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Aga Khan Foundation launches $500M drive to turn Indian Ocean restoration into economic opportunity

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:27:00 +0700

Ten-year initiative will support communities across the Indian Ocean region to restore threatened ecosystems while creating sustainable livelihoods. Launch comes amid growing pressure on international climate and development funding, highlighting the need for approaches that deliver both environmental and economic returns.

London, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is launching ReGeneration, a major ten-year initiative designed to tackle one of climate action's toughest challenges: how to restore nature while importantly enabling the communities who depend upon it to prosper.

Across six countries in the Indian Ocean region, ReGeneration will bring nature restoration and economic development together ? creating sustainable livelihoods and new economic opportunities while protecting and restoring critical ecosystems.

The initiative was recently launched as world leaders, governments, philanthropies and businesses gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly and New York Climate Week, against a backdrop of increasing pressure on traditional sources of international development and climate finance.

Across the Indian Ocean region, more than two billion people live in countries whose communities and economies are closely connected to the coast. But these communities are facing growing pressures from a changing climate and the degradation of the natural environments on which they depend. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall, more frequent and severe cyclones, floods and droughts, declining fish stocks and the loss of mangrove forests are putting livelihoods, food security and resilience at risk.

As pressure on natural resources grows, communities need practical ways to adapt while securing sustainable sources of income. Over the next decade, ReGeneration aims to combat this by restoring 150,000 hectares of mangrove and coastal ecosystems, alongside supporting regenerative agriculture, sustainable fisheries, clean energy and enterprise development across six countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

The initiative will support communities on the frontline of climate change to restore critical natural environments while creating new sources of income, jobs and economic opportunity. By linking healthier ecosystems with stronger local economies, ReGeneration seeks to demonstrate that environmental restoration and community prosperity can reinforce one another.

Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan said: "We have a shared responsibility to care for our oceans and the communities living along their coastlines. As part of the fight against climate change, our institutions are regenerating the shores of the Indian Ocean so that those who depend on them can thrive for generations to come."

Apoorva Oza, Global Climate Lead at Aga Khan Foundation, said: "Too often, climate action asks communities to protect nature without addressing the economic realities that determine how land, oceans and natural resources are used. ReGeneration starts from a different premise: protecting nature must work economically for the people who live alongside it. Whether through sustainable fisheries, regenerative agriculture, clean energy or new forms of enterprise, we want to create livelihoods that strengthen rather than deplete the natural environment. That is how restoration becomes sustainable, and how climate action can translate into stronger local economies and more resilient communities."

An early milestone in ReGeneration came in May 2026, when the Aga Khan Foundation and Agence Fran?aise de D?veloppement (AFD), representing the French Republic, signed a EUR100 million declaration to support joint efforts to protect and restore coastal ecosystems across the Indian Ocean region, beginning in Mayotte, Madagascar and Tanzania.

The declaration, made in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron and His Highness the Aga Khan, anchors this wider ambition to drive $500 million of investment into this critical but neglected ecosystem.

Upon the signing of the MOU in May 2026, Eleonore Caroit, French Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, said: "France's partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network is one of the most enduring and impactful in our development cooperation. Today's agreement, signed here in Nairobi at the Africa Forward Summit, demonstrates our joint commitment to addressing the climate and environmental challenges facing the African continent. Together with the Government of Tanzania, we are investing in the sustainable management of coastal ecosystems and in agricultural practices that strengthen food security and community resilience."

ReGeneration builds on decades of AKF experience working with communities to tackle poverty, improve livelihoods and strengthen resilience. Rather than treating conservation and economic development as competing priorities, the programme will work with communities to develop practical alternatives to activities such as overfishing, deforestation and unsustainable farming.

This means restoring mangroves while developing more sustainable fisheries; supporting farmers to adopt regenerative approaches that improve productivity and soil health; expanding access to clean energy; or creating enterprises and jobs connected to healthier natural environments. The ambition is to demonstrate a model in which communities have a direct economic stake in protecting the ecosystems around them ? and where environmental restoration becomes a driver of wider economic regeneration.

The programme is also being brought to life through a new series of films produced in partnership with Open Planet Studios. Filmed initially in Kenya and India and narrated by Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, the first ReGeneration film explores the relationship between nature, livelihoods and economic opportunity through the experiences of the communities at the heart of the programme.

Following early screenings in Mombasa and during London Climate Action Week, the films are now being showcased internationally, including around New York Climate Week and at events in Houston and Paris, with further screenings planned as the initiative develops. Future films will explore individual countries and themes within ReGeneration, with further filming planned in Tanzania, Mozambique, Pakistan and Madagascar.

ReGeneration forms part of a wider message: that retreating from long-term investment in communities now risks reversing progress on some of the world's most pressing development challenges.

Matt Reed, Global Director of Partnerships and CEO of Aga Khan Foundation UK, said: "We are at a point where the international community is having to think differently about how development is funded and delivered. But stepping back from investment in climate resilience, education and economic opportunity now would carry enormous long-term costs. Whether we are talking about restoring an ecosystem or improving a child's education, the principle is the same: invest in the capacity of communities to shape their own futures. ReGeneration is an example of what that can look like in practice - bringing together environmental restoration and economic opportunity rather than asking communities to choose between the two."

For media enquiries please contact Ellen Agnew.

About ReGeneration

ReGeneration is a ten-year Aga Khan Foundation initiative working with communities across six countries in the Indian Ocean region to restore natural environments while strengthening livelihoods and local economies.

The programme brings together approaches including mangrove and ecosystem restoration, regenerative agriculture, sustainable fisheries, clean energy and enterprise development.

ReGeneration films

A series of films is being produced with Open Planet Studios to document ReGeneration and the communities involved in the programme.

The first films were shot in Kenya and India and are narrated by Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan. Further filming is planned in Mozambique, Pakistan and Madagascar.

To view the films:

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfGEhmFM8tg

12 minute film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWcGDCksLG8

Attachments

ReGeneration, India

ReGeneration, Mozambique

Ellen Agnew

Aga Khan Foundation

ellen.agnew@akdn.org

Curia Invests $28 Million in Sterile API Manufacturing

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:25:00 +0700

ALBANY, N.Y., Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Curia Global, Inc. (Curia), a leading global contract, development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today announced a strategic investment to expand its sterile API manufacturing capabilities for both steroid and non-steroid products in Valladolid, Spain. This expansion is set to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2028.

Together with Curia's sterility assurance and solid-state engineering expertise, including aseptic crystallization, milling and micronization, the expansion will enhance support for injectable suspensions and other complex sterile formulations.

Closed systems with barrier isolators will provide primary containment for sterile API handling while minimizing operator interaction through integrated service panels. The expanded capabilities will also support flexibility in scale from grams to metric tons and offer customizable aseptic packaging configurations designed to preserve sterility assurance, reduce handoffs and mitigate contamination risk during transfer and storage.

"Our Valladolid site is uniquely positioned to deliver variable batch size manufacturing for sterile APIs, and this investment is an important step in the continued growth of our sterile API capabilities," said Scott Wagner, President, API, at Curia. "It will enable us to build on the site's decades of sterile manufacturing expertise, while offering our partners greater flexibility in scale and more support from development through commercial manufacturing."

This expansion follows Curia's recent $4 million upgrade of its API aseptic suites in Valladolid, which was completed in May, further strengthening its integrated R&D, analytical and manufacturing services.

About Curia

Curia is a contract research, development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with an integrated network of 20+ global sites and 3,000+ employees supporting biopharmaceutical customers from discovery through commercialization. Our capabilities span small molecules, generic APIs and biologics, with expertise in regulatory support, analytical services, drug substance and sterile fill-finish manufacturing.

Founded in 1991 as Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (AMRI), Curia built its foundation on scientific innovation and was originally known for the discovery and development of the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Allegra. Over the last three decades, we expanded our capabilities and global footprint through strategic acquisitions, including Crystal Pharma, Euticals, Gadea Pharmaceutical Group, Integrity Bio, LakePharma and Ragactives. Today, Curia partners with customers to accelerate discovery, development and manufacturing timelines to help bring life-changing therapies to patients. Visit us at curiaglobal.com.

Corporate Contact:

Viana Bhagan

Curia

+1 518 512 2111

corporatecommunications@CuriaGlobal.com

Curia Berinvestasi $28 Juta untuk Manufaktur API Steril

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:18:00 +0700

ALBANY, N.Y., Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Curia Global, Inc. (Curia), salah satu perusahaan penyedia layanan pengembangan dan manufaktur berbasis kontrak (CDMO) terkemuka di dunia, hari ini mengumumkan investasi strategis untuk memperluas kapabilitas produksi bahan aktif farmasi (API) steril, baik untuk produk steroid maupun nonsteroid, di Valladolid, Spanyol. Perluasan ini ditargetkan rampung pada kuartal keempat tahun 2028.

Perluasan ini sendiri didukung oleh keahlian Curia dalam penjaminan sterilitas dan rekayasa bentuk padat, termasuk kristalisasi aseptik, penggilingan, dan mikronisasi. Langkah ini akan meningkatkan kemampuan perusahaan dalam mendukung formulasi suspensi injeksi dan formulasi steril kompleks lainnya.

