SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2026 – ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, hosted a delegation of the Shenzhen Advanced Technology and Smart Manufacturing Delegation, jointly organized by the Shenzhen Liaison Unit (SZLU) of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO), the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI), and its Pearl River Delta Council (PRD Council), for a corporate visit and industry exchange at its Shenzhen headquarters.
The delegation comprised officials from the Shenzhen Liaison Unit, Hong Kong industrial leaders, and executives from Hong Kong-invested manufacturing and service enterprises. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on key topics including digital transformation of the manufacturing sector in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), 5G industrial applications, and computing infrastructure co-construction, reaching multiple bilateral cooperation intentions.
At the ZTE exhibition hall, the delegation took a guided tour of core innovations including the self-developed computing server, GoldenDB (distributed database solution), 5G private network solutions for industrials, the Digital Twin Intelligent Factory System, and the GBA cross-border digital service platform. ZTE technical experts demonstrated how these products help traditional manufacturers upgrade production line intelligence and streamline upstream-downstream digital links, sharing multiple case studies of digital transformation for enterprises across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. ZTE reaffirmed its commitment to supporting digital upgrade of the GBA manufacturing sector with its self-developed technological capabilities.
Following the visit, both sides held a seminar and exchange session. Xie Yinchuang, Chief Technology Officer of ZTE (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., provided a detailed introduction to the company's industrial layout in the GBA. Addressing the transformation needs of Hong Kong SMEs, he promoted end-to-end digital upgrade solutions with diversified options and welcomed Hong Kong manufacturers to leverage ZTE's technological resources for smart upgrading.
Delegation representatives spoke highly of ZTE's technological strengths. The PRD Council expressed its desire to establish a long-term, regular exchange platform with ZTE, continue organizing study visits for Hong Kong enterprises, and leverage mainland technological innovation resources to help Hong Kong's manufacturing sector rebuild its core competitiveness.
This visit represents a practical step in deepening Shenzhen-Hong Kong real economy integration. Looking ahead, ZTE will continue to leverage its digital technology advantages, deepen collaboration with Hong Kong's industrial sector, bridge the industrial collaboration channel between Shenzhen and Hong Kong through technological innovation, and build a secure and resilient development foundation with localized digital technologies. The two sides are committed to seizing opportunities presented by the GBA's digital economy and advanced manufacturing development, injecting new momentum into the high-quality development of the real economy in both regions.
Hashtag: #ZTE #DigitalTransformation #GBA
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About ZTE Corporation
ZTE connects the world with continuous innovation for a better future. The company provides innovative technologies and integrated solutions, and its portfolio spans communication networks, computing infrastructure, industry digital solutions, and personal and home smart terminals. Serving over a third of the world's population, ZTE is dedicated to leading globally in connectivity and intelligent computing, enabling communication and trust everywhere. ZTE is listed on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges.
www.zte.com.cn/global
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ZTE Hosts Hong Kong Industrial Delegation to Advance Digital Transformation in GBA Manufacturing
- IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Indexrises to 131.6 — Monthly Spending Reaches HK$15,090
- Retiree Living Costs Have Risen Nearly 3 Times Faster Than General Inflation Since 2020
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2026 – The Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong (IFPHK), in collaboration with YF Life Trustees Ltd. (YF Life Trustees), today launched the "IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Index" (Index). While the Index has been tracking retiree living expenses since its inception in 2020, this year marks the first time IFPHK and YF Life Trustees have partnered to expand the study to cover both Hong Kong and Macau, providing a broader regional benchmark.
The findings show that retiree inflation in Hong Kong has continued to outpace general inflation. The Index rose to 131.6 in 2026, up from 127.0 in 2023 and 100 in 2020, while average monthly spending increased to about HK$15,090 in 2026. On an annualised basis, the Hong Kong Retirement Expense Index grew by more than 5% per annumfrom November 2020 to May 2026, compared with about 1.8% per annum for Hong Kong's Composite CPI over the same period, showing that retiree living costs have effectively appreciated close to three times faster than Hong Kong's general Composite CPI over the same period, underscoring how retirement-specific inflation — driven by travel and dining — is materially outpacing headline price trends.
Furthermore, the study reveals that more than 72% of retirees carry at least one regret regarding their retirement preparation. Most commonly, respondents feel they should have started saving or investing earlier and learned about financial planning sooner, while many continue to express concerns about medical costs, inflation, longevity risk and the risk of outliving their savings.
Dr. Paris Yeung, Chief Executive Officer of IFPHK, stated: "The findings show that satisfaction alone does not mean retirees are fully prepared. More than 72% say they have regrets, and the most common regrets point clearly to the need to start saving, investing and planning earlier. At the same time, retiree inflation has been rising faster than headline inflation, which means future retirees need more robust and flexible plans to protect their purchasing power over time. Through this expanded collaboration with YF Life, we aim to provide deeper regional insights to help future retirees plan with greater confidence."
He added: "Turning regret into action requires starting earlier, integrating healthcare protection into retirement planning, viewing MPF as a steady retirement paycheck, and engaging qualified financial planners to address estate planning gaps. More importantly, retirement planning should shift from a rigid, set-and-forget approach to a flexible plan that adapts to each retiree's evolving needs—what we call moving from a 'fixed plan' to a 'flexible, evolving strategy'. Our goal is to help future retirees achieve sustainable and wellplanned golden years."
