On the 37th anniversary of International Anti-Drug Day, 26 June, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone addressed the nation, reflecting on the country’s efforts and progress in combating drug-related issues.
China achieves education-S&T-talent synergy for New Quality Productive Forces

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2024 – New Quality Productive Forces is not the “solo performance” of any single country but rather a “grand chorus” of all countries.
China stands ready to work with the international community for cooperation in developing New Quality Productive Forces.
We are committed to open science regardless of borders and with no barriers imposed, ensure the free flow of STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) personnel and innovative factors around the world, in order to jointly create an open innovation ecosystem and explore a new model regarding mutually beneficial global cooperation.
China will share resources, markets and technological innovations with the rest of the world, so that New Quality Productive Forces can benefit all mankind.
By pursuing a holistic and coordinated approach, China will also promote high-standard opening up of the education sector, develop platforms for fostering basic research talent, train high-performing engineers and highly-skilled workers, enhance support for young scientists and engineers, and actively promote international personnel exchanges.
The author, BAO Shujun, is the Researcher at International Cooperation Center of National Development and Reform Commission
Hashtag: #ChinaNewsNetwork
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Immuno Cure Successfully Admitted into the HKSTP Elite Programme
Remarkable funding support for becoming a biotech unicorn
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2024 – Immuno Cure BioTech (“Immuno Cure“) is delighted to announce its recent successful admission to the prestigious Elite Programme of Hong Kong Science & Technology Park (“HKSTP“), positioning the company for accelerated growth and innovation in the field of biotechnology in Hong Kong. This significant funding support will fuel Immuno Cure’s mission to revolutionize DNA vaccine and antibody immunotherapies for fighting infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancers.
The Elite Programme of HKSTP is a three-year milestone-based funding programme of HK$21.5 million, aiming to promote enterprises with innovative technology and strong growth potentials to become a future “unicorn”. Immuno Cure has recently become one of the thirty-seven HKSTP Elite companies.
Immuno Cure’s DNA vaccines are based on its “PD-1-Enhanced DNA Vaccine Platform” for DNA vaccines with dendritic cell-targeting ability, together with electroporation-assisted enhanced drug delivery by its “Vaccine Delivery Platform”. Currently, two DNA vaccine candidates, ICVAX and ICCOV, are undergoing Phase I and Phase IIa clinical trials respectively. ICVAX is a therapeutic DNA vaccine candidate for HIV/AIDS, and ICCOV is a preventive DNA vaccine candidate for COVID-19. Immuno Cure’s DNA vaccine pipeline also includes cancer DNA vaccine candidates at earlier R&D stages.
Apart from DNA vaccines, Immuno Cure’s “Anti-Δ42PD1 Antibody Platform” utilizes a newly discovered Δ42PD1, an isoformic programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), for the restoration of cancer-killing function of killer T cells for the treatment of cancers such as liver cancer and colorectal cancer. A humanized anti-Δ42PD1 antibody against liver cancer is at IND-enabling stage currently, and its first-in-human trial is expected in 2025.
Dr. Xia JIN, CEO of Immuno Cure, said, “Being selected to join the Elite Programme is a huge privilege and we’re thrilled to be among the most dynamic and innovative businesses in Hong Kong, which underscores the trust and confidence placed in our company merits and research achievements. With the strong backing from HKSTP, Immuno Cure will continue to lead the way in DNA medicines, antibodies and novel immunotherapies research and development, developing new and powerful vaccine technologies to broaden our cancer and infectious disease portfolio.”
Dr Percy CHENG, Chairman of Immuno Cure, concluded, “This recognition further strengthens Immuno Cure’s position as a frontrunner in the local biotech industry, with the potential to become the leading company worldwide. With the support of HKSTP, we will bring our HIV vaccine and other promising candidates to market and usher in a new era in healthcare.”
Hashtag: #ImmunoCure
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Immuno Cure
Immuno Cure is a clinical stage biotechnology group based in the Hong Kong Science Park, focusing on research and development of immunotherapies for cancers, inflammatory and infectious diseases based on its patented PD-1-enhanced DNA vaccine and Anti-Δ42PD1 Antibody platforms; with two DNA vaccine candidates currently in clinical trials.
To learn more about Immuno Cure BioTech, please visit http://www.immunocure.hk.
Lao U-16 Team Excels at ASEAN Championship, Eyes Semi-Final Spot
The Lao U-16 national football team has demonstrated outstanding performance at the ASEAN U-16 Boys Championship tournament, paving the way for their qualification into the semi-finals.
2024 New Taipei Smart City International Forum Bringing Together Cross-Border Exchange in New Taipei: AI and Sustainability as Dual Engines for Future Development

