1. Blue Sky Rescue Team Advances Humanitarian Aid Following Hong Kong Fire
Since late November 2025, the Blue Sky Rescue Team, in collaboration with multiple philanthropic partners, has carried out post-fire relief efforts following the major blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong. The first phase of emergency material assistance has been largely completed. Thousands of small household appliances for transitional housing, along with emergency medical supplies, have been distributed, benefiting hundreds of affected households across communities surrounding Wang Fuk Court and several temporary shelters operated by the Hong Kong government. Targeted support has also been provided to families facing severe hardship or serious illness.
The second phase, the “Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Lectures in Communities” initiative, launched a pilot program on January 25, 2026. The Blue Sky Rescue Team will partner with local social organizations across Hong Kong to expand the program citywide throughout the year. At the same time, the team will invite Hong Kong civilian rescue forces to participate in professional emergency response training and exchange programs in mainland China. The overall objective of this operation is to collaborate with local civil society partners to reduce the fire’s impact on residents and strengthen Hong Kong’s resilience to future disasters.
Credits: Blue Sky Rescue Team
2. 9th Hongqiao International Economic Forum Thematic Workshop Held in Beijing
On January 27, 2026, the Thematic Workshop for the 9th Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF), hosted by the Secretariat of HQF and organized by the HQF Research Center together with the Institutes of Science and Development of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was held at the CAS Academic Hall. Yan Dong, Vice Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, delivered a video address.
Experts, scholars, and representatives from member and partner institutions discussed key themes including upholding openness and inclusiveness; safeguarding the multilateral trading system and strengthening global governance cooperation; advancing technological innovation and international collaboration; accelerating the global green transition; and sharing the benefits of China’s development.
As a high-level dialogue platform connecting the global political, business, and academic communities, the Hongqiao International Economic Forum continues to build consensus around an open world economy and a community with a shared future for mankind.
Credits: China International Import Expo
3. Beijing Lianxin Charity Foundation Launches “Global Chinese New Year Culture Sharing Program”
On January 27, 2026, the Beijing Lianxin Charity Foundation, together with multiple domestic and international institutions, schools, and community partners—including the Beijing Angel Mom Charity Foundation, Hebei Geyang Public Welfare Foundation, Hainan Xiaoyao Environmental Protection and Education Assistance Charity Foundation, the Pakistan Chinese Education Association, and the California United Education and Cultural Exchange Center of the United States—launched the Global Chinese New Year Culture Sharing Program.
The initiative encourages children across China to prepare New Year cultural gift packs accompanied by bilingual Chinese-English explanation cards. These gift packs are matched with international partner schools, communities, and cultural centers and distributed to recipients in Sweden, Norway, the United States, Germany, South Korea, Qatar, Thailand, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, and other countries.
Overseas participants organize local children to write the character “Fu” (fortune), compose Chinese poetic verses, document activities through photos and short videos, and share them with peers in China. Using Spring Festival culture as a bridge, the program fosters cross-cultural exchange and connection among children worldwide.
Credits: Beijing Lianxin Charity Foundation
4. ECOSOC 7th Plenary Session of 2026 Held in New York
On January 29, 2026, the 7th Plenary Session of the 2026 Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) convened at UN Headquarters in New York. Under the theme “Transformative, Equitable, Innovative, and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals,” participants explored approaches to addressing climate change, humanitarian crises, and global sustainable development challenges through strengthened multilateral cooperation.
Distinguished representatives from various sectors and countries shared insights on enhancing stakeholder engagement and improving the inclusiveness of ECOSOC’s work. The session both commemorated ECOSOC’s 80-year legacy as a pillar of multilateralism and outlined pathways for social organizations to play a stronger role in future global governance.
Credits: Peaceland Foundation
5. Myanmar-China Investment and Trade Promotion Association Inaugurated
On January 31, 2026, the inaugural ceremony of the Myanmar-China Investment and Trade Promotion Association (MCITP) was held in Yangon, Myanmar. The event brought together more than 1,000 participants, including Ma Jia, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar; Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein; U Thant Sin Lwin, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations; U Aye Win, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and Honorary President of MCITP; Lin Wenmeng, President of the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce; as well as representatives from Chinese and Myanmar enterprises.
Grounded in the development priorities of both countries, the association aims to promote deeper enterprise integration and enhance bilateral investment, economic, and trade cooperation. It seeks to serve as both a catalyst and stabilizer for China-Myanmar economic relations, contributing to the building of a China-Myanmar community with a shared future.
Credits: The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