Sistem tertutup dengan isolator penghalang akan menyediakan perlindungan utama dalam penanganan API steril, sekaligus meminimalkan interaksi operator melalui panel layanan terintegrasi. Perluasan kapabilitas ini juga akan mendukung fleksibilitas skala produksi, mulai dari hitungan gram hingga ton metrik. Selain itu, fasilitas ini akan menawarkan konfigurasi pengemasan aseptik yang dapat disesuaikan. Konfigurasi ini dirancang untuk mempertahankan jaminan sterilitas, mengurangi proses serah terima, serta meminimalkan risiko kontaminasi selama pemindahan dan penyimpanan.

"Fasilitas kami di Valladolid memiliki keunggulan khusus dalam memproduksi API steril dengan ukuran batch yang bervariasi. Investasi ini merupakan langkah penting dalam pengembangan berkelanjutan kemampuan produksi API steril kami," ujar Scott Wagner, Presiden Divisi API di Curia.

"Investasi ini memungkinkan kami untuk terus mengembangkan keahlian fasilitas tersebut yang telah terbangun selama puluhan tahun dalam produksi steril. Investasi ini juga memberi mitra kami fleksibilitas skala produksi yang lebih besar serta dukungan yang lebih luas, mulai dari tahap pengembangan hingga produksi komersial."

Perluasan ini menyusul peningkatan fasilitas produksi API aseptik Curia di Valladolid senilai US$4 juta yang baru-baru ini rampung pada Mei lalu. Peningkatan tersebut semakin memperkuat layanan Litbang, analisis, serta manufaktur terintegrasi perusahaan.

Tentang Curia

Curia adalah perusahaan penelitian, pengembangan, dan manufaktur berbasis kontrak (contract research, development and manufacturing organization/CDMO) dengan jaringan terpadu yang mencakup lebih dari 20 lokasi global dan didukung oleh lebih dari 3.000 karyawan. Curia mendukung pelanggan biofarmasi mulai dari tahap penemuan hingga komersialisasi.

Kapabilitas kami mencakup molekul kecil, API generik, dan produk biologis, dengan keahlian dalam dukungan regulasi, layanan analitik, manufaktur bahan obat, serta pengisian dan penyelesaian akhir secara steril.

Didirikan pada tahun 1991 dengan nama Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (AMRI), Curia berkembang dengan berlandaskan inovasi ilmiah dan pada awalnya dikenal atas penemuan serta pengembangan bahan aktif farmasi (API) yang digunakan dalam obat alergi Allegra.

Selama tiga dekade terakhir, kami telah meningkatkan kapabilitas dan kehadiran kami di pasar global melalui sejumlah akuisisi strategis, termasuk Crystal Pharma, Euticals, Gadea Pharmaceutical Group, Integrity Bio, LakePharma, dan Ragactives. Saat ini, Curia bermitra dengan pelanggan untuk mempercepat proses penemuan, pengembangan, dan manufaktur guna membantu menghadirkan terapi yang dapat mengubah kehidupan pasien. Kunjungi kami di curiaglobal.com.

Kontak Korporat:

Viana Bhagan

Curia

+1 518 512 2111

corporatecommunications@CuriaGlobal.com

Wood Mackenzie connects trusted energy intelligence with Microsoft Copilot

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:15:00 +0700

New Model Context Protocol (MCP) connector brings Wood Mackenzie's proprietary energy insights, data and analytical capabilities directly into Microsoft Copilot, enabling faster, more confident decisions

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wood Mackenzie | www.woodmac.com

Wood Mackenzie today announced that customers can now access Wood Mackenzie's proprietary content, data and analytical capabilities directly within their Microsoft Copilot environment. Wood Mackenzie for Microsoft Copilot gives authorised users access to Wood Mackenzie research, data and analytical insight through natural-language prompts, directly within Copilot.

The new capability is built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that enables AI environments to dynamically discover and use external intelligence. The integration connects Wood Mackenzie's trusted research, datasets and analytical models to Copilot, so that energy and natural resource professionals can surface relevant intelligence without leaving the workflows they already use.

Embedded where decisions happen

As enterprise organisations move from AI experimentation toward embedded AI solutions and agentic workflows, the demand for high-quality, governed external intelligence inside those environments has grown significantly. Enterprise teams increasingly need trusted domain intelligence inside day-to-day decision workflows, not simply general-purpose answers. Wood Mackenzie's plugin for Copilot is designed to meet that demand, bringing trusted energy and natural resource intelligence directly into the environment where professionals are already working.

Intelligent discovery across content, data and analytics

Teams have previously needed to navigate workflow fragmentation, switching between platforms and manually exporting, cleaning and reconciling information from separate systems. Wood Mackenzie's plugin for Copilot addresses this directly. Customers can now ask natural-language questions and surface relevant Wood Mackenzie written analysis, discover and retrieve content without manually searching across separate platforms, and bring Wood Mackenzie insights into documents, spreadsheets and internal workflows, all within their Microsoft Copilot environment.

The result is faster access to precise, domain-specific intelligence, less manual searching, exporting and reconciling, and more confident decisions grounded in trusted Wood Mackenzie data, methodologies and analyst expertise.

Grounded in proprietary data, methodology and analyst expertise

The intelligence surfaced through the integration is grounded in Wood Mackenzie's proprietary datasets, methodologies, models and analyst expertise all of which is enhanced by Synoptic, Wood Mackenzie's own application of AI, giving customers greater confidence in the evidence behind critical decisions. By reducing workflow friction and accelerating time to insight, Wood Mackenzie for Copilot is designed to help organisations improve the quality and speed of decision-making across screening, benchmarking, strategic analysis and decision preparation.

The Microsoft Copilot integration marks the beginning of Wood Mackenzie's AI connector strategy, designed to bring trusted intelligence into the platforms and workflows customers already use.

"AI is becoming the primary environment where analysis is done, decisions are prepared and strategies are tested. Our job is to make sure Wood Mackenzie intelligence, enhanced by our own Synoptic AI, is available inside that environment, governed, traceable and ready to use. This integration means our clients spend less time moving between systems and more time connecting with and applying the insight that matters. This is the first step in a broader initiative and there is more to come as we continue to expand."

-- Bernardo Rodriguez, Executive Vice President and Chief Product & Technology Officer, Wood Mackenzie

"Wood Mackenzie's plugin for Microsoft Copilot demonstrates how domain-specific knowledge can be made accessible directly within the workflows and AI environments organizations are already using. For customers in the energy and natural resources sector, this means the evidence they need to support critical decisions is available where the work is happening."

-- Chantrelle Nielsen, Principal Product Manager for Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft

The integration is available now, with expanded data and analytical capabilities being introduced on a phased basis as additional datasets and models become MCP-ready.

Wood Mackenzie for Microsoft Copilot connects trusted energy and natural resources intelligence with enterprise AI workflows, helping customers access relevant research, data and analytics through natural-language discovery.

Learn more here: Connecting to our intelligence | Wood Mackenzie

About Wood Mackenzie: Wood Mackenzie is the global leader in analytics, insights and proprietary data across the entire energy and natural resources landscape. For over 50 years our work has guided the decisions of the world's most influential energy producers, utilities companies, financial institutions and governments. Now, with the world's energy system more complex and interconnected than ever before, sector-specific views are no longer enough.

That's why we've redefined what's possible with Intelligence Connected: the fusion of our unparalleled proprietary data with the sharpest analytical minds, all supercharged by Synoptic AI, to deliver a clear, interconnected view of the entire value chain. Our trusted team of 2,700 experts across 30 countries breaks siloes and connects industries, markets and regions across the globe to empower our customers to identify risk sooner, spot opportunity faster and make every decision with complete confidence.

VoltaGrid Completes $775 Million Primary Equity Investment and Upsized $800 Million Secondary Equity Investment

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:08:00 +0700

HOUSTON, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VoltaGrid (the "Company") announced the closing of the equity investments that were previously announced on May 11, 2026.

In addition to the primary investment of $775 million from funds managed by Blackstone Tactical Opportunities and from Halliburton Company, the secondary investment from existing investors was upsized from $225 million to $800 million and was comprised of purchasers that included institutional and other investors.

The announced investments broaden the Company's long-term investor base as the Company scales its buildout of behind-the-meter power generation capacity for data center, microgrid and industrial customers across North America. The secondary purchases provided liquidity to certain existing members of the Company and did not result in additional proceeds to the Company.

Advisors

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays and TD Securities acted as placement agents to VoltaGrid. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisor to VoltaGrid.

About VoltaGrid

VoltaGrid is an advanced energy management and generation company delivering firm, off-grid power solutions for some of the world's most demanding applications. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, VoltaGrid provides behind-the-meter generation, portable power, CNG fuel supply, infrastructure, and energy management services to data centers, AI infrastructure, utilities, and industrial customers across North America and beyond.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect the Company's current views with respect to, among other things, the Company's operations and financial performance, its buildout of behind-the-meter power generation capacity and the benefits of the strategic equity investment referred to herein.

You can generally identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "indicator," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "scheduled," "estimates," "anticipates," "opportunity," "leads," "forecast," "possible" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

These statements include declarations regarding the Company's management's beliefs and current expectations. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release, and the Company is not under any obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter, or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by law, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Media Contact

Susan Johnson - susan.johnson@voltagrid.com

Dmitry Shubov Consulting Observes Cross-Border Tech and Agency Automation Trends at Cebu Summit 2026

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:05:00 +0700

CEBU, Philippines, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dmitry Shubov of Dmitry Shubov Consulting attended the Cebu Summit 2026, held October 2-3 at the Bai Hotel Cebu. The summit convened digital agency founders, automation specialists, and technical operators from across Southeast Asia and global markets to examine workflow automation, agentic deployment, and client acquisition.

As Southeast Asian technology agencies and service firms increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into production environments and scale client engagements across borders, operational readiness and cross-border corporate architecture have emerged as key priorities. Participation in the summit provided direct insight into how regional agency leaders are structuring service delivery, managing cross-border commercial agreements, and addressing client data isolation requirements.

Summit sessions highlighted a growing operational divide between teams treating automation as an internal productivity experiment and those packaging agentic workflows into recurring enterprise contracts. For agencies actively serving cross-border accounts, discussions centered on the practical mechanics of scaling without importing legal risk, specifically around data sandboxing, contractor intellectual property assignments, and cross-border payment structures.

"It was great seeing how aggressively regional operators are building out agentic systems, but the conversations around scaling repeatedly hit the exact same friction point: client procurement," said Dmitry Shubov, CEO and Founder of Dmitry Shubov Consulting.

"When an overseas agency wins an enterprise client in the States or Europe, the buyer's legal team is immediately going to scrutinize who owns the underlying workflows and how proprietary data is protected. Getting those contract terms and corporate structures sorted out early is what keeps commercial momentum going."

The summit's focus on operational discipline reflects a broader shift across Southeast Asia, where establishing sound cross-border frameworks is becoming central to participating in international technology markets. For more information, please visit dmitryshubovconsulting.com directly.

About Dmitry Shubov Consulting

At Dmitry Shubov Consulting, our mission is to connect accredited investors with groundbreaking legal technology startups, fostering innovation and growth across Southeast Asia and helping Asian businesses enter the U.S. market. For more information, please visit our website or contact us directly.

Media Contact:

Support@dmitryshubovconsulting.com

"Future Resonance -- ShanghaiEye Night" Brings Shanghai to Washington, Fosters People-to-People Exchange Across the Pacific

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:56:00 +0700

"Future Resonance - ShanghaiEye Night" China-U.S. people-to-people exchange events held in Washington D.C. Photo: Shanghai Media Group

SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 October 2026 - On October 3, 2026, local time, a Shanghai-themed cultural exchange event was held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., bringing a taste of Shanghai to the U.S. Titled "Future Resonance - ShanghaiEye Night," the event was also part of the "Shanghai Let's Meet" city promotion initiative and a broader series of China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges.

Through a variety of cultural activities and interactions, the event built bridges between people across the Pacific and offered a glimpse of Shanghai as an open, inclusive and dynamic international metropolis.

The event, held by Shanghai Media Group, brought together nearly 100 prominent figures from China and the United States across the political, business, technology, cultural and arts sectors. Song Jiongming, President of Shanghai Media Group, and Susan Lee, Secretary of State of Maryland, attended the event and delivered remarks. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng was also in attendance.

In the afternoon, the National Mall was transformed into a "mini Shanghai" carnival. The carnival featured 50 stalls showcasing international cuisine, a "Shanghai Charm" themed exhibition area and displays of China's intangible cultural heritage.

Visitors got a glimpse of Shanghai's cutting-edge technological innovation through a model of the C919 passenger jet, explored the city's latest trends through a model of the Oriental Pearl Tower and popular Chinese cultural and creative IPs, and took a virtual journey through Shanghai's past and present with VR headsets provided by the Shanghai Museum.

Time-honored brands such as White Rabbit candy, Hero fountain pens and Lao Feng Xiang Jewelry offered visitors a taste of Shanghai's iconic homegrown brands. Meanwhile, an IP SHANGHAI lenticular art exhibition brought the city to life through dynamic images that changed as visitors moved around the displays.

From such an immersive experience showcasing Shanghai as a first stop for international visitors entering China to distinctive IPs spanning culture, commerce, tourism, sports and exhibitions, the carnival offered Americans and international visitors a glimpse of the city and a chance to experience Shanghai firsthand at one of Washington's most iconic landmarks. Many visitors said they hoped to visit Shanghai in person and explore the city on foot through a "city walk."

As the sun began to set, its golden glow fell over the Capitol dome. Against an iconic backdrop featuring the two cities, the "Future Resonance" outdoor concert got underway.

Young performers from China and the United States took the stage alongside renowned artists from both countries. The One Voice Children's Choir from the United States and the Manhattan Philharmonic joined forces to perform "We Are Together," a song created in Shanghai to celebrate friendship between the two countries.

The program featured a rich mix of symphonic works, traditional Chinese music, Chinese opera and anime music. Footage from Shanghai's city image film "UP! SHANGHAI" played on the large screen behind the stage throughout the concert.

Later that evening, nearly 100 guests from China and the United States, including prominent figures from politics, business, technology, culture and the arts, took part in the ShanghaiEye Night dialogue session.

Themed "Invest in China for a Win-Win Future," the dialogue highlighted the China International Import Expo and Shanghai's development as an international economic, financial, trade, shipping and technological innovation center. It also showcased the city's world-class business environment and provided a platform for high-level dialogue and practical cooperation between Chinese and U.S. companies.

The dialogue also featured a "Shanghai Charm" city image reception area. On one side, twenty selected historical photographs capturing key "Shanghai moments" in China-U.S. relations were displayed, including the signing of the Shanghai Communiqu?, the launch of the first China-U.S. air route, the opening of Apple's first store in China, the Tesla Gigafactory and the 10th anniversary of Shanghai Disney Resort.

On the other side, 20 photographs from the IP SHANGHAI platform, under the theme "Chasing Dreams in Shanghai," showcased Lujiazui Financial City, Yangshan Deep-Water Port, Shanghai Grand Opera House, the North Bund shipping hub, and the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek. Together, the displays offered guests a visual introduction to the city and created lasting memories of Shanghai.

With the support of the Information Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government and co-hosted by Shanghai Media Group, the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Conservation Center and the Washington Chinese Community Alliance, the event brought together guests from a range of sectors in China and the United States.

The event brought Shanghai closer to American audiences and the international community through city promotion, cultural performances, interactive experiences and high-level dialogue. It also provided a platform for people-to-people and cultural exchange between China and the United States.

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

Hashtags: #ShanghaiEye

Thailand's LTR Visa Hits 12,000 Approvals in Four Years, Adding USD 1.28 Billion to the Economy

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:52:00 +0700

Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 October 2026 - The Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa has attracted 12,010 high-potential foreigners to Thailand in four years, generating approximately USD 1.28 billion (THB 43 billion) in economic value, according to the Board of Investment (BOI).

The visa is a key mechanism for attracting executives and highly skilled personnel for future industries while increasing purchasing power and stimulating domestic spending and economic activity. A new online system now links services from four government agencies in an integrated process.

Introduced in September 2022 to attract high-potential foreigners to reside and conduct economic activities in Thailand, the LTR visa program has generated an average economic value of more than USD 107,000 (THB 3.6 million) per recipient, according to BOI data. The calculation covers visa fees, spending in Thailand by visa holders, direct investment, and tax revenue from highly skilled professionals.

Amid intensifying global competition for highly skilled personnel, the LTR visa is an important mechanism for bringing global talent into Thailand. This is particularly relevant as the country prepares for a new wave of investment in advanced-technology industries, including semiconductors and advanced electronics, digital technology and AI, humanoid robotics, aviation, and biotechnology.

"The LTR visa is a strategic pillar to attract global talent as Thailand absorbs a new wave of advanced technology investments," said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Board of Investment. "Drawing top-tier executives and technical specialists from around the world is vital to strengthening our national competitiveness and securing technology transfers from international partners."

Approved LTR visa recipients primarily come from leading economies. The United States accounts for the largest group, with more than 2,400 approvals, followed by Japan with more than 1,300 and the United Kingdom with more than 1,000. Japanese nationals comprise a notable share of the specialist bracket, aligning with Japan's heavy footprint in Thailand's automotive and precision-electronics supply networks.

The 12,010 approved LTR visa recipients fall into five categories: 1,779 Highly-Skilled Professionals; 1,043 Work-from-Thailand Professionals, who work from Thailand for overseas employers; 737 Wealthy Global Citizens; 4,561 Wealthy Pensioners; and 3,891 Dependents of recipients in the first four categories.

Among recipients in the Highly-Skilled Professionals and Work-from-Thailand Professionals categories, 54% hold executive-level positions and 36% are professionals in various fields; the remainder are at the technical level. Applicants in each category must meet specific criteria, such as requirements relating to assets, income, investment evidence, work experience, and health insurance, and undergo rigorous checks by the relevant agencies.

To handle rising application volumes and remove long-standing administrative bottlenecks, the BOI rolled out an integrated digital processing portal in September 2026. The platform centralizes review procedures across four primary state bodies: the Department of Consular Affairs, the Immigration Bureau, the Department of Employment, and the Revenue Department.

Complementing the portal, the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC), a one-stop service center, is located on floors 6-7 of the Parade Zone at One Bangkok. "The center is intended to strengthen Thailand's competitiveness in continuously attracting high-potential talent from around the world," said Mr. Narit.

In addition to attracting foreign talent through the LTR visa, BOI also facilitates visas and work permits for executives and personnel working in BOI-promoted businesses through the BOI Visa, and offers the Smart Visa for startups. BOI also supports the skills development of Thai personnel through the Skill Bridge measure, and helps Thai entrepreneurs adopt modern technology to enhance their competitiveness through the Business Transformation measure.

These measures work hand in hand to attract international experts, develop Thai personnel, and upgrade Thai businesses, strengthening Thailand's readiness for the transition to a new economy driven by technology and innovation.

Note: Currency conversions are based on the Bank of Thailand's average selling rate of approximately 1 USD = 33.6 THB.

Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)

Established in 1966, the Office of the Board of Investment (BOI) has played an important role for more than 60 years in promoting value-creating investment by both foreign and Thai investors, strengthening competitiveness and supporting Thailand's sustainable economic restructuring toward the new economy.

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

Hashtags: #Thailandboardofinvestment #BOI #FDI #Investment

https://www.boi.go.th/en/index/

GODIVA Celebrates 100 Years of Chocolate Craftsmanship With Exclusive Art Edition by Ekrem Yalcindag

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:43:00 +0700

Created for GODIVA's 100th anniversary, the collaboration carries Ekrem Yalcındag's art from canvas into packaging, textile and the chocolate itself.

LONDON, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GODIVA has unveiled the GODIVA Centennial Collection Art Edition, a limited collaboration with internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Ekrem Yalcındag, at a launch event in Shanghai on Wednesday, 23 September.

Created for the brand's 100th anniversary, the collection translates Yalcındag's work into packaging, textile and bespoke chocolate moulds.

The Shanghai launch forms part of GODIVA's global centennial celebrations taking place throughout 2026. The anniversary celebrations began earlier this year in Japan and the United States with a special collection box featuring chocolates selected to represent each of GODIVA's ten decades.

They now continue in Shanghai with the launch of two limited-edition collections bringing Ekrem Yalcındag's art together with GODIVA's chocolate craftsmanship.

Following Shanghai, GODIVA's centennial celebrations will continue in Riyadh and Istanbul before culminating in Belgium, where the GODIVA story began in Brussels in 1926.

THE COLLECTION

The Art Edition comprises two designs, each exploring a different relationship between art and chocolate. The Tablets feature 'Feels Like Home', an original work created by Yalcındag specifically for GODIVA's 100th anniversary. Elements of the design were translated into bespoke chocolate moulds, bringing the artwork directly into the form and surface of the chocolates.

Inspired by the feeling of home, the work draws on repetition, rhythm and colour to evoke something both personal and universal: the experience of returning to something familiar, cherished and enduring. It reflects how meaningful experiences settle into memory, not as a single moment, but as something we return to.

The Tablets selection includes Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate with Pistachio, White Chocolate with Almond, and Gold Chocolate with Salted Caramel Pieces. The edition is limited to 5,000 boxes worldwide, each accompanied by a commemorative textile bearing its individual edition number.

The Carres take their inspiration from Impressions, Yalcındag's 2014 oil-on-canvas work, measuring 175 cm in diameter and held in the Yıldız Holding Art Collection. The artwork is reinterpreted on the packaging, and the Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate Carres are accompanied by a textile featuring the artwork, creating a tangible connection to the original piece.

MURAT ?LKER: "WHEN ART BECOMES PART OF THE CHOCOLATE"

Murat Ulker, Chairman of GODIVA and pladis, said:

"I became acquainted with Ekrem Yalcındag's work before I met him personally. Works from different periods of his career have long been part of the Yıldız Holding Art Collection, so this collaboration represents a new chapter in a relationship built over many years. That makes it particularly meaningful to bring his artistic language together with GODIVA as we celebrate the brand's 100th anniversary.

The art does not stop at the box. It invites you to indulge not only in the chocolate, but in the art itself. The chocolate may be enjoyed today, but the box can be kept. Years from now, it may bring back the memory of this moment and perhaps even be passed from one generation to another, not simply as packaging, but as an object with its own artistic and emotional value.

GODIVA has endured for a century, and our hope is that it will continue to be part of people's lives for centuries to come. I like to think that these pieces can carry a little of GODIVA's first century into its next, and perhaps much further."

EKREM YAL?INDAG: "I STARTED NOT WITH THE BOX, BUT WITH THE CHOCOLATE ITSELF"

Ekrem Yalcındag said:

"As I began working on the design, I realised that I kept thinking about the chocolate itself and could not resist the desire to give form to the chocolate. So I began not with GODIVA's exterior, the box, but from within, with the chocolate itself.

'Feels Like Home' is the feeling evoked by the smell and taste of chocolate. For me, home is not simply a physical place. It can be a person, a memory, a familiar scent or a taste that takes us back to something we cherish. Throughout the process, I wanted the work to evoke GODIVA while also remaining unmistakably my own."

Yalcındag added:

"On GODIVA's 100th anniversary, I imagined happiness becoming not only something to be tasted, but something to be seen, remembered and cherished."

The GODIVA Art Edition will roll out globally from October, with launch dates varying by market, including the UAE from mid-October and the US from November.

ABOUT EKREM YALCINDAG

Born in Golbaşı in 1964, Ekrem Yal?ındag completed his art education at Dokuz Eylul University in İzmir and at the Stadelschule in Frankfurt, where he earned his master's degree under Hermann Nitsch.

As a contemporary artist who has lived and worked in Europe for many years, Yalcındag has developed a distinctive visual language rooted in geometric and floral motifs, repetition, rhythm and interwoven patterns, creating a bridge between art and design.

His work has been exhibited extensively in Turkiye and internationally and is represented in museum, institutional, corporate and private collections including Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, Museum Haus Konstruktiv in Zurich, the Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik, Istanbul Modern, Sammlung Goetz in Munich, Borusan Contemporary and Yıldız Holding.

For any press queries, please contact the pladis press office on +44 151 230 4899 / press.office@pladisglobal.com

Huawei and Qualcomm Announce Broad Patent License Agreement

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:40:00 +0700

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 October 2026 - Huawei and Qualcomm today announced a multi-year, broad patent license agreement that includes cross licenses to the companies' patent portfolios across a range of technology fields, including 5G, compute, AI, and networking, together with Qualcomm's purchase of certain Huawei U.S. patents in the areas of compute, AI, networking, and other technologies.

This transaction will close following receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals. The agreement reflects the companies' shared commitment to intellectual property rights and to licensing practices consistent with fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) principles.

"Huawei's decades of sustained investment in fundamental R&D have driven innovation and progress in mobile communications and other technology fields. Huawei's broad contributions to the 4G/5G standards, such as the near-physical-limit signal transmission technology using polar codes, have established Huawei's leadership in the mobile communications industry, and continuously transformed the way people communicate and live," said Alan Fan, Huawei's Chief Intellectual Property Officer.

"This agreement not only demonstrates the value of Huawei's innovations, but also recognizes Qualcomm's foundational contributions to modern communication technologies."

"Qualcomm has invested in foundational wireless technologies that have enabled successive generations of mobile innovation and earned broad recognition across the global wireless industry. This agreement reaffirms industry recognition of Qualcomm's 5G technology leadership and the success of Qualcomm's 5G SEP licensing program," said John Han, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Qualcomm Technology Licensing. "This agreement likewise reflects Qualcomm's recognition of Huawei's continued innovation and intellectual property in 5G and other technology fields."

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

Hashtags: #Huawei

Siam Piwat to Invest US$300 Million (THB10 Billion) in ICONPHUKET, The Icon of Southern Wonders, Opening in 2029

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:33:00 +0700

*ICONPHUKET will create a first-of-its-kind Hybrid Retail-Attraction & Entertainment Destination, featuring 12 extraordinary world-class attractions designed to captivate global audiences and redefine lifestyle, entertainment, and meaningful travel experiences.

*ICONPHUKET will unite the potential, identity, wisdom, arts and cultural heritage of Southern Thailand's 14 provinces through world-class experiences, bringing Southern Thailand's extraordinary potential to the global stage and showcasing the best of Thailand to the world.

*The project is envisioned as a model city shaped through cross-sector collaboration, helping to strengthen a sustainable cluster economy across Southern Thailand. Siam Piwat expects the development to support 50,000-80,000 jobs from construction through full operations; ICONPHUKET is expected to attract 80,000-100,000 visitors per day once fully operational.

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 October 2026 - Siam Piwat Group, Thailand's leading retail and real estate developer behind Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery and joint owner of ICONSIAM and Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok, has unveiled ICONPHUKET, a THB10 billion destination development in Phuket scheduled to open in 2029.

ICONPHUKET marks a major expansion beyond Bangkok for Siam Piwat and will bring together the culture, creativity, products and economic potential of Southern Thailand's 14 provinces in one destination. The project is designed as a first-of-its-kind Hybrid Retail-Attraction and Entertainment Destination,featuring 12extraordinary world-class attractions designed to captivate global audiences, integrating tourism, public spaces and nature with year-round experiences for Thai and international visitors. Building on the success of ICONSIAM and Siam Paragon, which have helped position Thailand as a global benchmark for destination development, Siam Piwat sees ICONPHUKET as its next transformative destination project.

Chadatip Chutrakul, Chief Executive Officer of Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., said: "ICONPHUKET represents the next chapter of our vision to create destinations that generate economic value while showcasing Thailand's strengths to the world. By connecting the capabilities of all 14 southern provinces with global opportunities, ICONPHUKET will serve as a gateway to Southern Thailand's potential, helping strengthen Phuket and the region as a leading destination for tourism, investment and the creative economy."

