SHENZHEN, China, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Supported by the Shenzhen and Luohu district governments, Microsoft, eclicktech, and multiple ecosystem partners have officially launched the Shenzhen Global Expansion Center, marking the start of its full-scale operations. Designed as a one-stop platform for international business expansion, the center provides integrated services spanning market readiness, compliance consulting, and overseas growth support for companies expanding globally from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The initiative adopts a collaborative model that combines government policy support, global marketing expertise, and international technology resources. Under the framework, the Luohu district government provides policy guidance and business support, eclicktech serves as the operational partner responsible for global marketing and localized growth solutions, while Microsoft contributes AI technologies, platform capabilities, and access to its global ecosystem network.
The center is focused on supporting emerging industries including digital economy, artificial intelligence, smart hardware, fashion and design, healthcare, and advanced services. It aims to help enterprises address critical challenges related to technology infrastructure, international market access, compliance, localization, and global brand development.
At the launch ceremony, representatives from the Luohu Enterprise Service Center, Microsoft, eclicktech, and ecosystem partners attended the signing of the first group of participating enterprises and professional service institutions. The center's service network covers finance, taxation, auditing, consulting, cloud services, international logistics, and commercial arbitration, forming a comprehensive cross-border business support ecosystem.
Officials from the Luohu Enterprise Service Center noted that the Shenzhen Global Expansion Center will help connect Chinese enterprises with global AI resources and international business opportunities. Dr. Qi Zhang, Corporate Vice President and Head of Microsoft AI Asia, stated that artificial intelligence is evolving from conversational interfaces toward agent-driven systems and digital workforce models, reshaping how enterprises approach global growth. He emphasized Microsoft's commitment to working alongside ecosystem partners to accelerate AI innovation across marketing and international business scenarios.
Zhu Lin, Chief of Staff of Microsoft AI Asia Pacific and General Manager of Microsoft Advertising (Shanghai), highlighted Shenzhen's innovation ecosystem and smart hardware industry strengths, noting that Microsoft's AI capabilities and global resources can help companies build stronger international brand recognition and sustainable overseas growth strategies. She added that the center will leverage AI-powered precision marketing for companies already operating internationally, while helping emerging brands accelerate brand-building efforts through automated content generation and intelligent marketing technologies.
"We hope to help brands expand globally more efficiently through data-driven marketing and AI-powered solutions, ensuring every marketing investment creates measurable value," said Simon Lan, Co-founder of eclicktech. "The center will focus on industries such as smart hardware and software, helping enterprises navigate compliance, product localization, and global brand development."
As a global marketing technology company, eclicktech has supported more than 10,000 enterprises in achieving international growth across industries including cross-border e-commerce, gaming, mobile applications, and advanced manufacturing.
The launch of the Shenzhen Global Expansion Center also reflects the continued evolution of the collaboration between Microsoft and eclicktech. In 2021, eclicktech became an official Microsoft Advertising media channel partner in China, helping Chinese enterprises access global traffic and overseas growth opportunities through platforms including Bing.
As AI adoption accelerates globally, the collaboration between the two companies has expanded beyond media buying into broader areas including AI-powered marketing innovation, cloud ecosystem collaboration, and international growth infrastructure. Earlier this year, at the 2026 Microsoft Advertising Partner Summit, eclicktech received both the "2025 Business Achievement Award" and the "2025 Client Excellence Award" in recognition of its AI-driven full-funnel marketing capabilities.
Looking ahead, eclicktech will continue working alongside Microsoft and ecosystem partners to help Chinese enterprises accelerate international expansion, strengthen localized operations, and build long-term competitiveness in global markets.
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eclicktech and Microsoft Launch Shenzhen Global Expansion Center to Support Chinese Enterprises Going Global
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SINGAPORE, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced a new partnership with global music icon The Weeknd's 'After Hours Til Dawn' Stadium Tour, acting as the Official Payment Partner for its Asia leg. The partnership marks a long-awaited return to Asia for The Weeknd, who last toured in the continent in 2018 and continues Visa's rhythm of music collaborations connecting fans to artists they love across Asia Pacific.
The 'After Hours Til Dawn' Stadium Tour arrives in Asia after toppling industry records over the last year – surpassing US$1 billion in gross ticket sales and over 7.5 million tickets sold for 153 shows, making it the highest-grossing tour by a male solo artist[1]. The Asia leg will kick off first in Tokyo on 20 September and will sweep across Jakarta, Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok, and Hong Kong before concluding on 4 November in Kuala Lumpur.
As the Official Payment Partner, Visa will bring fans of The Weeknd an early opportunity to secure tickets for select markets in the 'After Hours Til Dawn' Stadium Tour. Visa cardholders of selected issuing partners can shop the Visa Presales on Live Nation for the Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore shows:
- Bangkok: 19 May, 10AM to 20 May, 10AM BKT – All KBank Visa credit cards
- Hong Kong: 19 May, 10AM to 20 May, 10AM HKT – All ZA Bank ZA Cards (Visa)
- Kuala Lumpur: 19 May, 10AM to 20 May, 10AM MYT – All Maybank Visa credit cards
- Singapore: 19 May, 12PM to 20 May, 12PM SGT – All Visa cards
Danielle Jin, Chief Marketing Officer, Asia Pacific at Visa said: "Visa is proud to continue bringing amazing music experiences to fans in Asia Pacific. The Weeknd is a global star whose music resonates across borders. His return to Asia has been eagerly anticipated and we are thrilled to power this moment with seamless payments and early access, connecting culture and commerce so everyone can be the fan they want to be."
