SEOUL, South Korea, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GLN International CEO, Kyung-ho Kim, joined as a speaker at Money20/20 Asia, the world's leading fintech event. Money 20/20 Asia takes place in Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Bangkok, Thailand. By pitching GLN's successful business case and engaging in insightful discussions about transforming cross-border finance in Asia, Kim demonstrated exemplary leadership and foresight. In addition to sharing GLN's stories, Kim also engaged in extensive discussions on the challenges faced by the fintech sector, such as the need to establish a standardized framework that can increase regulatory clarity and facilitate international cooperation. GLN International also set up a booth and showcased the company's cross-border payment network and solutions at this Money20/20, featuring cross-border QR payment, cash withdrawal (ATM), remittance (including international student tuition payment services). The global uptake and strong performance of the cross-border payment system, along with its top-notch data security, have caught the eye of financial institutions and e-wallets globally. "I am honored to join Money20/20 Asia as both a speaker and with our team, where innovation and financial inclusivity intersect. We look forward to collaborating with more partners in the future, exploring together the dynamic intersection of innovation and inclusivity in cross-border payments." said Kyung-ho Kim, the CEO of GLN International. About GLN International GLN International, a subsidiary of KEB Hana Bank, is the fastest-growing global payment network in Korea. GLN offers global payment network for cross-border financial transactions such as mobile payments, mobile ATM cash withdrawal and mobile remittance, targeting digital wallets of member banks and digital payment service providers participating in the GLN network. GLN services are currently available in 16 regions including South Korea, Cambodia, Mainland China, Guam, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Saipan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, providing fintech and financial services for Korea → abroad (Korea Outbound), abroad → Korea (Korea Inbound), and abroad → abroad (Cross-Border) transactions.  

HONG KONG, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Huawei Cloud Summit Hong Kong, themed "Leap to Intelligence", brought together more than 500 prominent figures including government leaders, industry experts, business leaders, and partners to dive into technological innovation, industry practices, and ecosystem development. In addition to showcasing key products and technologies such as Pangu models, Ascend AI Cloud Service, GaussDB, and data-AI convergence, Huawei Cloud also unveiled CloudPond and the Hong Kong AI Acceleration Program in an effort to build Hong Kong into a global AI industry highland. Jacqueline Shi, President of Huawei Cloud Global Marketing and Sales Service, said in her remarks that Huawei's three-decade accumulation of ICT technologies, innovation, and expertise is now open to Hong Kong as their launchpad towards intelligence with better technologies, industry solutions, and ecosystem resources. Jacqueline Shi, President of Global Marketing and Sales Service, Huawei Cloud Ir. Tony Wong, JP, Government Chief Information Officer of Hong Kong SAR, stated that The Hong Kong SAR has been committed to giving full play to cloud computing in smart government and smart city. Launched in September 2020, the next-generation Government Cloud Infrastructure Services (GCIS) leverage a secure, stable private cloud and a new application system architecture to facilitate government departments in developing e-gov services at ease and lower costs. Fostering an AI industry ecosystem is also very important to Hong Kong's future. We expect to witness brand-new AI cloud services from Huawei, a leader in the AI realm, propel AI R&D and industry development and ultimately benefit the people of Hong Kong. Ir. Tony Wong, JP, Government Chief Information Officer, Hong Kong SAR, China According to Mark Chen, President of Huawei Cloud Solution Sales, to turn Hong Kong into a global hub of innovation and technology, Huawei Cloud has packaged leading technologies and best practices into three "Natives": Cloud Native, which a solid cloud foundation; AI Native, which unleashes digital productivity; and Ecosystem Native, which brings the industry together. Mark Chen, President of Huawei Cloud Solution Sales Cloud Native: A Solid Cloud Foundation Huawei Cloud now has 88 AZs in 30 geographical Regions with KooVerse, its global cloud infrastructure. It is the only cloud vendor to deploy a 4-AZ data center in Hong Kong, offering top-notch security and stability for customers, not to mention the 9 ms ultra-low latency. Customers now have more options to go cloud as Huawei Cloud has extended to wherever needed through its full-fledged distributed cloud infrastructure, including dedicated cloud, Huawei Cloud Stack, and CloudPond. This is the first time CloudPond is known to the world. Designed with a "One CloudPond, All Cloud Services" concept, CloudPond is an edge service that extends the public cloud to customer premises, featuring cloud-edge collaboration, local data storage, and high stability desired for use cases in smart manufacturing, unmanned driving, and remote diagnosis scenarios. Huawei Cloud Stack, now in version 8.3, provides six highlights: one solid cloud foundation and five innovations covering databases, mainframe modernization, data lakes, AI models, and industrial Internet. Envisioning the wider adoption of cloud, Huawei Cloud also launched a "Leap2Cloud" initiative to help more customers and partners in Hong Kong bid farewell to virtualization and embrace the cloud. Hu Yuhai, Vice President of Huawei Hybrid Cloud, announcing Huawei Cloud Stack 8.3 To ensure network and service stability, Huawei Cloud has SRE centers across the world, translating the inherent uncertainty in rapid business growth into a deterministic SLA for customers. This effort is represented by an SLA of over 99.99% for major Huawei Cloud services. As William Fang, Huawei Cloud Chief Product Officer said, no industry is spared from digitalization and intelligence. The key to navigating this change is to make the most of cloud. AI Native: Unleashing Digital Productivity Huawei Cloud has injected systematic innovation to power Hong Kong's digital intelligence from three dimensions. First, Pangu models adopt a three-layer "5+N+X" architecture to provide not just general capabilities, but also industry-tailored capabilities especially for government, media, finance, and retail. Second, an AI cloud service that can be used right out of the box provides stable and reliable AI compute to power efficient model training and inference. This service also includes a full-link cloud-based toolchain to support migration and development. Additionally, Huawei Cloud offers a dedicated zone of foundation models optimized for Ascend Cloud, enabling users to quickly build applications on AI models. Last but not least, there is no AI without data. GaussDB, a next-generation AI-native distributed database that excels at high availability, security, performance, scalability, and intelligence, allows for a smarter way for database deployment and migration, and greatly improves data processing for AI applications to run smoothly. Huawei Cloud also employs AI to process data, thereby feeding higher-quality data for AI models. Huawei Cloud works with local organizations and enterprises to develop foundation models and AI applications to suit local needs. With Huawei Cloud's diverse, efficient, and stable computing power, HKGAI has achieved a significant milestone in AI innovation in Hong Kong by developing the first foundation model trained in the region. According to Hong Kong Observatory, Huawei Cloud's Pangu Weather Model extends the forecast period of computer model weather forecasts from ten to fifteen days. Huawei Cloud published Hong Kong Finance White Paper with PwC, propelling financial security compliance, innovation, and steady growth in Hong Kong. Ecosystem Native: Better Together A digital industry ecosystem thrives only with joint efforts. Huawei Cloud will work with industry partners such as Cyberport Hong Kong to establish an AI industry cloud platform and AI enablement center in Hong Kong to upskill partners. Talent is a must for AI transformation. At this summit, Huawei Cloud announced the Hong Kong AI Acceleration Program which aims to support 100+ enterprises for AI innovation in the next three years. William Dong, President of Huawei Cloud Marketing Good technologies are a social good. At this summit, William Dong, President of Huawei Cloud Marketing, shared how Huawei Cloud technologies have helped detect rare diseases, protect the rainforest in Sarawak, Malaysia, and predict extreme weather. Mr. Dong proposed the "Cloud for Good" initiative, calling for concerted efforts from customers and partners from Hong Kong and beyond to promote digital inclusion and a better world with cloud and AI.  

