Important Information

This communication is intended for the sole use of the person to whom it is provided by the sender. This announcement and the offer or sale of the Notes may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions.  This notice does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase, the Notes in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation would be unlawful.

Investors should not subscribe for any of the Notes except on the basis of information contained in the preliminary offering memorandum, dated September 21, 2026, as supplemented by a pricing term sheet to be prepared by the Company in connection with the Notes. The Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and  may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. In the United States, this offering is being made only to “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) (“Rule 144A”) in compliance with Rule 144A. You are hereby notified that the initial purchasers of the Notes may be relying on the exemption from the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A. Outside of the United States, this offering is being made to non-U.S. persons in offshore transactions outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

This announcement and the offering of the Notes described herein are only addressed to and directed at persons who, in the European Economic Area or in the United Kingdom, are not retail investors, defined as a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, with respect to the European Economic Area, as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”) and, with respect to the United Kingdom, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“EUWA”); or (ii) a customer, with respect to the European Economic Area, within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EU (as amended, the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II and, with respect to the United Kingdom, within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 (“UK MiFIR”) as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor, with respect to the European Economic Area, as defined in the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “EU Prospectus Regulation”) and, with respect to the United Kingdom, as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”).

Promotion of the Notes in the United Kingdom is restricted by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”), and accordingly, the Notes are not being promoted to the general public in the United Kingdom. This announcement is for distribution only to, and is only directed at, persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (“high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.”) of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) are outside the UK, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of any Notes may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This announcement is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by anyone who is not a relevant person.

MiFID II / UK MiFIR professionals; ECPs-only; No PRIIPs / UK PRIIPs KID – Manufacturer target market (MiFID II / UK MiFIR product governance rules) is eligible counterparties and professional clients only (all distribution channels). No PRIIPs / UK PRIIPs key information document (“KID”) has been prepared as not available to retail in EEA or the UK.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Notes will not be offered in Australia, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong or to investors with addresses in these jurisdictions.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which reflect management’s current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities and events that will, should, could or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Words such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue,” “subject to” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements and include statements related to the offering of Notes, terms and conditions, intended use of proceeds and any other non-historical matters.

These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict and which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Such risks include the risk that the offering of the Notes does not proceed on the terms described herein or at all and risks relating to the actual use of proceeds and other risks described in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC.  You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Golar LNG Limited undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

Hamilton, Bermuda
September 21, 2026

Investor Questions: +44 207 063 7900
Karl Fredrik Staubo – CEO
Eduardo Maranhão – CFO

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

This announcement is not being made in and copies of it may not be distributed or sent into any jurisdiction in which the publication, distribution or release would be unlawful.

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands and MÁLAGA, Spain, Sept. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CUbIQ Technologies, a Dutch pioneer in quantum-safe communications for AI infrastructure, and Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), the global photonics leader, today announced a successful proof-of-concept (POC) quantum key distribution (QKD) demonstrator. The demonstration marks a major milestone in the evolution towards deployment of physical-layer security that seamlessly integrates with existing AI infrastructure and will be shown at ECOC 2026 in Málaga.

The back-end network is becoming a security problem
As AI clusters outgrow single buildings, the back-end fabric that connects servers increasingly runs over optical fiber between campuses and sites. That fiber carries the model weights, gradients and training data that represent much of an operator’s investment, and it can be tapped. Line-rate encryption protects the traffic, but its keys are exchanged by methods that give no indication that a link has been intercepted.

CUbIQ’s pluggable solution closes that gap by deriving keys from the quantum properties of the optical signal itself. An interception attempt leaves a measurable fingerprint on the link, so compromised keys are detected and discarded before use. Until now this level of protection has meant dedicated rack-mounted equipment with its own space, power and management plane, hard to accommodate in a dense AI deployment.