Visa champions the moments that bring fans closer to the passions they love, from sports and music to fashion and entertainment. Guided by a fan-first approach to partnerships, Visa designs experiences that deepen connection and make participation seamless, secure and accessible for audiences around the world. Through high impact partnerships, Visa helps shape cultural moments while enabling effortless, cross-border commerce. Visa's partnership with the 'After Hours Til Dawn' Stadium tour continues a drumbeat of top-notch music partnerships such as "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'" and the MAMA AWARDS, the world's no.1 K-pop awards, allowing Visa to create more meaningful experiences that bring fans closer to the artists they love.
For more information, visit https://www.visa.com.sg/promotions/the-weeknd.html
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
About The Weeknd
The Weeknd is a multi-platinum, 7x Diamond-certified artist who reshaped R&B and pop, making him one of the most listened-to artists of the 21st century, with over 115 million monthly Spotify listeners and the first artist to have 31 songs each with over a billion streams.
In 2025 his After Hours Til Dawn tour became the most successful tour in history for a male solo artist and has surpassed $1 billion in ticket sales and is still ongoing in 2026. Named "The Most Popular Artist in the World" by Guinness World Records in 2023, his album After Hours is the most streamed R&B album of all time, while "Blinding Lights" is the Diamond-certified Billboard Hot 100 song of all time. In January 2025, he released Hurry Up Tomorrow, the final and most personal chapter in his acclaimed trilogy following After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022).
His continuous record-breaking charts, sales, and streams, headlining the biggest festivals and selling out stadiums globally, including the 2020 Super Bowl, along with his mysterious public persona, solidify The Weeknd as one of the most compelling and significant artists of the 21st century.
[1] The Weeknd's 'After Hours Til Dawn' Tour Surpasses $1 Billion In Sales
SINGAPORE, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced a new partnership with global music icon The Weeknd's 'After Hours Til Dawn' Stadium Tour, acting as the Official Payment Partner for its Asia leg. The partnership marks a long-awaited return to Asia for The Weeknd, who last toured in the continent in 2018 and continues Visa's rhythm of music collaborations connecting fans to artists they love across Asia Pacific.
The 'After Hours Til Dawn' Stadium Tour arrives in Asia after toppling industry records over the last year – surpassing US$1 billion in gross ticket sales and over 7.5 million tickets sold for 153 shows, making it the highest-grossing tour by a male solo artist[1]. The Asia leg will kick off first in Tokyo on 20 September and will sweep across Jakarta, Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok, and Hong Kong before concluding on 4 November in Kuala Lumpur.
As the Official Payment Partner, Visa will bring fans of The Weeknd an early opportunity to secure tickets for select markets in the 'After Hours Til Dawn' Stadium Tour. Visa cardholders of selected issuing partners can shop the Visa Presales on Live Nation for the Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore shows:
- Bangkok: 19 May, 10AM to 20 May, 10AM BKT – All KBank Visa credit cards
- Hong Kong: 19 May, 10AM to 20 May, 10AM HKT – All ZA Bank ZA Cards (Visa)
- Kuala Lumpur: 19 May, 10AM to 20 May, 10AM MYT – All Maybank Visa credit cards
- Singapore: 19 May, 12PM to 20 May, 12PM SGT – All Visa cards
Danielle Jin, Chief Marketing Officer, Asia Pacific at Visa said: "Visa is proud to continue bringing amazing music experiences to fans in Asia Pacific. The Weeknd is a global star whose music resonates across borders. His return to Asia has been eagerly anticipated and we are thrilled to power this moment with seamless payments and early access, connecting culture and commerce so everyone can be the fan they want to be."
Visa champions the moments that bring fans closer to the passions they love, from sports and music to fashion and entertainment. Guided by a fan-first approach to partnerships, Visa designs experiences that deepen connection and make participation seamless, secure and accessible for audiences around the world. Through high impact partnerships, Visa helps shape cultural moments while enabling effortless, cross-border commerce. Visa's partnership with the 'After Hours Til Dawn' Stadium tour continues a drumbeat of top-notch music partnerships such as "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'" and the MAMA AWARDS, the world's no.1 K-pop awards, allowing Visa to create more meaningful experiences that bring fans closer to the artists they love.
For more information, visit https://www.visa.com.sg/promotions/the-weeknd.html
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
About The Weeknd
The Weeknd is a multi-platinum, 7x Diamond-certified artist who reshaped R&B and pop, making him one of the most listened-to artists of the 21st century, with over 115 million monthly Spotify listeners and the first artist to have 31 songs each with over a billion streams.
In 2025 his After Hours Til Dawn tour became the most successful tour in history for a male solo artist and has surpassed $1 billion in ticket sales and is still ongoing in 2026. Named "The Most Popular Artist in the World" by Guinness World Records in 2023, his album After Hours is the most streamed R&B album of all time, while "Blinding Lights" is the Diamond-certified Billboard Hot 100 song of all time. In January 2025, he released Hurry Up Tomorrow, the final and most personal chapter in his acclaimed trilogy following After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022).
His continuous record-breaking charts, sales, and streams, headlining the biggest festivals and selling out stadiums globally, including the 2020 Super Bowl, along with his mysterious public persona, solidify The Weeknd as one of the most compelling and significant artists of the 21st century.
[1] The Weeknd's 'After Hours Til Dawn' Tour Surpasses $1 Billion In Sales
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Visa amps up the music as Official Payment Partner for the Asia leg of The Weeknd's 'After Hours Til Dawn' Stadium Tour
