Yalin, a mechanical structural design engineer at the company, told the Global Times. During the Global Times visit, trial production was already under way. Thermal components and circuit boards are assembled onto a baseplate before automated equipment dispenses adhesive, tightens screws and uses machine vision to inspect the work. Commercial production is expected to ramp up once commissioning is completed. As satellite constellations expand, manufacturers face growing pressure to produce components more quickly and efficiently. Final Frontier is developing new products alongside the processes needed to manufacture them at scale. Its flexible production line can switch between products by changing the fixtures that hold components in place, while detailed production records help workers trace defects to specific parts and manufacturing steps. “At first it may be pressure, but it quickly turns into motivation,” Yi told the Global Times. “It is quite exciting. It feels like starting a business.” The concentration of satellite manufacturers and suppliers in Xiong’an also speeds up product testing and problem-solving. A Final Frontier representative said an antenna can be sent to a nearby satellite maker for integration testing and returned for adjustments on the same day if problems arise. Wang Yanan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said the close proximity of companies helps them coordinate production capacity and technical requirements as the industry expands. Satellite makers can communicate their needs more directly, while suppliers can adjust their products and production plans accordingly, shortening the cycle from development and testing to feedback and improvement. A city that helps innovation take root Xiong’an is creating the infrastructure, services and urban conditions needed for emerging industries to take root and grow. But “Xiong’an speed” required support well beyond these. “On the surface, it looks like speed,” Sun said, “but behind it are the new area’s service capabilities, its understanding of the industry and its ability to organize resources.” Local departments helped with registration, bank accounts, factory selection, staff relocation and recruitment, he said. Workshops were configured for satellite assembly and transport. An 80-million-yuan investment from a local science and technology innovation fund gave the company greater certainty in funding development and operations. For a young satellite company, such support can make a practical difference: less time spent navigating administrative procedures and securing facilities, and more time devoted to getting production up and running. The visit by the Global Times reporters to Xiong’an shows how this approach is taking shape on the ground. At FutureSpace’s new manufacturing base, assembly, integration and testing capabilities are being brought together under one roof to support more standardized, higher-volume production. At Xiong’an’s pilot-scale production base, Final Frontier has already set up operations in ready-built facilities, allowing it to move into production without first acquiring land and building a factory from scratch. Support continues after companies move in. A representative from Final Frontier said science park staff help with administrative procedures, applications for technology projects, and introductions to potential investors and customers, allowing engineers to focus more of their time on product development. The aim is not simply to attract companies to Xiong’an, but to help them turn research and technical expertise into products. Companies in Beijing, Shanghai and other cities can connect their existing research strengths with engineering, production and testing capabilities in the new area, creating opportunities to bring technologies closer to commercialization, experts said. As demand for commercial space capabilities grows, Xiong’an is seeking to turn those broader ambitions into practical industrial capacity. The model being developed in Xiong’an is helping lay a solid foundation for achieving these national goals. By bringing satellite manufacturers, component suppliers, testing facilities and orbital-transfer services into closer proximity, the new area is building a more connected commercial space supply chain, Wang said. Its industrial space, infrastructure and growing concentration of research institutions and technology companies provide a foundation for closer coordination across the sector, he added. Notably, what makes this growth meaningful is not only the scientific achievements it makes possible, but also the everyday needs and aspirations of the thousands of researchers building their careers here. For engineers working in Xiong’an, these ambitions translate into everyday tasks: refining a design, improving a test, delivering a component and ensuring a satellite continues to operate as intended. Chen Yuepeng, the young researcher at Hongqing, also sees the appeal of Xiong’an in the conditions that make it possible to build a career and settle down. He cited support for housing, children’s schooling and healthcare, alongside opportunities to develop professionally in a growing industry. He and his younger colleagues have a phrase for the experience: growing alongside the city, like bamboo putting out new joints. For Chen, the pace of development also conveys a sense of “being trusted” — the opportunity to take on demanding work and contribute to an industry of national importance. “This place is growing rapidly,” he said. “We are becoming more professional and more confident along with it.” The article first appeared in the Global Times: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1372677.shtml
