Business
vivo breaks new ground with self-designed Imaging Chip V1, committing to long-term technology innovation strategy
vivo unveiled its new self-designed Imaging Chip V1 during a press event held last week in Shenzhen, China. Throughout the event, vivo introduced the Imaging Chip V1 and expanded on its four long-term strategic tracks.
“V1 is a fully-customized integrated circuit chip dedicated for imaging and video applications with leading edge visual quality, marking a key milestone as vivo’s inaugural breakthrough in independent R&D and chip design. In line with vivo’s imaging system design, the Imaging Chip V1 can better serve user needs by optimizing smartphone application scenarios such as viewfinder look and video recording,” said Hu Baishan, Executive Vice President & COO at vivo.
The Imaging Chip V1 has been under development for 24 months by over 300 R&D personnel and imaging lab experts at vivo. Moving forward, vivo’s approach towards spearheading innovative image processing (IP) technology at the chip level will mainly revolve around four strategic tracks: image system, operating system, industrial design and performance. In Hu’s view, vivo will only consider developing chips with partners when there is a lack of supplied capability on the market that are suitable for vivo’s product and technical needs, along with substantial demand for fully-customized chips to support these long-term strategic tracks. vivo will strategically focus its resources on simulating the known needs of consumers through IP Design and developing key innovative image processing algorithms, without undertaking chip manufacturing.
“Aside from enhancing the visual aesthetics and imaging effects of vivo products, the Imaging Chip V1 also aims to bring unparalleled experiences to users by channeling emotional resonance through visual expression. vivo is staunchly committed to long-term investment in the four strategic tracks to create industry-leading technology and innovation, which will undoubtedly satisfy even the most demanding high-end smartphone users,” he added.
As early as 2019, vivo began linking design-driven and user-oriented innovation with the evolving demands of users, culminating in the four long-term strategic tracks. Since then, vivo has been recruiting talents from all around the world to implement a vigorous development strategy.
Image system is a part of the core long-term strategic tracks of vivo. To this day, vivo has invested heavily in this field for over five years, achieving many industry-leading breakthroughs such as Gimbal Stabilization technology and Selfie Spotlight along the way. In December 2020, vivo and ZEISS announced a long-term strategic partnership in mobile imaging innovation. Both partners share the ambition to anticipate and meet most demanding consumer requirements, as well as the will to challenge the limits of mobile imaging through joint research and development at the vivo ZEISS Imaging Lab.
Based on consumer insights, vivo will implement a three-pronged strategy – focusing on product planning, technical planning and technical pre-research – to strike a balance between products and technology. The vivo Central Research Institute will be responsible for planning up-and-coming technologies, which will be closely aligned with consumer demands, industry trends and user scenarios.
vivo’s goal over the next 10 to 20 years is to create great products based on a design-driven value, building a bridge between humans and the digital world by providing users with an increasingly convenient mobile and digital experience. vivo will continue to implement vigorous development strategies with the vision of becoming a healthier, longer-lasting world-class corporation.
Business
AIA delivers strong first half results in 2026; double-digit growth across key financial metrics
The Board of AIA Group Limited (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the Group’s financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. Growth rates are shown on a constant exchange rate basis unless otherwise stated:
New business performance and embedded value
Value of new business (VONB) of US$3,212 million, up 10 per cent overall and 14 per cent excluding Thailand(1)
Record high annualised operating ROEV of 18.0 per cent, up from 15.8 per cent in full year 2025
EV Equity of US$83.4 billion, up 6 per cent per share over the first half on an actual exchange rate basis
IFRS earnings
Operating profit after tax (OPAT) of US$4,163 million, up 13 per cent per share
AIA now expects to exceed OPAT per share CAGR target of 9 to 11 per cent from 2023 to 2026(2)
Record high annualised operating ROE of 17.5 per cent, up from 15.5 per cent in full year 2025
Cash generation and capital returns
Underlying free surplus generation (UFSG) of US$3,935 million, increased by 10 per cent per share
Net free surplus generation (net FSG) of US$2,758 million, up 12 per cent per share
US$3.6 billion returned to shareholders in the first half through dividend and share buy-back
Interim dividend increased by 10 per cent to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share
Lee Yuan Siong, AIA’s Group Chief Executive and President, said:
“AIA has delivered another strong performance in the first half of 2026, with double-digit growth across our key financial metrics, while continuing to return substantial capital to shareholders. VONB reached a record high of US$3.2 billion with growth across all distribution channels, and all reportable segments excluding Thailand. The Group has achieved 17 per cent CAGR since the first half of 2023(3), demonstrating consistently strong demand for AIA’s professional advice and differentiated products.