ICONPHUKET will serve as the centerpiece of Synthesis Ark Phuket, an integrated mixed-use megaproject developed by CV Group of Companies, with an investment value of more than US$1.5 billion (THB 50 billion) and spanning over 80 hectares in Thalang, Phuket, Thailand. The wider project will include residences, hotels, offices, serviced apartments, educational institutions, and health and wellness facilities, with convenient access to Phuket International Airport and yacht marinas. Phase 1 of Synthesis Ark Phuket is scheduled to be completed by 2032. The development is envisioned as a future-ready urban destination that supports the long-term growth of a sustainable Southern economic cluster.

More than 40% of ICONPHUKET will be dedicated to green and open spaces, while one-third of the project will comprise attractions and entertainment. Developed with local communities, government agencies and private-sector partners, the project will incorporate green technologies, resource-efficiency systems and smart mobility solutions. It will also provide a platform for SMEs, community enterprises and local products from across Southern Thailand.

ICONPHUKET will unite the strengths of Southern Thailand's 14 provinces in one destination. As a gateway to the region's potential, it will connect local enterprises, communities and products with new opportunities in international markets, while presenting Southern Thailand's distinctive character to Thai and global visitors and bringing the region's extraordinary potential to the global stage.

The development is expected to support 50,000?80,000 jobs from construction through full operations and encourage longer stays and higher tourism spending across the southern region. Further details on ICONPHUKET will be announced in the coming months.

For more information, please call +66 2 658 0808 or visit www.iconphuket.com

Siam Piwat

Siam Piwat is a leading retail and real estate developer behind Bangkok's most iconic destinations, including Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, ICONSIAM, and Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok, globally recognized for pioneering experiential destinations.

For over six decades, Siam Piwat has been renowned for creating iconic destinations and world-class experiences, continuously redefining Bangkok's retail landscape through award-winning developments that set new global benchmarks. Guided by creativity, innovation, and sustainability, the company continues to lead with a bold vision that inspire, engage, and delight customers from around the world, while creating long-term value for society, businesses, and future generations.

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

Hashtags: #ICONPHUKET #TheNewIconOfSouthernWonders #SiamPiwat #Phuket #SouthernThailand

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Siam Piwat to Invest US$300 Million (THB10 Billion) in ICONPHUKET, The Icon of Southern Wonders, Opening in 2029

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:33:00 +0700

For more information, please call +66 2 658 0808 or visit www.iconphuket.com

Siam Piwat

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

Hashtags: #ICONPHUKET #TheNewIconOfSouthernWonders #SiamPiwat #Phuket #SouthernThailand

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ASKO Brings Air Frying Into the Oven and Launches New Campaign with Lluis de la Riva

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:31:00 +0700

LIDKOPING, Sweden, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ASKO is launching a new culinary campaign together with chef Llu?s de la Riva, highlighting one of today's most talked-about cooking techniques: air frying.

Through a series of recipes, demonstrations and inspiring content, the campaign showcases how home cooks can achieve crisp, flavourful results using the Air Fry function built into ASKO Celsius ovens.

ASKO Air Fry tray

At the heart of the campaign is a shared appreciation for precision, simplicity and carefully crafted food experiences. Known for his contemporary approach to cooking, Lluis de la Riva explores how the Celsius oven's Air Fry function can be used across a wide variety of ingredients, from crisp vegetables and golden potato dishes to chicken, fish and everyday family meals.

ASKO Air Fry function

Unlike standalone countertop appliances, the Air Fry function is fully integrated into the ASKO Celsius oven. Combined with ASKO's dedicated Air Fry tray, designed to promote airflow around the food, it helps create evenly browned and crispy surfaces while offering the versatility of a multifunction oven.

Air Fry function ASKO Celsius Ovens

"The campaign is about inspiring people to get more from their oven," says ASKO. "Together with Llu?s de la Riva, we want to demonstrate how precision cooking technology can make everyday meals both easier and more enjoyable."

The Air Fry function is part of ASKO's broader Celsius oven philosophy, combining precision engineering, intuitive usability and Scandinavian design. Selected models also feature ASKO's 5-in-1 Combi Oven technology, bringing together steam, microwave and hot air cooking methods within a single appliance.

ASKO Air Fry for vegetables

With this new collaboration, ASKO continues to connect premium appliances with authentic culinary experiences, helping consumers discover new ways to cook, create and enjoy food at home.

Built on care. Perfected by detail.

About ASKO

ASKO is rooted in Scandinavian design values of simplicity, durability and functionality. Today, it creates premium kitchen and laundry appliances that unite precision engineering with timeless design, built to endure and thoughtfully enhance everyday living.

For more information, visit www.asko.com or contact press@asko.com.

Brother "Managed Print Service" Enables Businesses to Reduce Operating Costs and Enhance Efficiency with Flexible Deployment

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 09:10:00 +0700

Issuer: Brother International (HK) Limited

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 October 2026 - Amid rising operating costs and accelerating digital transformation, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong are facing increasing pressure from equipment investment, limited manpower resources, and the growing complexity of print management across multiple departments.

For organizations with multiple teams, office locations, or hybrid work arrangements, maintaining a reliable and efficient printing environment at a reasonable cost has become an important operational challenge.

Most businesses primarily print A4 documents such as contracts, invoices, reports, and administrative paperwork. When A4 printing is sufficient to meet the majority of daily business requirements, investing in larger and more expensive printing equipment may not be necessary.

Brother's Managed Print Service (MPS) allows businesses to flexibly deploy printing resources according to actual operational needs without incurring substantial upfront capital expenditure. The service also provides comprehensive consumables management, maintenance, and professional technical support, making print management simpler and more efficient.

Comprehensive Print Management That Reduces Administrative and IT Workloads

Traditional printer ownership often involves purchasing equipment, replenishing consumables, arranging repairs, and managing technical support, all of which can increase administrative efforts and hidden operating costs, particularly for SMEs without dedicated IT or administrative teams.

Brother's Managed Print Service includes printer usage, consumables supply, maintenance services, and technical support. This enables businesses to enjoy a reliable printing experience without spending additional time managing day-to-day printing operations, allowing resources to be redirected toward core business development.

Eliminate Large Capital Expenditure and Improve Cash Flow Management

For growing businesses and startups, major investments in office equipment can significantly impact cash flow planning.

Under the monthly subscription model, businesses pay a fixed monthly fee to access professional-grade Brother printing equipment without making a substantial upfront investment. The service also does not impose a fixed monthly print volume limit, enabling organizations to adjust printing usage and device deployment according to operational needs. This flexibility helps businesses control costs more effectively while minimizing resource underutilization and wastage.

Flexible Multi-Device Deployment for Greater Departmental Productivity

For organizations with multiple departments or work teams, relying on a single shared printer can often result in wait times and reduced document processing efficiency.

Brother's Managed Print Service solution enables businesses to deploy multiple printers according to actual operational requirements. For example, administrative, human resources, finance, and sales departments can each be equipped with printers tailored to their specific needs. This helps minimize waiting time, reduce cross-department disruptions, improve workflow efficiency, and enhance document confidentiality.

The solution is also well-suited for organizations with multiple offices, retail outlets, or distributed business teams, providing centralized management of multiple devices while ensuring consistent technical support and after-sales service.

Proactive Consumables Replenishment Minimizes Business Disruptions

Many businesses have experienced workflow interruptions caused by depleted toner or consumables, potentially delaying important document production, customer service, and internal operations.

Brother's Managed Print Service automatically monitors printer performance and consumables usage, proactively arranging replenishment before supplies run low. For industries with high printing demands, such as insurance, financial services, logistics, professional services, and education, this not only reduces administrative workload but also minimizes inventory management and procurement-related tasks.

Designed for Hong Kong Offices and Hybrid Work Environments

As hybrid working becomes increasingly common, businesses require more flexible approaches to printer deployment.

Brother offers a range of compact yet feature-rich printers that are particularly suitable for Hong Kong's space-constrained office environments, departmental workspaces, and shared offices. With a smaller footprint while still meeting everyday business printing requirements, these devices help organizations make better use of valuable office space.

In addition, Brother provides remote technical support services to assist with device setup, network connectivity, and other technical issues, reducing the day-to-day support burden on IT teams.

Five Key Benefits of Choosing Brother "Managed Print Service"

Reduce large upfront procurement costs and adapt flexibly to changing business needs

Proactive consumables replenishment to minimize inventory management and purchasing efforts

Maintenance and professional technical support to reduce equipment downtime risks

Automated usage monitoring to lower administrative and management workload

Compact printer design ideal for Hong Kong's limited office space

Focus on Growing Your Core Business

Through its monthly subscription model, flexible device deployment, automated consumables management, and professional technical support, Brother's Managed Print Service helps businesses simplify print management, reduce overall operating costs, and improve productivity across departments and locations.

When most printing requirements consist primarily of A4 documents, businesses can select the most suitable device configuration based on their actual operational needs without allocating additional resources to infrequent printing demands. By adopting a more flexible and streamlined print management approach, organizations can focus on growing their business, serving customers, and driving innovation, ultimately strengthening their competitive advantage.

Learn more about Brother "Managed Print Service" and limited-time offers:

Website: https://www.brother.com.hk/en/solutions/mps

WhatsApp Enquiries

Email: mpssales@brother.com.hk

Information contained in this release is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change without prior notice.

