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Ringgit snaps two-day losing streak on optimism over Malaysia’s economic growth

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KUALA LUMPUR — The ringgit rebounded on Tuesday, snapping a two-day losing streak as it strengthened against the US dollar, other major currencies and ASEAN peers, buoyed by optimism over Malaysia’s economic growth prospects.

At 6pm, the ringgit appreciated to 3.9295/9360 against the US dollar, up from 3.9440/9500 at Friday’s close, as trading resumed following the market closure yesterday for Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day public holidays.

On Monday, S&P Global reported that Malaysia’s headline manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) climbed to a 20-month high of 50.2 in January 2026, up from 50.1 in December 2025, marking the third consecutive month of improvement in the manufacturing sector’s health.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid noted that the PMI increase suggests businesses have been benefitting from lower input costs, supported by the stronger ringgit.

“The persistent appreciation of ringgit reflects confidence that the Malaysian economy would be able to record respectable growth this year.

“Thus, the traders and investors remain constructive on ringgit today, with the currency gaining 0.41 per cent,” he told Bernama.

Mohd Afzanizam also said the local note continues its upward trend against the US dollar despite better-than-expected US economic data.

According to the US Institute for Supply Management (ISM), the US manufacturing PMI rose to 52.6 points in January from 47.9 in December 2025, exceeding consensus estimates of 48.5 points.

“This would mean that the odds of an interest rate cut in the US remain low as improved business sentiment aligns with the Federal Reserve’s assessment that economic activity is expanding at a solid pace,” he said.

At the close, the ringgit traded higher against other major currencies, it gained versus the Japanese yen to 2.5210/5253 from 2.5562/5603, appreciated vis-à-vis the British pound to 5.3704/3793 from 5.4163/4245 and climbed against the euro to 4.6341/6417 from 4.6957/7029 at Friday’s close.

The local note also traded higher against its ASEAN peers.

It strengthened vis-à-vis the Singapore dollar to 3.0919/0973 from 3.1077/1127, advanced versus the Thai baht to 12.4584/4845 from 12.5250/5544, firmed against the Indonesian rupiah to 234.5/235.0 from 234.9/235.4, and rose against the Philippine peso to 6.67/6.68 from 6.69/6.71 previously. — BERNAMA

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News

Zakat fund issue: Mohamad ready to assist MACC probe

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KEPALA BATAS — Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) president Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid (picture) said he is prepared to give a statement to assist investigations into allegations of abuse of power involving a senior state government official related to the use of zakat funds.

Mohamad, who is also Deputy Chief Minister I, said that so far MAINPP and Zakat MAINPP have given full cooperation to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“We are giving our full cooperation. As the president of MAINPP, together with the council’s secretary, we have handed over all relevant documents to the authorities, and so far, several officers have been called in by the MACC to assist with the investigation.”

“At this point, I have not yet been called by the MACC, but I am ready to do so and to fully cooperate, as the process is transparent and all procedures are being followed,” he told reporters after the Zakat Fitrah amil (collectors) accreditation ceremony and the state government’s Ihya Ramadan contribution presentation here today.

He was commenting on the state MACC’s investigation into allegations of abuse of power involving a senior state government official related to the purchase of land using zakat funds in the state.

The MACC investigation team has visited several offices suspected of being involved to obtain relevant documents, and statements from two individuals believed to be connected to the case have been recorded by the MACC.

Last Saturday, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government is giving the MACC full latitude to conduct an independent investigation into the alleged abuse of power and will not interfere or carry out an internal investigation into the matter. — BERNAMA

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News

Nipah virus risk remains low in Malaysia

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by FADHILAH AHMAD FADZLI

THE risk of Nipah virus transmission in Malaysia remains low, with no reported cases in the country, according to the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), following reports of infections in India.

MMA president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo (picture) said Malaysia’s public health response remains precautionary and focused on early detection.

“At this time, there are no Nipah virus cases in Malaysia, and the risk to the public remains low.

“The measures being implemented are precautionary and form part of routine disease surveillance to ensure early detection and effective response,” he said in a statement on Tuesday

Dr Thirunavukarasu said Malaysia’s healthcare system is well prepared and experienced in managing infectious disease risks.

The public is encouraged to stay informed through official Ministry of Health updates and to seek medical advice if unwell, particularly after recent travel.

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News

Loke: E-hailing driver’s PSV licence to be cancelled over alleged sexual harassment

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PUTRAJAYA — The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has directed the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to immediately cancel the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence of an e-hailing driver alleged to have sexually harassed a passenger in Johor Bahru.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke (picture) said the revocation means the driver is no longer allowed to operate on any e-hailing platform.

“MOT will not tolerate any behaviour that compromises passenger safety and is prepared to support the victim in ensuring police action is taken against the perpetrator,” he said in a statement today.

Loke said MOT, through the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), will summon all e-hailing operators, including Grab, to present action plans to improve passenger safety.

The media recently reported that police are in the process of identifying an e-hailing driver alleged to have sexually harassed a female passenger, as shown in a video that has gone viral on social media since Sunday.

The viral video is believed to have been recorded by the female passenger, causing the driver’s background to be widely shared on social media. — BERNAMA

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News

High Court sets May 21 for ruling on Indira Gandhi’s legal action

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KUALA LUMPUR — The High Court today fixed May 21 to deliver its decision on the originating summons (OS) filed by M. Indira Gandhi and 13 others challenging the validity of state laws relating to unilateral religious conversion.

Judge Datuk Aliza Sulaiman set the date after hearing submissions from counsel in the case.

“The court has fixed May 21 at 2.30 pm for the decision via Zoom,” she said.

Indira and 13 others, as plaintiffs, filed the originating summons in March 2023, primarily to nullify unilateral conversion in six states involving the governments of Johor, Perlis, Melaka, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and the Federal Territories.

The Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) and the Johor Islamic Religious Council, meanwhile, are interveners in the OS.

Earlier, counsel Rajesh Nagarajan, representing the plaintiffs, argued that the defendants’ failure to provide any justification highlighted that their state laws allowing unilateral conversion of a child below the age of 18 were inconsistent with Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution and established Federal Court authorities.

Meanwhile, senior federal counsel Ahmad Hanir Hambaly @ Arwi, appearing for the Federal Territories, submitted that the Federal Court’s 2018 decision in Indira Gandhi could not be regarded as binding authority for the proposition that Section 106 of the Perak Enactment and its inter-state counterpart provisions, including Section 95 of the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993 [Act 505], are unconstitutional.

“Section 95 of Act 505 is cloaked with a strong presumption of constitutionality. This presumption is based on the recognition that the legislature is deemed to understand the needs of the people,” he said.

Counsel Danial Farhan Zainul Rijal, appearing for MAIWP, contended that the plaintiffs lacked the requisite locus standi to maintain the action because they failed to show any genuine grievance or personal injury.

“Therefore, their invocation of this court’s jurisdiction is not for the genuine purpose of obtaining relief for a wrong done to them, but rather for the collateral purpose of challenging the sanctity of State Enactments and Hukum Syarak (Syariah law) in the abstract,” he said.

Another counsel for MAIWP, Arham Rahimy Hariri, argued that the plaintiffs’ challenge was purely academic, as there was no factual matrix linking them to the alleged harm or any adverse effect proven in their affidavits on the impugned provisions, and urged the court to dismiss the OS.

In the OS, the plaintiffs claimed that the state enactments contravened Article 12 (4) of the Federal Constitution, as interpreted in Indira’s landmark 2018 case on unilateral conversion.

Article 12(4) states that the religion of a person aged under 18 is to be decided by his “parent or guardian”.

In the landmark decision, the apex court ruled that the word “parent” in the article is to be interpreted as “parents” if both are still alive. Therefore, both parents’ permission is needed in conversion cases.

The plaintiffs also said that under Article 75 of the Federal Constitution, federal law prevails over any state law that is inconsistent with it. Accordingly, they argued that state enactments allowing unilateral conversion should be declared void. — BERNAMA

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News

Six human skeletons found in abandoned house in Kangkar Pulai plantation

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JOHOR BAHRU — Six human skeletons, including five from a family believed to have died more than three months ago, were found in a burned house in an oil palm plantation in Kangkar Pulai, Skudai last month.

Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the husband of one of the victims lodged a report at Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters (IPD) on Jan 9, after finding the human skeletons while searching for his wife and children who were reported missing.

“The 48-year-old complainant had received information that his wife and children had been living in the house, which was located far from the main road, without electricity and water supply, before he went looking for them himself,” he said in a press conference at the Johor police contingent headquarters (IPK) today.

