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Second-day highlights: digital finance, international trade, aerospace development
HONG KONG, May 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The two‑day Global Prosperity Summit 2026 (GPS 2026) successfully concluded today following three fruitful panel discussions. The second day's agenda focused on digital finance, international trade and aerospace development, bringing together global leaders and experts to exchange insights on issues critical to Hong Kong's future and global prosperity. The successful staging of GPS 2026 further underscores Hong Kong's role as a leading platform for cross-disciplinary exchange, showcasing the city's soft power in Track II Diplomacy and its extensive network of international expertise.
GPS 2026 was jointly organised by the Savantas Policy Institute, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies ("SIIS") and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. Mrs Regina Ip, Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Savantas Policy Institute, said, "We are very grateful to Ambassador Han Zhiqiang for attending in person and for explaining China's Global Governance Initiative. In addition, the summit's discussions focused on several important topics, including Hong Kong's positioning as a hub for innovative drug development and as a center for culture, sports, and entertainment. The summit also discussed international trade and the future development of digital finance and explored whether Hong Kong can play an important role in the space economy. The speakers at the summit were of a very high calibre, and the in-depth discussions provided Hong Kong with valuable insights into how it should position itself in the future."
She added: "One of my takeaways from the summit is that the urgency of Hong Kong to establish a 'Space Office,' so that Hong Kong can play a key role in the space economy. This is something Hong Kong can do, because we have strong foundations and a well-established services system to support the development of the new aerospace economy. Hong Kong can provide services in multiple fronts, including financial services, legal services, arbitration services, and conduct analysis on satellite data for emerging aerospace companies."
The summit hosted a panel on the evolving landscape in digital finance, where speakers shared perspectives on market developments, regulatory considerations, and emerging trends shaping the sector.
The panel discussion on "International Trade in a Changing World Order" was timely and a highlight of the summit, underscoring the topic's relevance to current global economic and geopolitical developments. Experts from Asia, Europe and the US offered valuable insights on this pressing issue. Datuk Professor Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Executive Chairman of the Institute of Strategic & International Studies ("ISIS"), Malaysia, said, "Speaking on behalf of how we look at trade from think tanks and Track II Diplomacy, Hong Kong will have to be one of the major drivers in promoting regional growth."
Mr Mark Boris Andrijanič, Member of the Board of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology ("EIT"), said, "There's an opportunity for a broader partnership between the EU and China across a variety of issues – be it climate change, where we think pretty much along the same lines, or in the area of U.N. reform, because both the EU and China are very committed to the U.N. and other international organizations. And obviously, trade should be on the top of all issues."
Professor Kaisheng Li, Vice-President of the SIIS, said, "Hong Kong knows the West very well, and, of course, the Mainland. It is indeed a bridge to minimize cultural gaps between China and the rest of the world."
Another focal point was the development of the space economy, explored through two dedicated sessions: "Fireside Chat: Progress on The New Space Economy since GPS2025" and the panel on "Hong Kong as a Facilitator of Aerospace Development", where speakers discussed the role that Hong Kong could play and the expertise, particularly in financial, legal and logistical services, that it could contribute to the emerging space economy.
Summit organisers expressed gratitude to all their distinguished guests, noting the valuable participation of experts and scholars from the Chinese Mainland and across the world whose contributions fostered in‑depth exchanges of ideas and inspired forward‑looking perspectives. Looking ahead, they added that the Global Prosperity Summit will continue to reinforce Hong Kong's position as a leading global hub for cross-disciplinary exchange while fostering collaboration, driving innovation and advancing sustainable prosperity worldwide.
About Global Prosperity Summit
The Global Prosperity Summit was initiated by a group of business leaders, academics and experts in Hong Kong to provide a platform for frank, objective and rational discussion of key issues shaping global prosperity. The inaugural Summit was held in Hong Kong in 2024.