- October 26, 2026Business
OMODA & JAECOO Advances Its Global Intelligent Ecosystem: Partner AiMOGA Robotics Opens Global Pre-Orders for Mobo
Automotive manufacturers’ competition in intelligent technology is moving fast beyond the cabin. The perception, decision-making and control capabilities honed in cars are now finding their way into homes, city services and other physical spaces. On October 21, during the OMODA & JAECOO International User Summit, AiMOGA Robotics, an ecosystem partner and embodied AI brand, held its global launch event in Wuhu and opened global pre-orders for Mobo, its first home companion robot. The launch marks AiMOGA Robotics' formal entry into the consumer home market from commercial services. At the event, the company also displayed its complete robot portfolio, covering both business and household use. As a key partner in OMODA & JAECOO’s global intelligent ecosystem, AiMOGA Robotics focuses on applying embodied AI across multiple scenarios. OMODA & JAECOO supports its development through intelligent technology applications and global channel resources, jointly bringing intelligent technology into more areas of everyday life. Expanding into the Consumer Market: Mobo Combines Advanced Technology with Warm Companionship As AiMOGA Robotics' first robot designed for home companionship, Mobo is powered by the MoAgent intelligent agent and integrates home spatial awareness, natural interaction, full-body motion control, long-term memory and an edge-cloud collaborative architecture. These capabilities enable Mobo to autonomously break down long-horizon tasks while adapting to complex home environments. Mobo covers three core scenarios: elderly care and companionship, children’s companionship, and whole-family care. In interaction and motion control, Mobo offers 22 degrees of freedom in body movement. It can accurately recognise family members and remember their preferences, while providing end-to-end data privacy and security protection. At the launch event, 35 early adopters were appointed as Mobo’s inaugural Global Angel User Experience Ambassadors. Since its debut at the World Robot Conference in August, Mobo has attracted interest from more than 10,000 prospective users worldwide. Moving forward, the company plans to continue refining Mobo’s interaction methods, features and service offerings based on the habits of families in different markets, to meet the needs of more users. On the market and service side, AiMOGA Robotics announced plans to establish an initial network of 300 experience centres worldwide. The company will also support its ecosystem partners across four areas—solutions, digital marketing, financial and insurance services, and after-sales support—building a global channel system connecting product experiences, sales and customer service. For large-scale applications across different industries, AiMOGA Robotics also plans to develop a global robotics rental brand. Through operational and asset management services, the initiative aims to address customer needs in healthcare, transportation, education, security, culture and tourism. Alongside Mobo, AiMOGA Robotics also showcased its other robots, further demonstrating its embodied AI product portfolio. Mornine, a humanoid service robot, is designed for high-end business reception. The Intelligent Security Robot R001 takes on public safety patrols, and the Robotic Nurse RN001 provides patient guidance in healthcare settings. Argos, a quadruped robot, is built for specialised inspection and outdoor operations. AiMOGA Robotics' cumulative commercial deliveries worldwide have now passed 3,000 units, and its business covers more than 60 countries and regions. Overseas, its robots are in routine use across a diverse range of real-world settings, with the data they gather fed back into a closed loop of continuous iteration. Extending Automotive Engineering Capabilities: Reusing Automotive Technology and Manufacturing Foundations to Reshape Competition in Embodied AI The collaboration between AiMOGA Robotics and OMODA & JAECOO in the intelligent ecosystem further extends automotive technologies into diverse applications. Autonomous driving and embodied AI share a highly common underlying logic in environmental perception algorithms, motion control models, mass production of hardware and supply chain quality control. Drawing on an established automotive R&D and manufacturing system, AiMOGA Robotics reuses automotive supply chain resources and R&D technologies in robot development and commercialisation, bringing proven automotive-grade quality control and affordability to its robots. Compared with start-ups building their systems from scratch, this significantly lowers the costs of technical trial and error and of scaled mass production. As embodied AI enters the window between prototype demonstrations and large-scale deployment, AiMOGA Robotics is drawing on the supply