Following the discovery, a forensic pathology team from the Sultanah Aminah Hospital and Johor PDRM forensics conducted an examination and post-mortem on the skeletons that were found in the house, which is located near an abandoned temple.

Investigations found that the six victims consisted of a 35-year-old woman, a 19-year-old girl, two girls aged nine and five, a two-year-old boy and a 29-year-old man.

He said police were still investigating the period when all these victims were reported missing.

Following further investigation and intelligence, police arrested four local suspects consisting of three men and one woman aged between 19 and 35 around Iskandar Puteri on Jan 21 to assist in the investigation.

The results of a check found that all the suspects had past criminal records and initial urine screening tests showed that three of them tested positive for drugs.

Asked about the motive for the murder, he said that the matter would be known through the court trial..

He said the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries the death sentence or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years and not less than 12 strokes of the cane.

Ab Rahaman said the investigation has been referred to the Johor Attorney-General’s Chambers with two male suspects to be charged at the Johor Bahru Magistrate’s Court tomorrow for murder.

Two other suspects who were released on police bail would be made prosecution witnesses. — BERNAMA

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Economy News

Sarawak records highest-ever visitor arrivals from Singapore in 2025

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KUCHING — Sarawak recorded its highest-ever visitor arrivals from Singapore in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the state’s tourism growth and bilateral ties, with the republic.

The Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS) in a statement today said total visitor arrivals from Singapore reached a record 64,295 visitors in 2025, a 5.8 per cent year-on-year increase from 59,793 arrivals in 2024.

It said based on an estimated average expenditure of RM3,500 per visitor, Singaporean travellers contributed approximately RM225 million in tourism receipts to Sarawak in 2025.

“This year-on-year growth alone generated an additional RM15.7 million for the state’s economy, benefiting local businesses across the hospitality, retail, and transportation sectors.

“The strong spending power of Singaporean travellers continues to position Singapore as one of Sarawak’s most lucrative and strategically important tourism markets. Notably, these figures exclude expatriates residing in Singapore, suggesting that the actual economic impact is potentially significantly higher than reported,” it said.

STATOS chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani said the historic achievement reflects both the dedication of the STATOS team and the rich, diverse experiences Sarawak offers.

“An increase of over 4,500 visitors year-on-year demonstrates that Sarawak is not just a destination, but a preferred choice for Singaporeans seeking meaningful, accessible, and high-quality travel experiences, especially for weekend getaway,” he said.

STATOS is an initiative of the Sarawak State Government to strengthen and develop new trade, investment and tourism linkages between Singapore, Sarawak and the world.

Established in June 2019, STATOS provides advisory services to traders — including importers from Singapore and exporters from Sarawak — as well as investors and tourism players seeking to leverage Singapore’s position as a regional economic gateway and Sarawak’s diverse resource base. — BERNAMA

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PR Newswire

Sungrow Presents DC-Coupled Solution to Redefine PV-ESS System Value in Europe

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MADRID, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the energy transition accelerates, PV-plus-storage is increasingly adopted in European large-scale solar plants. According to BloombergNEF, cumulative PV-plus-storage capacity in Europe is expected to exceed 15 GWh by 2029. However, high costs, efficiency limitations, and solar curtailment continue to constrain the economic potential of these systems.

Sungrow Presents DC-Coupled Solution in Europe

At the Sungrow PV & ESS Summit, Sungrow presented the Single-Platform Design for DC-Coupled PV-ESS Solution, featuring the 1+X modular inverter with dedicated storage interface, PowerTitan 3.0 with built-in DC/DC module, and the PV-ESS Synergy Management System. Built on a Single-Platform PV-ESS design, the solution enhances operational efficiency, supports flexible energy dispatch, and strengthens grid compatibility for large-scale European solar projects.

Seamless PV-Storage Coordination: Driving Enhanced System Performance

Built on the Single-Platform PV-ESS design, the system supports up to 8 hours of discharge, a high DC/AC ratio of up to 2.0, and ESS power utilization of up to 100%. By optimizing energy arbitrage across peak and off-peak price periods, the system enables reliable 24/7 green power supply while delivering holistic optimization across system cost, energy conversion and power regulation —laying the foundation for enhanced project value.

Optimized Costs and Efficiency Across the Full Project Lifecycle

By eliminating the need for a separate Power Conversion System (PCS) and MV station (MVS) and significantly reducing AC cabling requirements, the DC-coupled architecture delivers substantial cost savings. For a typical 100 MW PV + 200 MWh storage project, this can save up to €1 million on CAPAX. Meanwhile, the DC-coupled solution improves overall energy conversion efficiency by 3–5%, enhancing long-term project economics.

