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Hong Kong’s Annual Design Festival deTour 2024


Over 80 Local and Overseas Creative Communities Engaging in Large-scale Installations & Exhibitions, Workshops, and Creative Voice

Powering Inner Growth Through Design

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 November 2024 – Presented by PMQ and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK), deTour design festival will take place from 29th November to 15th December 2024 at PMQ, Central. This year, the exhibition has been extended to seventeen days, free of charge, and is open to all design enthusiasts, students, and the public. Through large-scale exhibitions, workshops, guided tours and Creative Voice design forums, deTour 2024 showcases the creative works among the local and international creative communities, exploring the underlying meaning of the connection between design and one’s inner strength!

deTour 2024


The Theme of deTour 2024: Having→Being: Designing Inner Worlds
Design has long been seen as an instrument for solving problems. Adonian Chan, Curator of deTour 2024 was inspired by the book To Have or To Be by Erich Fromm, a psychologist. He found that with the advancing production methods and material abundance, design has gradually become a tool to produce desire, and a person’s worth is judged based on their possessions. This change echoes Erich Fromm’s concept of the “mode of having” in his book To Have or To Be. Fromm argues that society frequently judges a person’s worth based on their possessions. Yet he asserts that true value lies not in what we “have” but in who we “are”— the “mode of being”.

In deTour 2024, the Curator and designers will uncover underexplored possibilities in design, emphasising how design enriches one’s inner power. Not only does design present the outlook of an environment or a product, but it is also a catalyst for one’s inner growth, well-being, and creative expression. Through careful consideration and curation, as well as the environment, product, and experience provided in deTour2024, it aims to help people create a space and a tool that reflects their inner true self and provide inspiration for a deeper dialogue and connection.

Starting from the Courtyard:
Opening a Dialogue and Connections with 17 Installations and Exhibitions

deTour2024 exhibits a total of 17 installations from local and overseas designers throughout PMQ. Walking through the entrance tunnel to the courtyard, a feature exhibition of “Air-Scape“, “Capturing Qi () “, and “Passage to the Lake“, from three groups of local and overseas young designers, unveils the path to reflection. Other installations are displayed through the courtyard, Hollywood Garden, and the specific levels in Block A. Every installation is a dialogue to inner growth, allowing us to rethink how design has influenced our lives and environment, including experimental works that explore new possibilities through deTour 2024. In addition, the seventeen-day design festival has 40 workshops and 13 Creative Voice sessions, bringing a series of free exciting experiences to the public.

International Collaboration: Kimchi and Chips —— REWORLD Type 2
Founded in 2009 by Seoul-based artists Mimi Son and Elliot Woods, Kimchi and Chips is acclaimed for merging art, technology, and philosophy. Their large-scale installations explore the intersections of light, space, and perception, creating immersive experiences that blur reality and illusion.

“REWORLD Type 2” is an innovative urban screen that constructs images not with traditional LEDs, but by remixing fragments from the surrounding cityscape. Urban screens have become a principal material of the built environment, and are used to communicate ideas, convey ambitions, provide instructions, and contribute to the creation of a city’s aesthetic and mythology. Kimchi and Chips quote Donna J. Haraway, “It matters what stories make worlds, what worlds make stories.” REWORLD is a screen that generates images solely from the city’s existing elements, reimagining and recycling reality into new messages and ideas. This screen operates using more than 1,000 of micro-prisms actuated by precision motors, which selectively refract the surroundings to form new images, showcasing a stunning “reworld”.

Feature Exhibitions:
About Living Attitudes – Balance, Feng Shui, Penjing and Lakes

1. Wich Chau, Match Chen — A place of Being
Wich Chau is a Hong Kong designer who adopts an experimental approach to designing furniture, public spaces, and installation art, delving into the potential of urban environments through thought-provoking inquiries. His work “Wave of Growth” was featured in the MoMA-published book “Uneven Growth@2015”. Since 2020, he has tried oil painting, drawing on elements of science fiction, surrealism, and futuristic imagination to provoke contemplation about the universe and existence. Match Chen, co-founder of KaCaMa Design Lab in Hong Kong, has rich experience in sustainable and community-focused design and is dedicated to promoting local craftsmanship and artistic creation. His works, “Flawless Failure” and “Bamboo-Copter Pavilion”, have been showcased in PMQ, the Hong Kong Museum of History, etc.

“A place of Being” is an interactive installation that explores the intricate balance between “Having” and “Losing”, as well as “Balance” and “Imbalance”, through participants’ personal experiences and interactions. At the heart of this installation lies a scale, set against a blue carpet. Participants, in groups of one to three, take turns adding wood to the scale, aiming to maintain a sense of inner calm and equilibrium. If too much wood is piled on or if the centre of gravity shifts, everything on the scale will tip over. The team hopes that this straightforward interactive experience will illuminate abstract yet tangible concepts in life, such as “Inner”, “Outer”, “Accept”, “Reject”, “Balance”, and “Imbalance”. The team anticipates that this experience will encourage participants to reflect on their journey toward “being” and finding balance in their lives.

2. Future Soil X Laurence Lee — Air-Scape
Formed in 2023 by Arthur Cheung, Carolyn Tam, and Yvonne Wong, the team explores the relationship between traditional plant cultivation and emerging technologies, combining material exploration and digital fabrication to design bio-receptive structures integrated with plant species. Their project, exhibited at the deTour 2023 – design festival, showcased how lifeforms can influence computational design, offering a fresh perspective on the interaction between nature and the built environment and encouraging us to rethink how we shape our surroundings. Laurence Lee King Man has studied penjing under several masters in Hong Kong since 2000. Now Chairman of the Penjing Association of Hong Kong, he promotes penjing culture. Lee is also a Chinese ink painter and curates art exhibitions. Penjing is a fascinating art form that grows and transforms over time.

“Air-Scape” integrates soilless foam with perforated 3D-printed forms, allowing for customisable vessel shapes that support diverse plant species. This holistic approach bridges traditional penjing with computational design and digital fabrication, offering new geometric possibilities for the art form.

3. Yoojin Chung — Capturing Qi ()
Yoojin Chung is an interdisciplinary Korean designer whose works encompass a wide array of media, including objects, installations, and speculative research. Following her studies at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, she earned her MA in Contextual Design at Design Academy Eindhoven. Yoojin integrates conceptual exploration with innovative design methodologies to reimagine the dynamic interplay between materiality, form, and human experience. Her work challenges conventional notions and encourages fresh perspectives on everyday interactions. She promotes discussions around social, cultural, philosophical, and psychological themes, and creates platforms for critical reflection, and she continues to investigate new avenues in art and design across diverse contexts.

“Capturing Qi (氣) ” offers a satirical critique of the evolving customs surrounding post-modern feng shui, questioning how feng shui influences Asians’ living, landscape and culture. This device “captures” Qi inside transparent capsules, serving as a physical, vision-oriented tool offering a new perspective on controlling success in life with the invisible substance, Qi, to combine the concepts of Eastern and Western feng shui, presenting a unique cultural dialogue and design perspective.

4. Moon Seop Seo — Passage to the Lake
Moon Seop Seo is a Korean designer living in Eindhoven, Netherlands, graduating from Design Academy Eindhoven in 2021 with projects such as “Passage to the Lake” and “The Ephemeral Wall”, earning cum laude honours. Shortly after graduation, he established his own design studio, collaborating with various design museums and galleries. He often navigates the intersections of Eastern and Western cultures, philosophies, and aesthetics. He takes pride in his poetic ability to evoke specific atmospheres that convey messages and resonate with audiences. He describes his design concept as: “I would like for my works to spark our imagination and leave exclamation marks in our daily lives.”
“Passage to the Lake” takes inspiration from the soothing effect on the mind of standing by a lake. He aims to honour the essence of living water and harness its potential in urban settings by crafting a spatial experience that allows people to enjoy a moment of relaxation. He invites visitors to witness a droplet falling into a puddle, where it comes to life again, allowing them to experience the calming rhythm of water amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

Selected Entries: 12 Artworks Selected through Open Recruitment

1. URBAN PROJECTION — Being Between Inner and Outer
URBAN PROJECTION is a workgroup founded by Junxiang Zhang and Xiaoxu Zhao, which explores the gap between humanity and the built environment. Moving beyond traditional spatial design, the group focuses on the intangible aspects of life—perception, consciousness, and the unseen forces that shape our reality through text, image, and space to reconstruct a new understanding of our life.

“Being Between Inner and Outer” is a spatial installation. The prototype features a U-shaped wall that delineates both inner and outer spaces. Positioned between these spaces, the wall serves as a spatial metaphor for the self. From the outside, the installation resembles a sculpture. Its polyhedral form presents multiple identities, shifting with each perspective. Within the U-shaped enclosure, an intimate space is created for personal interaction. Between inner and outer space, there exists a quiet place for solitude amidst the surrounding crowd, enhanced by a reflection of greenery. The phrase “Flowers in the mirror, moon in the water” (鏡中花, 水中月) evokes the idea that everything in the world is an illusion. Yet, these illusions—like the reflections in the mirror—may serve as gateways to a deeper, metaphysical realm, leading the audience to reflect upon the interactive relationship between one’s inner self and the outside world.

2. Sandy Choi — Being Transferred
Sandy Choi, a Hong Kong graphic designer graduated from London with a degree in Graphic Design from Saint Martin’s School of Art, has been working and active for the past two decades and has garnered numerous local and international awards. He established his own design consultancy, Sandy Choi Associates (now Sandy Eddie Tommy Associates) in 1997. In recent years, in addition to adjudicating various international design competitions, Sandy has also been a part-time lecturer in graphic design at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and HKU Space, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of designers.

As Anaïs Nin, a famous American author, once said, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” The same can be said about collectables and possessions: “We don’t buy things for what they are. We buy things for what we are.” As a designer, Sandy Choi has been collecting for many years, and over the past five years, he has shared some of these items on Instagram, pairing them with personal reflections. “Being Transferred” displays 33 items from his collection alongside their corresponding Instagram posts, exploring a shift from “having” to “being”—an invitation for viewers to take some of these meanings and ideas with them, integrating them into their own sense of being.

3. Studio Anthony Ko — Casa Destruct
Studio Anthony Ko primarily engages in architecture, spatial designs, installations, and community projects, approaching the world with a theoretical lens. Through manifestos, the studio explores the provocative aspects of architecture, experimenting with themes such as place attachment, environmental psychology, and cultural preservation. Recently, Studio Anthony Ko has focused on designing spaces in remote and exilic environments, with a strong emphasis on well-being and emotional connection. The studio’s conceptual approach to embedding meaning in spaces is evident in projects such as “Station by the Sea” (Oku-Noto Triennale), “Disintegration” (SMACH Biennale), Fragile World (Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival), After Seventeen Days (detour 2022).

“Casa Destruct” replicates the aftermath of a home belonging to anonymous hosts, left in ruins after an unknown catastrophe. The remains, “Casa Destruct”, provoke us to reflect on life in this simulated state of destruction. Does the ghost or being of the home endure, defending the idea that a certain matter lingers (Or retains) or is even revived after the destruction of its physical form… Or is everything lost when the house collapses? This work allows people to think deeply about the state of “being” into a state of “having” and reinterpret the idea of “home”.

4. Ford Cheng, Vinzan Leung — DIVINE
Ford Cheng is a promising young spatial artist who graduated from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and gained a master’s degree from the University of Hong Kong with a focus on architecture. His keen interest lies in fusing architecture, art, future technologies, and artificial intelligence. Ford believes this integration can result in designs that are not only interactive but also emotionally impactful, making spaces a vital part of people’s lives. His work fosters innovation in spatial art and encourages audiences to imagine what the future of living could look like. Vinzan is an imaginative young spatial artist currently enrolled in the Master of Architecture programme at the University of Hong Kong. She is dedicated to creatively blending architecture with interactive design, seeking ways to seamlessly unite art, technology, and human-centred design. With a passion for mechanical and artificial intelligence applications, Vinzan explores new avenues to enhance user experiences, transforming spaces into emotional expressions rather than merely functional environments.

“DIVINE” features a fundamental framework along with multiple mirrors, each representing a unique aspect of the self. The installation’s movement varies in speed based on the distance between viewers and the sensors. As viewers draw near, their reflections engage in a dialogue with their own identities. The shape of the installation shifts dynamically with audience participation, celebrating the joy of “being”. Each audience’s interactive experience is unique. It is hoped that this experience inspires viewers to contemplate the difference between “having” and “being”, ultimately leading to a redefined understanding of life’s meaning.

5. JONO Craftspace — Hz Lab
JONO Craftspace is a design studio founded by designers Paul Chung and Dino Cheung in 2019, with the concept of “A Space for CRAFTING and Crafting SPACE”. Initially established as a woodworking workshop, it serves as a platform to explore design ideas and create experimental prototypes, encompassing everything from small-scale woodwork to architectural explorations.

“Hz Lab” is an experimental work that reminds us that the essence of music is found not in the instruments we own but in the moments we share. By embracing the concept of “being” rather than “having”, we open ourselves to a realm where creativity thrives, and connections deepen. This artistic exploration allows us to rediscover the transformative power of music and its profound impact on our lives. In a world that can feel increasingly fragmented, initiatives like “Hz Lab” inspire us to prioritise connection and creativity, fostering a sense of belonging and unity through sound. Ultimately, this project transforms our perception of music and our relationships, creating lasting memories that resonate far beyond the notes played.

6. Naonori Yago — Imitative Behavior: In the Footsteps of My Daughters
Naonori Yago, born in Shizuoka in 1986, graduated from Musashino Art University with a degree in Visual Communication Design in 2008. He joined Hakuhodo in 2009 and has been affiliated with SIX since 2014. His notable awards include the Tokyo ADC, JAGDA New Designer Award, D&AD, NY ADC, and ONE SHOW.

“Imitative Behavior: In the Footsteps of My Daughters” is a collaborative series from Naonori Yago and his daughter. They have always been creating drawings and paintings since his daughter was three years old. In this exhibition, Naonori Yago chooses some of his daughter’s drawings, scans them, and then traces her lines with dots on the computer. These works showcase the changes of the strength of her arm movements, resulting in lines that can be faint or bold. Through graphic designs, he tries to capture and express these features of the unexpected lines. To Naonori Yago, this experience has been incredibly enriching for him as a creator. While many artists draw inspiration from the past—histories, movements, or previous creators—he finds himself inspired by the future through his daughter’s creations.

7. Island Works — ISLAND LIGHTS
Co-founded by Chi and Leroy, Island Works is a collaborative initiative, stemming from their shared fascination with Hong Kong’s islands. Island Works aims to document and archive these islands, ultimately creating a digital library dedicated to them. Through on-site visits, 3D scanning and photography, the project seeks to capture and preserve the essence of each island, transforming these elements into an engaging public platform. Supported by the Design Trust seed grant, Chi and Leroy are preparing for a public launch, fostering a connection between their creative vision and the natural landscapes that inspire them.

Islands stir our natural curiosity to explore the unknown. In ancient times, our ancestors embarked on daring expeditions to reach these isolated lands, investing immense effort into charting maps, building ships, and constructing bridges to distant shores. Various forms of design and construction have not only reduced the distances between islands but, more importantly, created bridges of communication that connect us emotionally. Design facilitates connection. “ISLAND LIGHTS” highlights the approximately 200 islands of Hong Kong, comprising acrylic panels and each printed with point cloud data of an island to create an interactive archive installation reminiscent of a laboratory shelf. Through photographs and 3D scanning, they documented unique features such as striking rock formations and varied terrain. This work takes an archaeological and archivist approach to exploring the islands’ past, while also gesturing towards a speculative future through its digitised and technological aesthetics. This continuity between preservation and innovation reimagines how thoughtful design interventions might shape the islands’ evolving roles in the region—and, in turn, our lives.

8. Ng Chak Lam — The Club
Chaklam Ng is a sound artist and inventor of musical instruments based in Hong Kong, with over 15 years of experience in design. He is the founder of the sound design collective Oblik Soundwork, exploring the intersection of sound, engineering, and interactive design. His recent work, “Pause Rec Play 2.0”, is an interactive sound installation that premiered at Clockenflap 2023. Chaklam’s projects often emphasise community engagement, and his public installations have been showcased at prominent venues such as K11 Musea, PMQ, and Central Market.

“The Club” is an arcade-style pinball machine designed for up to four players. During gameplay, the pinball collides with various bumpers, generating a unique and dynamically evolving rhythmic pattern that varies with each round. To capture these one-of-a-kind sonic byproducts, the design utilises the kinetic interactions of the pinball to trigger a library of pre-recorded musical samples, such as drum hits, which are seamlessly integrated and looped within a digital turntable interface. This way, the seemingly random and unpredictable movement of the pinball transforms into a novel and engaging musical composition, with each machine featuring its own distinct set of sound samples to enhance the uniqueness of the experience. “The Club” effectively merges the excitement of arcade gameplay with the creative expression of music, allowing players to move beyond traditional gaming and engage in authentic musical creation.

9. New Common — The People’s Pavilion
New Common is formed by a collective of alumni from the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London. Beyond their shared educational and professional background in architecture, they are deeply connected by a mutual passion for documenting architecture through diverse mediums—ranging from spatial design and visual communication to game design and interactive experiences. This open call of deTour 2024 has provided them with the opportunity to reunite and explore the possibilities of design together.

“The People Pavilion” is designed as a space for self-discovery, reflection, and acceptance. Through a dynamic use of colours, each representing participants’ levels of satisfaction or “flavours” in different areas of life, the pavilion creates a vibrant metaphor for emotional complexity. These colours, interacting with mirrors and lighting, form a layered landscape, illustrating that emotional well-being is about finding balance across all feelings rather than prioritising any single one. Promoting emotional authenticity, the pavilion encourages visitors to explore and express their full range of emotions, even in moments of bitterness or disappointment. This collective installation captures participants’ internal thoughts through playful interaction, creating shared memories for the community. It showcases how a pavilion can act as both a reflection of the surrounding social and cultural environment, as well as a space for gathering and dialogue. By transforming individual emotions into a visual narrative, this work seeks to revolutionise the way communities express and strengthen their bonds by contributing their feelings to the evolving space.

10. half AND half Studio — trans(RE)SONANCE
half AND half Studio is an architecture and design studio based in Hong Kong, comprising Charles Kwan, Henry Au, and Aurora Wong as the project team. It offers a wide range of services that encompass innovative and integrative architectural design, spatial planning, interior design, and art installations.