Mr. Alvin Tse, Chief Executive Officer of YF Life Trustees, stated: "As the exclusive Project Sponsor of this expanded regional study, YF Life is proud to collaborate with IFPHK on this critical benchmark for Hong Kong and Macau. The 2026 data clearly shows that while retirees desire active lifestyles, they are heavily squeezed by medical inflation and the fear of outliving their wealth. To bridge this gap, retirees must shift away from viewing retirement savings as a static lump sum. By maximizing the flexibility of the MPF through phased withdrawals and mixed-asset strategies, alongside pairing them with lifetime annuity-style income streams and robust medical protection, individuals can effectively convert accumulated assets into a predictable, lifelong paycheck. True financial peace of mind comes from building an integrated fortress that safeguards against both market volatility and longevity risk."
Key Highlights of the Study:
- Retiree Inflation Has Outpaced General Inflation: The Index rose from 100 in 2020 to 131.6 in 2026, with average monthly retiree expenses increasing to about HK$15,090 and the Index growing at more than 5% per annum versus about 1.8% for Hong Kong's Composite CPI for the same period. This escalation is driven partly by travelling and cross‑boundary transport—with roughly four out of five retirees visiting GBA Mainland cities and spending about RMB 1,100 per trip. This suggests that general inflation figures may understate retirees' actual cash‑flow needs, highlighting the importance of planning for inflation‑protected retirement income and periodically rebasing budgets using a retiree‑specific living expense index rather than general CPI so they can maintain their intended post‑retirement lifestyle.
- Retirees' Satisfaction Masks Ongoing Financial Anxiety and Planning Gaps: Although many retirees report being satisfied with their current retirement life, concerns remain widespread, with 51% worrying about unexpected medical expenses, 41% about inflation and 77% still lacking any form of estate or asset planning. This suggests that retirees should turn present satisfaction into future resilience by building healthcare and contingency reserves, setting clear drawdown rules to manage longevity risk, and putting in place basic estate and incapacity documents such as wills, enduring powers of attorney and advance directives well before potential health or family crises arise.
- Conservative Spending but Widespread Regret—Especially Among Asset‑Rich Retirees
Actual retirement spending remains conservative, with average retirement expenses in 2026 equal to about 49% of pre‑retirement income. Yet more than 72% of retirees say they would have done something differently in preparing for retirement, most notably saving or investing earlier, learning financial planning earlier and communicating more openly with family about money and care needs. This pattern emphasizes that future retirees should start disciplined saving, investing and family financial discussions much earlier, even when their asset position appears comfortable. - MPF Transitioning Toward Income Support: While most eligible retirees still treat MPF as a lump sum, with about 76% having fully withdrawn their benefits in 2026, the scheme is gradually shifting toward an income‑support role, as 22% now use MPF to fund monthly expenses, up from 12% in 2023. Retirees are encouraged to treat MPF as part of a structured retirement income strategy, considering phased withdrawals, annuity‑style income solutions, and planned drawdowns rather than a single cash‑out, converting accumulated MPF assets into a more predictable and sustainable retirement paycheck.
Hashtag: #IFPHK #YFLife #RetirementPlanning
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About "IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Index"
The "IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Index" was jointly launched in 2026 by the Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong (IFPHK) and YF Life Insurance International Limited. Since 2020, the Index has been the only long-term, retirement-specific benchmark tracking retirees' actual living expenses. As the first study of its kind by IFPHK, the Index tracks and measures long-term changes in retirees' actual living expenses with reference to the Composite Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the expenditure weightings published by the Government.
In the Hong Kong survey conducted in June 2026, NielsenIQ (NIQ) interviewed 304 retirees aged 55 to 74 with monthly personal income of at least HK$20,000 before retirement and not receiving means-tested social security or charitable support.
About IFPHK
IFPHK was established in June 2000 as a non-profit organization for the fast–growing financial industry. The Institute is the sole licensing body in Hong Kong authorized by Financial Planning Standards Board Limited to grant the much-coveted and internationally recognized CFP® certification and AFP® certification to qualified financial planning professionals in Hong Kong and Macau. Currently there are more than 236,000 CFP certificants in 29 regions; the majority of these professionals are in the U.S., China, Japan, Canada and Brazil. As at 28 February 2026, Hong Kong had approximately 3,238 CFP certificants.
At present, IFPHK has 5,298 members in Hong Kong including 956 Qualified Retirement Adviser (QRA) holders; and represents financial planning practitioners in diverse professional backgrounds such as banking, insurance, independent financial advisory, stock broking, accounting, and legal services.
About YF Life Trustees Ltd. & YF Life
YF Life Trustees is a member of YF Life Insurance International Limited (YF Life), and was among the first group of institutions approved as a Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme trustee. The company specializes in providing MPF services and is committed to creating long-term value for its scheme members.
The major indirect shareholders* of YF Life Insurance International Limited ("YF Life") include Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company ("MassMutual"), which itself has over 170 years of experience and is one of the Five Largest US Life Insurance Companies**, as well as Yunfeng Financial Holdings Limited, among others. YF Life is a long-term strategic partner of Barings. We stay at the forefront of Hong Kong's insurance industry with our superior global investment capabilities, extensive partnership network, and fintech innovation.
* MassMutual and Yunfeng Financial Holdings Limited have indirect shareholdings in YF Life.
** The "Five Largest US Life Insurance Companies" are ranked according to the results of "Insurance: Life, Health (Mutual)" and "Insurance: Life, Health (Stock)"on total revenues for 2025, and based on the FORTUNE 500 as published on June 3, 2026.
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Retirement Costs Soar Faster Than Inflation, Monthly Spend Hits HK$15,090: Over 72% of HK Retirees Wish They'd Acted Sooner