Beyond hardware optimization, the Single-Platform PV-ESS design enhances lifecycle performance from delivery to operation. During the delivery phase, the integrated architecture streamlines installation and commissioning, enabling faster grid connection. During operation, adaptive control software maintains optimal performance under varying conditions, while Sungrow’s localized European service network and one-stop after-sales support ensure efficient and reliable system management. Together, these capabilities enable high operational efficiency throughout the lifecycle, ultimately maximizing asset returns for large-scale PV-plus-storage projects in Europe.

Intelligent Dispatch for Power Delivery

The system automatically stores excess PV generation during peak output or grid curtailment periods. It rapidly charges during high-generation and low-price windows, and discharges smoothly during peak demand. This intelligent regulation reduces curtailment, stabilizes PV output, and delivers more grid-friendly power—ensuring reliable round-the-clock energy supply.

Grid-Forming Technology: Ensuring Stable Operation Across All Grid Conditions

Designed for Europe’s increasingly complex and weak-grid environments, the solution integrates advanced grid-forming capabilities to ensure system and equipment stability under all grid conditions. It delivers stronger and faster inertia support, reducing frequency response time from hundreds of milliseconds to under 5ms. This enables rapid grid frequency stabilization and improving overall system reliability.

With 1.8 times transient overvoltage tolerance and real-time assessment of grid strength indicators such as Short-Circuit Ratio (SCR), the system can seamlessly switch between grid-following and grid-forming modes, enabling reliable operation across dynamic weak-to-strong grid transitions.

To date, Sungrow’s Single-Platform DC-coupled PV-ESS system has been deployed in more than 90 projects worldwide, such as the 100 MW PV + 220 MWh ESS system in Australia and the 181 MW PV + 638 MWh ESS project in Chile—demonstrating its reliability across diverse grid and market environments. With the launch of PowerTitan 3.0 and its Single-Platform DC-coupled solution in Europe, Sungrow will continue to advance technological innovation and solution evolution, accelerating Europe’s energy transition by unlocking greater value through more efficient and reliable PV-plus-storage systems.

About Sungrow

Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 29 years. As of June 2025, Sungrow has installed 870 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world’s most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we’re committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com/en.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sungrow-presents-dc-coupled-solution-to-redefine-pv-ess-system-value-in-europe-302677452.html

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PR Newswire

Hong Kong Ranks Among Top 10 LEED Markets Globally for Second Consecutive Year

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Double-Digit Growth in Certified Projects and Floor Area, as Existing Buildings and Operational Performance Become New Focus

HONG KONG, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today announced the Top 10 Countries and Regions for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in 2025. Hong Kong has secured a spot in the global top 10 for the second year in a row, rising one place to rank sixth globally and fourth in Asia. This achievement further solidifies Hong Kong’s position as a leading green building market in Asia and reflects a long-term commitment to highly efficient sustainable and scalable green building development.

In 2025, Hong Kong added nearly 100 LEED-certified projects, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 41%. The newly certified area exceeded 3.1 million square meters (equivalent to 34 million square feet), a 40% increase compared to the previous year. This growth not only reflects sustained activity in the Hong Kong market but also demonstrates its solid progress in driving large-scale green building transformations that offer long-term benefits.

Jing Wang, Vice President of USGBC and GBCI North Asia, said: “Hong Kong’s ranking among the top 10 LEED markets for the second consecutive year reflects the industry’s long-term commitment to high-standard green buildings. As a major international financial hub, Hong Kong’s market structure is well-positioned to integrate sustainable building performance into decisions about financing, long-term investment and asset management. This drives LEED implementation from the design and planning stages through the entire building lifecycle. From the rapid growth of new projects to the continuous operational improvement of existing buildings, Hong Kong is demonstrating the depth and resilience of a mature market.”