“trans(RE)SONANCE” presents an interactive experience that requires the active participation of the visitors. Visitors have to control the movement intensity of the connected ropes of the light-sensitive device through a flashlight in a quiet environment, achieving a design that is technically simple yet visually effective. It brings a special sensory experience and lets visitors think deeply about the relationship between actuality and potentiality.

11. Chang Hoi Wood & Tang Chi Tat & Li Hong Ting — Unfinished Project
Chang Hoi-wood, Tang Chi Tat, and Li Hong Ting are Hong Kong creators who have professional background and creative experience in architecture, design, and philosophy respectively. Chang Hoi-wood studied Master of Architecture at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, dedicated to coordinating place-making and arts technology projects; Li Hong Ting is a co-founder of the philosophy-promoting group Corrupt The Youth, studied Design at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Philosophy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong; and Tang Chi Tat is a designer passionate about landscape and exhibition design, with a degree in Environment and Interior Design and recently completed his Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA).

“Unfinished Project” seeks to explore the mutual influence between humans and objects. Things can shape our identities, and in turn, we can shape the things around us. Active users are creators; they reshape objects, integrating them into their identities. A pen, for instance, only exists as a pen when it is used to write; without that action, it is merely an object. This reveals how the unfinishedness of individuals and objects is intricately connected.

12. Victoria Dong — What if I had one more chance?
Victoria Dong is a pioneering interdisciplinary designer who blends the thinking and design principles of both architecture and contemporary textiles. By exploring the intersection of material and space, she employs textile techniques to push design boundaries, championing inclusivity and creativity in all her projects. Through the fusion of architectural principles and textile art, her innovative designs establish a sense of unity between time and place, reflecting the fluid and multi-dimensional nature of identity. Currently based at Heatherwick Studio in London, she showcased her work at the Alveston Gallery in London, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists for the Prized Exhibition 2022 and created installations for the Hong Kong Museum of Art and K11 Art Mall.

“What if I had one more chance?” uses the pinball machine as a metaphor, encouraging people to rediscover their authentic selves through play. It explores the question: How do “I” become “myself”? In this interactive experience, players are invited to imagine themselves as the ball, embarking on a journey filled with twists, turns, and obstacles. The racecourse, representing a space for ongoing self-reflection and inner exploration, is fully customisable—players can add or remove objects along the path. After each round, new insights may emerge, inspiring changes to the course and sparking further creativity. In this analogy, the ball symbolises one’s life, while the racecourse represents our life’s journey. The obstacles reflect the possessions we accumulate. Through playful engagement, we can embrace both our personal journey and the elements that shape it.

A Whole New Parent-child Programme of deTour 2024 — “deTour Kids”
To raise public awareness of the inspiration brought by design and creativity to a child’s development, deTour partnered with PMQ Seed and Creativekids launched a whole new parent-child programme, “deTour Kids”, includes “deTour Kids’ Morning tour” and “Family Crest Workshop”.

“deTour Kids’ Morning tour” through interactive tours and engaging mini-games, introducing kids and parents to some selected works from deTour 2024 in an easy-to-understand way.

In addition to guided tours, it also provides a parent-child design experience to create the unique “family crest”. Naonori Yago, the Japanese designer of the exhibition “Imitative Behavior: In the Footsteps of My Daughters” and his daughter will participate as guests in one public session on 30 Nov, encouraging parents and children to design together, gaining inspiration from each other!

Workshops and Creative Voice

Not only is deTour 2024 design festival showcases large-scale installations and exhibitions, but it also includes a variety of workshops, such as enamel painting, a unique small-scale coffee ground sculpture, accessory mould design, incense, collagraph printing, and planting.

Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to connect with international and local designers and cross-disciplinary industry professionals through Creative Voice, listening to their insights and understanding more about the connection between design and psychology, feng shui, nature, music, and more.

All activities can be registered online, inviting the public to explore the unlimited possibilities of design together.

Guided Tours X Diverse Tour Guides
Various guided tours will be held during deTour 2024 such as, the Curator, Adonian Chan, and co-creators, Anthony Ko, Victoria Dong and Ng Chak Lam. Some designers and creators from different professions such as Kit Chan, the author of “Hong Kong Knowhere”, Corrupt The Youth, and Pan Tang, the founder of Midway, will become the tour guides. Through different perspectives and horizons, they bring visitors to explore the highlights in the exhibition and understand the behind stories and inspiration.

Register to participate in the public programmes of deTour 2024. Attendees who complete the activities will have a chance to receive exclusive deTour 2024 souvenirs.

For more information about deTour 2024 design festival and public programmes, please stay tuned for our social media updates, and visit the website: https://detour.hk/2024

deTour 2024 – design festival
Date: 29th November 2024 – 15th December 2024
Opening Hours: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Venue: PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
Admission: Free Entry
Website: https://detour.hk/2024
Hashtag: #deTour2024

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

About deTour – design festival

deTour is an annual design festival showcasing creative designs and concepts. Organised by PMQ and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the event offers a wide range of programmes that bring together designers and creative communities from Hong Kong and abroad.

deTour serves as a unique platform for inspiring people through the latest in creative expression and cutting-edge design. It also fosters exchanges between up-and-coming talents and seasoned professionals.

About PMQ

Located in the heart of Hong Kong’s SoHo district, PMQ is the landmark of creative and design industries housing over 100 Hong Kong emerging designers. In 2014, PMQ was revitalised and transformed into a creative hub with a variety of design studios showcasing a wide array of design products including fashion and accessories, gifts & premium, homeware, and small furniture as well as other lifestyle goods and creative products. PMQ has now become an interactive platform for supporting up-and-coming creative talents and fostering a community of patrons and lovers of creativity, design, and heritage. It is also one of the popular venues in town for international design, arts, and cultural events from Hong Kong and around the world.

About Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) established in June 2024, formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK), is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative industries with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, promoting the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries under the industry-oriented principle, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community to implement Hong Kong’s positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Red Bull Malaysia Extends Partnership With 31, Maju Motor And CKJ Racing Teams After The Successful PETRONAS MAM Malaysian Cub Prix Season

  • Red Bull Malaysia hosted an appreciation dinner to celebrate the achievements of the racing teams and their crew.
  • After a month-long social media contest, Red Bull Malaysia awarded two individuals with a limited-edition Red Bull motorcycle and helmet.