chain and manufacturing capabilities built up by the automotive industry to bring AI capabilities into diverse physical scenarios. As a key partner in OMODA & JAECOO’s global intelligent ecosystem, AiMOGA Robotics’ product portfolio and global expansion will further enrich the ecosystem’s applications, extending intelligent technology from vehicles into more areas of everyday life. About OMODA & JAECOO As a youthful, personalized global brand, OMODA & JAECOO lives by the vision of “Co-creating a Beautiful Life with Young People.” OMODA is dedicated to embracing pioneering global consumers, striving to build “the World's Leading Crossover Brand.” It delivers fashion-forward vehicles with cutting-edge design and futuristic technology to Gen Z, redefining trendy travel culture with a crossover attitude. JAECOO adheres to the philosophy of “From Classic, Beyond Classic,” and is committed to becoming a “Global Elegant Off-Road Brand.” With exceptional four-wheel drive performance, forward-thinking intelligent technologies, and outstanding safety features, it leads a new era of elegant off-road driving. Born Green, OMODA & JAECOO leverages the world-leading SHS super hybrid technology (covering both PHEV and HEV) to offer the best hybrid solution for global users, driven by the core advantages of “Super High Power, Super Low Energy Consumption, and Super Long Combined Range.” At the same time, the brand is accelerating its BEV technology deployment, responding to diverse mobility needs with stronger and more comprehensive technological capabilities. In terms of intelligence, the brand focuses on intelligent driving and intelligent cockpit. Powered by SIVP (Super Intelligent Valet Parking) and AI cockpit technologies as key enablers, it builds a full-scenario smart mobility experience and continues to lead the future of mobility. In addition, in collaboration with AiMOGA, the brand has developed robots that extend smart technology into diverse interactive scenarios, broadening the landscape of smart living. Driven by deep insights into user needs, the brand hit one million in sales in just three years, setting the fastest growth record in the global automotive industry. To date, it has expanded into 79 markets worldwide, covering Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Europe stands out as a particularly strong market – the brand has already entered 23 European countries and become one of the fastest-growing car brands.
- October 26, 2026Business
RigCo to complete offshore rigs with Seatrium for over S$500 million
Rigco Holding Pte Ltd (RigCo), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Ltd. (Keppel), and Seatrium Limited (Seatrium) are pleased to announce that both parties will collaborate on the completion of construction work in respect of four offshore rigs owned by RigCo, under an existing master services arrangement between the parties. These rigs comprise a premium seventh-generation drillship, a harsh environment jackup, and two mid-water semisubmersibles suited to work in the harshest environments of Northwest Europe. The total estimated contract value for the construction of all four rigs is over S$500 million and will be funded by existing cash retained in RigCo. The drillship and the harsh environment jackup are expected to be delivered to RigCo in 2027 and 2028 respectively, positioning them for charters and supporting monetisation through the Keppel Offshore Fund, while construction plans for the remaining two rigs are being assessed. Following more than a decade of limited newbuild activity and the progressive retirement of older rigs, offshore rig market fundamentals are improving, underpinned by higher utilisation rates, an ageing global drilling fleet and structural supply constraints. Together with the heightened need for energy security, the resumption of rig construction is expected to create value for both RigCo and Seatrium. Ms Cindy Lim, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure of Keppel and Non-Executive Director of RigCo, said, “The demand for deepwater and harsh environment rigs is expected to increase over the next several years, providing conducive conditions for new, long-term charters of premium rigs. RigCo has been working closely with customers on their requirements amid the tightening market for advanced offshore rigs. “The resumption of construction work marks an important milestone in Keppel’s strategy to transform RigCo’s work-in-progress offshore rigs into high-quality, income-generating assets. Their phased completion is part of Keppel’s programme, announced in July 2026, to progressively monetise up to 10 legacy rigs through the Keppel Offshore Fund, managed by Keppel, and co-invested with Apollo as Limited Partner. We are pleased to work with Seatrium, leveraging their world-class engineering and construction capabilities, to complete and deliver these rigs with high specification, on time, within budget, and safely.” Mr William Gu, Executive Vice President of Seatrium Energy (Marketing), said, “Seatrium has a long and distinguished global track record for the full lifecycle of high specification offshore rigs from design to build, upgrades, life extension and operational optimisation. Today, more than two-thirds of the world’s operational jackup rigs are based on Seatrium’s