About Savantas Policy Institute
The Savantas Policy Institute (SPI) was established in 2006 by a group of Hong Kong residents with international experience who are committed to the city's future development. SPI's mission is to support Hong Kong's transition into a knowledge-based economy through public policy research, strategic recommendations, and the promotion of public understanding and participation in economic and social development.
About Shanghai Institutes for International Studies
Established in 1960, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) is a leading think tank dedicated to research on international politics, economics and security. It plays an important role in providing policy recommendations and advancing understanding of global affairs and is widely recognised as one of China's most influential research institutions.
About European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
Established in 1997, the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (EuroCham) is a non-governmental business interest group comprising 16 European chambers based in Hong Kong. Representing over 1,600 European companies operating in the city, EuroCham promotes European business interests and strengthens economic ties between Europe and Hong Kong. Europe is Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner after the Chinese Mainland.
Second-day highlights: digital finance, international trade, aerospace development
HONG KONG, May 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The two‑day Global Prosperity Summit 2026 (GPS 2026) successfully concluded today following three fruitful panel discussions. The second day's agenda focused on digital finance, international trade and aerospace development, bringing together global leaders and experts to exchange insights on issues critical to Hong Kong's future and global prosperity. The successful staging of GPS 2026 further underscores Hong Kong's role as a leading platform for cross-disciplinary exchange, showcasing the city's soft power in Track II Diplomacy and its extensive network of international expertise.
GPS 2026 was jointly organised by the Savantas Policy Institute, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies ("SIIS") and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. Mrs Regina Ip, Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Savantas Policy Institute, said, "We are very grateful to Ambassador Han Zhiqiang for attending in person and for explaining China's Global Governance Initiative. In addition, the summit's discussions focused on several important topics, including Hong Kong's positioning as a hub for innovative drug development and as a center for culture, sports, and entertainment. The summit also discussed international trade and the future development of digital finance and explored whether Hong Kong can play an important role in the space economy. The speakers at the summit were of a very high calibre, and the in-depth discussions provided Hong Kong with valuable insights into how it should position itself in the future."
She added: "One of my takeaways from the summit is that the urgency of Hong Kong to establish a 'Space Office,' so that Hong Kong can play a key role in the space economy. This is something Hong Kong can do, because we have strong foundations and a well-established services system to support the development of the new aerospace economy. Hong Kong can provide services in multiple fronts, including financial services, legal services, arbitration services, and conduct analysis on satellite data for emerging aerospace companies."
The summit hosted a panel on the evolving landscape in digital finance, where speakers shared perspectives on market developments, regulatory considerations, and emerging trends shaping the sector.
The panel discussion on "International Trade in a Changing World Order" was timely and a highlight of the summit, underscoring the topic's relevance to current global economic and geopolitical developments. Experts from Asia, Europe and the US offered valuable insights on this pressing issue. Datuk Professor Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Executive Chairman of the Institute of Strategic & International Studies ("ISIS"), Malaysia, said, "Speaking on behalf of how we look at trade from think tanks and Track II Diplomacy, Hong Kong will have to be one of the major drivers in promoting regional growth."
Mr Mark Boris Andrijanič, Member of the Board of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology ("EIT"), said, "There's an opportunity for a broader partnership between the EU and China across a variety of issues – be it climate change, where we think pretty much along the same lines, or in the area of U.N. reform, because both the EU and China are very committed to the U.N. and other international organizations. And obviously, trade should be on the top of all issues."
Professor Kaisheng Li, Vice-President of the SIIS, said, "Hong Kong knows the West very well, and, of course, the Mainland. It is indeed a bridge to minimize cultural gaps between China and the rest of the world."
Another focal point was the development of the space economy, explored through two dedicated sessions: "Fireside Chat: Progress on The New Space Economy since GPS2025" and the panel on "Hong Kong as a Facilitator of Aerospace Development", where speakers discussed the role that Hong Kong could play and the expertise, particularly in financial, legal and logistical services, that it could contribute to the emerging space economy.