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Hashtag: #BrotherHK #BrotherMPS #BusinessSolutions #OfficeSolutions #PrintManagement #PrinterRental #OfficeSolutions #Sustainability

About Brother International (HK) Limited

Founded in Japan in 1908, Brother has over 110 years of history. It has developed into an international brand with 16 production facilities and 51 sales points worldwide, spanning 44 countries. Brother produces high-quality and innovative products for the printing and imaging, labelling, and sewing markets, maintaining a leading position in the industry. Its main products include a variety of inkjet and laser printers, multifunction printers, fax machines, scanners, label printers, and a range of home sewing machines and commercial embroidery machines.

As a trusted brand, Brother adheres to a "customer-first" philosophy in all aspects of its business, continually meeting diverse customer needs and market challenges with comprehensive and high-quality solutions.

Brother International (Hong Kong) is one of the leading suppliers of home, office, and industrial products in Hong Kong. Established in 1994, it has been serving customers in Hong Kong and Macau for over 30 years. According to IDC's Global Hardware Peripheral Tracker report, Brother's A3 multifunction colour inkjet printer has been the number one in shipment volume in the world for 18 consecutive years from 2008 to 2025, reaffirming Brother's business success in the region.

For more information about Brother Hong Kong, contact our WhatsApp at (852) 3187 0505 or visit the website www.brother.com.hk。

NOTE: All brand and products names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

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

Dr Maye Musk, author, supermodel, and dietitian, speaks at the Prudential Leadership Forum

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 09:07:00 +0700

Issuer: Prudential Hong Kong

Shares perspectives on leadership, resilience and legacy with nearly 1,000 customers, young professionals, and aspiring leaders

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 4 October 2026 - Prudential Hong Kong Limited ("Prudential") welcomed Dr Maye Musk, a globally renowned author, supermodel and dietitian, to the Prudential Leadership Forum, titled Beyond Success: The Blueprint for Leadership, Resilience and Legacy, held on 3 October 2026.

(From left) Lawrence Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Prudential Hong Kong Limited; Dr Maye Musk; and Angel Ng, Regional CEO, Greater China; Group Customer and Wealth, Prudential plc, at the Prudential Leadership Forum, where they shared perspectives on leadership, resilience and legacy planning across generations.

Nearly 1,000 VIP customers, young professionals, aspiring leaders and top-performing financial consultants came together for a conversation on resilience, reinvention and the values that shape lasting family legacies.

Opening the forum, Lawrence Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Prudential Hong Kong Limited, highlighted Prudential's commitment to customers: "Prudential has earned enduring trust with families by actively listening to their evolving needs across generations. Sustaining that trust requires a forward-looking vision, creating meaningful opportunities for customers to connect with visionary leaders and fresh perspectives. Dr Maye Musk's journey is a powerful reminder that experience, resilience and ambition can open new possibilities at every stage of life. "

The centerpiece of the day was an engaging fireside chat between Dr Musk and Angel Ng, Regional CEO, Greater China; Group Customer and Wealth, Prudential plc. Through the exchange, Dr Musk shared candid reflections on rebuilding her career across life stages and countries, empowering her three children to pursue their distinct ambitions, and wealth succession.

Reflecting on her journey, Dr Musk said: "Success is rarely a straight line. Throughout my life, I have had to start over, adapt and embrace new opportunities, often when others thought it was too late. What I have learned is that resilience is built through action, not certainty. Whether as a parent, a professional or a leader, our role is not to create a perfect path for the next generation, but to give them the confidence, values and independence to create their own. Lasting legacies are built not by removing challenges, but by helping others develop the strength to navigate them."

Angel highlighted Prudential's vision for legacy: "In today's rapidly evolving world, planning for the next generation is about more than passing on financial wealth. It is also about passing on the values and judgement that help them make informed decisions and pursue their aspirations. When families pair clear principles with the confidence to make their own choices, they can protect what they have built while creating a stronger foundation for generations to come. Prudential supports families in planning ahead, passing on their wealth with confidence, and building a brighter tomorrow."

Building on the theme of preparing for the future, the forum then turned to the city's distinctive advantages and emerging opportunities for talent through a panel discussion titled Hong Kong: Where Global Wealth and Talent Converge. Felix Chan, the Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage; and Jason Fong, Global Head of Family Office at Invest Hong Kong shared perspectives on how the leaders of tomorrow can learn, grow and thrive in Hong Kong.

By bringing together forward-looking perspectives and opportunities to engage with global leaders, Prudential continues to support customers at every stage of life, helping them plan for their health and financial wellbeing, protect what matters most, and build resilience for the future. This commitment is also reflected in value-added platforms such as PruNextGen, through which we support families in planning early for their children's future, broadening their horizons and laying the foundations for lifelong success.

Hashtag: #PrudentialLeadershipForum

About Prudential Hong Kong Limited

Prudential has been serving the people of Hong Kong since 1964. Through Prudential Hong Kong Limited and Prudential General Insurance Hong Kong Limited, the Company provides a range of financial planning services and products, including individual life insurance, investment-linked insurance, retirement solutions, health and medical protection, general insurance, and employee benefits to protect over 1.41 million customers in Hong Kong.

Beyond Hong Kong, Prudential serves the Macau community through its branch, offering health insurance and financial solutions to complete its footprint in the Greater Bay Area. Visit www.prudential.com.hk for more information.

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

HKIS - Quantity Surveying Division Conference 2026

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 09:01:00 +0700

Issuer: The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS)

Transforming QS Practice in a New Era: Integrating Digital Construction, Collaborative Contracting and Payment Security

HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 October 2026 - The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) Quantity Surveying Division hosted the HKIS Quantity Surveying Division Conference 2026 (the Conference) today at the CIC-Zero Carbon Park.

This year's theme, "Transforming QS Practice in a New Era: Integrating Digital Construction, Collaborative Contracting and Payment Security", reflects the evolving role of Quantity Surveyors during a time of economic restructuring.

The Conference brought together around 200 participants both in person and online, including government officials, industry leaders, professionals, academics, and young practitioners.

Mr LAU Chun Kit, Ricky, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) for Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government, attended as the Guest of Honour and delivered a keynote speech.

Quantity Surveyors are trained professionals with expert knowledge of construction costs and contracts who play a crucial role throughout the project development cycle, from investment feasibility studies and procurement strategy to commercial governance, contract administration, and dispute management.

The seminar aims to explore how, amidst the ever-changing landscape of the digital revolution and the implementation of new legislation, quantity surveyors can evolve from their traditional roles in contract and cost management into enablers who drive successful value creation in construction projects.

Mr. LAU Chun Kit, Ricky, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Development Bureau, said: "The theme of this year's conference is both timely and visionary. The Conference serves as a strategic platform for surveying practitioners and professionals to exchange insights, explore best practices, and formulate a collective vision for the future of the surveying profession. The insights and best practices generated will not only contribute in advancing the role of surveying profession in the new era, but also reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a leader in construction excellence."

The conference featured 20 distinguished speakers from Hong Kong Government bureaux and departments, the private sector, academia, professional institutions, and law firms to share their insights and best practices in the quantity surveying field. Through thought-provoking discussions, the event not only enhanced participants' technical knowledge but also catalyzed long-term cross-sector collaboration, empowering the industry to continuously deliver highly efficient and resilient built assets in the future."

Sr WAN Wai Ming, Tony, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, noted in his welcome speech, "As the construction landscape undergoes profound shifts, quantity surveyors are evolving from traditional cost guardians into strategic value architects. Under this year's theme, we gather to explore emerging challenges, tackle critical issues, and seize new opportunities. Together, we redefine our professional identity, share actionable insights, and shape a forward-looking roadmap for the quantity surveying industry in Hong Kong."

Sr TING Yuen Chun, Eric, Chairman of the HKIS Quantity Surveying Division, acknowledged that the built environment is facing increasingly complex social and economic pressures. He emphasised that these challenges serve as an important reminder that, while technology is a vital enabler of progress, built-environment professionals must continue to apply their expertise and professional judgement, while strengthening collaboration across disciplines, to navigate change and deliver sustainable value to society.

Sr WONG Kin Yan, Winnie, Organising Committee Chair of the Conference stated in her closing remarks, "Developments in Collaborative Contracting, Digital Construction, and Payment Security present an opportunity for our profession to evolve beyond traditional cost management.

Today's quantity surveyors are increasingly called upon to serve as trusted advisers, driving collaboration, leading digital transformation, and championing transparency and fairness across the entire project lifecycle. By embracing these changes, we can continue to play a pivotal role in delivering sustainable, resilient and high-performing built assets for our community."

List of Speakers (in order of presentation delivery)

Keynote Speech by Guest of Honour

Mr LAU Chun Kit, Ricky, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Development Bureau, HKSARG

Session 1: Collaborative Contracting

Mr LEUNG Lap Ki, Francis, Team Leader (Trade & Procurement), Development Bureau, HKSARG

Sr CHOI Wing Chung, Hayman, Project Strategy and Delivery Leader (Asia), Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited

Ir LEUNG Cheuk Lun, NEC Strategic Advisor, Civil Engineering and Development Department, HKSARG

Ir WANG Yan Hua, Chairman and Managing Director, China Road and Bridge Corporation (Hong Kong)

Sr Yau Wan Fong, Deputy Director, WT Partnership (HK) Limited

Session 2: Digital Construction

Mr WU Jin Ying, Technical Officer, Glodon (Hong Kong) Software Limited

Mr Elvis LI, CEO, isBIM Limited

Ir NG Chun Keung, CEO, dRoW Limited

Mr Put HUI, Senior Digital Transformation Lead, Innovative Technology, Gammon Construction Limited

Mr Ronald CHAN, Head of Sustainability for APAC, Currie & Brown

Sr Sunny CHOI, Chairman of Digitalisation Sub-committee, Quantity Surveying Division, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors; Past Chairman of Quantity Surveying Division, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (2021-2023)

Sr Dr Paul HO, Past Chairman of Quantity Surveying Division, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (2005-2006)

Session 3: Payment Security

Sr Tommy CHAN, Executive Director, Arcadis Hong Kong Limited

Cr Sr Ir ZA Wai Gin, Tony, Executive Director, Hip Hing Construction Co., Ltd.