“At the core of our unrivalled distribution platform is our market-leading Premier Agency. I am delighted that AIA has once again been ranked the number one Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) multinational company globally. We have held this position for a record 12 consecutive years and we have more than double the number of MDRT members of our nearest competitor. In the first half of 2026, our Premier Agency achieved strong VONB growth of 11 per cent excluding Thailand(1). Our extensive network of strategic distribution partners further expands our market reach and generated an 18 per cent increase in VONB, supported by very strong performance in both the bancassurance and independent financial adviser (IFA) and broker channels.
“Strong new business, together with disciplined management of our in-force portfolio, has supported sustained growth in recurring earnings with OPAT per share up by 13 per cent in the first half. As a result, we expect to exceed our 9 to 11 per cent OPAT per share CAGR target for 2023 to 2026(2). UFSG, the Group’s core measure of operating cash generation, increased by 10 per cent per share. After allowing for new business investment, net FSG increased by 12 per cent per share. In accordance with our prudent, sustainable and progressive dividend policy, the Board has declared a 10 per cent increase in the interim dividend to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share. These achievements demonstrate that our financial strategy is working as intended.
“Asia remains the most compelling growth opportunity for life and health insurance. Powerful structural tailwinds across the region continue to create substantial demand for our professional advice and differentiated products and underpin the exceptional long-term prospects for AIA’s business. I am confident that AIA’s disciplined execution of our strategic priorities will continue to deliver long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”
Business
British Council Sri Lanka launches soft skills workshops to elevate learning and empower communication
The British Council Sri Lanka has launched Corporate English Solutions (CES), tailored to the Sri Lankan corporate and education ecosystem, aimed at helping organisations strengthen workplace communication and professional development.
The launch event took place recently at the NH Collection, Colombo 3, gathering corporate partners, clients and education stakeholders throughout the country.
CES extends the British Council’s long-standing work in English language education and teacher training into a dedicated offering for the corporate sector. The launch introduced two new components to the British Council’s presence in Sri Lanka such as public workshops and teacher training programmes, open to learners and educators beyond the organisation’s existing corporate and academic partners. Guests at the event were shown a short video introducing Corporate English Solutions before the formal proceedings began.
Talal Meer, British Council Regional Business Development Director, South Asia, welcomed guests and introduced the British Council’s team in Sri Lanka. In his remarks, Meer set out the scope of the CES launch, covering the introduction of public workshops in Sri Lanka, the rollout of teacher training programmes, and an overview of the CES product portfolio. Meer’s role covers educational partnerships in the South Asia region, and his address framed the Sri Lanka launch within the British Council’s broader regional strategy.
Business
Ogilvy Group tops award tally at ‘Dragons of Sri Lanka’ 2026
Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka delivered a standout performance at the recently concluded Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026 Awards, securing a total of nine awards comprising two Gold Dragons, one Silver Dragon and six Black Dragons, among the festival’s highest overall award tallies. Gold Dragon wins for Phoenix Ogilvy and Ogilvy Digital, together with the seven additional recognitions across multiple categories, highlighted Ogilvy’s ability to combine creativity, strategic thinking and commercial effectiveness to deliver business results.
Organised by the 4As Sri Lanka, the third edition of Dragons of Sri Lanka shortlisted more than 50 agencies and corporates, making it one of the country’s most competitive marketing communications awards. These local awards, along with the chapters in Malaysia and Pakistan are part of the Dragons of Asia platform, one of the region’s leading programmes for marketing communications effectiveness, with entries being judged on strategy, originality, execution and measurable results.
Ogilvy Digital accounted for eight awards in total, including a Gold Dragon in the Business & Trade Marketing category, and a Silver Dragon in the Innovative Idea or Concept category. The Agency additionally received six Black Dragons across the categories of Innovative Idea or Concept, Business & Trade Marketing, Content Creation, Small Budget, Event or Experiential, and Brand Trial or Sales Generation.
Commenting on the achievement, Sajith Weerasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Ogilvy Digital, said, “These recognitions reflect the breadth of capabilities we’ve built across strategy, creative, content, experience design, technology and performance marketing. The fact that the work was recognised across so many different disciplines demonstrates our ability to apply creativity to a wide range of business challenges and objectives. We’re proud that this achievement spans multiple clients, categories and types of work, reflecting both the versatility of our people and our commitment to delivering results.”
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