Summit organisers expressed gratitude to all their distinguished guests, noting the valuable participation of experts and scholars from the Chinese Mainland and across the world whose contributions fostered in‑depth exchanges of ideas and inspired forward‑looking perspectives. Looking ahead, they added that the Global Prosperity Summit will continue to reinforce Hong Kong's position as a leading global hub for cross-disciplinary exchange while fostering collaboration, driving innovation and advancing sustainable prosperity worldwide.
About Global Prosperity Summit
The Global Prosperity Summit was initiated by a group of business leaders, academics and experts in Hong Kong to provide a platform for frank, objective and rational discussion of key issues shaping global prosperity. The inaugural Summit was held in Hong Kong in 2024.
About Savantas Policy Institute
The Savantas Policy Institute (SPI) was established in 2006 by a group of Hong Kong residents with international experience who are committed to the city's future development. SPI's mission is to support Hong Kong's transition into a knowledge-based economy through public policy research, strategic recommendations, and the promotion of public understanding and participation in economic and social development.
About Shanghai Institutes for International Studies
Established in 1960, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) is a leading think tank dedicated to research on international politics, economics and security. It plays an important role in providing policy recommendations and advancing understanding of global affairs and is widely recognised as one of China's most influential research institutions.
About European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
Established in 1997, the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (EuroCham) is a non-governmental business interest group comprising 16 European chambers based in Hong Kong. Representing over 1,600 European companies operating in the city, EuroCham promotes European business interests and strengthens economic ties between Europe and Hong Kong. Europe is Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner after the Chinese Mainland.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Two‑day Global Prosperity Summit 2026 concludes successfully
Two‑day Global Prosperity Summit 2026 concludes successfully
ANSHUN, China, May 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 21, at the Guizhou Anshun Tourism Development Conference, Mafengwo Travel Group officially launched three flagship "New Mountain Play" benchmark projects — Huangheying Water Cave, Lotus Ancient Cave, and Luoyang Glasswater Gorge — while jointly releasing the 2026 Anshun Mountain Outdoor New Play Playbook with the Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism. By redefining mountain outdoor travel experiences through "new play," the initiative injects fresh momentum into Anshun's positioning as an international mountain tourism destination.
"Personalized travel is rising rapidly. Tourism is transitioning from a 'sightseeing economy' to an 'experience economy.' More than just 'having been there,' travelers today seek emotional value from scenic spots and related projects," said Chen Gang, Founder and CEO of Mafengwo, in a speech titled *Co-creating the Super Play Era of Mountain Tourism*. He noted that leveraging benchmark new-play projects such as Huangheying Water Cave, Lotus Ancient Cave, and Luoyang Glasswater Gorge, Mafengwo will work with Anshun to integrate "new play, new formats, new marketing, and new consumption" into a holistic innovation ecosystem for destination-wide play. Together, they aim to revitalize natural resources, energize industrial momentum, link rural revitalization, and jointly build Anshun into a national hub for new mountain play.
At a time when travelers are increasingly weary of "man-made check-in spots" and homogenized internet-famous projects, the newly launched projects abandon the old path of large-scale construction. Instead, they return to the wild itself, adopting a "light development, heavy experience" approach to create mountain plays that are "wild on the outside, refined on the inside." Huangheying Water Cave focuses on "natural wonders + interactive adventure," using its original "water-cave" karst features to create a genuine sense of "underground exploration." Lotus Ancient Cave, based on a massive natural cave, integrates "light ultimate" activities such as via ferrata, rappelling, and cave drop towers, allowing ordinary visitors to feel adrenaline-pumping "heart-racing moments" in a natural setting. Luoyang Glasswater Gorge follows the original river course, using natural elevation differences to design trails for hiking, canyoning, and waterfall rappelling, with minimal artificial construction, emphasizing the pristine "glass water" and an eco-harmonious, back-to-nature mountain experience.