designs, including one of the units for RigCo. This award reflects our undisputed capabilities to deliver complex projects safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards. We look forward to leveraging our integrated capabilities and execution excellence to support RigCo in realising the full potential of these premium assets.” -END- About RigCo Rigco Holding Pte Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Keppel Ltd. RigCo owns a fleet of modern, high-quality offshore drilling rigs suitable for deployment across all water depths and most geographies of the worldwide market. RigCo has six modern jackups that have been delivered and leased to customers beginning in 2022. The company’s remaining uncompleted assets include a harsh environment jackup, a premium drillship and two harsh environment semisubmersibles. About Keppel Keppel Ltd. (SGX:BN4) is a global asset manager and operator with strong expertise in sustainability-related solutions spanning the areas of infrastructure, real estate and connectivity. Headquartered in Singapore, Keppel operates in more than 20 countries worldwide, providing critical infrastructure and services for renewables, clean energy, decarbonisation, sustainable urban renewal and digital connectivity. Keppel creates value for investors and stakeholders through its quality investment platforms and diverse asset portfolios, including private funds and listed real estate and business trusts. About Seatrium Limited Headquartered and listed in Singapore, Seatrium Limited (SGX:5E2) is a leading provider of specialised engineering solutions for the global offshore, marine, and energy sectors. Seatrium plays a pivotal role in delivering offshore energy infrastructure assets globally that is the backbone of some of the world’s essential energy systems. With over 60 years of proven expertise, Seatrium operates across 15 countries through an integrated network of advanced yards, engineering and technology centres; supported by a diverse and dedicated workforce of more than 24,000 employees. Seatrium’s diversified business positions it to play a critical role in the global energy transition. Its core business segments mainly include Oil & Gas Newbuilds and Conversions; Offshore Wind; Repairs & Upgrades. Its expanding product portfolio includes FPSOs, FPUs, Offshore Converter Platforms and a wide range of offshore installation vessels, amongst others. Longstanding customer relationships with the world’s largest energy majors, asset operators and owners, and Transmission System Operators underscore Seatrium’s ability to consistently deliver high standards of safety, quality and timeliness. Amidst the global energy transition, Seatrium has robust capabilities in developing new technologies and solutions (such as Carbon Capture & Storage and New Energies). Guided by a culture of innovation; and core values prioritising people, safety and sustainability; Seatrium strives to create enduring value for all stakeholders, engineering towards a sustainable energy future. For more information, please contact: For Keppel Media: Mr Ang Lai Lee, Director, Corporate Communications, Keppel Ltd., Tel: (65) 6413 6427, Email: [email protected] Investor Relations: Ms Ivana Chua, Managing Director, Corporate Communications, Keppel Ltd., Tel: (65) 6413 6436, Email: [email protected] For Seatrium Media: Ms Clarissa Ho, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Seatrium Limited, Tel: (65) 6803 0276, Email: [email protected] Investor Relations: Ms Amelia Lee, Head, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, Seatrium Limited, Tel: (65) 6803 0053, Email: [email protected]
- October 25, 2026Event Announcement
Culture and Technology Roundtable of the Macao International Forum Successfully Held at Macau University of Science and Technology
Recently, the “Culture and Technology Roundtable” of the Macao International Forum was held at Macau University of Science and Technology. The conference was jointly organized by the Macao Foundation, Chinese Cultural Figures Magazine, and Macau University of Science and Technology, and undertaken by the Macao Branch of Chinese Cultural Figures Magazine, the Chinese Cultural Figures Macau Art Museum, and the Faculty of Humanities and Arts of Macau University of Science and Technology. Scene of the “Culture and Technology Roundtable” of the Macao International Forum. Photo by Zhang Dongli Morning Session: Mutual Learning among Civilizations — Cultural Roots and Scientific & Technological Innovation in the Digital-Intelligent Era The first roundtable on the morning was themed “Mutual Learning among Civilizations: Cultural Roots and Scientific & Technological Innovation in the Digital-Intelligent Era”. With “mutual learning among civilizations” as the vision, “cultural roots” as the foundation, and “scientific & technological innovation” as the path, the session delved into the relationship between upholding integrity and pursuing innovation, offering targeted insights for cultural inheritance and injecting humanistic care into scientific & technological innovation. A total of 18 distinguished guests attended this roundtable, including Su Shishu, Honorary Chairman of the China Calligraphers Association; Jia Guangjian, Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association; Wu