News

[13 May 2025] Today, the World Trustmark and Trade Alliance (WTA) convened a meeting between outgoing Chairman Mr. Ramesh E.V. Balakrishnan and incoming Chairperson Ms. Zhang Xihui, along with esteemed members. The meeting focuses on the leadership transition process for the WTA. Nont outlines the handover procedure, recognizing the outgoing chairman’s contributions and formally announcing Director Zhang as the new chairperson. Dr. JJ provides details on the revised organizational structure, assuming the roles of Vice Chairperson and Secretariat, while Shen Tao joins as an expert. Ramesh agrees to transfer email ownership and continue supporting server hosting. Director Zhang expresses gratitude for the ongoing support from Ramesh and Mandai-san as the new leadership takes shape.

Letter of Appreciation

Dear Chairman Ramesh and esteemed members,

It is a great honor to take this opportunity during today’s meeting to express our sincerest gratitude to you and all former WTA members. We deeply appreciate your invaluable contributions to the World Trustmark and Trade Alliance and your unwavering support and trust, which strengthen our confidence in the organization’s future development.

As one of China’s most open and economically dynamic regions, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has remained dedicated to establishing internationally recognized standards and systems. We sincerely appreciate the Chairman for taking the time out of his busy schedule to address the conference.

We firmly believe that, through the World Trustmark and Trade Alliance platform and with the continued attention and support of former chairpersons, we can further expand our impact and strengthen our role in shaping a trusted global trade environment.

New WTA Chair Committee:
Zhang Xihui, Pan JJ (Chaochuan), Xian Tao, Nont Chandavasu
13 May 2025

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[2025年5月13日]

今天，世界信赖标章与贸易联盟（WTA）召开了一次会议，由卸任主席拉梅什·E.V.·巴拉克里希南先生（Mr. Ramesh E.V. Balakrishnan）与新任主席张喜会女士（Ms. Zhang Xihui）主持，并有各位尊敬的成员共同参与。会议重点讨论世界信任协会（WTA）领导层的过渡过程。Nont 介绍了交接程序，认可前任主席的贡献，并正式宣布张主任为新任主席。JJ博士详细说明了新的组织架构，他将担任副主席兼秘书处，而沈涛将作为专家加入。Ramesh 同意转移电子邮件所有权，并继续支持服务器托管。张主任对 Ramesh 和 Mandai-san 在新领导层过渡中的持续支持表示感谢。

感谢信

尊敬的拉梅什主席及各位：

非常荣幸能借今天会议之机向您及各位前WTA成员表达最诚挚的感谢，感谢对世界信赖标章联盟的重大贡献，以及对我们的支持与信任，让我们对世界信赖标章联盟的未来发展充满信心。

中国粤港澳大湾区作为中国开放程度最高、经济活力最强的区域之一，一直致力于打造与国际接轨的标准和体系。感谢主席百忙之中为大会致辞。

相信在世界信赖标章联盟平台上，在各位前任主席的关注和持续支持下，我们可以发挥更大的作用和影响力！

新一届WTA主席团:张喜会、潘兆娟、鲜涛、Nont Chandavasu

2025年5月13日

Profile

Mr. Yuen Nin Cho is the Chairman of the Hong Kong E-commerce Association, an expert member of the APEC E-commerce Alliance, a member of the SME Support Group of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Director General for the Asia-Pacific region of the International Data Center Authority, the Chairman of the WTA International Trusted Mark Alliance (2008-2009), a member of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Cross-border E-commerce Resource Center, and an advisor for the Asia-Pacific region to the Guangdong E-commerce Association, the European E-commerce Association, and the Russian E-commerce Association.

Since 2014, Mr. Yuen has devoted a decade of effort as the Chairman of the Hong Kong E-commerce Association, actively promoting the alignment of Hong Kong’s e-commerce with mainland China and expanding its presence on the global stage, serving as a “super connector” for the development of Hong Kong e-commerce. Over the past ten years, with the generous spirit of “achieving success without seeking credit but being an integral part of it,” he has united and rallied Hong Kong’s e-commerce professionals, making e-commerce an important component of Hong Kong’s economic development. Indeed, he is Mr. Yuen Nin Cho, an expert member of the APEC E-commerce Alliance.