HANGZHOU, China, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The China Pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition (La Biennale di Venezia) organized by Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, embraces the theme "Atlas: Harmony in Diversity," curated by Wang Xiaosong and Jiang Jun. It is structured into two sections: "集 (Collect)," showcasing imagery archives sourced from "A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings," and "传 (Translate)," spotlighting works by seven Chinese contemporary artists: Che Jianquan, Jiao Xingtao, Qiu Zhenzhong, Shi Hui, Wang Shaoqiang, Wang Zhenghong, and Zhu Jinshi. Theme of the China Pavilion—Atlas: Harmony in Diversity The China Pavilion embraces "Atlas: Harmony In Diversity" as its theme, with a focus on the concepts of gathering, exchanging, and integrating, aiming to convey the values of embracing inclusivity, coexistence in unity, and shared beauty with diversity from traditional Chinese culture. In particular, "atlas" symbolizes the convergence of diverse identities, races, beliefs, ideas, purposes, backgrounds, and cultures worldwide, fostering opportunities for dialogue, communication, and mutual understanding. In "Collect," digital archives of 100 Chinese paintings scattered overseas will be displayed in archive cabinets and on LED screens. These works are part of "A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings," a project spanning 19 years and comprising 12,405 pieces/sets of ancient Chinese painting treasures, over 3,000 of which are housed in institutions outside China, accounting for a quarter of the total works recorded. Meanwhile, "Translate" features seven Chinese contemporary artists who engage in new creations inspired by the "A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings," exploring various traditional Chinese painting elements, encompassing architecture, landscapes, figures, and flora and fauna. This not only reflects the cultural amalgamation of traditional Chinese literati but also emphasizes the inheritance bridging tradition and contemporary art. Between "Collect" and "Translate," the exhibition draws inspiration from "Mnemosyne Atlas" by 20th-century German art historian Aby Warburg, using image documentation to compile thematic plates for each artwork. It seeks to forge a connection between traditional Chinese paintings and contemporary art through the juxtaposition of diverse images, while also resonating with global image history, creating a dual linkage between Chinese and foreign, past and present. The exhibition is scheduled to run from April 20 to November 24, 2024 (with a preview held from April 17 to 19) at the Arsenale in Venice, Italy.  

Watsons honored as Organization of the Year FAIRFAX, Va., April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Stevie® Awards, organizer of the world's premier business awards programs, announced the winners of five Grand Stevie® Award trophies in the 11th annual Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards, the only awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners in various categories were announced on 10 April. Those awards were determined by the average scores of more than 150 executives worldwide acting as judges. The 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards have recognized organizations in 25 markets including Australia, Cambodia, mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Estonia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam. The Grand ("best of show") Stevie Award trophy is awarded to only a handful of organizations in each of the nine Stevie Awards competitions. In the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, one Grand Stevie Award is presented to the most honored organization, and one each to the highest-scoring nomination from the four markets that submitted the most nominations. The prestigious Grand ("best of show") Stevie Award trophy has been given to five winning organizations in the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards. Watsons of Hong Kong was the most honored Grand Stevie Award winner, and the Grand Stevie Award winners with the highest-scoring nominations from the four markets with the most nominations in the competition are Farmbot Monitoring Solutions, Beijing apm, IntouchCX, and Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP). The 2024 Grand Stevie Award for Most Honored Organization of the Year goes to Watsons, headquartered in Hong Kong, with 72.5 award points. This award could not be applied for directly. The award is determined by a points system based on the total number of awards won in the competition, with a Gold Stevie win counting for 3 points, a Silver Stevie for 2 points, and a Bronze Stevie counting for 1.5. The Grand Stevie Awards presented to the highest-scoring nomination from each of the four markets that submitted the most nominations to the competition are: From Australia: Farmbot Monitoring Solutions, of Roseville, New South Wales, for their "Farmbot Pump Control – Innovating Water Management for Agriculture" nomination, a Gold Stevie Award winner for Innovation in Digital Transformation, with an average score of 9.00/10. From China: Beijing apm, nominated by Brand Head, winner of a Gold Stevie for their nomination "A 'healing' mall other than a 'shopping" mall' for Innovation in Consumer Events (8.86/10). From India: IntouchCX, Hyderabad, for their Most Innovative Customer Service Team nomination, a Gold Stevie winner in that category, average score 8.67. From the Philippines: Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP), Marikina City, for their nomination "Empowering farmers, enriching communities: the transformative impact of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc.," which won a Gold Stevie for Innovation in Community Relations or Public Service Communications, with an average score of 9.33/10. Winners in the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards will be celebrated during an awards banquet on 24 May at Shangri-La The Fort Hotel in Manila, Philippines. Tickets for the awards banquet are on sale now. PR Newswire Asia is the official news release distribution partner of the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards. adobo magazine is the official Creative Media Partner of the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, and the newest Stevie Awards program, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive over 12,000 entries annually from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. Contact:Nina Moore+1 (703) 547-8389Nina@StevieAwards.com  

HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter "Ping An," the "Company" or the "Group," HKEX: 2318; SSE: 601318) today announced its first quarter financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024. China's economy gradually recovered in the first three months of 2024, with capital markets picking up. However, there were still growth challenges including insufficient demand and weak economic expectations. Amidst opportunities and challenges, Ping An focused on core financial businesses and strengthened the insurance protection function to serve the real economy under its business policy of "focusing on core businesses, boosting revenue and cutting costs, optimizing structure, and enhancing quality and efficiency". Following the technology-driven "integrated finance + health and senior care" strategy, Ping An continuously consolidated its integrated finance advantages, remained customer needs-oriented, and pursued high-quality development.  The Group's operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company reached RMB38,709 million. Three core businesses, namely Life & Health, property and casualty insurance, and banking, resumed growth and delivered RMB39,816 million in operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company, up 0.3% year on year. Life & Health showed significant growth momentum. Life & Health NBV amounted to RMB12,890 million in the first three months of 2024, up 20.7% year on year on a like-for-like basis. NBV per agent climbed 56.4% year on year. Ping An continued to develop its integrated finance model. Retail customers increased 1.0% from the beginning of the year to nearly 234 million and contracts per retail customer reached 2.94 as of March 31, 2024. Ping An continued to implement its health and senior care ecosystem strategy. The Company achieved nearly RMB40 billion in health insurance premium income in the first three months of 2024. Customers entitled to service benefits in the health and senior care ecosystem contributed about 70% of Ping An Life's NBV in the first three months of 2024, up 6 pps year on year. Life & Health achieved double-digit growth in NBV, and enhanced strength in channels. Ping An Life furthered the "4 channels + 3 products" strategy and achieved outstanding performance in key business operating indicators. Ping An Life achieved steady business development thanks to comprehensive advancement in sales channels, improved business quality, and diverse products and services launched. Life & Health NBV amounted to RMB12,890 million in the first three months of 2024, up 20.7% year on year on a like-for-like basis. NBV margin was 22.8%, up 6.5 pps year on year on a like-for-like basis. From January to March 2024, Life & Health realized premium income of RMB185,346 million, an increase of 1.2% year on year, leading the industry in terms of scale, and continuing to improve its operating trend. In respect of channels, under the value proposition of high-quality development, Ping An Life continued to deepen the transformation and build multi-channel professional sales capabilities, significantly improving the development quality. Ping An Life improved the business quality of the agent channel, and continuously increased team productivity by recruiting high-quality agents through high-quality existing ones. NBV per agent climbed 56.4% year on year in the first three months of 2024, and the proportion of "Talent +" new agents increased by 11.0 pps year on year. Ping An Life furthered the exclusive agency model with Ping An Bank, and continuously expanded partnership with high-quality external banks. In addition, Ping An Life standardized outlet operations, and continuously boosted operational efficiency. Overall policy persistency ratio of all retained customers in the cities with Community Grid outlets improved by 2.5 pps year on year as of March 31, 2024. In respect of products, Ping An Life continued to focus on three areas, namely wealth management, pension insurance, and protection insurance, meeting customer needs for diverse insurance products. By leveraging the Group's health and senior care ecosystem, Ping An Life built differentiated advantages by enhancing its three core services: health care, home-based senior care and high-end senior care. In respect of health care, Ping An Life provided health management services to over 10 million customers in the first three months of 2024. Ping An's home-based senior care services covered 54 cities across China, and nearly 100,000 customers qualified for the home-based senior care services as of March 31, 2024. Ping An established the "Ping An Concierge Senior Care Service Alliance" jointly with partners and released the "5-7-3 Home Safety Renovation Service" in March 2024 to help seniors improve their quality of life. In respect of high-end senior care, Ping An has unveiled high-end senior care projects in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Foshan. Ping An continuously advanced its integrated finance strategy, maintained steady growth in P&C and banking businesses, and delivered stable return in insurance funds investment. Ping An provided "worry-free, time-saving, and money-saving" one-stop integrated finance solutions under a customer-centric philosophy. Retail customers increased 1.0% from the beginning of the year to nearly 234 million and contracts per retail customer reached 2.94 as of March 31, 2024. Retail customers and contracts per retail customer have increased 17.9% and 10.1% respectively since December 31, 2019. Ping An P&C maintained stable business growth and healthy business quality. Ping An P&C's insurance revenue rose by 5.7% year on year to RMB80,627 million in the first three months of 2024. Overall COR rose by 0.9 pps year on year to 99.6%; COR excluding guarantee insurance was 98.4%, up year on year mainly due to snowstorms on early days of the Chinese New Year and increased customer travels. The snowstorms adversely impacted COR by 2.0 pps in the first three months of 2024. Ping An Bank maintained steady business performance and stable asset quality. Ping An Bank improved operational cost-effectiveness via digital transformation, strengthened asset quality control and management, and enhanced non-performing asset recovery and disposal. Net profit grew by 2.3% year on year to RMB14,932 million. Non-performing loan ratio was 1.07% and provision coverage ratio was 261.66% as of March 31, 2024. Ping An Bank's capital adequacy ratios at all levels met regulatory requirements, and its core tier 1 capital adequacy ratio rose to 9.59% as of March 31, 2024. Insurance fund investment returns performed well and the portfolio steadily increased. The Company's insurance funds investment portfolio achieved an annualized comprehensive investment yield of 3.1%, and an annualized net investment yield of 3.0% in the first three months of 2024. The Company's insurance funds investment portfolio grew 4.4% from the beginning of the year to more than RMB4.93 trillion as of March 31, 2024. The Company is committed to creating stable investment incomes through macroeconomic cycles, and meeting liability needs under a liability-driven approach, taking solvency as a core metric. Further developing the health and senior care ecosystem as a new driver of value growth. Ping An's health and senior care ecosystem created both standalone direct value and huge indirect value by empowering our core financial businesses through differentiated "Product + Service" offerings. Over 63% of Ping An's nearly 234 million retail customers used services from the health and senior care ecosystem as of March 31, 2024. They held approximately 3.37 contracts and RMB57,600 in AUM per capita, 1.6 times and 3.6 times those held by non-users of these services respectively. Ping An made significant progress in customer development by effectively integrating insurance with health and senior care services. The Group's health and senior care ecosystem had over 45,000 paying corporate clients in the first three months of 2024. Ping An Health had nearly 40 million paying users over the past 12 months. Ping An achieved nearly RMB40 billion in health insurance premium income in the first three months of 2024. Customers entitled to service benefits in the health and senior care ecosystem contributed approximately 70% of Ping An Life's NBV in the first three months of 2024, up 6 pps year on year. Over 10 million customers of Ping An Life used services from the health and senior care ecosystem in the first three months of 2024. Notably, over 60% of Ping An Life's newly enrolled customers used health management services in the first three months of 2024. Ping An provided services via an "online, in-store, and home-delivered" service network by integrating domestic and overseas premium resources. The Company had about 50,000 in-house doctors and contracted external doctors in China as of March 31, 2024. Ping An partnered with over 36,000 hospitals (including all top 100 hospitals and 3A hospitals), over 100,000 healthcare management institutions and approximately 231,000 pharmacies (over 37% of all pharmacies, up by nearly 1,000 from the beginning of the year) in China as of March 31, 2024. Moreover, Ping An launched nearly 600 home-based senior care service items in 54 cities across China. Overseas, Ping An partnered with over 1,300 healthcare institutions in 35 countries across the world as of March 31, 2024, including eight of global top 10 and 54 of global top 100.  Ping An continuously built leading technological capabilities, which have been widely utilized to empower its core financial businesses. The Group's patent applications led most international financial institutions, totaling 51,700 as of March 31, 2024. From the perspective of transforming and upgrading Ping An's core businesses, technology benefits are reflected in higher sales, better business efficiency, and stronger risk management. The volume of services provided by AI service representatives reached about 420 million times, accounting for 80% of Ping An's total service volume in the first three months of 2024. AI-driven product sales accounted for 58% of total product sales achieved by service representatives. Claims loss reduction via smart risk identification reached RMB3 billion. Ping An actively fulfilled its social responsibilities and furthered green finance initiatives. Ping An achieved RMB10,682 million in green insurance premium income and provided RMB2,677 million for rural industrial vitalization through "Ping An Rural Communities Support" in the first three months of 2024. Ping An received a "Low Risk" ESG risk rating from Morningstar Sustainalytics with a score of 17.0 in 2024, ranked first in the Chinese mainland's insurance sector. Looking ahead, China's economic fundamentals are improving, and the trend of economic recovery will remain unchanged. Ping An will maintain its strategic focus on core financial businesses, continue advancing its technology-driven "integrated finance + health and senior care" strategy. The Company will keep its business resilience, build its strengths, and continuously improve operations and management to promote business recovery and growth. The Company will continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of financial services for the real economy, contributing to China's development into a financial powerhouse.