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 November 2024 – Red Bull Malaysia (Red Bull), the No.1 energy drink brand in the nation, recently hosted an exclusive appreciation dinner to celebrate the remarkable journey of 31 Racing Team, Maju Motor Racing Team and CKJ Racing Team.

Red Bull Malaysia hosted an appreciation dinner to celebrate the achievements of the racing teams and their crew.
Red Bull Malaysia hosted an appreciation dinner to celebrate the achievements of the racing teams and their crew.

Bringing together the racing teams as well as esteemed guests from Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd, the celebratory event marked the end of the PETRONAS MAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship 2024 and unveiled Red Bull’s renewed sponsorship to power the three racing teams through the upcoming 2025 season. This commitment reaffirms Red Bull’s mission to develop grassroots talents and celebrate motorcycle racing.

Adelene Tay, Head of Marketing of TCP Red Bull Malaysia, shared, “Red Bull’s partnership with these teams goes beyond just sponsorship. It is about empowering each rider and every crew member who works tirelessly behind the scenes. Together, we aim to elevate Malaysian motorsport talent to new heights, transforming potential into global recognition.”

From left: Adelene Tay, Head of Marketing of Red Bull; Mr. K. Sivanesan, 31 Racing Team Owner; Mr. Yong Yin Hoe, Maju Motor Racing Team Owner; and Mr Che Ku Jonaidi, CKJ Racing Team Owner
From left: Adelene Tay, Head of Marketing of Red Bull; Mr. K. Sivanesan, 31 Racing Team Owner; Mr. Yong Yin Hoe, Maju Motor Racing Team Owner; and Mr Che Ku Jonaidi, CKJ Racing Team Owner

As a token of appreciation for their contributions to the sport, Red Bull presented a special plaque to each racing team owner – Mr. Che Ku Jonaidi, Mr. K. Sivanesan, and Mr. Yong Yin Hoe.

Alongside the riders, Red Bull celebrated the dedicated back-end crews who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring the seamless operations that allowed the racing teams to shine throughout the championship season. From mechanics to support staff, each team member’s hard work and commitment are integral to every race on the track.

Red Bull also awarded two individuals from its recent month-long social media contest. The contest encouraged fans to participate by purchasing two cans of any Red Bull Malaysia Energy Drink to win exclusive prizes, including the grand prize of a limited-edition Yamaha Y15ZR motorcycle and helmet. Both the motorcycle and helmet have been emblazoned with Red Bull’s iconic logo and exclusively signed by selected riders from the three racing teams.

Red Bull awarded two individuals from its recent month-long social media contest with the grand prize of a limited-edition Yamaha Y15ZR motorcycle and helmet.
Red Bull awarded two individuals from its recent month-long social media contest with the grand prize of a limited-edition Yamaha Y15ZR motorcycle and helmet.

As the 2024 season draws to a close, Red Bull’s commitment continues to fuel the ambitions of local racing talents. “At Red Bull, we are more than just energising individuals. These racing teams have shown what it means to push limits and achieve greatness, both on and off the track. We are proud to stand beside them as they continue to chase new horizons in 2025 and beyond,” Tay said.
Hashtag: #RedBullMalaysia

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

About Red Bull Malaysia

Energising Malaysians since 1993, Red Bull Malaysia is the No.1 energy drink brand in the nation, fuelling individuals of all lifestyles to live their purpose through a range of effective and delicious energy drinks. A firm believer in the special combination of “Energy” and “Passion”, the brand aims to give drinkers a boost they need to overcome everything and anything.

About TCP Group

TCP Group is a leading beverage and food company in Thailand and the owner of the world’s most iconic energy drink brand “Red Bull” with the Yoovidhya family. Also known as the “House of Great Brands,” the company has a diverse product portfolio and is active in 15 markets in Asia, employing more than 5,000 people globally. In Thailand, the company also enjoys success from its distribution, OEM, vending machine business and market activation service.

New Opportunities for Cooperation: The Russia-ASEAN Forum Concludes in Malaysia


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 November 2024 – The “World of Opportunities: Russia-ASEAN” International Business Forum, held from November 26 to 27, officially concluded in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Over two days, the Forum hosted more than 350 participants, including representatives from political, business, and academic circles, the media, as well as experts and public figures from 24 countries. Organized by the Roscongress Foundation, the event marked the first major initiative under the Roscongress International brand.

(From left to right), Speakers of the ‘Russia and ASEAN’: Towards a New Stage of Trade and Economic Cooperation Plenary Session, Daniyar Akkaziev, Executive Director of the Russia–ASEAN Business Council, Airat Khairullin, Minister of Digital Development of Public Administration, Information Technology and Communications of the Republic of Tatarstan, Nazir Razak, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council from Malaysia, Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Oudet Suwannawong, President of the Lao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Alexander Stuglev, Chairman of the Management Board, Director of the Roscongress Foundation and Abu Bakar Yusof, Deputy CEO of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).
(From left to right), Speakers of the ‘Russia and ASEAN’: Towards a New Stage of Trade and Economic Cooperation Plenary Session, Daniyar Akkaziev, Executive Director of the Russia–ASEAN Business Council, Airat Khairullin, Minister of Digital Development of Public Administration, Information Technology and Communications of the Republic of Tatarstan, Nazir Razak, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council from Malaysia, Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Oudet Suwannawong, President of the Lao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Alexander Stuglev, Chairman of the Management Board, Director of the Roscongress Foundation and Abu Bakar Yusof, Deputy CEO of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

“The ‘Russia-ASEAN: World of Opportunities’ Forum became one of the largest business events of its kind in the country and region in recent years, providing a unique platform to enhance trade relations between Russia and Southeast Asian countries. In 2023, Russia’s trade turnover with ASEAN countries reached a record high, growing by 14.6% compared to the previous year. This positive trend continued in the first half of 2024, with a 20.5% increase. The business forum was a response to the growing interest of Russian businesses in ASEAN countries, particularly Malaysia, and further solidified Russia’s strengthening trade position in Southeast Asia. I am confident that the Forum will serve as a significant discussion platform for addressing and broadly covering issues related to deepening trade and investment ties between Russia and ASEAN countries across various sectors,” said Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation.

The Forum’s business agenda centered on trade and export interaction, energy, digital transformation, information security, technology, and innovations. Dedicated sessions also explored healthcare, tourism, education, and the impact of alumni communities in fostering international business connections.