01 – A Decade of Diligence, Vigorously Promoting the Prosperous Development of Hong Kong E-commerce

With the rapid development of the internet, e-commerce has significantly transformed people’s shopping habits and lifestyles by reducing transaction costs and improving transaction efficiency, becoming a new engine for global economic development and international trade growth. Mainland China is one of the largest e-commerce markets.

“Compared to the maturity of e-commerce development in mainland China, the Hong Kong e-commerce market is not yet fully mature. However, under the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the stimulation of new consumption patterns and habits, Hong Kong is now experiencing a growing e-commerce market.” In 2014, Mr. Yuen Nin Cho was appointed as the Chairman of the Hong Kong E-commerce Association, dedicated to uniting industry forces for joint development.

Mr. Yuen Nin Cho can be considered one of the pioneers in Hong Kong’s engagement with cross-border e-commerce. After graduating from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia in 1996 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering, he became an engineer. In 2008, he became the business agent for China Post in Hong Kong and served as the General Manager of China Postal Trade Development Co., Ltd., accumulating extensive experience in cross-border electronic trade. During this period, benefiting from his Hong Kong identity and familiarity with cross-border e-commerce, he utilized postal resources such as China Post’s online shopping platform and EMS postal logistics services to sign e-commerce cooperation agreements with AEON (Hong Kong) Department Stores and Chow Tai Fook Jewelry.

With his expertise in both technology and cross-border e-commerce, along with a broad international perspective and understanding of the mainland’s actual situation, Mr. Yuen Nin Cho became the ideal candidate for the Chairman of the Hong Kong E-commerce Association. “Ten years ago, e-commerce was still a relatively unfamiliar concept in Hong Kong, with the economy predominantly in physical form. Hence, the implementation of e-commerce was not significant.” As the Chairman of the Hong Kong E-commerce Association, Mr. Yuen vigorously united industry professionals and e-commerce enterprises, encouraging mutual benefit and striving to create a platform for sharing new technologies and opportunities, jointly promoting the growth and prosperity of Hong Kong’s e-commerce, making Hong Kong an e-commerce stronghold.

In Mr. Yuen’s view, just like the development of computers, digitization in the past was a reflection of a company’s transformation and upgrading. Today, almost every company has computers, and e-commerce is similar. Nowadays, the vast majority of enterprises have e-commerce operations. “E-commerce is not an isolated industry. In the future, it may become an integral part of the overall economy, existing in any business.”

He emphasized, “E-commerce has significant power in the current economic society, having ventured into various traditional retail, catering, hotel, and tourism industries. If physical businesses remain insulated from e-commerce and do not prioritize its development, it will be a significant loss for the enterprise.”

The Hong Kong SAR Government has also recognized this, and on July 15, 2024, announced the launch of the “E-commerce Easy” (E-commerce Easy Online Store Management System) under the BUD Special Fund (Special Fund for Brand Development, Upgrading and Transformation, and Expansion of Domestic Sales Market) to support enterprises in developing e-commerce businesses to expand the mainland market. Mr. Yuen expressed his views on this.

“‘E-commerce Easy’ has a cumulative funding limit of HKD 1 million. Enterprises can use the funding to set up online stores and place advertisements on third-party online sales platforms, create or optimize mobile applications, and add electronic payment functions to their websites. Undoubtedly, this is powerful support and a good opportunity for Hong Kong enterprises to develop e-commerce.” However, Mr. Yuen hopes that the development of e-commerce requires more consideration and that different fields such as the government and the business community can communicate more, study better response measures, and development paths based on current social development trends.

02 – Helping Brands Go Global, Positioning Hong Kong as the “Super Connector”

Mr. Yuen Nin Cho analyzed that e-commerce in Mainland China is already very mature, and Hong Kong brands lack natural advantages when entering the Mainland market. He stated, “First, they lack professional team support, and rashly entering the Mainland market has a low chance of success. Second, the Mainland e-commerce market is highly competitive, with many brands. Hong Kong brands are mainly 100% Hong Kong-made, Hong Kong brands manufactured in the Mainland, and foreign brands. At the same time, many foreign brands are directly sold in the Mainland, so helping Mainland brands go global is actually Hong Kong’s strength.”

“Undoubtedly, Hong Kong’s development foundation is internationalization. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council has more than 60 offices worldwide, which is a significant advantage in developing e-commerce and showcasing Hong Kong’s strength as the ‘Super Connector.'” Mr. Yuen Nin Cho believes that as an international financial center, Hong Kong should fully leverage its international advantages to help Mainland brands ‘go global,’ and jointly explore overseas markets, especially ASEAN, the Middle East, and countries and regions along the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative.