GUANGZHOU, China, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global lifestyle brand MINISO, renowned for its trendy lifestyle products, has released its 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, highlighting improvements in employee welfare, advocacy for women's and minors' welfare, and advancements in environmental sustainability. The report, anchored in MINISO's principles of long-termism, truth, and integrity, serves as a commitment of the company to a sustainable and harmonious society. MINISO Advocacy for Women, Children and Pets' Welfare: MINISO's Holistic Approach to Social Responsibility MINISO's dedication to social welfare forms a substantial part of its corporate identity, with the company actively promoting a number of charity projects around the five major themes of children, women, critical illnesses, disasters, and small animals. MINISO recognizes the significant role of women in both professional careers and family life. In line with this, the has taken proactive steps to support women. One such initiative is the Marriage and Maternity Incentive Scheme, which offers additional support beyond standard benefits. With a dedicated allocation of RMB10 million, this scheme is accessible to all employees upon registering their marriage and childbirth. Furthermore, the notable increase in the representation of women in senior management positions in China, constituting 61.8% of total senior roles, underscores MINISO's commitment to empowering women in both the workplace and corporate decision-making. MINISO's commitment to public welfare is evident through its RED Power initiative. In September 2023, the initiative collaborated with other companies to donate living and educational supplies worth over RMB520,000. Subsequently, in November of the same year, MINISO's RED Power extended its support by donating supplies like sanitary pads and winter study kits to over 1,000 students across two schools, amounting to over RMB200,000. Meanwhile, the company is also pioneering corporate social responsibility with the "MINISO Pet Protection Foundation", which was established in December 2023. This collaboration with the Beijing Loving Animals Foundation aims to promote a harmonious relationship between humans and animals, aligning with MINISO's vision of a vibrant lifestyle. The foundation has pledged RMB10 million to support various animal welfare projects, including educational programs, scientific rescue efforts, youth advocacy, and search and rescue dog training. Environmental Excellence: Sustainability at its Core As part of its steadfast dedication to environmental conservation, MINISO is reshaping its product journey to significantly cut down carbon emissions. The company introduced the "MINISO ECO" label for products that adhere to strict environmental standards, including being plastic-free, recyclable, renewable, reusable, BPA-free, and lead-free. This label is increasingly visible across MINISO's product range as part of its shift towards a more environmentally friendly lineup. Furthermore, MINISO continues to implement multiple measures to reduce the consumption of plastic bags, aiming to decrease the percentage of plastic bag consumption to below 75%, with the percentage at 52% at the latest reporting period. MINISO has obtained an "A" rating in the MSCI ESG Ratings and an "AA" rating in the Wind ESG Ratings, ranking first in the industry, which underscores a year of substantial progress, positioning itself as a model of corporate responsibility. Besides the release, the company has also made advancements in enhancing employee welfare, supporting gender equality, and quick humanitarian actions. These wide-ranging welfare initiatives, community involvement, and eco-friendly operations reflect MINISO's ethical business approach. Each step MINISO takes affirms its commitment to a future where business growth and societal well-being go hand in hand. Click here to view the full 2023 Environment, Social and Governance Report of MINISO. About MINISO MINISO Group is a global lifestyle brand offering a variety of design-led lifestyle products. The Company serves consumers primarily through its large network of MINISO stores, and promotes a relaxing, treasure-hunting and engaging shopping experience full of delightful surprises that appeals to all demographics. Aesthetically pleasing design, quality and affordability are at the core of every product in MINISO's wide product portfolio, and the Company continually and frequently rolls out products with these qualities. Since the opening of its first store in China in 2013, the Company has built its flagship brand "MINISO" as a globally recognized retail brand and established a massive store network worldwide.