“Russia-Malaysia relations are dynamically progressing across a wide range of areas, providing optimism for their future. I believe this Forum served as an excellent starting point for creating and implementing new projects, fostering cooperation, and promoting open dialogue between the business community and government representatives. I hope the event’s outcomes bring ASEAN countries and Malaysia closer to Russia, enabling the peoples of our nations to learn more about each other and explore new horizons for mutually beneficial relationships,” emphasized Nail Latypov, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Malaysia. He described Kuala Lumpur as a fitting choice for the event, noting that Malaysia will assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025 and highlighting the city’s strategic location as a regional hub, within a two-hour flight of any ASEAN capital.

The main highlight of the Forum was the plenary session, which featured participants such as Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation; Ayrat Khayrullin, Minister of Digitalization of Public Administration, Information Technologies, and Communications of the Republic of Tatarstan; Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Founder and Chairman of Ikhlas Capital and Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia; Oudet Souvannavong, President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council; Alexander Stuglev, Chairman and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation; and Abu Bakar Yusof, Deputy Director of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). Daniyar Akkaziev, Executive Director of the Russia-ASEAN Business Council, moderated the session.

The business program on the first day continued with a panel discussion titled “The Energy Dimension of Strategic Partnership between Russia and ASEAN: Lessons Learned and New Directions” and the EAEU-ASEAN business dialogue. Discussions focused on exploring new formats of cooperation among businesses for sustainable, long-term development.

The second day of the Forum featured panels on enhancing cooperation between Russia and Southeast Asian countries in digital transformation, healthcare, and medicine. Additional focus was given to strategies for increasing tourist flows and fostering educational partnerships.

The “World of Opportunities: Russia-ASEAN” International Business Forum was held with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in Malaysia. The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) served as the co-organizer. The Forum’s general partner was the Tatarstan Trade House, while program partners included the Russia-ASEAN Business Council, the Eurasian Economic Commission, and Coalstar LLC.

Hashtag: #RoscongressFoundation

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

About the Roscongress Foundation

The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented, non-financial development institution and the largest organizer of Russian, international, congress, exhibition, business, public, youth, sports, and cultural events. It was established in 2007 by presidential decree to promote economic potential, advance national interests, and strengthen Russia’s image.

The Foundation comprehensively studies, analyzes, and highlights issues on Russian and global economic agendas. It facilitates business project administration, investment promotion, social entrepreneurship, and charitable initiatives.

Events organized by the Foundation attract participants from 209 countries and territories, with over 15,000 media representatives working at Roscongress venues annually. More than 5,000 experts from Russia and abroad are involved in its analytical and expert activities.

The Foundation collaborates with UN structures and other international organizations, develops diverse partnerships with 212 foreign economic institutions, industrial and business associations, and financial and trade organizations in 86 countries. Domestically, it partners with 293 Russian public organizations and federal and regional executive and legislative bodies of the Russian Federation.

Official Roscongress Telegram Channels: In Russian – t.me/Roscongress, in English – , in Spanish , and in Arabic . Official website and information-analytical system: .

‘GBA Creative Fortnight’ Themed ‘What’s NE(X)T’ for 2024 Edition

Transformative Event Shines a Spotlight on the Collaborative Design Excellence at the Greater Bay Area, setting the stage for a new era of creativity in the region Exhibition at DX design hub will run from December 3 to 16 with free public entry


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 November 2024 – Organised by Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) and with the steer and support from The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the Lead Sponsor, ‘GBA Creative Fortnight’ officially kick-started on December 3 with an exhibition preview event. It will be opened to the public on December 4 at DX design hub – a creative hub for design and fashion inspiration at Sham Shui Po, where will also be accessible to the public on the same day.

Building upon the success of the first edition last year, this year’s showcase promises to elevate the impact of design collaboration within the region. Themed ‘What’s NE(X)T’, ‘GBA Creative Fortnight’ seeks to delve deeply into the present state and future potential of creativity within Greater Bay Area (GBA) through diverse exhibits. With a focus on designers, artists, and entrepreneurs at different GBA cities, the exhibition will highlight their latest works and innovative concepts, providing a platform for exploration, discovery, and exchange.

Beyond an Exhibition: What’s NE(X)T – Xperience, Xplore and Xchange

The objective of ‘GBA Creative Fortnight’ is to foster potential business collaborations across GBA, unlocking a myriad of opportunities and actively integrating into the nation’s overall development. The exhibition adopts a multi-dimensional approach, encompassing art culture, digital perspectives, and lifestyle sensibilities. It utilises multimedia techniques such as cityscape light and shadow projections, animated narratives rooted in Guangdong’s culinary heritage for environmental storytelling, and creative inspirations drawn from Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, and Hakka cultures.

In its 2024 edition, the ‘GBA Creative Fortnight’ transcends a mere exhibition. Through a fusion of exhibitions, talks, and captivating interactive experiences, visitors will immerse themselves in the creative design dynamism of GBA. The theme ‘What’s NE(X)T’ has already highlighted the three essential pillars of the ‘GBA Creative Fortnight’: Experience, Explore, and Exchange.

Three Zones to Create the Audience Journey

To craft the audience journey, three distinct zones have been specially designed:

  • ‘Experiential Passage’ offers a sensory journey through innovative design concepts and immersive installations.
  • ‘Co-creation Commons’ encourages collaboration and idea exchange among designers, fostering a culture of innovation.
  • ‘Networking Area’ provides a platform for creatives, industry professionals, and enthusiasts to connect, share insights, and forge meaningful partnerships to drive the future of design in the region.

As visitors enter the exhibition, the neon signage presented by the conservation organisation The Indispensible Hong Kong and a city skyline projection presented by Zephyr Design Studio (Incubatee alumni of Design Incubation Programme by HKDC) will capture their initial impression, setting the stage for the design-centric ambiance of the city. Following this, interactive animations will showcase Hong Kong’s diversified culture and pop-culture elements, featuring a Hong Kong IP presented by Nikopicto.

Walking through the tunnel filled with city-wide elements, the ‘Co-creation Commons’ zone will showcase two sections, including ‘Fashion Design’ presented by the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association. A local fashion designer, Janko Lam, will exhibit 12 pieces of her fashion artwork, featuring the most valuable drawings that narrate the cultural histories of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, providing insights into the past, present, and future for mutual exchange and learning.