Market Structure Continues to Evolve, with a Focus on Operational Performance and Long-term Outcomes

Beyond overall scale, Hong Kong’s LEED market structure continues to evolve toward a more mature, performance-driven one:

LEED O+M (Operations and Maintenance) certifications have continued to rise as a share of total certifications, increasing from approximately 20% in 2021 to 45% in 2025. This type of certification has become one of the primary ones in Hong Kong, signaling a market shift from Interior Design and Construction (LEED ID+C) toward greater emphasis on the overall operational performance and long-term environmental outcomes of buildings.
Approximately 10% of certifications are re-certifications, where previously certified buildings renew their certification based on actual operational data to maintain or improve their rating levels. Landmark projects include One & Two International Finance Centre (IFC) and Sun Hung Kai Centre. Furthermore, several developments from Phoenix Property Investors also completed certification updates through continuous optimization. These cases reflect the increasing importance that owners and asset managers place on building lifecycle efficiency, continuous optimization and decarbonization.

LEED: Driving Global and Asian Buildings Toward a High Efficient, Low-Carbon Future

Over the past year, several major projects in Hong Kong achieved LEED certification, further expanding the scale and influence of sustainable architecture locally. Among them, The Henderson, a new landmark development by Henderson Land Development (00012.HK), achieved LEED Platinum certification, becoming a focal point in the local sustainable building market. The Quayside, owned by Link REIT (00823.HK) and Nan Fung Group, also achieved LEED Platinum certification for Existing Buildings, demonstrating the success of developers in applying international green standards to both new and existing assets.

Furthermore, there is a clear trend of LEED certification expanding from individual buildings to being applied across portfolios. For instance, Hongkong Land achieved LEED certification for its Central portfolio (comprising 12 buildings) in 2024, while multiple major buildings at Taikoo Place, owned by Swire Properties (01972.HK), were certified during 2025.

Hong Kong continues to rank among the top three markets within North Asia in terms of annual growth performance, and among the Top 10 LEED markets globally, underscoring its strong momentum in advancing high-performance and low-carbon buildings. As LEED adoption continues to deepen across Asian markets, Hong Kong, as a major international financial and real estate investment hub, is playing a pivotal role in the region’s transition to green buildings.

In addition, Mainland China remains a leader in green building and is the largest market for LEED outside the United States. According to the 2025 ranking by total LEED-certified space, Mainland China ranks first globally, with approximately 26.6 million square meters, while South Korea and Hong Kong rank fourth and sixth, respectively. (See Table 2 for details.)

Table 1: Overview of LEED Certification Status in Major North Asian Cities (As of Dec 31, 2025)

Rank	City	No. of Projects	Sqm (Million)
1	Shanghai	1,893	48.36
2	Beijing	1,161	36.47
3	Shenzhen	558	13.58
4	Hong Kong	550	11.57
5	Guangzhou	478	11.13
6	Seoul	257	8.56
7	Taipei	168	2.96
8	Tokyo	190	2.91

Table 2: The full ranking of the Top 10 Countries and Regions for LEED

Rank	Country / Region	Gross Square Meters (GSM)	Project Count
1	Mainland China	26,645,737	1,939
2	India	16,111,512	611
3	Canada	8,450,146	288
4	Republic of Korea	3,879,192	100
5	Mexico	3,294,953	144
6	Hong Kong SAR of PRC	3,158,950	96
7	Brazil	2,933,631	171
8	Vietnam	2,602,797	100
9	Sweden	2,564,921	183
10	United Arab Emirates	2,251,714	174

About the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is an organization that develops and advocates LEED green building and cities rating systems. USGBC works to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and fulfill its mission of sustainability by promoting LEED worldwide. USGBC is an organization that develops and advocates standards for cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

About Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the world’s most widely used green building and city certification system, having been applied to over 110,000 commercial projects across more than 180 countries and territories. China is a leader in green building and the largest market for LEED certification outside the United States.

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SOURCE U.S. Green Building Council

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PR Newswire

Cision PR Newswire Convenes Public Relations Leaders at Communications Forum and Award 2026 in Shanghai

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HONG KONG, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cision PR Newswire successfully concluded the Cision PR Newswire Communications Forum and Award 2026 in Shanghai, marking the 10th edition of the event under the theme “Rethink. Reform.” The forum brought together industry leaders from reputable brands, agencies, associations, and media organisations to explore the future of Public Relations.

Cision PR Newswire Communications Forum and Award 2026

The event welcomed nearly 3,000 participants both onsite and online, including PR and Communications professionals, brand leaders, and media representatives from across industries. High attendance and positive feedback reflected PR Newswire’s growing influence in gathering the communications community and creating a trusted forum for strategic dialogue in mainland China and across APAC.