HANNOVER, Germany, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in five years, Shanghai Electric ("the Company) (SEHK:2727, SSE:601727) is returning to Hannover Messe, the world's leading industrial trade fair, bringing its innovative industrial equipment solutions to European and global industry peers, along with its signature energy equipment solutions. At the five-day event, Shanghai Electric will be exhibiting at Hall 12, Stand D66 of the Hannover Exhibition Center, where the Company will showcase its capabilities in driving industrial energy transformation and automation under the theme "Energize Your Industrial Automation". Hannover Messe 2024: Shanghai Electric Debuts Advanced Industrial Solutions with Its Integrated Energy Equipment Solution. From cutting-edge power systems to zero-carbon industrial parks, as well as intelligent manufacturing lines and efficient industrial drives, attendees will be able to witness the Company's latest technological solutions and achievements across multiple dimensions. Innovation at the Forefront: Shanghai Electric Also to Bring Pioneering Smart Energy Solutions for Global Sustainable Development. The Company is presenting its industry-proven sustainable energy equipment solutions, including: 16MW+ Offshore Wind Turbine: The 16MW+ floating offshore wind turbines, coupled with the Poseidon platform, feature over 40 key adaptability technology improvements compared to fixed offshore wind turbines. These advancements ensure reliable performance in complex environments, with core advantages in reliability, smart maintenance, and modular scalability. Integrated Photovoltaics (PV) Solution: The Company is presenting a suite of PV integration solutions suitable for multiple scenarios, including combined PV and solar thermal power generation, solar thermal energy storage, solar-powered desalination, and energy-saving solar thermal heating, along with the necessary equipment and solutions. The notable sandbox of its signature 950 MW PV hybrid power generation in Dubai includes a 100 MW concentrated solar power ("CSP") tower, three 200 MW parabolic trough CSP plants, and 250 MW of PV capacity. Diverse Energy Storage Solutions: Catering to international markets with comprehensive displays of various energy storage forms such as flywheel energy storage, lithium batteries, and flow battery technologies, among others. Through its proactive approach in multiple directions, it is capable of offering a one-stop service for various superior storage options and integrated equipment and services for reactive power compensation. Utilizing the integrated benefits of various equipment types, it aims to tackle the instability of wind and solar power, offering a variety of energy storage technological equipment and solutions for grid dispatch and stability enhancement. Hydrogen Energy Integration: Demonstrating the leading PEM electrolysis H2 production products alongside the Alkaline Water electrolysis equipment, as well as an integrated "produce-store-transfer-use" system solution. Comprehensive Transmission and Distribution Lifecycle Power Solutions: The exhibition showcased the main areas covered by the current 1000kV and below power transmission and distribution equipment, including transformers, wires and cables, switch components, power electronics, complete sets of switchgear, and box-type substations. It formed an entire industry chain system featuring intelligent, environmentally friendly, digital primary and secondary equipment, integrated design and engineering, and professional services. Zero-Carbon Industrial Park Construction: Addressing fragmentation issues in zero-carbon park construction through extensive exploration and leading global partners to achieve low-carbon transitions from the planning and design stages, through construction, to operation. Pushing Boundaries in Intelligent Manufacturing Shanghai Electric is showcasing advancements that extend the boundaries of intelligent manufacturing: Lithium Battery Production Automation Line: Shanghai Electric demonstrates its all-encompassing solutions provided to global users, including planning and design for battery automation production, process realization, power assistance, and environmental control. These solutions extend across the entire production cycle of batteries, from producing electrode battery slurry to coating, calendering and slicing, folding, rolling, assembling, formation and separation, modules, Packaging Assembly Configuration Kit (PACK), and logistics, fully catering to the automation, digitalization, and intelligence production requirements of customers. Aerospace Automated Assembly Solutions: Broetje Automation, under the company's umbrella, featured its collaborative robots at the show. Specializing in automated assembly services for the aerospace sector, Broetje Automation focuses on riveting and assembling processes for large aircraft parts made of metal or carbon fiber. Its offerings encompass automatic drilling and riveting systems, equipment for processing composite materials, services to optimize process flows, and the integration of production lines, along with crucial enabling services. Basic Industrial Components: The Company demonstrates high-performance ceramic bearings for electric vehicle motors with the P1 drive system, which excel in high-speed environments, withstand high temperatures, and are resistant to both magnetic and electrical erosion. The HALO system, crafted from high-strength grade 5 titanium alloy for a lightweight design, is implemented in Formula 1 racing to ensure driver safety by offering unparalleled load-bearing strength. 80MW-Class Motors for LNG Solution: An all-electric LNG solution featuring an ultra-high-speed variable-frequency explosion-proof synchronous motor and a speed-regulating inverter. The product is designed with efficiency, stability, and reliability in mind, making it suitable for widespread use in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, new energy, and metallurgy. For more information about the exhibited solutions, please visit us at Booth Hall 12, Stand D66 at the Hannover Exhibition Center, or explore the company website at https://www.shanghai-electric.com/ 

Industry leaders unveil cutting-edge solutions for a sustainable water future KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ASIAWATER 2024, the region's leading event dedicated to water and wastewater solutions for developing Asia, officially opened its floodgates at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) in Malaysia. This marks the start of a three-day expo and forum poised to attract over 20,000 industry professionals from 61 countries, eager to explore cutting-edge solutions that will shape a more sustainable future for water. ASIAWATER 2024 OPENS: CHARTING A COURSE FOR WATER RESILIENCE THROUGH INNOVATION With the region facing a growing population and the ever-present threat of climate change, ASIAWATER 2024 emerges as a critical platform for collaboration. Themed "Water Transformation and Climate Change: Innovation for Resilience," the event underscores the urgency of safeguarding our water security in the face of these profound challenges. This theme resonates deeply, highlighting the need for innovative and resilient approaches to water management. The event unites industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to chart a course for a more sustainable water future. The grand opening ceremony featured a plenary session on the "Impact of Climate Change on Water Security in Southeast Asia," led by the International Water Association (IWA). This session offered invaluable insights into the evolving water security landscape, emphasising the need for swift action towards sustainable solutions. YAB Dato' Sri Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), inaugurated the event, highlighting the government's unwavering commitment to addressing water challenges and advancing sustainable water management practices across the region. Dato' Teo Yen Hua, Advisor of ASIAWATER 2024, emphasised, "ASIAWATER 2024 is a cornerstone event for developing Asia, fostering knowledge exchange, showcasing advancements, and forging partnerships crucial to addressing water challenges. Rapid urbanisation and population growth put immense strain on water resources. Balancing the needs of a growing population with sustainable water management is vital to prevent over-extraction. This necessitates a collaborative and integrated approach." The exhibition halls themselves are a testament to this spirit of collaboration. Attendees can explore 10 International Pavilions, featuring expertise from countries such as Austria, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Korea, Netherlands, Singapore, and Switzerland, to name a few. These curated spaces offer diverse perspectives and cutting-edge solutions, enriching the overall experience. Knowledge is power, and ASIAWATER 2024 delivers. Over 50 high-level and comprehensive WATER TALKS sessions – including conferences, seminars, and specialised workshops – attendees will have a wealth of learning opportunities at their fingertips, delving into current water issues, showcasing technological advancements, and present sustainable solutions. "The Malaysian Water Association proudly supports ASIAWATER's mission to propel advancements in water management. This platform equips professionals with the latest trends and technologies shaping the industry. While water conservation efforts are gaining momentum, there's further progress to be made. ASIAWATER 2024 is a catalyst for promoting responsible water use, pollution reduction, and fostering a culture of conservation – all essential for long-term sustainability," said Dr. Ir. Ts. Hj. Mohmad Asari bin Daud, President of the Malaysian Water Association (MWA). This year, ASIAWATER sets a new milestone with over 1,000 exhibiting brands and companies showcasing their latest technologies, solutions, products, and services. These offerings address a wide range of water needs, ensuring attendees find the tools they need to build a more resilient water future. ASIAWATER 2024 transcends a typical exhibition, fostering a dynamic hub for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. The time for action is now. Join ASIAWATER 2024 from 23 – 25 April 2024 at KLCC, Malaysia, and be part of the solution. Together, we can build a more sustainable water future for developing Asia. Notes to EditorAbout ASIAWATER Expo & Forum (www.asiawater.org)ASIAWATER Expo & Forum, the longest running and leading trade event for the water and wastewater industry, is organised by Informa Markets, a part of Informa PLC. It is held biennial in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It has continued to prove to be a one-stop regional hub and recognised by the most respected industry professionals. The event offers a stream of business opportunities while at the same time developing Asia's water infrastructure. For more information and registration, visit https://www.asiawater.org/.