Zhiliang, Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Macao Foundation; Wang Yuming, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Wang Baosheng, President of Chinese Cultural Figures Magazine; Zhang Xu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Zhou Zhandong, Chairman of the Board of Zhongmao (Hainan) Cross-Border Investment Group. Guests from the cultural and artistic circles, drawing on practical experience in creation and research, directly addressed the opportunities and challenges of the digital-intelligent era and shared how the core spirit of China’s fine traditional culture can maintain its vitality in the context of emerging technologies. Guests from the scientific and technological circles, starting from the laws governing technological development and cutting-edge industry trends, discussed how scientific & technological innovation can serve the contemporary needs of cultural inheritance and explained the intrinsic unity of the scientific spirit and humanistic care. Guests from the industrial circles, based on industrial practice in the integration of culture and technology, shared their judgments on industry trends and strategic observations, and explored sustainable development paths and business model innovation for cultural-technological integration. Scene of the “Culture and Technology Roundtable” of the Macao International Forum. Photo by Su Qing Afternoon Session: Co-Creating New Horizons — Cross-Sector Forces in the AI Era and the Future of the Greater Bay Area The second roundtable in the afternoon was themed “Co-Creating New Horizons: Cross-Sector Forces in the AI Era and the Future of the Greater Bay Area”, with the “AI era” as the technological context, “cross-sector forces” as the actors, and the “future of the Greater Bay Area” as the spatial coordinate. It focused on frontier practice and cross-sector co-creation, with emphasis on the implementation of AI-enabled cultural and artistic scenarios, innovation in cross-sector collaboration models, and the building of an ecosystem for cultural-technological integration in the Greater Bay Area. The roundtable brings together 20 distinguished guests, including Chen Qingli, former Deputy Director of the Foreign Liaison Bureau of the General Office of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress; Liu Yiliang, Vice Chairman of the 11th All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese; Tian Liming, Director of the Chinese Painting Art Committee of the China Artists Association; Liu Xinqi, Foreign Academician of the Russian Academy of Engineering; Wu Zhihua, Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Senior experts from the cultural and artistic circles shared industry insights and practical experience on the innovative development of culture and art in the digital-intelligent era, while young artists showcased frontier explorations such as AI-assisted creation, digital curation, and cross-media art experiments. Guests from the scientific and technological circles, from the perspective of technological trends and strategic vantage points, depicted the long-term vision and key breakthrough directions for the integration of AI and culture, and presented specific cases of AI implementation in culture and art, sports training, educational innovation, and other fields. Guests from the sports and education circles shared frontier practices in technology-enabled sports training, event broadcasting, and sports culture innovation, and explored innovative approaches through which AI technology can promote the integration of culture and education and transform learning methods. Industry representatives and young entrepreneurs, from the perspectives of market and ecosystem, discussed collaborative pathways, business models, and future judgments for the cultural and technological industry in the Greater Bay Area. Two Roundtable Sessions Forge Consensus for Two-Way Empowerment of Culture and Technology The two roundtable sessions reinforced and complemented each other, jointly forming a complete dialogue chain from value assessment to practical implementation. Guests generally agreed that, in the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the deep integration of culture and technology represents both a defining imperative of the era and a significant development opportunity. As a key gateway for exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilizations, Macao combines the institutional advantage of “One Country, Two Systems” with the geographical advantage as a globally connected hub. The city is well positioned to make remarkable headway in advancing the integration of culture and technology and promoting cross-civilizational exchanges and mutual learning. Company: China Cultural Figures Magazine Contact Person: Ma Jiangping Email: [email protected] Website: www.hk.ccpvip.com Telephone: (86) 010-88572916 City: Beijing, China
- October 24, 2026Business
Rooted in the River, Renewed with the Times: Insights from the 2026 Chishui River Forum
