SHANGHAI, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Qingpu Bailian Outlets Plaza opened its second phase on September 21, expanding the 20-year-old shopping destination in western Shanghai.
The expansion, themed "New Journey, New Joy," adds new retail, cultural and leisure offerings, bringing the two phases together as one integrated complex.
The outlet now spans 200,000 square meters, with more than 500 brands and over 3,000 parking spaces. The expansion also signals a move beyond the traditional outlet mall, adding cultural and leisure experiences alongside shopping as the operator looks to build the site into a leading outlet destination in Asia.
The second phase broadens the retail mix with electronics and appliances, local designer labels and pet-focused lifestyle offerings. Building on the first phase's mix of flagship stores, regional firsts and lifestyle brands, it also introduces new riverside shopping and leisure spaces.
Qingpu Bailian Outlets has ranked No.1 in China for single-store outlet sales for 14 consecutive years. The new phase brings 27 brands making their first appearance at an outlet in Shanghai, China or globally, along with exclusive and limited-edition products.
Culture is also taking a bigger role. A new theme centered on Su Dongpo (1037–1101), the celebrated Song Dynasty poet, draws on his poetry and his ideas about life. Seven installations across the complex form a cultural trail, with visitors able to collect stamps, enjoy Song-style tea and take part in hands-on activities from September 21 to October 31.
After dark, the "Su Dongpo: Into a Dream" light show projects scenes inspired by his poetry onto an entire parking structure. More than 50 brands are offering Su-themed products and collaborations.
Visitor services have also been upgraded, including multilingual information, self-service tax refund terminals and cross-border payment options. The complex also offers real-time parking information, dedicated coach parking, valet service, pet-friendly facilities, children's amenities and accessible facilities.
To mark the opening, the outlet is offering promotions for members and visitors from China and abroad, including shopping vouchers, new-member benefits and travel perks. Overseas visitors can receive refund-upon-purchase on eligible purchases. Limited-time giveaways and group-buying deals are available through three major lifestyle platforms.
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Qingpu Bailian Outlets Opens Second Phase, Sets Sights on Asia
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HONG KONG, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The fast pace of modern life and an aging population drive demand for mental health and non-pharmacological holistic wellness. In alignment with the health development priorities of the national 15th Five-Year Plan and the Healthy China Initiative, the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) held the launch ceremony for its Centre for Music Therapy Research (CMTR) at the Sky Concert Hall in Shenzhen on 16 September. The launch aims to address the demand for innovative healthcare talent while fostering Guangdong-Hong Kong integration.
The event gathered prominent leaders across government, business, higher education, and technology sectors, including Mr Paul CHONG Kin-lit, BBS, MH, Vice Chairman, THEi's Board of Governors; Professor Alan LAU Kin-tak, President of THEi; Ms LIU Ying,
Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Digital Innovation and Technology, THEi and
Director of Centre for Music Therapy Research, THEi; Mr YANG Pengda, Education Entrepreneur and Deputy Director of Centre for Music Therapy Research, THEi; Mr WAN Kun, Deputy Director-General, Development and Reform Bureau of Futian District, Shenzhen Municipality; Ms MA Hui, Director of Tchaikovsky Conservatory (China) International Exchange Centre; Dr CAI Yuejun, Key Laboratory of AI-Enabled Music Therapy, Shanghai Conservatory of Music; Dr PANG Yan, Associate Research Professor, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Doctoral Supervisor, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS).
The event featured strategic partnership signing ceremonies and a cross-industry networking reception, alongside an immersive "Emotional Healing Show" concert performed by celebrated musicians, including winners of 'Golden Bell Awards' and 'Wenhua Award', as well as former members of the renowned Twelve Girls Band. A key highlight was the live instrumental and choral performance of the iconic pop song Beneath the Lion Rock, which resonated with the Centre's positioning of "Hong Kong's International Connectivity"—marking a major milestone of advancing interdisciplinary mind-body wellness in the GBA.
Empowering Big Health with Applied Sciences: Nurturing "Work-Ready" Professionals in the GBA
Mr Paul CHONG Kin-lit, BBS, MH, Vice Chairman, THEi's Board of Governors, delivered opening remarks, stating: "As an applied discipline bridging art, science, and medicine, music therapy plays a pivotal role in tackling mental stress, broader wellness demands, and specialised healthcare needs. Guided by our education philosophy of 'applied science and immediate application,' THEi drives industry-academia-research integration. By extending the reach of our Centre to Shenzhen, we leverage the GBA's innovative ecosystem and expanding demand to pair global music therapy standards with cutting-edge technology—building a premier hub for scientific research, practical application, and community service."