HSINCHU, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chatime, a global leading bubble tea and innovative beverage brand, has won the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative Award at the QSR Media Asia Tabsquare Awards 2024 today. La Kaffa International, Chatime's mother company, was also awarded the Special Recognition Award. (Left to Right)Henry Wang, Chairman of La Kaffa International & Teresa Wang, Co-Founder of Chatime "We are honored to be recognized for our dedication to social responsibility, and this award serves as a testament to our collective efforts in enriching communities and fostering positive change. We are immensely proud of this achievement and remain steadfast in our commitment to continue inspiring meaningful and sustainable initiatives for the betterment of society and the environment", said Teresa Wang, Co-Founder of Chatime. Chatime's Global Corporate Social Responsibility Program, CommuniTea, leverages the power of bubble tea to drive social change and serve as the voice of Chatime's global community. Through The Hope Project event, Chatime partnered with organizations such as EAP (Early Autism Project) in Malaysia, the Autism Society of Taiwan, and the Taiwan Autism Family Care Association to raise awareness of autism and provide job opportunities for young people with autism in 2023. This award serves as a source of inspiration and motivation for Chatime to continue innovating, collaborating, and leading by example in the industry and beyond. Chatime extends its heartfelt gratitude to its customers, partners, and stakeholders for their support and collaboration in embracing the brand's social responsibility initiatives. Meanwhile, for over two decades, La Kaffa International has successfully operated more than 10 F&B brands with a business presence in 63 countries. La Kaffa's commitment to product innovation and safety is evident in its acquisition of one of the largest pearl factories in Asia, ensuring ingredient quality, sustainable, and stable supply chains supporting its global stores. As the journey of excellence continues, La Kaffa International remains dedicated to pioneering innovation, quality control, supply chain integration, store development, and meaningful impact beyond business success. For more information about Chatime and its social responsibility initiatives, please visit: https://www.chatime.com.tw/en/

Dusit's iconic flagship hotel celebrates its return with special reopening offer starting 1 May 2024 – only on dusit.com BANGKOK, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies, has confirmed that its iconic flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel will reopen on 27 September 2024 following its stunning transformation as part of Dusit Central Park – a landmark mixed-use development opposite Lumpini Park in the heart of Bangkok – and it is beginning its celebrations early by launching a special reopening offer. Every guest room at the new Dusit Thani Bangkok features floor-to-ceiling windows framing uninterrupted views of Lumpini Park. Starting 1 May 2024, eager guests can secure their bookings for the new Dusit Thani Bangkok exclusively on dusit.com. Early bookers will be rewarded with a nightly credit of USD 75 (THB 2,700 net) for dining and spa treatments, along with other enticing perks. Rates start at an attractive USD 330++ per night (THB 12,000++). Bookings for this special offer can be made until 31 October 2024 for stays between 27 September 2024 and 31 March 2025. Promising to deliver a fresh interpretation of its predecessor's illustrious heritage, the reimagined Dusit Thani Bangkok is poised to offer a luxurious sanctuary for discerning travellers from around the globe. Guests can expect unparalleled comfort in the 257 exquisitely crafted guestrooms, including elegant suites designed by the internationally acclaimed André Fu Studio. Starting at a spacious 50 sq m, each room boasts uninterrupted views of Lumpini Park through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows complemented by stylish seating nooks. The unique floorplan ensures every room offers this breathtaking vista. Beyond the luxurious rooms, the reimagined Dusit Thani Bangkok elevates the guest experience with several exciting offerings. This includes a unique urban wellness concept, curated dining experiences crafted by renowned chefs, and a chic multi-level rooftop bar created in collaboration with award-winning mixologists. For meetings and events, the hotel boasts over 5,000 sq m of expansive banqueting and meeting facilities. This includes one of Bangkok's largest grand ballrooms, featuring an impressive eight-metre ceiling and panoramic park views. Additionally, a diverse selection of meeting spaces caters to both intimate gatherings and large-scale events. The new Dusit Thani Bangkok also doesn't forget its roots. Its renowned predecessor's signature golden spire, meticulously preserved, now adorns the new building. Precious artworks by renowned local artists and handcrafted teakwood décor from the original property also find a new home within the reimagined space, ensuring a seamless connection to the hotel's rich legacy. "We are thrilled to unveil the new Dusit Thani Bangkok and countdown to our opening this September," said Mr Adrian Rudin, Managing Director, Dusit Thani Bangkok. "This is not just a rebuild; it's a rebirth. We've woven our rich legacy into the fabric of contemporary design and cutting-edge experiences, crafting a truly transformative destination that will delight longtime fans of the original property and discerning new generations of travellers alike. Our special reopening offer unlocks the door to being among the first to experience this reimagined icon, and we look forward to welcoming guests and exceeding their expectations with our signature blend of timeless elegance and modern luxury." Alongside the new Dusit Thani Bangkok, Dusit Central Park will also include ultra-luxury residences (Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside), a state-of-the-art office tower, a high-end retail centre, and an 11,200 sq m Roof Park (all slated to open in 2025). To stay updated on the hotel's debut, sign up for Dusit Gold through dusit.com/signup. – End – About Dusit Hotels and Resorts  Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies. With a heartfelt belief and commitment to introducing Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, Dusit Hotels and Resorts offers guests a uniquely special stay in high-style surroundings and a personalised approach to service. The group's portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes approximately 300 properties operating under a total of eight brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 18 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit dusit.com About Dusit International Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Dusit Estate, and Hospitality-Related Services.  Dusit International's diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification. For more information, please visit dusit-international.com

SINGAPORE, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Smartee Denti-Technology, a global leader in digital orthodontic solutions, proudly announces its successful participation in the International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) 2024, held from April 19 to April 21 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.  Recap | Smartee and Prof. Gang Shen at IDEM 2024 Singapore, April 19-21   Smartee Denti-Technology hosted a specialized event focused on Smartee GS Mandibular Repositioning Technology on April 18th Prior to IDEM Singapore 2024, Smartee Denti-Technology hosted a specialized event focused on Smartee GS Mandibular Repositioning Technology on April 18th. The summit provided doctors and orthodontists with a comprehensive introduction to this pioneering technology. Throughout the event, attendees engaged in workshops to deepen their understanding of mandibular repositioning technology and gained hands-on experience with bit-wax registration, preparing themselves for further exploration of GS products during IDEM. Attendees engaged in workshops to deepen their understanding of mandibular repositioning technology and gained hands-on experience with bit-wax registration IDEM Singapore 2024, recognized as the premier dental event in the Asia-Pacific region, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and practitioners to present the latest advancements in dentistry. Smartee's participation in IDEM Singapore emphasized its dedication to delivering exceptional orthodontic services worldwide through state-of-the-art technologies and innovative clear aligner solutions. Smartee's participation in IDEM Singapore During the exhibition, the Smartee booth attracted a steady stream of visitors, particularly dental professionals keen to explore Smartee's standout products like the GS series. Recognized for its groundbreaking approach in applying mandibular repositioning technique, the Smartee GS series offers a non-invasive solution for treating severe Class II malocclusion. To share academic achievements in this field, on April 19th, Smartee Chief Scientist in R&D, Prof. Gang Shen delivered a lecture at IDEM titled "Fundamental Mechanisms and Therapeutic Procedures for Mandibular Repositioning."  Engaging in-depth discussions, Prof. Gang Shen introduced his innovative diagnostic classification of malocclusion and showcased the clinical outcomes of Smartee GS technology with orthodontic professionals worldwide. Smartee Chief Scientist in R&D , Prof. Gang Shen delivered a lecture at IDEM titled "Fundamental Mechanisms and Therapeutic Procedures for Mandibular Repositioning."   Smartee booth attracted a steady stream of visitors Founded in 2004, Smartee Denti-Technology has established itself as a trusted partner for orthodontists worldwide, serving over 64,000 doctors from 48,000 medical institutions across 47 countries. With a focus on independent research and development, Smartee continues to push the boundaries of orthodontic excellence. We were thrilled to showcase our Mandibular Repositioning Technology at IDEM Singapore 2024. "As of April 2024, the Smartee Mandibular Repositioning Technology has been applied in over 50,000 cases worldwide." said Prof. Gang Shen proudly "This event provided us with a platform to connect with industry peers, exchange insights, and further share our innovation and experience in Mandibular Repositioning Technology." Junfeng Yao, Founder and CEO of Smartee further emphasized, "Smartee Denti-Technology's participation in IDEM underscores its commitment to advancing the field of orthodontics. I enjoyed engaging with fellow professionals and exploring the latest advancements in digital orthodontic solutions." About Smartee Denti-Technology: Founded in 2004, Smartee is the leading provider of clear aligners and digital orthodontic solutions in China. Headquartered in Shanghai, Smartee has two research & development centers and manufacturing plants that are fully automated. By serving over 64,000 doctors from 48,000 medical institutions in over 47 countries, Smartee has achieved over 1 million perfect smiles worldwide. With the advance of digital solutions, Smartee continues expanding its portfolio and has launched over 10 aligner products catering to different malocclusion problems for children, adolescents and adults. Collaborating with Prof Gang Shen and his Orthodontic Team, Smartee has developed an innovative product - Smartee GS, which provides orthodontists with mandibular repositioning technology to treat patients with complex indications including facial prognathism, facial retrognathism and mandibular deviation more effectively. 