Sr Hinson CHEUNG, Partner, Pinsent Masons

Sr Terry CHAK, Director of North Asia Region, Rider Levett Bucknall Limited

Sr TT CHEUNG, BBS, JP, Past President, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

Sr CHONG Lui Chuen, Executive Committee Member, CSHK Professional Committee

Mr Eric CHUNG, Barrister-at-Law, Pacific Chambers

Sr Prof LEUNG Hing Fung, Professor and Head, Department of Law and Business, Hong Kong Shue Yan University; Adjunct Professor, Department of Real Estate and Construction, University of Hong Kong; Barrister-at-law, Arbitrator and Mediator

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Hashtag: #surveyor #QS #quantitysurveying

About the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

Established in 1984, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) is the only surveying professional body incorporated by ordinance in Hong Kong. As of 30 September 2026, the number of members reached 11248, of which 8301 (FHKIS: 579, MHKIS: 7722) were corporate members, 49 were associate members and 2898 were probationers and students.

HKIS work includes setting standards for professional services and performance, establishing codes of ethics, determining requirements for admission as professional surveyors, and encouraging members to upgrade skills through continuing professional development.

The Institute has an important consultative role in government policy making and on issues affecting the profession. We have advised the government on issues such as building safety and unauthorized building works, problems of property management, town planning and development strategies, construction quality, construction costs and housing problems. We have also issued guidance notes on floor area measurement, real estates valuation and land boundary survey, etc.

We have an established presence in the international arenas, have overseas connections, and have entered into reciprocal agreements with professional surveying and valuation institutes in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Mainland China recognizing the counterpart's member's qualifications. In addition, HKIS is a member of various leading international surveying organisations.

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

Chinese media praises Shanghai Electric's latest Malaysian project: a step forward for China's high-end power equipment in overseas markets

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:57:00 +0700

Caption:Shanghai Electric's heavy-duty gas turbine makes its overseas debut

Issuer: China News Service

SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 October 2026 - China News Service (CNS) praises Shanghai Electric's recent contract for Unit 3 of the Samalaju Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Project in Sarawak, Malaysia, highlighting it as the first overseas deployment of a heavy-duty gas turbine manufactured by the Chinese company.

https://youtu.be/0rK3O7ispTQ?si=wZ_x_lXpo5SjxC_V

The deal is seen as a milestone in the international commercialization of China's heavy-duty gas turbine technology, CNS said in a news report issued on Sept. 29.

According to the report, Shanghai Electric will provide a complete package of major equipment for the 500-megawatt-class power plant, including gas and steam turbines, generators, heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) and an air-cooled system.

It will also serve as an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor and provide long-term lifecycle services covering the major equipment,.

"This is not simply an equipment export, but a substantive breakthrough for China's heavy-duty gas turbines in international commercial competition," Li Wenkai, deputy head of the Power Generation Engineering Consultancy Department under the China Electric Power Planning & Engineering Institute, quoted as saying by CNS.

Meanwhile, Shanghai Electric is also providing an integrated solution, with the core equipment manufactured within its own industrial system and coordinated under a unified project framework, CNS said.

Unlike projects that combine equipment from multiple suppliers, this model reduces the need for owners or EPC contractors to coordinate interfaces, technical parameters and control systems across different vendors. It also brings responsibility, technical interfaces, performance guarantees and project management under a unified framework, said the report.

"The Malaysian market is a mature commercial market, where clients make equipment selections based on technology, delivery and full lifecycle costs," Liu Zhitan, deputy director of the Gas Turbine Power Generation Specialized Committee of the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering, told CNS.

The successful bid means Shanghai Electric's gas turbine products and integrated solutions are beginning to undergo commercial validation in a mature overseas market, Liu said.

Shanghai Electric has built up a presence in Malaysia through a range of energy projects, including the 2?300-megawatt Balingian coal-fired power plant, renewable energy projects in Selangor and the TG12 renewable energy project. In Sarawak, it has also completed a 106-kilometer, 500-kilovolt transmission line and built the state's first off-grid microgrid project.

Such a local footprint provides an important foundation for the company to introduce core equipment into overseas markets, while strengthening its experience in project delivery and local services, CNS noted in the report.

The Samalaju project demonstrated Shanghai Electric's overseas engineering competitiveness and core equipment capabilities, marking a shift from "equipment going overseas with engineering projects" toward direct exports of complete equipment and solutions.

The move also reflects changing demand in international power markets. Overseas developers are increasingly seeking turnkey solutions backed by long-term services rather than procuring individual pieces of equipment from multiple suppliers, said the Chinese media.

For years, China's high-end equipment exports were mainly individual machines and equipment, with competition focused largely on hardware prices, leaving limited margins and little room for brand premiums, Liu said.

Shanghai Electric's approach seeks to move beyond hardware-based competition by offering integrated solutions and full life-cycle support, he added.

The development comes as the global gas turbine market faces tight supply. Data shows that global gas turbine orders reached about 90-100 GW in 2025, while global manufacturing capacity stood at around 55?60 GW, highlighting a significant supply-demand imbalance.

Against this backdrop, overseas developers that have traditionally relied on established international suppliers are increasingly consider alternative providers, particularly Chinese companies capable of offering shorter delivery times and integrated solutions, Li said.

Shanghai Electric has identified global expansion as a key priority during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). It outlined three shifts: from a focus on taking engineering projects overseas to a greater emphasis on taking equipment overseas; from simple trade to international investment in production capacity and industrial supply chains; and from individual companies expanding overseas independently to broader, coordinated overseas development.

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

CAPHRA Questions Why WHO Overlooks Its Tobacco-Control Success Stories

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 07:38:00 +0700

MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whilst New Zealand is on track to cut tobacco use faster than any other country in the Western Pacific, according to the World Health Organization's own figures, their suggested discussion Tobacco Control doesn't acknowledge this or examine how it has been achieved.

The tobacco-control item scheduled for discussion at the Seventy-seventh session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific (WPRO) in Manila is an important moment for Member States. The agenda includes WPR/RC77/9, Tobacco Control, together with a situational analysis intended to accelerate progress toward the Region's 2030 tobacco-control target.

The proposal to "increase prices on all tobacco and nicotine products in line with WHO FCTC Article 6 and its guidelines" is not within the remit of Article 6, which applies only to tobacco. The statement that "Taxation must also extend to e-cigarettes and other nicotine products where legally sold." is also not within the remit of Article 6.

WHO's analysis finds only eight of 26 countries on track for a 30% cut by 2030. New Zealand leads with a projected 51% reduction. Japan (33.2%) and the Republic of Korea (32.6%) are also on track. All three give adult smokers access to lower-risk alternatives: vaping in New Zealand, heated tobacco in Japan and Korea, yet the draft plan does not name them. It prioritises taxation and established measures, and tells countries to "ban or strictly regulate" e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches - completely misinterpreting Article 6 of the FCTC to cover nicotine, when it only covers tobacco.

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"WHO's own figures show the Region's best performers. Its plan doesn't ask what they did," said Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA). "Delegates should ask why before endorsing rules that treat every nicotine product like a cigarette."

What CAPHRA is proposing

In this white paper, CAPHRA calls for a time-bound, Member State-led study before WHO issues more guidance. It would examine product risks, switching, youth uptake and illicit markets, under the WHO treaty's conflict-of-interest rules (Article 5.3), with no industry involvement.

CAPHRA supports strong tobacco taxes and youth protection, and agrees high youth vaping rates in some Pacific countries demand action. It also wants the plan to do more on tobacco in betel quid, a major cause of oral cancer in Pacific communities.

WHO projects the host country, the Philippines, will fall just short, at 28.9%. Unlike most neighbours, it regulates vapes rather than banning them.

"The Philippines is close. The evidence from New Zealand, Japan and Korea could help us get there," said Clarisse Virgino-Adriatico, CAPHRA's Philippines representative. "Delegates in Manila should study it, not set it aside."

Questions for delegates

Why does the plan not examine three of the eight countries on track?

Should Member States lead an independent review before WHO endorses undifferentiated restrictions?

"Tobacco kills around 3 million people in this Region every year," Loucas said. "We cannot afford to overlook what is already working."

Loucas and Virgino-Adriatico will attend the Asia Forum on Nicotine 2026 (AFN26) in Manila on 16?17 October and will be available for in person interviews on the 17th of October.

Industrial Water Action Workshop (Lokakarya Aksi Air Industri) yang bekerja sama dengan Nike, Buka Pendaftaran

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 07:32:00 +0700

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Water Intelligence (GWI) dan Corporate Water Leaders (CWL) akan menyelenggarakan Industrial Water Action Workshop pada tanggal 16-18 November 2026 di Jakarta, Indonesia.