In helping Mainland brands ‘go global,’ Mr. Yuen Nin Cho believes that Hong Kong has unique advantages: “Firstly, compared to the Mainland, Hong Kong is a free trade port, essentially a large duty-free warehouse, which gives international goods circulating in Hong Kong a cost advantage. Secondly, Hong Kong has an excellent business environment, with integrity in business deeply rooted, and it has a leading advantage in consumer protection. Thirdly, Hong Kong is a global re-export trade hub, with a foundation in entertainment culture and content creation, a sound financial system, and rich international trade experience. By cooperating with industry and policy promotion and combining resources from the Greater Bay Area, I believe we can make significant progress in opening up the international market for live e-commerce.” He also suggests that Mainland live broadcast platforms and MCN organizations can go global through Hong Kong, expanding markets in East Asia, Southeast Asia, etc., but need to ensure quality and intellectual property rights in taxation, customs, and intellectual property to achieve steady development and benefit everyone.

Mr. Yuen Nin Cho also mentioned that in the past ten years, the Hong Kong E-commerce Association has maintained close contact with the Mainland industry while continuously engaging in deep exchanges with overseas industries. “For example, we often hold discussions and meetings with the Ministry of Commerce and various provincial and municipal e-commerce associations, jointly studying policies conducive to the development of e-commerce and providing relevant suggestions. We are often invited to attend events such as the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the Canton Fair, and the China International Big Data Industry Expo. We also help Beijing’s Daxing Industrial Park attract foreign e-commerce and tech companies. At the same time, we lead overseas peers from Europe and Japan to visit cities in the Mainland, visiting our internet giants like Tencent in Shenzhen, Alibaba in Hangzhou, and emerging e-commerce cities like Zhuhai. Moreover, as an expert member of the APEC E-commerce Alliance, I also provide professional opinions on global e-commerce development.”

With experience in hand, given that Hong Kong lacks an influential e-commerce platform, Mr. Yuen Nin Cho officially started his own business during the pandemic, creating a mobile app for idle item trading. It helps consumers freely trade on the platform while also providing a media advertising platform for brands. It is reported that the project has received support from the Hong Kong SAR government and has promising prospects.

“I believe e-commerce in Hong Kong has great potential for development and will become an important economic pillar of Hong Kong in the future. I may not witness it personally, but the Hong Kong E-commerce Association’s promotion will undoubtedly play a role. I hope someone remembers that in this part of history, there was once a president of the Hong Kong E-commerce Association like me who participated in the promotion work,” Mr. Yuen Nin Cho said emotionally. Although the road to promoting Hong Kong’s e-commerce development is long and arduous, he has no reason to stop.

Editing | Deng Xiaoxi, Yang Shuxia

Image provided by the interviewee

Layout | Miao Jing

Proofreading | Liao Qunyan

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/pb9x826PEpsFrg8iKutC-g

1. Executive Summary

The World Trustmark and Trade Alliance (WTA) held its annual summit virtually on November 27, 2024, focusing on “Shaping the Future with AI Trust.” The summit brought together international stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, and academics, to discuss the importance of ethical, secure, and collaborative approaches to artificial intelligence.

2. Global Initiatives

2.1 The Value of Trustmarks:  Speakers emphasized the importance of trustmarks in building trust and confidence in AI systems. WTA Chairperson Mr. Ramesh E.V. Balakrishnan of CommerceNet Singapore (CNSG) explained that trustmarks serve as verifiable indicators of adherence to ethical and security standards, encouraging responsible AI adoption across various sectors.

2.2 International Cooperation: The summit highlighted the essential role of cross-border collaboration in establishing and implementing AI governance standards. Professor Zhang Ping from Peking University provided insights into China’s AI governance model, emphasizing its people-centric approach and commitment to “Intelligence for Good.” Ms. Evelyn Goh, Director of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore, presented on the Global CBPR Forum, emphasizing their role in enabling cross-border data flows while protecting individual privacy. This topic also included initiatives from the Global Signal Exchange and ODR Network.

2.3 AI Governance and Responsible Use: Presentations from Mexico, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines and Thailand emphasized the critical need for comprehensive AI governance frameworks to guide responsible AI development and deployment. Key themes included prioritizing ethical considerations, ensuring transparency and explainability in AI systems, and establishing robust security protocols.