Following the ‘Fashion Design’ section, Alan Chan, renowned designer-artist from Hong Kong, Hong Kong Animation & Cultural Association (HKANIMA), Xiexie Design, Hong Kong Exporters’ Association (HKEA), Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Trade Association (HKF&DA) and Industrial Designers Society of Hong Kong (IDSHK) will co-create the section of ‘Design for Living’. In this section, the first to be presented is the ‘SILKROAD Collection’, imaginatively created by an internationally renowned designer, Mr. Alan CHAN. Inspired by the Silk Road, this collection draws inspiration from the classic European S Chair. It combines Western culture and contemporary Asian aesthetics, reflecting a modern interpretation of ‘West meets East’ furniture design.

HKANIMA will invite the creator of ‘Big Heart’ Ave Leung from Guangzhou and the creator of ‘MicBraining’ Mickey Mic to showcase the art toys. While Xiexie Design from Dongguan will present its visual art cases. The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association (HKEA) will showcase Hong Kong Smart Design Awards 2023/2024 awarded products including special designed furniture and stationery items. The Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Trade Association Introduction (HKF&DA) will display the awarded furniture – Laputa by Ron Kwan-kong Leung, you can experience how design combines with the usage of technology. IDSHK will have 10 Hong Kong partner brands to join this exhibition of ReMIX for illustrating how design can improve our living quality.

‘GBA Creative Fortnight’ Details:
Date: 3 December 2024 – Exhibition Preview by Invitation Only
4 – 16 December 2024 – Open to public
Time: 11am – 7pm
Address: DX design hub, 280 Tung Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Hashtag: #HKDC

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

About DX design hub

Operated by Hong Kong Design Centre, DX design hub in Sham Shui Po nurtures emerging design talents and fashion designers, fostering creativity and collaboration. Showcasing the synergy between design disciplines, it serves as a vibrant platform for community engagement and creative tourism. The Hub offers exhibition spaces, activity spaces, and a retail area for designers to gain hands-on experience. It functions as a central workstation for HKDC and design-related Associations, leading initiatives to promote fashion and diverse design projects. With a mission to inspire creativity and innovation, we aim to enable the Hub to become the creative anchor in Hong Kong with various functions including Community Hub, Fashion Pop-Up Space, Immersive Space, Multi-Purpose Hall, Main Exhibition Area, Grand Stairs, and areas dedicated to design practitioners, such as the Designer Lounge with Library, Material Library and Seminar Space.

The construction work of the Hub is undertaken by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), ensuring a state-of-the-art facility that supports our vision. The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is responsible for strategy formulation, coordination, and supervision, guiding the Hub’s initiatives to align with industry needs and aspirations.)

About Hong Kong Design Centre (www.hkdesigncentre.org)

Hong Kong Design Centre is a strategic partner of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in leveraging the city’s East-meets-West advantage to create value from design.

To achieve our goals we:

  • Cultivate a design culture
  • Bridge stakeholders to opportunities that unleash the value of design
  • Promote excellence in various design disciplines

About Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (www.ccidahk.gov.hk )

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) established in June 2024, formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK), is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative industries with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating startups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, promoting the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries under the industry-oriented principle, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community to implement Hong Kong’s positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to some of HKDC’s activities/projects only, and does not otherwise take part in such funded activities/projects. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication and relevant materials/events (or by members of the project teams) are those of HKDC only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Trusting AI in financial markets: Octa broker’s rundown of perspectives and prospects


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 November 2024 – Artificial Intelligence (AI) has integrated into the financial sector, showing one of the highest adoption rates across industries, according to Statista. The tech transforms industry development, offering new business opportunities, user experience—and risks. Despite undoubted benefits, traders exhibit mixed feelings about AI, grappling with its potential as well as its risks. Octa, a broker with globally recognised licenses, shares insights on how traders perceive AI, highlighting its advantages, challenges, and potential in reshaping retail trading.

Octa

The State of AI Adoption in Trading

AI adoption in trading is rather significant on the enterprise level. According to McKinsey’s 2024 State of AI Report, 50% of financial institutions have integrated AI into their trading workflows, citing efficiency and predictive capabilities as primary benefits. However, individual traders remain cautious: surveys indicate that 38% of retail traders hesitate to fully trust AI-driven decisions, primarily due to fears of losing control over critical trading outcomes. While the fear of the unknown and potential risks prevent traders from adopting the tech, the FOMO (fear of missing out) may inevitably increase, with AI allegedly offering an enhanced trading experience.

The Perks of AI Adoption for Retail Traders

As discussed in the previous material, AI in Finance by Global Broker Octa: Transforming Investment Strategies for the Future, the potential of AI in enhancing trading processes has already started to shape the industry. Recent research from JPMorgan found that approximately 60% of their institutional trading activities now integrate AI-driven tools to optimise market predictions and improve trade execution. Furthermore, the 2023 McKinsey State of AI report highlights that AI adoption in the financial services sector has increased by 35% over the past two years, driven by its ability to reduce processing times by up to 70% and improve predictive accuracy by 30%. For traders, these advancements mean more efficient workflows and potentially more accurate decision-making.

What is more, AI-based tools process immense datasets in real-time and uncover actionable insights without the need to spend hours monitoring the market manually. By automating routine tasks like tracking price movements or scanning charts for patterns, AI allows traders to focus on strategic decision-making. Besides, AI-based tools like OctaVision aim to help traders improve their decision-making by offering personalised trade analysis and recommendations.

Barriers to Trust in AI

While AI’s capabilities are numerous and have proved to improve efficiency, traders harbour significant reservations:

  • Loss of control: Many traders worry about handing over critical decisions to an automated system, fearing that AI might misinterpret complex market conditions.
  • Technical failures: Some are concerned that the algorithms are adequately trained and rely on a decent data set to conduct accurate analysis of actual data.
  • Transparency challenges: The ‘black box’ nature of some AI models makes it difficult for traders to fully understand how AI-based algorithms come up with specific recommendations.

For instance, AI models used in algorithmic trading often base predictions on historical data, which may not always account for unprecedented market disruptions. Traders are thus compelled to validate AI-driven recommendations manually, adding an extra layer of oversight—and requiring more time to come up with a final trading decision.