BEIJING, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wuliangye, a reputed Chinese baijiu brand, gained popularity among Chilean people who attended activities of its "Harmony & Beauty" global cultural exchange tour in Santiago of Chile. Photo shows the scene of Wuliangye Group's global tour event in Santiago, capital of Chile on April 19, 2024 (Photo provided by Wuliangye) Bringing Chilean liquor lovers its premier products, the company initiated the event, one of its thematic transnational cultural exchange activities, to enhance communication between people from different cultures. With Sichuan Opera and Cueca dance performances staged by turns in Wuliangye's exhibition zone in Santiago on April 19, some Chilean attendees were impressed by the refreshing flavor of Wuliangye-based special cocktail and the diverse Chinese cultural elements that decorated Wuliangye's booths. Zeng Congqin, board chairman of Wuliangye Group, said Chile and China's Sichuan have much in common such as profound history, abundant resources, life-loving people, and in particular the globally renowned liquors and hoped a mix of Chilean wine and Chinese baijiu would produce more fascinating flavors. "Harmony and Beauty" stands always for what the Chinese baijiu maker advocates. Wuliangye, made from five types of grains such as rice and sticky rice originated from China, sorghum originally from Africa, wheat from west Asia and corn originated from South America, served as a harmonious embodiment of different beauties. Zeng noted that Wuliangye Group planned to further leverage liquor, a universal language that transcends history and national boundaries, to boost mutual learning and appreciation of the Chinese and Chilean cultures and create more stories of harmonious friendships and development. During the event, Zeng and representatives from different circles of the two countries jointly stamped the scroll for Wuliangye's "Harmony and Beauty" global tour in Chile.  After a local market survey, Wuliangye Group communicated with Chilean beverage firm CCU for potential cooperation in liquor products and launched a one week-long cultural activity with famous restaurants and bars in Santiago to engage Chilean consumers with the unique appeal of liquors and cuisines from China's Sichuan. Known for its fragrant, sweet and mellow flavor, Wuliangye is a forerunner among Chinese baijiu producers in "going global" and will continue to explore the global market through expanding the "Chinese cuisines plus Chinese baijiu"-based consumption scenarios. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/339835.html

BEIJING, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueFocus (300058.SZ) disclosed its 2023 annual report, revealing a revenue milestone of CN¥52.61 billion (US$7.26 billion), 43.44% growth from the previous year, and a net operating cash flow of CN¥633 million. This achievement positioned BlueFocus as the first domestic marketing firm to surpass CN¥50 billion in revenue. Simultaneously, BlueFocus unveiled its performance report for the first quarter of 2024, continuing its strong momentum of growth from 2023 with a revenue of ¥15.78 billion, representing a substantial year-on-year increase of 61.74%. In the field of generative AI, BlueFocus' CEO Pan Fei mentioned in his "Letter to Investors" that over the past year, generative AI has been gradually integrated into the daily operations - business models, process improvements, organizational structures, and talent development. The marketing industry in China is a trillion-level market, and in this increasingly competitive market, technology algorithms, content creation, creative services, search, e-commerce, and gaming are all seeing significant and nearly insurmountable bottlenecks. In the future, the AI strategy direction of BlueFocus in 2024 is clear and focused: continue to explore and practice on the ground, use AI to create more projects, and increase revenue. BlueFocus will continue with an extremely open and sincere attitude of cooperation with the world's best AI companies, iterate rapidly on BlueAI 1.0 and begin building a truly AI Native model. BlueFocus' strategy is not only 'All In AI' but also moving forward with an 'AI First' mindset. That strategy extends from investments and incentives to talent development. AI-related priorities and rewards are consistently placed at the forefront. In the overseas advertising market, BlueFocus has helped nearly 70,000 Chinese enterprises reach the global market of which many started with it as small companies and grew to today's unicorns. The business scale is moving steadily towards its goal of US$10 billion, and it has achieved a top-ranking market share across the major global media platforms. AI will undoubtedly reshape the future of the marketing industry and also reshape a new BlueFocus. Its internal strategy is very clear – aim for a hundred-billion scale, become an industrial leader in generative AI by combining scale with imagination space. Scale is its basic foundation, and AI is its strongest engine. Grasping these two extremely rare opportunities, BlueFocus has an excellent chance to rise to a higher level, even achieve a complete transformation, and become a leader in the global intelligent marketing era.

Industry-leading AI model pre-trained on extensive global sanctions data and expertise works out-of-the-box to augment existing sanctions screening solutions BANGKOK, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SymphonyAI, a leading provider of predictive and generative enterprise AI SaaS solutions, today announced the availability of SensaAI for sanctions, a platform-agnostic "AI upgrade" for any sanctions solution in Asia Pacific (APAC) at Money20/20 Asia. It dramatically impacts sanctions evasion efforts by optimizing match accuracy with deep, context-aware AI-based matching algorithms. SensaAI for sanctions, delivered via API, is pre-trained and ready to use out of the box. Using an organization's existing data, SensaAI for sanctions works in parallel with rules-based systems using AI to power the match process from rationalizing unstructured data, including SWIFT transaction data. It then applies predictive matching models that enable investigators to accurately distinguish the legitimate risks from the resource-consuming false positives. "SensaAI for sanctions arrives at a critical time for sanctions screening, offering a robust solution that aligns with the market's shift towards more sophisticated, detection-agnostic tools," observes Nick Vitchev, Research Director for Chartis Research. "Its current deployment simplicity reflects a keen understanding of the evolving needs in risk management. The potential of SensaAI for sanctions to adapt to specific regional requirements without overwhelming users with false positives is particularly promising." With no large investment required and no complicated integration, SensaAI for sanctions offers an array of features that revolutionize the sanctions screening process: Advanced AI match assessment and explainability: Harnessing both generative and predictive AI, SensaAI for sanctions derives an AI score for match accuracy and a comprehensive natural language explanation for the reasoning behind the score. Solution-agnostic integration: SensaAI for sanctions is designed to work with any existing case management system. Pretrained and ready to deploy: Requiring no training data, SensaAI for sanctions models are pre-trained on datasets encompassing more than 25 years of sanctions evasion, detection, and screening expertise, enabling rapid implementation and ROI. Automated alert optimization: The AI matching score generated by SensaAI for sanctions can be used to prioritize the highest-risk alerts and deprioritize low-risk alerts at Level 1, ensuring investigators are always assessing the greatest risk first. Risk and compliance officers can harness market-leading AI capabilities, including continual learning built to evolve accurate matching as quickly as bad actors evolve evasion tactics. SensaAI demonstrates quantifiable low-cost gains by supporting more efficient investigation, transparent explainability, and seamless integration with existing solutions, providing immediate adoptability and intuitive insights for users from the front-line investigator to the boardroom. "Regulators in Asia are demanding financial institutions to effectively detect and manage sanctions related risks. SensaAI for sanctions revolutionizes the battle against increasingly sophisticated sanctions evaders, giving financial institutions immediate, powerful AI that is easy to adopt and use. SensaAI for sanctions is lightyears ahead of existing solutions, delivering contextual awareness, accuracy, and ROI," said Gerard O'Reilly, Managing Director, APAC of SymphonyAI's financial services division. "At SymphonyAI, we continue to invest boldly in delivering the power of our combined generative and predictive AI. We are excited to revolutionize sanctions screening efficiency and accuracy for financial institutions worldwide to outwit even the most resourceful bad actors." SymphonyAI was recently recognized by industry researcher Chartis for gen AI innovation and financial crime and compliance capabilities. The Chartis GenAI Initiatives Award recognized the strength of the SymphonyAI Sensa Investigation Hub and Sensa Copilot, which combine industry-leading predictive and generative AI with deep financial crime detection domain expertise. The company will demonstrate SensaAI for Sanctions, along with the rest of the financial services product portfolio including Sensa Investigation Hub and Sensa Copilot, this week at Money20/20 Asia from 23rd – 25th April 2024. Financial crime and compliance expert at SymphonyAI, Charmian Simmons will be delivering an unfiltered stage keynote - 'Building sustainable compliance platforms in the age of artificial intelligence' on Wednesday 24th April at 12:10 pm. About SymphonyAI SymphonyAI is building the leading enterprise AI SaaS company for digital transformation across the most critical and resilient growth verticals, including retail, consumer packaged goods, financial services, manufacturing, media, and business IT. SymphonyAI verticals have many leading enterprises as clients. Since its founding in 2017, SymphonyAI has grown rapidly to 3,000 talented leaders, data scientists, and other professionals. SymphonyAI is an SAIGroup company, backed by a $1 billion commitment from Dr. Romesh Wadhwani, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist.