3. Session Highlights (by alphabetical order)

3.1 China:  Director Zhang Xihui from the Zhongxin Certification Center (EBS) highlighted China’s International Mutual Recognition of Certification Services and announced that China would host the WTA chairmanship and Annual Summit in the coming years.

3.2 EU: Mr. Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) introduced the Global Signal Exchange.

3.3 Hong Kong: Mr. Joseph Yuen, Chairman of Hong Kong Federation of E-Commerce (HKFEC), shared practical applications of AI in e-commerce, drawing on their experience with the AI-driven platform Swapify.

3.4 Japan: WTA Vice-Chair Mr. Eiichiro Mandai, CEO & Founder of ODR Room Network INC., discussed the e-commerce and trustmark landscape in Japan.

3.5 Malaysia: Dato’ Ts. Dr. Haji Amirudin bin Abdul Wahab, CEO of CyberSecurity Malaysia, outlined Malaysia’s strategic AI initiatives, including the formation of a National AI Office and the development of comprehensive AI governance guidelines.

3.6 Mexico: Mr. Julio César Vega, Director of Asociación de Internet MX (AIMX), discussed AI initiatives in the Mexican Congress and the work of the Mexican Internet Association with UNESCO.

3.7 Philippines: Mr. Dustin Andaya and Mr. Jovrel Cipriano emphasized the crucial role of trustmark providers in promoting responsible AI development and deployment.

3.8 Thailand: Mr. Prachaya Pairojkulmanee, Director of Department of Business Development (DBD), showcased Thailand’s Trustmark and its contribution to fostering trust and confidence within the country’s rapidly expanding e-commerce landscape.

4. Conclusion and Recommendations

The WTA Annual Summit 2024 served as a timely reminder of the urgent need for concerted global action. It is essential to ensure the ethical and responsible development and deployment of AI, facilitated by WTA Vice-Chair Dr. JJ Pan. By prioritizing the establishment of clear ethical guidelines, robust security standards, and effective international cooperation mechanisms, stakeholders can harness the transformative power of AI for the betterment of humanity. The WTA and its partners are encouraged to continue leading these critical initiatives.

(30 October 2024) – The WTA has been invited to be a supporting organization for the 14th Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum (BIP Asia Forum), which will be held on December 5-6, 2024, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Jointly organized by the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), BIP Asia is an annual flagship event that brings together global intellectual property (IP) professionals and business leaders to discuss the latest developments and trends in the dynamic IP market and explore business opportunities across Asia and beyond.

Last year, the forum attracted over 2,500 participants from 35 countries and regions, featuring more than 90 prominent speakers, including leaders from worldwide IP organizations and top international brands.

This year’s forum, themed “Reimagining IP for Impact and Growth,” will highlight the immense potential of IP in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, driving impactful economic and social development on a global scale. Additionally, the forum will offer a series of networking opportunities and the “Innovation and IP Market,” a one-stop showcase of emerging innovations and technologies for business enhancement and transformation.

The focus this year will be on “Smart City Innovation,” aiming to facilitate partnership building in areas such as smart cities, digital businesses, smart living, AI, robotics, and transportation.

For more information, please visit:

• Forum website:
  http://www.bipasiaforum.com
• Forum brochure:
  https://pp.hktdc.com/dm/bip/2024/BIP_Brochure_2024_2.pdf

Please contact us if you are interested in joining the event.

#BIP #WTA #IPMarket #IntellectualProperty #BusinessLeader #entrepreneur #SmartCity

Utilizing a trustmark during the Mid-Autumn Festival can enhance your brand’s credibility and appeal to customers. WTA invites trustmark operators to leverage this occasion in their integrated strategies by considering the following:

1. Mooncake Packaging: Incorporate the trustmark on the packaging of mooncakes. This can assure customers of the quality and authenticity of your products.
2. Promotional Materials: Use the trustmark in all your promotional materials, such as flyers, banners, and social media posts, to build trust and attract more customers.
3. Event Sponsorship: If you are sponsoring or participating in Mid-Autumn Festival events, display the trustmark prominently at your booth or on event materials to highlight your brand’s reliability.
4. Online Presence: Ensure the trustmark is visible on your website and e-commerce platforms, especially on product pages and checkout processes, to reassure online shoppers.
5. Collaborations: Partner with other trusted brands or influencers who can help promote your products during the festival, leveraging the trustmark to emphasize quality and trustworthiness.