On October 16–18, the 2026 Chishui River Forum, jointly initiated by the Brand Work Office of Xinhua News Agency, China Economic Information Service, and China Moutai, was held in Maotai Town, Guizhou Province. The Forum brought together representatives of international liquor companies and organizations to draw on Eastern wisdom in terroir-based brewing and explore new pathways for industrial development that promote harmony between humanity and nature and foster mutual flourishing. The 2026 Chishui River Forum Harmonizing Heaven and Earth: The River Valley's Terroir Anchors the Roots of Brewing Civilization Ao Hong, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director-General of the Guizhou Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, said in his opening remarks that “Moutai cannot be produced anywhere else but Maotai Town.” The natural endowments of the Chishui River Valley provide the essential foundation for the sauce-aroma baijiu industry. Guizhou is both the birthplace and principal production region of sauce-aroma baijiu, as well as a key hub and main front for developing industrial clusters rooted in historical traditions. Chen Hua, Chairman of China Moutai Group, noted that the evolution of the world's renowned liquor brands is not only a history of production regions, but also a cultural history of craftsmanship passed down through generations in distinctive local environments. Production regions are the ecological foundation, the source of quality and the cultural roots of the liquor industry. Protecting regional ecosystems and preserving brewing traditions are shared responsibilities of liquor producers worldwide. Cultural heritage provides the spiritual foundation for the liquor industry to achieve steady, long-term development. Li Xiaojie, former Vice Minister of Culture and former Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, called for bringing intangible cultural heritage brewing techniques to life, exploring the deeper significance of liquor-related cultural heritage, and fostering a vibrant ecosystem of local customs and cultural traditions. These efforts, he said, would enable cultural heritage to support the industry's sustainable development through living transmission. From traces of ancient alcoholic beverages at the Jiahu archaeological site to historic baijiu workshops and preserved fermentation pits across China, the country's brewing traditions span thousands of years. They offer a rich heritage awaiting innovative transformation and more dynamic forms of transmission. Advancing with the Times: Building Industry-Wide Consensus amid Market Adjustments China's baijiu industry is currently undergoing a profound adjustment. Evolving consumer demand, inventory restructuring and changes in distribution channels have become shared challenges across the sector. The World Famous Liquor Brands Sustainability Index Report (2026) , released during the Forum, establishes an evaluation framework based on three dimensions: Quality, Momentum and Visibility. Six brands, including Moutai, were classified as “Leading” brands in the assessment. During the Forum, the Chishui River Valley: China's Sauce-Aroma Baijiu Regional Brand Think Tank was officially launched. The Moutai Strategic Research Institute will collaborate with China Economic Information Service on research into the global liquor industry. The China Brands Go Global initiative and the Global Liquor Industry Sustainable Development Partnership Program were also launched. Moutai invited 16 domestic and international liquor companies to build consensus around six priorities: cultural heritage, green development, technological innovation, corporate responsibility, intergenerational vitality and global collaboration. The initiative aims to foster a global community with a shared future for the liquor industry. As Chen Hua put it, “We must turn consensus into mechanisms, initiatives into projects, and visions into practice.” Breaking New Ground through Multiple Perspectives: Three Parallel Forums Address the Industry's Defining Challenges Alongside the main forum, three parallel forums examined how the traditional liquor industry can navigate the future from three perspectives: the mutual enrichment of civilizations, digital and intelligent manufacturing, and consumption trends among younger generations. The parallel forum “The Language of the World, the Taste of China” focused on cultural confidence and global dialogue, exploring how Chinese liquor culture can communicate with the world while drawing on its distinctive heritage. “Digital Aroma Discovery, Intelligent Brewing for the Future” examined how digital technologies are reshaping brewing processes and transforming the underlying logic of production. “A World in Every Glass, New Voices from Drinkers” moved outdoors to a lawn setting, directly addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by generational change in consumer preferences. “Harmonizing Heaven and Earth” represents the commitment to respecting the land, water and rhythms of nature while preserving the industry's roots. “Advancing with the Times” embodies the courage to embrace change and pursue innovation. Starting from the Chishui River Valley, the 2026 Chishui River Forum is establishing a new point of connection for the global liquor industry, where tradition meets modernity and Eastern and Western perspectives engage in dialogue. Through industrial insights and practical solutions rooted in China's experience, the Forum aims to contribute to the high-quality development of the global liquor industry.