At the "2026 Anshun Mountain Tourism New Play" sharing session, Mafengwo Travel Group and the Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism jointly released the *2026 Anshun Mountain Outdoor New Play Playbook*. Ten selected plays in non-traditional mountain settings were featured, including "Night Tour of Dupo Tang — Immersive Journey into the World of Journey to the West," "Watch Intangible Cultural Heritage 'Spider-Man' Climb Cliffs for Bird's Nests," and "370-Meter Free Fall at Balinghe Bridge." These showcase how Anshun creatively uses its karst landscapes as a natural "amusement park" for mountain experiences.
He Weihong, Vice Mayor of Anshun, stated in his address: "In Anshun, the 'City of 21°C,' mountains are no longer just scenery to be viewed. They are living fields to be climbed, immersed in, jumped over, and breathed in. Anshun will take this conference as an opportunity to accelerate the internationalization of its mountain tourism and build a first-class mountain outdoor sports destination." During the event, Anshun Tourism Group also promoted its mountain outdoor travel routes.
By early 2026, the number of outdoor sports participants in China had exceeded 400 million, with participation in mountain hiking, trail running, rock climbing, and canyoning rising year by year. Driven by the dual trends of "nationwide fitness" and "pan-outdoor" activities, mountain play is moving from niche circles to the general public. Unlike the high barriers of traditional outdoor activities, Anshun's new plays target the blue ocean market of "light ultimate + strong experience + high shareability." Whether it's a "bridge bungee jump," checking out the natural wonder "Eye of the Great Sage," or experiencing a "Journey to the West fantasy" at night by Dupo Tang Waterfall — these activities are novel, beginner-friendly, and serve as natural content and social currency.
Anshun's mountain play innovation has also attracted international attention. Anouar, Chief Representative of the Tunisian National Tourism Office in China, noted in his speech that Anshun's innovation in integrating mountain tourism and sports is worth learning from for many international peers. He noted that Tunisia has diverse mountain resources across the country, with history embedded in the mountains and culture in the scenery — this is the unique charm of Tunisia's mountains. He looks forward to China-Tunisia cooperation to explore more mountain tourism opportunities and co-create new partnership models.
An international dialogue session brought together representatives from the Norwegian National Tourist Board, Visit Flanders (Belgium), and the Saudi Tourism Authority to discuss mountain outdoor tourism upgrade from a global perspective. The guests agreed that they were delighted to see that Anshun is not simply replicating a "Switzerland of the East" but is creating an entirely new "universal language of mountain tourism." The internationalization of mountain tourism is not about imitation but about excavating the unique narratives of local landscapes — with its green mountains and clear waters as the canvas and play innovation as the brush, Anshun is painting a vibrant new picture for the world.
A domestic dialogue session brought together frontier explorers, practitioners, and experts in mountain sports tourism to discuss the future development of mountain sports tourism from the perspectives of communities, products, and operations. Qin Chuan, Founder of Wanan Youth Travel, noted that with technological advancements and equipment iteration, more and more "outdoor novices" without professional training can enjoy the pleasures of the wild. Currently, Wanan Youth Travel is selecting and developing "super single products" and continuously improving service quality to deliver ultimate outdoor experiences to visitors.
After the conference, industry guests conducted on-site inspections of new play projects, including Lotus Ancient Cave, Dupo Tang Night Tour, Anshun Ancient Town, and Getu River. Wang Yu, Chief Representative of the Norwegian National Tourist Board in Greater China, remarked: "Anshun and Norway share many similarities. Anshun's new mountain plays emphasize 'light development, heavy experience.' Take Lotus Ancient Cave — it doesn't feel like a 'designed' scenic spot, but rather an extension of Anshun's natural mountain charm itself, an experiential field you can fully immerse yourself in. The scale of this 'light ultimate' experience is just right — thrilling enough, yet truly authentic."
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Light Ultimate, High Experience, Original Ecology, Personalization -- Mafengwo and Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism Co-create New Forms of Mountain Tourism
Light Ultimate, High Experience, Original Ecology, Personalization -- Mafengwo and Anshun Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, TV and Tourism Co-create New Forms of Mountain Tourism