Professor Alan LAU Kin-tak, President of THEi, emphasised in his keynote that higher education must stay attuned to modern trends and national developments: "Music is undergoing a redefinition where sound, emotion, and AI intersect. As a pioneer in applied science and work-ready education, THEi sees growing demand in the GBA for expertise in non-pharmacological therapies, mental wellness, and the silver economy. By launching the Centre in Shenzhen, we fuse academic research with regional innovation. Through short-term and professional training programmes, we aim to fast-track market-ready, multidisciplinary talent equipped with technological, clinical, and commercial expertise to directly address key social needs.
Top Academic Talent Joins Forces
The newly launched Music Therapy Research Centre is directed by Ms LIU Ying, Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Digital Innovation and Technology at THEi. A distinguished expert in Chinese traditional music, Ms LIU leads the Centre's core content strategy, backed by international innovation expertise from Dr PANG Yan, Associate Research Professor, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Doctoral Supervisor, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and his team.
As the champion of the Guzheng category at the 9th Chinese Music 'Golden Bell Awards', and the exclusive recipient of the gold, silver, and bronze awards in this category. Ms LIU noted that the Centre maximises synergy between Hong Kong and Shenzhen by pairing "Hong Kong's global perspective with Shenzhen's development speed" to construct a regional cross-disciplinary hub. Guided by the vision of "medical treatment in hospitals, healing in daily life," the Centre uses Five-Tone theory and AI-based EEG technologies to deliver non-clinical wellness solutions. She stressed that with a clear focus on problem-solving over sheer size, the Centre will advance practical training programs, therapeutic products, and industry benchmarks through the integration of arts, science, and commercialisation.
Mr YANG Pengda, Education Entrepreneur and Deputy Director of Centre for Music Therapy Research, THEi, underscored his belief that "investing in education is a high-value commitment, not a cost," – a vision driving his multi-year support for THEi's research centres. Praising THEi's work-ready degree's programmes - which features a 100% internship placement and over 95% graduate employment, he noted that the Institute's programmes are tailored to industry needs. He emphasised that the new Centre is grounded in societal demand, tackling issues like sleep disorders affecting 300 million individuals and elder care for 320 million seniors—effectively leveraging technology and humanity to improve the quality of lives.
The Centre signed strategic MoUs with Key Laboratory of AI-Enabled Music Therapy, Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Tchaikovsky Conservatory (China) International Exchange Centre The partnerships will foster deep collaboration across music arts research, professional talent training, and international exchange, laying a solid artistic foundation for the Centre's ongoing development.
Moving ahead, the Centre will focus its efforts on four core strategic pillars: advancing AI-assisted music therapy research to improve personalised non-pharmacological treatments; exploring traditional Chinese music to unlock its therapeutic emotional benefits; delivering arts-based healing to support seniors and individuals with special needs; and integrating digital music with immersive technology to drive music therapy beyond traditional stages into a smart, holistic era of care.
Following the official launch of the Centre and its upcoming professional training programmes, THEi is set to reinforce its leadership in regional applied science education—accelerating sustainable innovation to support high-quality development across the GBA and nationwide.
About the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Music Technology
The programme places a strong emphasis on cross-cultural exchange, covering three major professional domains: game music design, contemporary music composition, and film scoring. By integrating artificial intelligence and augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies into practical learning, the programme equips students with professional mastery in audio engineering and sound design, enhancing their ability to combine artistic creativity with technological innovation.
About Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi)
Founded in 2012, the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) is a member institute of the Vocational Training Council (VTC). THEi offers over 20 professional "Applied Science-Oriented" undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes across seven academic areas: Product and Fashion Designs, Sports and International Events Management, Digital Construction and Building Services, Horticulture, Arboriculture and Landscape Management, Chinese Medicine and Food Science, Hotel Management and Culinary Arts and Technology, and Digital Technology and Innovative Business. The programmes integrate theoretical knowledge with practical applications, and cover industries with growth potential in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring that students can apply what they learn effectively.
THEi's undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes are accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. The curriculum emphasises the practical application of applied science, aligning with the latest developments in business and industry. The undergraduate degree programmes offer 100% work-integrated learning training to support students in building their career paths at an earlier stage.
THEi Chai Wan Campus was awarded the "Leadership in Sustainable Design and Performance Award - Institutional" of the Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards presented by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) in 2020.
Media Contact:
Ms Janice Lam
Tel: (852) 3890 8227 / (852) 9718 0817
Email: janicelam@thei.edu.hk / media@thei.edu.hk
Ms Rainbow Chiu
Tel: (852) 3890 8520
Email: rainbowh@thei.edu.hk / media@thei.edu.hk
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When Music Reads Emotion: THEi Launches Centre for Music Therapy Research to Deepen Guangdong-Hong Kong Integration and Leverage AI to Fill the Healthcare Talent Gap
When Music Reads Emotion: THEi Launches Centre for Music Therapy Research to Deepen Guangdong-Hong Kong Integration and Leverage AI to Fill the Healthcare Talent Gap