- October 24, 2026Business
World Famous Liquor Brands Sustainability Index Report (2026) Released
The World Famous Liquor Brands Sustainability Index Report (2026) (hereinafter referred to as the “Report”), compiled by the Xinhua Index Research Institute, was officially released at the 2026 Chishui River Forum on October 17. The Report finds that the 30 representative liquor and wine brands worldwide demonstrate a development profile characterized by “solid foundations in quality and brand visibility, alongside divergent business momentum.” Quality and visibility are relatively strong across the index, while momentum still has considerable room for improvement. In particular, differences in business resilience are a key factor distinguishing the overall development performance of leading liquor and wine brands. Pictured: Cao Zhanzhong, Executive Director of Xinhua Index Research Institute, interprets the report findings. Quality and Visibility Jointly Underpin the Strong Performance of Leading Brands Based on the index results, the Report classifies the 30 representative liquor and wine brands worldwide into four tiers: Leading, Resonating, Established and Emerging. Brands in the Leading tier account for 20% of the total sample. The study finds that these brands generally combine substantial long-term asset accumulation with strong market influence. Their leadership is not attributable to any single competitive advantage, but rather to years of accumulated strengths in regional ecosystems, product identity, and brewing traditions and culture, together with effective synergies between brand visibility and market recognition. Distilled Spirits and Fermented Beverages Converge in Overall Development, While Internationalization Shifts from Broad Reach to Deeper Market Engagement In assessing quality, the Report focuses on product quality and heritage, ecological resources, and international expansion. For momentum and visibility, it examines business momentum and brand influence, respectively. It also provides an in-depth assessment of the sustainability capabilities of distilled spirits, fermented beverages and blended alcoholic beverages. The findings show that distilled spirits and fermented beverages are broadly converging in their overall level of development, although their underlying strengths differ markedly. Distilled spirits perform particularly well in quality-related indicators, including recognition of legally protected production-area designations and the preservation of traditional brewing techniques through continued practice. They build competitive “moats” by drawing deeply on terroir, history and traditional craftsmanship. Fermented beverages, meanwhile, have an edge in developing global operating systems and stand out for their ability to translate international market presence into tangible results. Strengthening Foundations in Quality and Culture: China's Baijiu Industry Must Turn Accumulated Strengths into Tangible Results The Report maps the overall capabilities of 30 representative liquor and wine brands worldwide. Data from the 20 indicators of the World Famous Liquor Brands Sustainability Index show that the global liquor and wine industry has reached a relatively mature stage in areas such as brand market positioning, the resilience of core production assets, waste recovery and resource utilization, and professional quality certification. However, strengthening business growth momentum, improving conversion in international markets, and ensuring the continued practice and transmission of intangible cultural heritage remain common challenges for the industry. For China's baijiu sector in particular, the next step is to build on its accumulated strengths in quality and cultural heritage and translate them into tangible development outcomes.
- October 24, 2026Business
Global Expertise Converges as 2026 Chishui River Forum Opens
The 2026 Chishui River Forum was held from October 16 to 18 in Maotai Town, Guizhou Province. Jointly initiated by the Brand Work Office of Xinhua News Agency, China Economic Information Service, and China Moutai, the forum brought together industry professionals from around the world to explore the future of the global liquor industry and chart a new course for its high-quality development. https://youtu.be/12AlVf7_ySU Under this theme, the main forum focused on broad industry issues, including high-quality development of the global liquor industry, industrial collaboration and international expansion. Three parallel forums explored their respective themes: “The Language of the World, the Taste of China,” “Digital Aroma Discovery, Intelligent Brewing for the Future,” and “A World in Every Glass, New Voices from Drinkers.” Discussions examined the relationship between liquor culture and civilization through cultural confidence and global dialogue; new approaches to brewing and evolving consumption in the digital age; and the encounter between baijiu and younger generations. From international communication and digital empowerment to engaging younger consumers, the forum sought to offer the global liquor industry a multidimensional framework for reflection and development. Returning a year after its previous edition, the 2026 Chishui River Forum has been positioned as an upgraded, higher-level iteration of the event. This transformation goes beyond enhancements to the agenda, lineup of speakers and event formats. It also reflects the forum's evolution from a single event into a global platform with sustained influence on the liquor industry. The three-day forum featured one main forum and three parallel forums. On the opening day, the Global Liquor Industry Sustainable Development Partnership Program was officially launched, the Chishui River Valley: China's Sauce-Aroma Baijiu Regional Brand Think Tank was established, and the World Famous Liquor Brands Sustainability Index Report (2026) was released.