Nearly 3,000 Participants Joined the Event Onsite and Online

Speakers from organizations such as the China International Public Relations Association, Kunlun Tech, SANY Group, LONGi Green Energy, Energy Foundation, LEAD Intelligent, Hero Esports, alongside media including Yicai Global, FT Chinese, and Sina Finance, shared their perspectives on stage, shedding insight on topics ranging from media in the age of AI to brand localization and human-centred storytelling.

Judy Wang, Head of Commercial Mainland China at PR Newswire

Opening the forum, Judy Wang, Head of Commercial Mainland China at PR Newswire, noted that the industry is undergoing a fundamental shift: new technologies are introduced every day, internet & Large Language Models (LLMs) algorithms are changing rapidly, and trust is becoming an increasingly scarce resource. She emphasized that PR professionals are now shifting to a more strategic position in the business. PR Newswire is delighted to create a platform for industry peers to rethink and reform a long-term business strategy and build global competitiveness.

Lynn Liu, Vice President of Audience Development and Distribution Services, APAC at PR Newswire

Lynn Liu, Vice President of Audience Development and Distribution Services, APAC at PR Newswire, added that in the era of modern communications, reliable content plays a central role in shaping both public perception and AI platforms.
Research shows that LLMs derive 60% of information from authorised news, and 20% from official corporate websites. He emphasizes the importance of distributing corporate news, and getting exposure through reputable media, as this would become an organisation’s growth engine. Lynn explains that PR Newswire’s role goes beyond content creation and distribution; it provides verified news and reference for LLMs.

Jia Zhao, Deputy Chief Editor of Yicai and Chief Editor of Yicai Magazine

Jia Zhao, Deputy Chief Editor of Yicai and Chief Editor of Yicai Magazine, noted that the industry is entering an era of ‘super individuals’. This is an era in which diverse content formats and channels complement one another, and the virtual and real worlds thrive together. Video remains the dominant medium, yet audiences will engage with information through an increasingly diverse set of channels. Meanwhile, the value of traditional offline media will also make a comeback.

Panel Session - “The Evolution of Communications in the Intelligent Age”

During the first panel session, corporate and media representatives from PR Newswire, Sina Finance, Everyday Tech, Financial Times Chinese, Yongzhu Studio, and Hero Esports further explored the theme “The Evolution of Communications in the Intelligent Age.” The panellists’ engaging discussion concluded that while AI is advancing rapidly, the role of human creators and media is becoming increasingly critical. Panellists emphasized that humans must serve as gatekeepers for AI, building emotional connection and trust through authentic storytelling that technology alone cannot replace.

Dapeng Lv, Vice President of the China International Public Relations Association

In the afternoon sessions, Dapeng Lv, Vice President of the China International Public Relations Association, discussed the challenges of Chinese brands’ global expansion and highlighted three core elements for overseas communications: brand positioning, brand communications, and brand maintenance, stressing the need to differentiate between corporate and product brand strategies.

Hui Yao, Marketing and PR Director at Kunlun Tech

Furthermore on storytelling, Hui Yao, Marketing and PR Director at Kunlun Tech, shared that going global is a combination of technology and storytelling, emphasizing the need to translate “complex branding messages into clear, relatable stories that resonate with audiences across markets”.

Panel Session - “Strategies and Practices for Brand Globalization”

During the second panel discussion, corporate representatives from the Energy Foundation, LONGi Green Energy Technology, Sany Group, and Lead Intelligent Equipment discussed “Strategies and Practices for Brand Globalization.” According to the panellists, companies must pursue both global and localized narratives simultaneously. Enterprises expanding overseas should not only emphasize industry and product content, but also prioritize communicating their sustainable values. They must adopt a human-centred approach to build brands with warmth and humanity.

The successful conclusion of the Cision PR Newswire Communications Forum 2026 brought more than an exchange of ideas, serving as a collective call to action to rethink strategy, channels, technology, and storytelling. The forum encourages professionals to reform their communications strategies to deliver greater results.

Following the forum, the winners of the Cision PR Newswire Corporate Communications Award 2026 were announced. The program features 19 award categories recognizing excellence in all aspects of PR and Communications, showcasing outstanding achievements in corporate communications throughout 2025.

The full list of winners is shown below.

List of Winners of the Cision PR Newswire Corporate Communications Award 2026

(PRNewsfoto/PR Newswire)

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SOURCE PR Newswire

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