CIEC Group, in tandem with the New Zealand Chinese Business Club and key New Zealand businesses, has finalized letters of intent and MoC for the upcoming 2nd China International Supply Chain Expo. WELLINGTON, New Zealand, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 19, Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC), concluded a delegation's visit to New Zealand. The visit, highlighted by a session of the New Zealand - China Business Assembly Forum and a roadshow for the 2nd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), witnessed the signing of several key agreements, including a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) and letters of intent for participation in the upcoming expo this November. Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the China Chamber of International Commerce, concluded the delegation's visit of 2nd China International Supply Chain Expo to New Zealand. The China International Exhibition Center Group Corporation (CIEC Group) and several New Zealand business organizations, including New Zealand Chinese Commerce Club, committed to the initiative, marking another step forward in the robust trade partnership between the two nations. The recent delegation to New Zealand, the largest of its kind from China in years, included more than 80 delegates from the CCPIT, regional and industry-specific promotion bodies, and corporate representatives. Throughout the visit, the delegates conducted extensive discussions with their New Zealand counterparts, participating in a comprehensive agenda of nearly 150 business discussions and promotional events. The CCPIT, which hosts CISCE, and its associated entities, secured multiple new cooperation agreements with New Zealand organizations, underscoring the growing business ties between the two countries. Mr. Ren shared updates on China's economic landscape and insights into China's efforts to advance Chinese modernization through quality-driven development and maintain a high level of openness and international engagement. His conversations were directed towards enhancing partnerships in cutting-edge and eco-friendly sectors, including renewable and alternative energies, smart vehicles, sustainable agriculture, and health-focused lifestyles. The visit also included tours of leading local businesses, such as AUNEW and Yili subsidiary Oceania Dairy. In addition, Ren participated in the inaugural celebration of the Federation of New Zealand Chinese Business Associations Incorporated, where he addressed the assembled guests. The 2nd CISCE, set to take place in Beijing from November 26 to 30, will expand its offerings to include new sections, promising enhanced trade and investment opportunities. For more information about the upcoming Expo, please visit https://en.cisce.org.cn/. 

BENGALURU, India, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic denim and lifestyle brand, Levi's®, recently announced the opening of its latest store at Nexus Mall, in Bengaluru – its largest mall store in the country to date. Located in the culturally vibrant neighborhood of Koramangala, the store is aimed at enhancing the brand experience for denim enthusiasts in Bengaluru. As the brand continues its focus on expansion and going direct-to-consumer in India, it aims to provide a meaningful brand experience to shoppers while delivering great style and opportunities for authentic self-expression through a broad product assortment and extensive personalization services.  Making a statement in Nexus Mall Koramangala, the new Levi's® store spans an impressive 6,000 square feet of retail space. The meticulously crafted store in the brand's cutting-edge NextGen Indigo store format, offers an elevated shopping experience from its deep indigo walls to its instinctive product layout and lounge space. This represents a further evolution and elevation of the store experience within the brand's larger, Icon store format. This is matched with an extensive range for both men and women. From classics like the 501® and Trucker Jacket in a variety of colorways, to the latest denim lifestyle offerings for men and women, the store boasts an unmatched product assortment. Trend-focused offerings include a new range of women's fits across flare, straight and loose styles with pretty tops, colorblocked denim tops, corset and cropped styles to complete the look. For men, advanced stretch denim perfect for all day comfort and an expanded range of loose jeans are complemented by all occasions options from button-down shirts, to polos, to signature graphic and logo tees. The store also features the iconic Levi's® Tailor Shop, offering a plethora of personalization choices for customers desiring unique pieces that mirror their personal style and expression. From alteration and restoration services to the option of embellishing and enhancing one's favorite pair of Levi's® with embroidery, patchworks, pins, and more, customers are invited to explore a world of customization possibilities. The opening of the Nexus Mall store underscores the brand's momentum in expanding its presence across India.  This store at Nexus Koramangala, along with the Brigade Road store – the largest store in Asia – and the store on 100ft Road Indiranagar strengthen the brand's presence in Bengaluru. This store also joins the brand's growing fleet of large format stores across the country in line with Levi's® direct-to-consumer strategy which offers an immersive experience for customers to explore the very best of Levi's®. Hiren Gor, General Manager, South Asia, Levi Strauss & Co., commented, "India is an important market for Levi Strauss & Co, and as the Levi's® store at Nexus Mall opens as our largest mall store to date, it marks a significant moment in our expansion strategy in India as we continue to be in locations across the country where our consumers shop. With this new store, we're creating a destination where shoppers can interact with the Levi's® brand, fostering authenticity and self-expression." About the Levi's® brand The Levi's® brand epitomizes classic American style and effortless cool. Since their invention by Levi Strauss & Co. in 1873, Levi's® jeans have become one of the most recognizable garments of clothing in the world—capturing the imagination and loyalty of people for generations. Today, the Levi's® brand portfolio continues to evolve through a relentless pioneering and innovative spirit that is unparalleled in the apparel industry. Our range of leading denim and accessories are available in more than 110 countries, allowing individuals around the world to express their personal style. For more information about the Levi's® brand, its products and stores, please visit levi.com. About Levi Strauss & Co. Levi Strauss & Co. is one of the world's largest brand-name apparel companies and a global leader in denim. The company designs and markets jeans, casual wear and related accessories for men, women and children under the Levi's®, Dockers®, Levi Strauss Signature™ and Beyond Yoga® brands. Its products are sold in more than 110 countries worldwide through a combination of chain retailers, department stores, online sites, and a global footprint of approximately 3,200 brand-dedicated stores and shop-in-shops. Levi Strauss & Co.'s reported 2023 net revenues were $6.2 billion. For more information, go to http://levistrauss.com, and for company news and announcements go to http://investors.levistrauss.com.

SINGAPORE, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Envision Energy, a global leader in green technology, introduced its groundbreaking green hydrogen fuel solutions for the first time at Singapore Maritime Week, held from April 16 to April 19 in Singapore, exploring the new frontier of green fuel adoption in decarbonizing the maritime industry with global partners. The Singapore Maritime Week, organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), is one of the most prestigious maritime events in Singapore. The event brings together international and regional participants from all sectors of the maritime industry. Over the week, the industry gathered to exchange insights on decarbonization and innovation opportunities. "Singapore is at the forefront of maritime innovation and is vigorously promoting decarbonization in the maritime sector. Green hydrogen, as a crucial clean energy source, can play a key role in Singapore's maritime industry decarbonization efforts," said Mr. Frank Yu, Vice President of Envision Energy. "We are delighted to bring our green hydrogen solutions here and collaborate with global partners to explore the feasibility of using low-carbon alternatives or other marine renewable energy sources in port operations and development. Together, we can propel the global shipping industry towards a greener future." Envision Energy, the world's leading green hydrogen producer, possesses core technologies in renewable energy, hydrogen production equipment, and net zero industrial parks, targeting for decarbonization at scale with its green hydrogen solution. Pioneering its own alkaline and PEM electrolysis technologies, green hydrogen ammonia solution, engineering competences and system integration capabilities, Envision Energy has been able to facilitate the green hydrogen industry moving at commercial scale. Its cutting-edge green hydrogen solution can replace traditional petroleum fuels to power ships as a clean energy. This enables vessels to achieve zero-emission navigation, and significantly effectively reducing carbon emissions. Meanwhile, leveraging technology breakthroughs in the renewable power system, Envision Energy achieves efficient coupling of wind-solar storage with hydrogen-ammonia-alcohol production to optimize cost and promote environmental sustainability for its customers. The company's flagship project, the world's largest commercial green hydrogen-ammonia project in Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia, takes as a good model for global partners. It serves as an integrated demonstration of green hydrogen and its applications, driving innovation in new industrial technologies such as biosynthesis and green metallurgy. Envision Energy's products are signed with a traceable "Net Zero Green Code (powered by EnOS Ark)" for products, which complies with various international standards and has been certified by authoritative organizations to ensures smooth and unobstructed "net zero trade" globally. The green hydrogen products will be offered to markets across the world without any hindrance. Already a leader in renewable energy, Envision Energy continues to lead the way in developing sustainable, large-scale decarbonization solutions to foster a greener maritime future.