Given that, achieving the optimal balance between AI-based insights and human touch is key to successful AI deployment for traders. To find the ideal blend, they should educate themselves on the mechanics of AI and its applications. To speed up the process, traders can study dedicated resources to understand how AI can be applied in retail trading and test ready-made scenarios in practice.

Balancing Trust and Innovation in AI-Driven Trading

Integrating AI into trading presents both opportunities and challenges for market participants. While the technology offers significant advantages—such as enhanced efficiency, quick data analysis, and improved predictive capabilities—it raises valid concerns about trust, transparency, and the potential loss of human oversight.

The growing adoption of AI across financial markets, as seen in institutional practices and retail trading trends, indicates that traders increasingly recognise its value in navigating the markets. However, a balanced approach is essential. By combining the strategic insights offered by AI with traditional analytical methods and personal judgement, traders can mitigate risks and harness the full potential of this technology. The key lies in education, transparency, and fostering a sense of control. Traders should adopt AI-based tools to enhance their strategies with confidence while maintaining the human touch that remains central to financial decision-making.
Hashtag: #Octa

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

Octa

is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

In the APAC region, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

Government to Raise Minimum Salary for Civil Servants to LAK 2.2 Million in 2025

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone announced on 26 November that the minimum salary for civil servants will rise to LAK 2.2 million (approximately USD 100.26) per month starting in 2025. 

The announcement was made during the 8th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly, Series IX, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the standard of living for government employees.

“For 2025, we are implementing several key changes to the subsidy system, including a significant increase in the cost of living allowance. We are also merging the subsidy for administrative positions with the individual fuel policy, and enhancing the age and family subsidies,” said Prime Minister Sonexay.

In recent years, the government has steadily raised allowances, including a LAK 150,000 (USD 6.84) increase in both 2023 and 2024, bringing the minimum salary for civil servants to LAK 1.85 million (USD 84.31). With the new raise, civil servants will see their base salary increase by over 18 percent in 2025. 

The new policy will also benefit the families of civil servants, as it includes enhanced subsidies for children and spouses.

French Ambassador Visits Holiday Inn Vientiane to Explore Schneider Electric’s Energy Solutions

Group photo of France Ambassador with representatives of Schneider Electric

French Ambassador to Laos, Siv Leng Chhuor, visited the Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane, an InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) property, on 28 November to explore the hotel’s newly installed electrical system. The visit was conducted in collaboration with Schneider Electric, a French energy management company, and several partners from public organizations.

China Wantian Holdings (1854.HK) leads the charge in developing new quality productive forces and shaping the future of green food supply chains


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 November 2024 – China Wantian Holdings Limited (1854.HK, hereinafter referred to as “Wantian”) has once again demonstrated its leadership in the industry at the 9+2 Fifth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Awards. Mr. Zhong Xueyong, Vice Chairman of the Board and CEO of Wantian, received the prestigious “Outstanding Leader of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area “ award personally presented by Mr. John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. At the roundtable forum “Enhancing Innovation-Driven Development of New Quality Productive Forces”, Mr. Zhong elaborated on Wantian’s strategies and achievements in driving industry innovation.

Roundtable forum "Enhancing Innovation-Driven Development of New Quality Productive Forces"
Roundtable forum “Enhancing Innovation-Driven Development of New Quality Productive Forces”

Pioneering Green Initiatives to Advance Sustainability and Empower Rural Communities

Mr. Zhong highlighted Wantian’s dedication to integrating industrial development with social responsibility, fostering prosperity in the Greater Bay Area and contributing to the global green economy. Guided by the principle of “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” Wantian has built a robust green food supply chain, achieving comprehensive advancements from the source to consumers. This approach not only ensures product quality and safety but also supports regional urban-rural synergy and the implementation of rural revitalization strategies.

As a cornerstone of green development in the Greater Bay Area, Wantian’s high-standard green food production systems have elevated industry benchmarks for food safety and competitiveness. By deepening international collaborations, Wantian is not only dedicated to establishing a leading position in the global green food industry but has also successfully set a benchmark in the green economy, driving the globalization and sustainability of the food industry.

Moreover, Wantian has demonstrated significant social impact in advancing rural revitalization. The company has spearheaded the establishment of The Greater Bay Area Association of Listed Companies, pooling regional resources to actively support rural economic growth and social harmony, exemplifying a sustainable and inclusive approach to regional development.

Revolutionizing the Green Food Supply Chain with New Quality Productive Forces

Driven by its vision of ” Delivering Freshness and Health to Every Household, Every Day ,” Wantian focuses on its “Three Meals Strategy” — encompassing Dining and Retail, Supply Chain For Food Ingredients, and Environmental technologies — to establish a full-industry-chain presence from the food ingredients to the dining table. Empowered by new-quality productive forces, Wantian seamlessly integrates innovative technology with industrial enhancements, particularly demonstrating exceptional competitiveness in the field of functional food and health.

To spearhead innovation and breakthroughs, Wantian plans to establish a Functional Food and Herbal Life Science Research Institute dedicated to combining traditional Chinese medicine with modern science to enhance the functionality and safety of health foods. By introducing cutting-edge global technologies and expertise, the institute aims to deepen research and application in the field, developing innovative products to meet diverse consumer needs and further solidify its leadership in the functional food and health industry.

Driving Long-Term Value Growth Through Sustainability

With the growing global demand for green food, Wantian’s New Quality Productive Forces strategy has emerged as a core engine driving steady business growth. Looking ahead, Wantian will leverage its exceptional full-industry-chain innovation capabilities and New Quality Productive Forces to further expand the boundaries of the market for functional foods and green food products. The company is committed to enhancing its global competitiveness and aspires to become a world-leading green food service provider. By delivering safer, healthier, and more sustainable food solutions to consumers worldwide, Wantian aims to shape the future of the food industry through green innovation.
Hashtag: #ChinaWantian

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

About China Wantian Holdings Limited:

China Wantian Holdings Limited (1854.HK) is a company listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company focuses on the dining and retail, supply chain for food ingredients, and environmental technologies, striving to enhance the entire food industry’s value chain. Committed to becoming a global leader in the full industry chain of green food services, China Wantian Holdings upholds a strong dedication to quality and innovation, delivering healthier and more enriching dining experiences from farm to table for households around the world.