NEW TAIPEI CITY, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 June 2024 – On June 19, 2024, at the Hilton Taipei Sinban Hotel, the New Taipei City Government, in collaboration with the international organization ICF (Intelligent Community Forum), co-hosted the “2024 NTPC Smart City International Forum and ICF Top7 Global Cities Announcement.” The forum’s theme was “AI: The Innovation Accelerator,” which explored how artificial intelligence has contributed to economic growth, sustainability, and human welfare. The event attracted overseas dignitaries, representatives from consulates, and industry leaders from nearly 30 countries, fostering lively participation.

Deputy Mayor Chen, Chwen-Jing emphasized that this forum serves as a crucial platform for New Taipei City to showcase its achievements in smart city development and promote international communication and collaboration. Through this forum, we aim to share global public policies related to AI development and accelerate sustainable progress using AI technology. ICF Chairman and Co-founder John G. Jung, along with Co-founder Robert Bell, highlighted that as AI becomes more human-centric, sustainability and economic development are no longer parallel lines but mutually reinforcing tools.
During the forum, the Mayor of Dublin, USA, shared practical experiences in local AI applications. Dublin has received multiple recognitions as an ICF Top7 global city and has led smart city development in the Midwest America for over 15 years. Additionally, the former Mayor of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, showcased the collaboration with Queensland government in formulating a 20-year regional economic development strategy. The Mayor of Kitchener, Canada, emphasized that city development strategies should revolve around technology and innovation. The President of the Institute of Research and Urban Planning in Maceió, Brazil, highlighted how AI’s robust data collection efficiency can provide solutions for digital transformation and sustainable development. The Founder and CEO of BABLE Smart Cities in Germany explained how European cities are leveraging AI to address challenges posed by pollution and population density.
In the first panel discussion, the Director of Economic Development from Dublin, USA; the Economy, Innovation, and Employment Councilor from Las Rozas, Spain; the CEO of ICF Institute in Taiwan; and Deputy Magistrate Hsieh Shu-Ya from Yunlin County shared insights on applying AI to create carbon reduction systems, develop smart industries, and address sustainability challenges faced by cities. Professor Lin Feng-Tyan from the Department of Urban Planning at National Cheng Kung University, along with representatives from Far EasTone Telecommunications, LUXGEN Motor, ASUS, and Delta Electronics, demonstrated how AI is being used to introduce smart green energy on campuses, establish connected vehicle networks, and enhance building operational efficiency. Outside the forum venue, ten companies showcased Taiwan’s leadership in software development, system integration, and hardware technology.
The 2024 ICF Top7 Global Cities Announcement Dinner, hosted by Deputy Mayor Chen, Chwen-Jing and Director Leu, Jang-Hwa from the Administration for Digital Industries, Ministry of Digital Affairs, welcomed attendees. The list of cities that made it to the ICF Top7 this year was announced by ICF.
The Top7 of 2024
- Assaí, Paraná, Brazil
- Coral Gables, Florida, USA
- Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- Durham Region, Ontario, Canada
- Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
- Hilliard, Ohio, USA
- Yunlin County, Taiwan
The forum gathered overseas dignitaries, consulate representatives, and industry leaders from 30 countries.
In the 2024 ICF Top7 Global Cities Announcement Dinner, Deputy Mayor of New Taipei City, Chen Chwen-Jing, representatives of ICF, and Director Leu Jang-Hwa, Administration of Digital Industry, and representative of Las Rozas, Spain, who will be hosting the 2025 ICF Top7 raised their glasses to celebrate the commencement of the Announcement.Hashtag: #NewTaipeiSmartCityInternationalForum
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Laos Extends Visa Exemptions to Boost Visit Laos Year 2024
ARTICLE UPDATED ON 27 JUNE, 2024 AT 4:04 PM
To bolster tourism in the second half of Visit Laos Year 2024, the Lao government is set to introduce a new policy granting free visas to Chinese visitors, announced Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Darany Phommavongsa, on 24 June.
ASEAN Countries Eye BRICS Membership Amid Geopolitical Shifts
To align more closely with global geopolitical dynamics, many Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries have expressed growing interest in joining the BRICS group, an economic bloc consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Laos Begins Comprehensive Review of 2015 Constitution for Major Amendments

The National Committee for the Amendment of the Constitution commenced the review process of the 2015 Constitution on 20 June to make necessary revisions in line with Laos’s changing economic and social circumstances.