Chula researchers use forage grass to feed microorganisms and convert the resulting fat into jet fuel, aiming to replace petroleum-based energy and reduce impacts on human health and the environment.  BANGKOK, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Development of scaling-up technology for production of microbial lipid for biojet fuel synthesis" research project led by Prof. Dr. Warawut Chulalaksananukul and Asst. Prof. Dr. Chompunuch Glinwong from the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University has been successful in the separation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (CU-TPD4 strain), which has a high potential for fat accumulation and production of bio-jet fuel to support the increasing demand for energy in the future. Chula’s Yeast Fuel to Expand Production for the Aerospace Industry "S. cerevisiae is classified as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) microorganism and is known to have been used for a long time in the food industry. Yet, it has not been used for the industrial production of fat." "Using oleaginous yeast as a feedstock for biofuel production has several advantages over using plants as an oil source." Yeast has a short life cycle, can be cultivated on a variety of foods, is cheap, and requires little labor. It can be cultivated at any time, and scaling up production is simple. It is safe for both humans and the environment. In addition, the process also makes use of agricultural waste, which is part of driving the circular economy and reducing air pollution problems from the burning of agricultural waste. The project has received funding from the National Research Council of Thailand and collaboration from three doctoral students from the Department of Botany, namely Dr. Nuttha Chuengcharoenpanich, Dr. Wannaporn Wattanasunthorn, and Mr. Thanapong Tangwanaphrai, as well as Dr. Surisa Suwannarangsee from the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology under the National Science and Technology Development Agency. The team also collaborated with Chinese researchers, such as Prof. Zhongming Wang and Prof. Wei Qi from the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Science (GIEC).  This research has also attracted interest from researchers from such institutions as Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) in Germany and Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI) in France, who saw the opportunity to expand the CU-TPD4 yeast leavening in oil production along with bread, alcohol, and other food products. Read the full article at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/154602/ Media Contact:     Chula Communication Center     Email: Pataraporn.r@chula.ac.th 

Global service robotics leader debuts company's first robot designed to maneuver complex environments of industrial facilities CHICAGO, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pudu Robotics, a global leader in service robotics, today announced the launch of its first robot designed expressly for industrial applications – the PUDU T300, which will make its debut at the Hannover Messe 2024. Manufacturers worldwide are struggling to adapt to changing market demands and production variability. As a result, creating more agile, responsive and flexible production lines has become crucial. Engineered to enhance material logistics in discrete manufacturing, the PUDU T300 excels in streamlining operations by delivering supplies to production lines, transferring materials across diverse production zones, and facilitating the transport of samples for quality checks. Boasting advanced maneuverability, it can deftly navigate the narrow corridors typical of industrial settings. With its "map-and-go" feature, the T300 ensures flexible deployment, operating independently of network connectivity and without the need for environmental modifications, enabling a swift and adaptable integration into existing workflows. "There is a huge demand from industrial clients for automated, flexible robotics solutions that can operate continuously to meet high production rates and improve operational efficiency," said Felix Zhang, founder and CEO of Pudu Robotics. "As manufacturers struggle to attract and retain talent, the T300 fills the immediate gap by seamlessly integrating with facilities' current processes as well as optimizing operations to spur sector-wide innovation." The PUDU T300 is built on the company's proprietary PUDU VSLAM+ technology, the advanced visual positioning system that enables marker-free navigation. This ensures the PUDU T300 can quickly adapt to changes in production layouts without the need for time-consuming reconfiguration or site remodeling. PUDU T300 features include: Exceptional Maneuverability: With its ability to navigate spaces as slim as 60cm and to cross 2cm thresholds and 3.5cm gutters, PUDU T300 can effortlessly shuttle between production lines, delivering supplies without issues. Advanced Navigation and Deployment: PUDU T300 supports a fusion of laser SLAM and visual SLAM for positioning, adeptly adapting to environments with ceilings up to 30 meters. It updates its map in real-time for consistent, reliable navigation and operates in spaces up to 200,000 square meters. loT Capabilities: PUDU T300 includes secure door access, elevator control, a self-configuring network with call options, and production line material requests via an app to seamlessly integrate into production processes. Multimodal Interaction: High-brightness operation indicator lights and traffic signal light design clearly display PUDU T300's position and cruising intentions, with customizable buttons for organized collaboration and audible alerts for effective reminders. Efficient Charging: PUDU T300 features automatic recharging and quick battery swapping capabilities, allowing for continuous 24/7 operation to cater to different customer application requirements. Safety Compliance: PUDU T300 adheres to ISO 3691-4 Industrial Safety Requirements and includes lidar, depth camera, collision protection edges, and emergency stop buttons for secure operation. The PUDU T300 can be used to improve production lines across the entire manufacturing sector, including 3C electronics manufacturers, automotive parts processing facilities, metalworking, semiconductor fabrication plants, among others. For more information on the T300, please visit https://www.pudutech.com/products/pudut300. About Pudu Robotics Pudu Robotics, a global leader in the service robotics sector, is dedicated to enhancing human productivity and living standards through innovative robot technology. With a focus on R&D, manufacturing, and sales of service robots, Pudu Robotics holds nearly a thousand authorized patents worldwide, encompassing a wide range of core technologies. The company's robots have been widely adopted in various industries, including dining, retail, hospitality, healthcare, entertainment, education and manufacturing.  To date, Pudu Robotics has successfully shipped over 70,000 units to a variety of markets, with a presence in more than 60 countries and regions worldwide. For more information on business developments and updates, follow PUDU on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

SICONA SET TO BECOME THE LARGEST PRODUCER OF SILICON CARBON ANODE MATERIALS IN THE UNITED STATES SYDNEY, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sicona Battery Technologies, an Australian battery materials innovator, today announced its expansion into the fast-growing United States battery component market with the development of its first commercial production facilities in the south-eastern United States near the geographic heart of the growing U.S. battery and electric vehicle manufacturing hub. Sicona cofounders Dr Andrew Minnet and Christiaan Jordaan. Having recently completed front-end engineering design studies with global engineering and construction leader Bechtel, Sicona is moving forward with the phased development of a 6,700 tonne per annum (tpa) silicon-carbon anode materials production plant.  This development will make Sicona the largest producer of silicon-carbon anode materials in the United States surpassing the approximately 5,800 tpa total silicon-carbon plants under construction and development in the north-western United States.  By the early 2030s, Sicona plans to ultimately expand its US production to a total output of 26,500 tpa, enough silicon-carbon anode materials to power more than 3.25m American electric vehicles (EVs). Sicona SiCx™can deliver significant improvements in today's EVs through increased range and reduced charge times, two known major inhibiting factors to rapid EV adoption in the United States, and which are critical factors in achieving the stated US goals of reducing  greenhouse gas emissions by ~52% below 2005 levels by 2030. Leveraging its extensive intellectual property portfolio Sicona produces Silicon-Carbon (Sicona SiCx™) anode materials that supercharge Lithium-ion batteries delivering a 20%-plus increase in energy density over conventional graphite-only Lithium-ion battery cells and reducing charge times by more than 40%. Furthermore, Sicona's technology does not rely on expensive, dangerous, bottlenecked or emissions intensive supply chains such as silane gas. This enables Sicona's customers to access unmatched prices and scale for maximum positive impacts of a "drop-in" material without incurring significant costs and disruptive reengineering in their battery production facilities. Utilising a top-down process, Sicona has cracked highly efficient mechanical silicon metal reduction to create uniform nanoparticles. Further treatment in specialised carbon coating processes create the unique material qualities that customers demand. To support its US manufacturing plans, Sicona has started supplying product samples and initiated offtake discussions with cornerstone customers with qualification activities expected to ramp up significantly over the coming 12 – 18 months. "Sicona's vision is to be the largest silicon-carbon battery materials producer in the world and today's announcement is the first major step towards the realisation of that goal," Mr Jordaan said. "We believe by going mass scale with our technology we can have maximum impact on increasing the adoption of electric vehicles. This is because our product has a real impact on the charge time of an electric vehicle or how far you can drive your EV before recharging, which are two major factors holding people back from buying an EV. "We are proud to be an Australian company leading the charge on the global stage and working with our valued partners like Bechtel to establish our first production facilities in the United States. "We believe our proposed project in the United States will promote a sustainable energy future that expands and secures the domestic US battery ecosystem and creates high quality jobs and economic opportunities for the local community." "As the world works to lower its carbon footprint, Bechtel provides the predictability needed to realize design and construction of new battery value chain projects," said Justin Britt, Bechtel's General Manager for Electric Vehicles in Manufacturing & Technology. "Bechtel provides a full array of project delivery services so our customers can realize their vision."