Melalui kemitraan dengan Nike dan Water Resilience Coalition, lokakarya ini akan mempertemukan berbagai merek industri global, lembaga keuangan, produsen lokal, penyedia layanan utilitas, dan pemerintah.

Bersama-sama, mereka akan merumuskan langkah nyata yang layak didanai guna mengatasi tantangan pengelolaan air industri di Jawa Barat. Program ini terdiri atas lokakarya sehari penuh yang berorientasi pada aksi nyata serta dua kunjungan lapangan.

Jawa Barat, Indonesia, memiliki sektor industri senilai $190 miliar. Namun, wilayah ini menghadapi masalah pasokan dan pencemaran air yang serius. Kondisi tersebut semakin diperparah oleh lebih dari 4.000 pabrik yang membuang limbah ke sungai-sungai di wilayah tersebut.

Lokakarya ini dipandu oleh sesama pelaku industri dan menghadirkan perspektif berdasarkan pengalaman langsung mengenai berbagai masalah air yang memengaruhi operasional industri.

Lokakarya ini juga membahas langkah-langkah praktis untuk mengatasi berbagai masalah tersebut. Platform ini akan mengembangkan berbagai peluang yang paling menjanjikan menjadi rencana aksi yang konkret. Upaya ini dilakukan dengan mengidentifikasi langkah-langkah selanjutnya serta kebutuhan tambahan akan pendanaan, dukungan teknis, atau kemitraan.

Industrial Water Action Workshop ini direncanakan menjadi kegiatan pertama dari serangkaian acara berorientasi pada aksi nyata yang berpotensi diselenggarakan oleh Corporate Water Leaders. Masing-masing kegiatan akan berfokus pada daerah aliran sungai (DAS) prioritas yang berbeda.

Pendaftaran peserta dilakukan melalui proses seleksi berdasarkan undangan. Kuota peserta diperuntukkan bagi organisasi yang berperan aktif dalam mengatasi masalah air di Jawa Barat. Pendaftaran untuk mengikuti acara ini telah dibuka melalui situs web resmi acara: www.industrialwateraction.com/attend

Untuk informasi lebih lanjut, kunjungi www.industrialwateraction.com

Untuk mengajukan pertanyaan, hubungi Emma Little: emma.little@globalwaterintel.com

Tentang Global Water Intelligence dan inisiatif Corporate Water Leaders:

Global Water Intelligence adalah perusahaan intelijen pasar dan penyelenggara acara terkemuka yang melayani industri air internasional. Kami telah membangun bisnis kami selama lebih dari 25 tahun dengan menjadi penghubung tepercaya antara klien kami dan pasar mereka.

Kami juga menyediakan informasi berkualitas kepada pelanggan kami agar mereka dapat mengambil keputusan strategis yang matang bagi bisnisnya. Layanan kami mencakup sektor air publik dan seluruh sektor industri, serta bidang teknologi, keuangan, dan ekonomi.

Corporate Water Leaders merupakan jaringan global yang beranggotakan para profesional di bidang pengelolaan air dan keberlanjutan dari berbagai perusahaan besar. Mereka berkolaborasi untuk mengembangkan solusi inovatif guna mengatasi berbagai tantangan yang dihadapi bersama.

Huawei Highlights Continuous Innovation, Securing Competitive Edge Through Technological Breakthroughs

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 23:22:00 +0700

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 October 2026 - Huawei hosted an international media roundtable today featuring Richard Yu, Executive Director, Chairman of the Investment Review Board, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Consumer BG. Yu shared comprehensive insights into Huawei's consumer business and HarmonyOS ecosystem.

Richard Yu joined Huawei in 1993, working on early developments like the first-generation program-controlled switch and participating in the establishment of Huawei's wireless communications business, which started with GSM. Over the past decade, Yu has led Huawei's consumer business with the vision to deliver a seamless AI life experience to all consumers across five key scenarios: HIMA-powered Smart Travel, HarmonyOS Office, Smart Home, Fitness & Health, and Entertainment, which he said is also the long-term strategy for Huawei's consumer business over the next 10 years.

Between 2007 and 2025, Huawei invested more than CNY1.8 trillion into R&D shifting from roughly 10% of annual revenue in early years to over 20% recently. Huawei has continued to increase investment into the core technologies of the ICT domain and basic research, which has translated into robust core capabilities, extensive intellectual property, and a vast patent portfolio, and helped with achieving a series of breakthroughs in technological innovation.

The Mate 90 series smartphones Huawei just launched come with the latest Kirin 9050 Pro chip. The overall device performance is 31% higher than the previous generation. The Balong modem, image sensor processor (ISP), mobile security processor (MSP), Lingxi CPU, Maleoon GPU, and the NPU that adopts Huawei's Da Vinci architecture for AI processing are all designed by Huawei. They offer higher energy efficiency and deliver much-improved overall system-level performance.

Even though Yu admitted that Huawei has limited access to advanced semiconductor processes, Huawei recently made a new breakthrough in the semiconductor domain - the LogicFolding technology under the Tau Scaling Law. Unveiled by He Tingbo, head of Huawei's Semiconductor Business Department this May, this technology vertically stacks the logic layers of chips and restructures the circuit layout through inter-layer high-density interconnect to shorten critical paths and reduce latency. This technology was adopted on Kirin 9050 Pro chip, which shows very strong AI processing power. The Mate 90 series powered by this chip can run a 30B MoE on-device AI model.

In the AI domain, Yu talked about the Ascend compute foundation that Huawei provides, by remarking Huawei's large models called openPangu, AI capabilities for intelligent driving, and HarmonyOS Celia, which is similar to Gemini in the Google Android ecosystem. Huawei is also using AI to improve the O&M of communications network equipment. By combining AI computing power with domestic open-source large models, Huawei's vision is to help enterprises and industries around the world to become more productive and bringing more convenience to everyone.

In the past years, Huawei has launched a broad series of products and solutions, including smartphones, PCs, tablets, wearables, TWS audio products, Smart TVs, home routers, smart home control solutions, as well as intelligent electric vehicles together with partners. Underlying these products and solutions are Huawei's chip hardware platform and HarmonyOS - another OS ecosystem after iOS from Apple and Android from Google that Huawei developed to support all the smart devices and smart hardware across all scenarios.

Development of HarmonyOS began in 2019. Before that, Huawei was a major contributor to the Android community as well as the entire Android ecosystem. Now, more than 90 million devices, including smartphones, PCs, and tablets, currently run on HarmonyOS 6 and HarmonyOS 7.

This figure is expected to hit the 100 million mark by the end of this year. The number of apps and services in the HarmonyOS ecosystem has already exceeded 450,000. Its global registered developer count has reached 11 million, and Huawei now has over 23,000 app innovation partners. Expressing his special thanks to all partners and developers for their trust and support, Yu also pointed out that Huawei is considering gradually bringing HarmonyOS to the global market in the future.

Globalization is another topic of the conversation. Yu mentioned that Huawei had very good collaboration with many companies from the US, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, delivering huge business value and benefits to those partners. When it comes to the difficulties that Huawei overcame since 2019, Yu said that relying on homegrown technologies and capabilities, Huawei gradually designed its own operating system and developed basic tools and software by themselves, putting a domestic supply chain in place.

In 2023, Huawei started to manufacture the chips used by smartphones domestically again. With these chips and HarmonyOS, and by relying on China's domestic supply chain, materials, and process nodes, Huawei has basically gotten rid of the dependence on US technologies.

While Huawei's global market share was once No. 1, nowadays it only sells several million units of smartphones outside China every year. However, Yu revealed that Huawei is trying to return to the overseas market step by step.

Taking wearables as an example, Huawei is No. 1 in terms of the market share both in China and globally. Other innovative products such as TWS earphones, are also growing fast and have reached No. 1 in many countries. While Huawei's tablet and PC business was greatly affected after it was denied access to Windows and Intel x86 chips, the HarmonyOS-based tablets are now performing strongly. Another example would be CPE, which is a mobile router that provides connectivity to the unconnected in remote and rural areas. These products are also very well received across many regions outside China, helping more people connect to the rest of the world and live better lives.

Question: Both the Huawei XT 2 and the two most advanced models of the Mate 90 series use a LogicFolding chip. Will LogicFolding chips be used for more phones in the future? We understand that Huawei's chip production capacity is still limited. Huawei has launched SuperPoDs, and AI infrastructure is a huge business. They are both very important in China. How do you secure a larger share of the chip supply internally?

Richard Yu: We started introducing the chip that adopts the LogicFolding technology powered by the Tau Scaling Law to the Mate XT 2 tri-fold phone. To answer your question, yes, more of our phones will definitely use these LogicFolding chips in the future.

Currently, the production capacity for advanced semiconductors in China still cannot meet the rapidly growing demand. Huawei's Ascend chips for the AI domain also use such capacity. But we have developed a requirement plan, which also covers the chip requirements of smartphones.

The sharp price increase for memory components over the past two years has somewhat limited the smartphone sales volume. Even though the production capacity remains tight right now, generally it is sufficient to meet our market shipment needs.

We hope that production capacity will ramp up in China's semiconductor industry so that we can manufacture more advanced products for consumers in the Chinese market as well as the overseas market in the future.

To read the full Q&A session:

https://www.apmultimedianewsroom.com/multimedia-newsroom/continuous-innovation-securing-our-competitive-edge-through-technological-breakthroughs

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

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