What is demonstrated
The POC features CUbIQ’s Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution (CV-QKD) transceiver in a QSFP-28 pluggable form factor, an innovation that integrates QKD over DWDM seamlessly into existing network infrastructure, following a zero-trust framework. CUbIQ’s compact module enables scalable, secured connections demonstrating physical-layer security, leveraging Coherent Corp’s high-performance 200G FR4 OSFP56 pluggable optical transceivers. The link is tested with a commercially available NVIDIA DGX Spark system via its ConnectX-7 interface, requiring no modification to the existing deployment.

Because the module occupies the same port as the conventional optics already in use, it carries none of the overhead of dedicated hardware: compared with conventional rack-based QKD systems, CUbIQ’s pluggable approach reduces power consumption, cost and footprint by a factor of 100.

“CUbIQ’s mission is to show practical, accessible physical layer security that can extend across AI infrastructure,” said Aaron Albores Mejia, CEO of CUbIQ Technologies. “This work with Coherent Corp. proves that quantum-safe networking can be demonstrated on the AI infrastructure that operators are already deploying.”

Seeing it at ECOC 2026
As datacenters scale up, out and across, this proof of concept shows how encrypted, quantum-safe communications can extend across AI infrastructure, and is designed to require no changes to existing deployments. Together, CUbIQ and Coherent are laying the foundation for scalable, physical-layer security that protects the next generation of AI factories against security threats. CUbIQ and Coherent are also working towards a next generation of secure, high-capacity optical pluggable transceivers.

CUbIQ is hosting the demonstrator at ECOC 2026 in Málaga, Spain, from 21 to 23 September 2026, at Booth 1051, Dutch Pavilion, ECOC Exhibition Centre, FYCMA. Appointments can be booked through the media contacts below.

About CUbIQ Technologies
CUbIQ Technologies, headquartered in Eindhoven, is a Dutch startup developing solutions for physical-layer security for AI infrastructure. Through its products, such as next-generation QKD transceiver modules, CUbIQ demonstrates a reduction in power consumption, cost and footprint by a factor of 100 compared with conventional rack-based QKD systems. CUbIQ’s pluggable solutions enable quantum-safe technologies at scale. To learn more visit us at http://www.cubiq-technologies.com

About Coherent Corp.
Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR) is the global photonics leader. We harness photons to drive innovation. Industry leaders in the datacenter, communications, and industrial markets rely on Coherent Corp’s world-leading technology to fuel their own innovation and growth. For more information, please visit us at https://www.coherent.com

Media contacts
CUbIQ Technologies: info@cubiq-technologies.com
Coherent Corp.: innovations@coherent.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b93dbfa7-d886-4e70-be73-187f5a2d3ca4

The 23rd China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit Held Successfully

NANNING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 September 2026 – The 23rd China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) was held in Nanning City, Guangxi, China from September 17 to 19, 2026, striving to build a high-level platform for exchanges on AI application cooperation and industrial innovation between China and ASEAN.

Co-hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the national chambers of commerce and industry of ASEAN member states, CABIS is the highest-level, largest-scale and most influential national and international economic and trade event between China and ASEAN. Since its inception in 2004, the CABIS has been held annually, playing a strong role in advancing economic, trade and investment cooperation between China and ASEAN. The 23rd CABIS held major events including the Opening Ceremony, the China-ASEAN Business Leaders Forum and the China-ASEAN Commercial Law Forum, providing cooperation platforms for government-business and business-to-business dialogues, policy alignment and project matchmaking.

2026 marks a crucial year for the implementation of Version 3.0 of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. Taking Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN as an opportunity to expand the scope of business cooperation, the CABIS focused on digital trade, green economy and supply chain resilience, actively responding to the industrial expectations of ASEAN. Together with the business communities of all 11 ASEAN member states, it worked to translate policy consensus into tangible outcomes in industry and commerce, injecting new momentum into regional economic integration.

The 23rd CABIS further integrated “AI + CABIS ” by hosting a series of AI-themed side events and releasing Intelligent Land-Sea Connectivity: China-ASEAN AI Cooperation Case Collection (2026) ，promoting the application of AI across ASEAN. It highlights the dominant role of enterprises, facilitating the “Nanning Channel” by holding the Matchmaking Conference for Entrepreneurs from China and ASEAN Countries, supporting the construction of the Pinglu Canal Economic Belt.

Hashtag: #CABIS #ChinaASEAN #AI

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

]]> Asia Insider https://asiainsiders.net/mirava-builds-momentum-in-europe-following-cannes-yachting-festival-debut 2026-09-21T03:03:24Z 2026-09-21T02:15:00Z

CANNES, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 September 2026 – MIRAVA, the smart boat technology company behind the M800 platform, has concluded its debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026, marking an important step in its European market expansion.

Presented at Port Canto, the M800E attracted strong interest from boat owners, industry professionals, dealers and international media. During the show, MIRAVA received dozens of serious expressions of interest and prospective orders, providing early market feedback on its new approach to smart boating.

The M800 combines intelligent technology with a modular design focused on freedom and versatility on the water. Its intelligent system integrates functions including assisted navigation, automatic docking, position holding and safety features, while a wearable smart band allows users to interact with the boat and enables the vessel to follow them during activities such as swimming, paddleboarding or exploring with the detachable electric tender.

The platform is designed around different ways of enjoying time on the water. Its flip-up stern mechanism transforms the rear area for easier access and greater flexibility, while the bow can be equipped with a removable hammock and shelter, creating a dedicated space for relaxing, socialising or enjoying the surroundings.

The Cannes debut is only the beginning of MIRAVA’s European journey. The company will next present its products and technology at boot Düsseldorf in January 2027, followed by a European sea-trial tour beginning in May 2027 across Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Northern Italy, Austria, and Hungary.

The sea-trial program will give prospective customers, dealers and industry partners the opportunity to experience the M800 platform and its intelligent boating system directly on the water.

MIRAVA Smart Boat – The Next Generation Smart Boat.

Hashtag: #MIRAVA

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

]]> Asia Insider https://asiainsiders.net/eureka-marks-world-cleanup-day-2026-in-france-with-find-the-unseen-cleanup-challenge 2026-09-21T03:03:23Z 2026-09-21T02:10:00Z

PARIS, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 September 2026 – Eureka marked World Cleanup Day 2026 in France with its “Find the Unseen” campaign, encouraging people to pay closer attention to places that can easily be overlooked in everyday cleaning.

World Cleanup Day often draws attention to streets, parks and other public areas. Eureka extended that idea into everyday environments, asking people to look beyond the spaces they clean routinely and notice the corners and shared areas that may receive far less attention.

The wider campaign brought together creators across France, Germany, Italy and Spain, with each collaboration interpreting “Find the Unseen” through a local perspective.

In France, @Antoiz turned the campaign into a real-world challenge by offering €50 to anyone who could help him find the dirtiest place possible. After speaking with people about spaces that might fit the challenge, the search led to an entrance hall where dirt had built up away from everyday attention.

Rather than simply talking about overlooked spaces, the content went out to find one. @Antoiz then put the Eureka FloorShine 880 Wet and Dry Vacuum to work on the area, turning the discovery into a hands-on cleaning challenge and showing the result after cleaning. The format gave “Find the Unseen” a literal and relatable meaning, connecting curiosity, discovery and practical cleaning in one story.

Looking ahead, Eureka plans to continue working with creators across Europe to discover more of these “unseen” spaces. Through future collaborations, the brand aims to encourage people to pay greater attention to both their homes and the shared spaces they use every day, making cleaner environments a more natural part of everyday life.

Eureka also introduced the “Find the Unseen” social media challenge, inviting consumers to clean overlooked areas in their homes with Eureka products, share videos online and participate for a chance to receive cashback.

As part of the campaign, Eureka is offering 6% off any Eureka product from now through September 30 with the promotional code eureka920 on its French website.

Learn more:
https://fr.eureka.com/pages/worldcleanday2026/

Hashtag: #Eureka #WorldCleanupDay

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Eureka

Founded in Detroit, USA, in 1909, Eureka is a century-old vacuum cleaner brand dedicated to making cleaning easier. The brand focuses on innovation, practical design and ease of use, developing cleaning solutions for everyday homes.

]]> Asia Insider https://asiainsiders.net/allinton-brings-new-engineering-capabilities-to-mro-asia-pacific-2026-as-asias-aerospace-sector-grows 2026-09-21T03:03:20Z 2026-09-21T01:00:00Z

The move comes as Singapore’s aerospace output surges past S$18 billion amid Asia’s fastest aviation MRO growth.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 September 2026 – Allinton, a Singapore-based engineering and industrial solutions provider, will participate in MRO Asia-Pacific 2026 from 22 to 24 September at Singapore Expo Meeting Rooms, Hall 3, Booth 2529, presenting its trading, engineering and business development capabilities as Asia’s aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector continues to expand.

Asia’s Aerospace Growth Accelerates, Singapore Plays Central Role

Asia’s aerospace sector is expanding at a pace unmatched by any other region, according to the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). Singapore’s aerospace output exceeded S$18 billion in 2024, up 19% year on year, EDB figures show.

Singapore accounts for about 10% of global MRO output and close to 20% of global engine MRO output, the equivalent of one in 10 aircraft and one in five engines worldwide serviced in the country, according to EDB. It is against this backdrop that Allinton is expanding its presence in the aviation MRO sector.

Allinton’s New Capabilities Span the Aerospace Value Chain

MRO Asia-Pacific 2026 brings together airlines, MRO providers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), lessors and suppliers across the aviation aftermarket ecosystem. Allinton Group’s participation marks its entry into the aviation aftermarket ecosystem, where it will present its new aviation engineering capabilities, developed through a structure that spans three business functions addressing this range of needs: Allinton Engineering & Trading, which provides industrial supply and engineering solutions; Allinton Ventures, which handles business development and strategic partnerships; and Aik Lee, which focuses on automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

Within this structure, Aik Lee’s work in AI and digital automation forms one part of Allinton’s broader offering and remains at an exploratory stage, the company said.

Together, Allinton’s three functions cover sourcing and supply, engineering execution, and long-term growth and expansion to support a range of aviation MRO needs. These capabilities aim to address both internal operational needs, such as workflow and process efficiency, and external aerospace applications.

“The MRO sector is under growing pressure to improve turnaround times, manage supply challenges and work more efficiently,” said Chin Chit Loong, Chief Executive Officer of Allinton. “By combining our sourcing and industrial supply experience with engineering, automation and digital capabilities, Allinton can help address these operational gaps with practical solutions built around how our customers actually work.” This approach reflects the broader growth trajectory of Asia’s aerospace sector, particularly in Singapore.
Hashtag: #Allinton

https://allinton.com.sg/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/allinton/
https://www.instagram.com/allintonsg/

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Allinton

Allinton is a Singapore-based engineering solutions provider and system integrator, founded in 1982. Allinton three core business segments: AI, Digital & Custom Engineering Solutions, System Integration, and Trading & Distribution Services.

Allinton provides a comprehensive end-to-end solution, leveraging engineering expertise, digital and AI technologies to enhance operational visibility, efficiency, and decision making. Its trading & distribution services segment supplies reliable machinery and advanced tooling supporting diverse industrial operations. Allinton operates a significant logistic hub in Singapore, this includes two 60,000 sq. ft. warehouses in Tuas, Singapore, ensuring robust logistics and reliable supply for the most demanding industrial environments.

Operating across eight countries, Singapore, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam, Allinton supports customer in complex and demanding industrial sectors, including Marine, Oil & Gas, Construction and heavy industries.

]]> Asia Insider https://asiainsiders.net/little-footprints-preschool-involves-all-47-centres-nationwide-for-community-outreach-day 2026-09-21T03:03:19Z 2026-09-21T01:00:00Z

Babilou Cares 2026 brings together families, educators and community partners at 47 centres for coordinated activities spanning elderly welfare, sustainability, food security and kindness.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 September 2026 – Little Footprints Preschool, operated by Babilou Family Singapore, brought together all 47 of its islandwide centres on 17 July 2026 for its fifth annual Babilou Cares community outreach day. The Singapore preschool network offering infant care and childcare programmes drew families, educators and partners including NParks, NEA, TOUCH Community Services and Food from the Heart into a day of hands-on community service. In a shift from previous fundraising-driven editions, the 2026 campaign focused on direct action across four pillars (elderly welfare, food security, environmental sustainability and community kindness) to embed the group’s Sustainable Education™ framework into practical learning for young children.

Bringing Generations Together
Under intergenerational engagement, 16 Little Footprints centres, including its childcare centres at Punggol and Bedok Reservoir, worked with community sites operated by partners including TOUCH Community Services, NTUC Health and REACH Community Services to spend time with the elderly. Families travelled to these sites, where over 40 parents joined their children to lead stretching exercises, sing-alongs, storytelling and the creation of dementia-friendly cognitive activities designed to support memory, thinking and social engagement among seniors.

Supporting Families Through Food Security
Families across Little Footprints’ Punggol 168 and Punggol 107 centres came together for a donation drive, collecting over 30kg of food and 20kg of textiles. These were redistributed to community shops and beneficiaries through partners including Food from the Heart and Cloop, and directly to lower-income families at rental flats. Alongside the collection, parents and children took part in food sustainability talks that introduced them to the systems behind what ends up on their plates.

Learning to Care for the Environment
For the environmental sustainability pillar, waste became the raw material. Families across 12 Little Footprints centres joined partners NParks, the Public Hygiene Council and NEA in neighbourhood and beach clean-ups, upcycling workshops and recycled art sessions, turning bottles, chopsticks and T-shirts into tote bags, garden tools, artwork and clean-up equipment.

In particular, Little Footprints’ Balestier centre gathered 11 families to jointly upcycle and craft more than a dozen items, including coin boxes, flower vases, play boxes, decorations and shakers.

Practising Kindness in the Community
Lastly, kindness took many forms across 15 Little Footprints centres. At the Depot and Keat Hong 803 centres, over 70 parents gave out thank-you cards to hawkers, clinic staff and helpers around neighbourhood shopping centres. A mental wellness workshop was hosted in partnership with Heartfulness, and in the neighbourhoods surrounding each centre, families hand-delivered care packs to cleaners, security staff, hawkers and bus captains. This included 32 care packs distributed by the Thomson centre to hawkers and cleaners, as well as Milo and biscuit care packs distributed by Bukit Purmei centre to community cleaners.

At Jurong West 976 centre, the team also prepared 100 care packs, including packet drinks, biscuits, fruit, instant cereal and instant coffee. Staff and children gave out the care packs to elderly residents in the neighbourhood as part of the children’s learning experience, helping them understand the importance of caring for and contributing to the community.

A Sustained Commitment to Community Engagement
Held annually across the wider Babilou Family Group network, Babilou Cares reflects a longer-term commitment to weaving community engagement into classroom practice year-round.

The Sustainable Education framework guides how children learn across four dimensions: emotional and physical safety, nature-based learning, inclusion and partnering with parents. Community engagement activities run through each of these, giving children opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom to the world around them.

In 2025, the initiative raised $43,000 for Ground-Up Initiative, an organisation focused on sustainability and reconnecting people with nature. The funds directly supported the development of its new Kampung Kampus in Khatib, a living classroom where children, families, youths and educators engage in hands-on learning rooted in sustainable living and the kampung spirit.

In May 2024, closure day activities across Little Footprints centres raised $69,343 for World Vision, an international children’s charity. The funds provided lunches, medicine, emergency food and vegetable seed packs for children and families in need, while helping children at Little Footprints build empathy for hungry and malnourished children, alongside a deeper sense of gratitude for their food and an early understanding of food sustainability.

The move away from a fundraising figure this year shifts the emphasis to the act of doing, on children, families and educators showing up together, in every neighbourhood, on the same day.
Hashtag: #LittleFootprintsPreschool

https://littlefootprints.edu.sg/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/babilou-family-singapore/
https://www.facebook.com/littlefootprintspresch
https://www.instagram.com/littlefootprintspreschool/
https://www.tiktok.com/@littlefootprintspresch

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Little Footprints Preschool

Little Footprints Preschool is a community-based preschool network offering infant care, playgroup, nursery and kindergarten programmes across 47 centres in Singapore’s heartland neighbourhoods. It operates under Babilou Family Singapore, a subsidiary of Babilou Family Group based in France, which runs a network of over 1,000 nurseries worldwide. Its curriculum is delivered under the Sustainable Education framework and is mapped to the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) frameworks. All Little Footprints Preschool centres are appointed under the ECDA Partner Operator (POP) scheme. More information is available at https://littlefootprints.edu.sg.

]]> Asia Insider https://asiainsiders.net/bessent-meets-china-vice-premier-he-lifeng-ahead-of-trump-xi-summit 2026-09-20T19:01:37Z 2026-09-20T16:56:14Z

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng shake hands during trade talks at OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) headquarters in Paris, France, March 16, 2026.

The U.s. Treasury | Via Reuters

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping‘s visit to the U.S. this week.

The talks are expected to cover artificial intelligence, tariffs, rare earths and other economic issues ahead of Trump and Xi’s Sept. 24 summit in Washington, D.C.

“In New York City, Vice Premier He Lifeng and I are continuing our discussions on the U.S.-China economic and trade relationship ahead of [President Donald Trump‘s] historic summit with President Xi in Washington,” Bessent said in a post to X along with a photo of himself and He.

He added: “These talks help lay the groundwork for President Trump to advance America’s economic interests and deliver results for the American people.”

In brief remarks to reporters before the meeting at JPMorgan Chase in New York, Bessent said he looks forward to “focused, fulsome and constructive talks today that will set the stage” for this week’s summit between the leaders of the world’s two largest national economies.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is also expected to participate in the talks.

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The meeting comes before Xi’s high-stakes visit to Washington this week, his first during Trump’s second term. Trump visited Beijing earlier this year amid escalating tensions between the world’s largest economies.

Bessent’s meeting with He also comes amid intensifying debate in Washington over the safety of artificial intelligence and national security as the U.S. and China compete for technological leadership. The Trump administration has favored voluntary and national-security-focused safeguards over broad mandatory rules for AI developers. The issue is expected to be part of discussions between Xi and Trump during the Chinese president’s visit.

Top AI executives have recently warned that the technology could quickly become out of control and poses sweeping new threats. They urged Washington to set guardrails and regulations on the industry, something Trump himself has recently derided.

CNBC reported Friday that JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon and Citigroup chief Jane Fraser are expected at a state dinner during Xi’s visit. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Nvidia chief Jensen Huang are also set to attend.

The summit in Washington is expected to include high-stakes economic dialogue as the U.S. and China remain locked in competition.

In addition to AI, the summit is likely to broach other issues such as trade and tariffs. A key part of the current U.S.-China trade truce — Washington’s suspension of heightened reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports — is scheduled to expire Nov. 10.

The current truce includes Chinese commitments on rare-earth exports and U.S. agricultural purchases, while the Trump administration reduced some tariffs and suspended higher reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods.

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Source: CNBC

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