- October 24, 2026Business
Global Wine and Spirits Industry Leaders Gather at 2026 Chishui River Forum to Explore Value Reconfiguration Amid Structural Change
At the 2026 Chishui River Forum on Oct. 17, jointly initiated by the Brand Work Office of Xinhua News Agency, China Economic Information Service (CEIS) and China Moutai, representatives of the global wine and spirits industry, alongside experts and scholars from China, Peru, France, Italy and other countries, gathered to discuss “Value Reconfiguration and Order Restructuring in the Global Wine and Spirits Industry in an Era of Structural Change,” seeking common ground on the industry's future through dialogue and exchange. Johnny Schuler, president of the Peruvian Pisco Academy and co-founder and master distiller of Pisco Portón, said Pisco has a tradition spanning more than 400 years, with tradition forming the essence of the product and quality remaining its most important attribute. He also noted that alcohol consumption has been declining gradually in some markets, requiring considerable effort and the development of new concepts to sustain product quality and appeal. Olivier Bouché, president of the French National Association of Wine and Spirits Experts, stressed that natural endowments provide a foundation for the industry but should never become a reason for stagnation. Products must continue to innovate and evolve, he said. Drawing on his experience in international markets, Bouché noted that wine consumption trends vary from one market to another, underscoring the need for wine and spirits producers to continually develop new concepts and adapt to changing consumer preferences. Discussing exchanges between Chinese and international cultures, Schuler noted that people of Chinese descent account for around 15 percent of Peru's population and that Chinese cuisine has had a significant influence on Peruvian food culture. “This is my second visit to Moutai. I drink Moutai, and I like Moutai,” he said. Bouché, meanwhile, shared his perspectives on food and wine pairing, arguing that cross-cultural exchanges in drinking traditions ultimately need to be reflected in real-life consumption settings and everyday experiences. As consumer demographics shift and consumption habits evolve, how the industry can respond to emerging market demands became a central topic of discussion. Wang Junlin, chairman of Sichuan Langjiu Group, said distilleries must remain true to their original purpose. The value of liquor, he argued, lies in its taste and the enjoyment it brings after drinking. While younger consumers may approach baijiu, China's traditional distilled spirit, differently from previous generations, human nature itself remains unchanged. The key is for businesses to understand the lifestyles of different generations and find new ways to connect with younger consumers. Wang said Langjiu has sought to incorporate lifestyle experiences popular with younger people into its Langjiu Manor, creating new ways for them to engage with the brand and its products. Jia Yunfeng, an expert with UN Tourism, introduced the concept of “emotional value,” arguing that the challenge is not to win over young people, but to understand them. “Winning over young people is a false proposition. Young people have always been there; it is we who have failed to understand them,” he said. Citing a French winery that produces wines associated with weddings and divorces, Jia argued that the emotional value of wine far exceeds its cultural, social and financial value. “The future breakthrough for the wine and spirits industry will certainly not lie in the beverage itself. The core cultural element of wine tourism integration is content, while tourism provides the setting,” he said. Emanuele Zolino, mayor of Aquileia, Italy, also shared his perspectives on the industry from the standpoint of cities and everyday life. The 2026 Chishui River Forum, themed “Interweaving Harmony Advancing with the Times,” was jointly initiated by the Brand Work Office of Xinhua News Agency, China Economic Information Service and China Moutai.
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