Jianlibao Launches Charity Foundation in Hong Kong, Secures Title Sponsorship for Coastal Rowing Race

Mainland sports drink brand Jianlibao enhances global expansion with sponsorship of landmark coastal rowing competition

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 16) welcomed the launch of the Jianlibao Charity Foundation in Hong Kong by renowned Mainland sports drink giant Jianlibao. Marking an immediate activation of the new foundation, the enterprise has secured the exclusive title sponsorship of the next two editions of the Around the Island Race - Coastal Rowing, a strategic move designed to accelerate Jianlibao's brand expansion into international markets.

As China's pioneer sports beverage formulated with alkaline electrolytes, Jianlibao established its regional headquarters in Hong Kong in 2024 with the support of InvestHK, making the city the brand's first overseas market and marking the launch of its local retail business. In recent years, Jianlibao has actively enhanced its international brand equity through product innovation, retail expansion and sports sponsorship. Its global footprint began with a strategic rollout across key Asia-Pacific markets - including Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam - and is now progressively expanding into European and American markets, such as the Netherlands, Italy, Canada and the United States.

Speaking at the sponsorship signing ceremony, the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "Hong Kong is world renowned for its coastline stretching over 1 100 kilometres and its unique cityscape formed by as many as 263 islands. By supporting the Around the Island Race - Coastal Rowing, Jianlibao has shown strategic vision, leveraging this remarkable calling card to propel its brand onto the global stage. The event itself not only serves as a platform for business exchanges and market expansion, but also enhances Hong Kong's soft power in attracting investment. InvestHK will further build and promote an ecosystem that links sports, events, and brands, unleashing greater synergies to link global opportunities with Hong Kong's strategic advantages and consolidate our status as the premier conduit for two-way investment."

The Chairman of Jianlibao, Mr Ye Honghan, said, "Hong Kong's efficient and convenient business environment, and status as a hub connecting the Mainland and the Asia-Pacific region, present invaluable growth opportunities for Jianlibao. Through our Foundation, we will continue to support youth sports and arts, bridge sports resources with the Mainland, and promote exchanges between Hong Kong, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the global sports community. Our title sponsorship of the century-old Around the Island Race - Coastal Rowing not only embodies Hong Kong's resilience and fighting spirit but also gathers elite rowers worldwide, serving as a vital bridge for our global expansion."

With a history spanning over a century, the Around the Island Race - Coastal Rowing is a 45-km coastal rowing race circumnavigating Hong Kong Island, with both its start and finish set in Victoria Harbour, and is often hailed as the "marathon at sea". The event is currently organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and supported by the Hong Kong, China Rowing Association and Hong Kong Water Sports Council, drawing hundreds of local and international competitors each year, including world champions. The upcoming title-sponsored race will take place along the coast of Hong Kong Island on December 12 and 13.

InvestHK has provided advisory and co-ordination services to anchor Jianlibao's global expansion. This support includes facilitating the establishment of the charitable foundation, as well as unlocking connections to retail networks, international markets and strategic promotional opportunities.

For more information about Jianlibao, please visitwww.jianlibao.com.cn.

Mainland sports drink brand Jianlibao enhances global expansion with sponsorship of landmark coastal rowing competition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mainland sports drink brand Jianlibao enhances global expansion with sponsorship of landmark coastal rowing competition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airportyesterday (July 15) and today (July 16), and seized a total of about 22 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $4.1 million. Two women and one man were arrested.

In the first case, two Filipino female passengers, aged 26 and 33, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of 12kg of suspected cannabis buds inside their check-in suitcases. The two women were subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a 47-year-old Chinese male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand via Manila, the Philippines, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 10kg of suspected cannabis buds inside his check-in suitcase. He was then arrested.

The two arrested women in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 17). The investigation of the second case is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases