Empowering Local Agriculture and Fisheries with Expertise and Technology
Heralding a New Era of Sustainable Development

HONG KONG, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Uni-China Group (hereafter “the Group”) officially announced the launch of its flagship innovative initiative, the “Hong Kong Farmland” Brand Program. This demonstrates the Group’s full commitment to the future development of Hong Kong’s agriculture and fisheries industries and aligns with the National 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, which emphasizes advancing agricultural and rural modernization, as well as the HKSAR Government’s Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, optimizing supply chains, and implementing brand management, Uni-China Group is dedicated to advancing the modernization and sustainable development of the local agriculture and fisheries industries, revitalizing native resources and providing citizens with high-quality, healthy, value-for-money, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly locally produced agricultural and fisheries products, thus opening a new chapter for the agriculture and fisheries industries.

Revolutionizing Traditional Operations and Building a Sustainable Industrial Chain

The “Hong Kong Farmland” Program upholds the principle of balancing development with conservation. It actively employs modern technologies to boost local production capacity, with the goal of establishing a comprehensive industrial value chain, from production and sales to logistics and brand development, thereby significantly enhancing the market competitiveness of local agricultural and fisheries products.

The program aims to establish “Made in Hong Kong” agricultural and fisheries products as symbols of superior quality and trustworthiness. This will inject strong momentum into the local economy while creating a new industry model that delivers both economic benefits and social value.

As a major step toward realizing the Blueprint, Uni-China Group has secured the HKSAR Government’s deep-sea aquaculture project in the Mirs Bay (South) New Fish Culture Zone and has been officially granted an Approval In Principle Letter for Marine Fish Culture License by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Centered on advanced deep-sea aquaculture technology, the project will cultivate high-quality fish species in pristine waters.

With the official launch of the new “Hong Kong Farmland” brand, Uni-China Group is dedicated to providing Hong Kong citizens with premium, healthy, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly local agricultural and fisheries products. The brand seeks to create a clear, easily recognizable identity, enabling consumers to readily identify and trust high-quality local products while accessing fresh, superior-value items through convenient channels. At the same time, it harnesses market forces to revive Hong Kong’s long-declining agriculture and fisheries industries, driving sustainable industry development.

The landmark government-business collaboration in advancing the upgrade and transformation of the agriculture and fisheries industries was witnessed and jointly officiated by Mr. Tse Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the Hong Kong SAR Government; Mr. Lai Kin-ming, JP, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation; Mr. Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, GBM, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member; Mr. Shiu Ka-fai, BBS, JP, Legislative Council Member; Mr. Chan Pok-chi, MH, JP, Legislative Council Member; Mr. Au Yeong Chi, Executive Chairman of the Association of Hong Kong Agricultural Development and Construction; Mr. Cheung Siu-keung, Chairman of Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium; Mr. Jackie Ling, Chairman of Uni-China Group; and Mr. James Ling, MH, Vice Chairman of Uni-China Group.

Government and Business Join Forces to Drive Transformation and Upgrade

Through the “Hong Kong Farmland” Program, Uni-China Group is committed to achieving the sustainable development goals for Hong Kong’s agriculture and fisheries industries, while enhancing the self-sufficiency rate of local products. This not only ensures citizens enjoy fresh, safe local produce and helps position Hong Kong as a hub for high-quality food supply, but it also creates employment and innovation opportunities for the younger generation, supporting Hong Kong’s economic diversification.

Mr. Jackie Ling, Chairman of Uni-China Group, stated, “Rooted in Hong Kong for 25 years, Uni-China Group has remained dedicated to fresh food retail and industry revitalization. The launch of the “Hong Kong Farmland” Brand Program represents a major step in giving back to society and promoting local agriculture and fisheries. The Nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan clearly emphasizes advancing agricultural and rural modernization, transforming agriculture into a modern large-scale industry. Uni-China Group will fully align with the development strategies of the Nation and the HKSAR Government by introducing expertise and advanced technologies, and leveraging our robust retail network to build a complete value chain from production and cold-chain logistics to retail and brand development, delivering premium local agricultural and fisheries products to Hong Kong citizens. Moving forward, we will continue to collaborate closely with the Government and industry partners to promote sustainable development in Hong Kong’s agriculture and fisheries industries, creating broader prospects for all stakeholders.”

Vast Market Potential Awaits Exploration

According to 2024 data from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department , local capture fisheries production reached approximately 92,000 tonnes (valued at HK$2.4 billion), while marine fish culture production stood at only 626 tonnes (valued at HK$66 million). Combined local output accounted for about 20% of Hong Kong’s total seafood consumption. Yet demand remains exceptionally high, with annual imports averaging over 350,000 tonnes, highlighting enormous untapped potential in the local market.

The “Hong Kong Farmland” Program is poised to fill this gap, aiming to significantly increase local production value and inject billions of dollars into the sector, boosting new economic vitality.

Source: www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/agriculture.pdf

Table1: Production and Value of Local Fisheries Products from Culture and Capture 

Table2: Annual Consumption of Fisheries Produces and
Local Share on Consumption of Fisheries Produces

Uni-China Group looks forward to the “Hong Kong Farmland” Program becoming a model for the transformation of Hong Kong’s agriculture and fisheries sector, bringing more fresh and safe local choices, and contributing to the sustainable growth of Hong Kong’s economy.

About Uni-China Group

Uni-China Group has been rooted in Hong Kong for 25 years, consistently building its foundation on the local business landscape and playing a pivotal role in the operations and management across various sectors. From a single commercial entity, the Group has evolved into a diversified enterprise, steadfastly upholding the principle of achieving excellence through perseverance. The Group’s operations span a wide range of industries, including asset appreciation, retail, food trading, food and beverages, as well as digital businesses. Currently, it manages approximately 1,000 sales points in Hong Kong, holding leadership positions across multiple sectors while playing a key role in promoting traditional culture and driving future development. Uni-China Group employs around 5,000 staff, with the entire team dedicated, professional, and committed to pursuing excellence in every aspect. The Group will continue to advance sustainable development in its business scope and community services, fulfilling its corporate social responsibility and maintaining its leading position in the industry.

TAIPEI, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Advantech, a leading provider of embedded IoT computing solutions, is pleased to announce that the Taiwan manufacturing center has received AS9100 quality management system certification. Based on globally recognized quality management system – ISO 9001, AS9100 strengthens manufacturing qualities including full document traceability, strict risk assessment, and controlled change management, tailored to aerospace, space and defense applications which were long-product lifecycle under high-risk operation. With this certification, Advantech ensures high quality with efficient development workflow, enhanced auditable standard and consistent excellence for aerospace and mission critical markets.

Beyond ISO 9001: Certified to a Low-Tolerance, Aerospace-Grade Quality Standard

Compared with ISO 9001, which focuses on general risk management, AS9100 provides full traceability across design and manufacturing, with all changes documented and approved to ensure near-zero errors. It enforces end-to-end record-keeping, enabling rapid isolation of affected lots and fast recalls. The certification also applies FMEA and FTA risk management, shifting defect prevention upstream to design and manufacturing, and requires strict configuration and change control to ensure all adjustments remain fully traceable.

The standard brings three key benefits: higher efficiency through quick issue identification, lower error rates through early risk mitigation, and, as AS9100 is a globally recognized standard, it accelerates our adoption in international aerospace supply chains. With aerospace-grade quality management, Advantech is well positioned to support defense, outdoor drone, and ruggedized applications, offering high efficiency, greater availability, and predictable lifecycles.

Elevates Rugged Innovation with Expanding AS9100 Portfolio

Advantech has implemented AS9100 standards across its production lines in Taiwan, covering design transfer, locked manufacturing process parameters, lot traceability, and release controls. As a certified demonstration product, the COM Express Compact Type 6 SOM-6884 A2 was produced under AS9100 certification, delivering aerospace-grade quality with clear documentation and traceability. To meet diverse requirements, additional product lines will follow under AS9100, including the COM-HPC Mini SOM-M250 and COM Express Compact Type 6 SOM-6886, along with other certified products, fulfilling the stringent demands of aerospace, defense, and other high-reliability markets.

Why Advantech: The Winning Mix of Compliance, Expertise, and Delivery

AS9100 plays a key role in aerospace applications. Advantech combines deep domain experience, comprehensive design-in services with a global support footprint, and flexible manufacturing with strong supply assurance, turning compliance into real system value and schedule certainty. We help customers achieve higher reliability and lower total lifecycle costs in harsh environments, making Advantech the partner of choice for AS9100-certified products and programs.

About Embedded Core Services 

Advantech Embedded Core Services offers design-in services. Their streamlined solutions broadly integrate embedded boards, peripheral modules, and software. This dedicated focus on embedded design-in services fulfills electronic engineering demands at the design-in phase, shortening the design and integration cycle and minimizing uncertainty and risk. https://www.advantech.com/EmbCore

About Advantech

Advantech’s corporate vision is to enable an intelligent planet. The company is a global leader in the fields of IoT intelligent systems and embedded platforms. To embrace the trends of IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence, Advantech promotes IoT hardware and software solutions with the Edge Intelligence WISE-PaaS core to assist business partners and clients in connecting their industrial chains. Advantech is also working with business partners to co-create business ecosystems that accelerate the goal of industrial intelligence. (www.advantech.com)

HONG KONG, Jan. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Organized by the Innovative Entrepreneur Association (“IEA”) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (“CCIDA”), the Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme held its 7th edition’s Kick-Off Ceremony today at the United Centre in Admiralty, announcing the 39 selected local design companies for the 7th DLAB Support Scheme. These companies span a wide range of creative sectors and represent the new generation of Hong Kong’s design talent. Through the scheme, they will receive training, professional consultancy, and business matching opportunities to further expand their brand licensing potential.

The organiser is honoured to have Miss. Yvonne IP Man Yee, Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, as the Guest of Honour and to give a speech. She was joined by Mr. Zacharias CHENG, President of IEA, Ms. Cherrie CHONG, former President of IEA, Mr Cyril CHEUNG, Vice President of IEA and Ellen MOK, General Secretary of IEA, to officiate at the launch ceremony. Guests and representatives from the 39 selected companies gathered for a group photo, marking a vibrant and celebratory moment. The event also featured a keynote sharing by Mr. Samuel CHOY, General Manager of Bliss Concept Ltd, who explored the latest trends in design licensing. In addition, the alumni of previous DLAB cohorts shared their success stories, offering valuable inspiration and practical insights to this year’s participants.

Since the 1st edition, DLAB has successfully supported over 300 local design companies, driving the development of Hong Kong’s design licensing industry. The scheme provides professional training in marketing, brand building, and business operations, along with professional consultancy and business matching services, helping enterprises seize licensing opportunities and expand into the Chinese Mainland and international markets.

For its 7th edition this year, the scheme offers two application categories:

• Category 1: Companies established for no more than 6 years (between November 6, 2019, and November 5, 2025), primarily engaged in design or licensing, with IP launched for no more than 6 years. Applicants must have full ownership of the IP rights of the creative content, such as original character designs, pattern designs, illustrations, etc.
• Category 2: Companies established for 6 to 12 years (between November 6, 2013 and November 5, 2025), with IP launched for no more than 6 years. Applicants must have full ownership of the IP rights of the creative content, such as original character designs, pattern designs, illustrations, etc.

Selected companies will have their participation in the late-January 2026 Greater Bay Area Study Mission fully subsidised, strengthening ties with Mainland enterprises and exploring the market potential. In addition, they will also enjoy a preferential booth at a special rate of HK$4,000 for first-time DLAB participants and HK$6,000 for returning companies – to showcase at the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion of the Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2026, held from April 27 to 29, 2026. They will present their creative achievements alongside over 600 international and local IPs, further enhancing Hong Kong design’s global visibility.

Mr. Zacharias CHENG, President of IEA, stated at the launch ceremony, “DLAB has now reached its seventh edition, witnessing the continuous growth of Hong Kong’s design industry. This year, for the first time, we are proud to announce the 39 selected companies, representing a new generation of creative power. Through training, exchange opportunities, and exhibition platforms, we hope these brands will go further, connect seamlessly with international markets, and showcase Hong Kong’s spirit of originality to a

broader global stage”.

For more details of the 7th DLAB, please visit www.dlabhk.com.

About Innovative Entrepreneur Association (IEA)

Innovative Entrepreneur Association is a non-profit making organisation, with the aim to foster the spirit of “Innovative Entrepreneurship” in Hong Kong, the Mainland and all over the world. With the cooperation with the government and other organisations, IEA helps the start-up companies acquire more experience and strategies in order to enhance their competitiveness. IEA always strives to promote Hong Kong as world-leading “Creative and Entrepreneurial Capital”.

Website: http://www.iea.org.hk.

DLAB Logo

There are four letters in the logo of DLAB, “D” stands for Design, “L” stands of Licensing, “A” is And while “B” is the short form of “Business”.

About Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA)

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) since 2009, was established in June 2024. CCIDA is a dedicated office under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative sectors with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate development of the arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. CCIDA’s strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration, promoting industrialisation of the arts, culture and creative sectors under the industry-oriented principle, and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and our positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Website: https://www.ccidahk.gov.hk. 

Event Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1S2jERf8jv-FJRhcWxeJf1HIOP6JMTFCo?usp=drive_link

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fresh from its highly acclaimed debut at CES 2026, Guide outdoor will showcase ApexVision at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas (January 20–23) at Booth #40516. As a premier event for the shooting, hunting, and outdoor industry, SHOT Show brings together professionals to explore technologies shaping the year ahead. ApexVision marks a major step forward in ultra-clarity thermal imaging, and its tailored hunting optics are set to attract serious hunters and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the show.

ApexVision marks a significant advancement in thermal imaging performance through the deep integration of hardware and software. It combines the advanced ApexCore S1 infrared detector, the high-performance Nexus 1.0 processing platform, and the AI-powered Hyper-light 2.0 algorithm, together deliver exceptional image detail, superior contrast and edge enhancement, noise suppression, and lag-free visuals — even at high magnification or on fast-moving targets.

At SHOT Show 2026, ApexVision will be demonstrated across a lineup of thermal optics at Guide Outdoor booth:

• The TU1260MS multi-spectral scope, powered by the latest ApexVision technology, delivers ultra-clarity and precision. It provides smooth, ghost-free motion, high-fidelity imaging, and razor-sharp detail even at long distance. The TU1260MS utilizes a 1280×1024 thermal sensor and a 1920×1080 low-light CMOS sensor, NETD≤15mK, 60mm objective lens, and 1500m laser rangefinder. The TU1260MS, a tailored hunting companion, enables megapixel-level clarity and precise shooting for both day and night hunting.
• Other popular ApexVision-powered optics will also be on display for hands-on demonstrations, including thermal and night vision devices, thermal imaging scopes, clip-ons, as well as monoculars and binoculars.

“ApexVision is not just an upgrade, it marks the arrive of the Ultra-Clarity Era in thermal imaging.” Said Hank Huang, CEO of Guide outdoor, “The innovation represents years of our dedication to delivering decisive, actionable thermal intelligence, empowering serious hunters to see more clearly, react faster, and operate with greater confidence. We invite everyone at SHOT Show to stop by and see the difference firsthand.”

Attendees are encouraged to visit Guide outdoor Booth #40516, Venetian level 1, for hands-on testing and live previews of ApexVision-powered hunting optics.

Guide outdoor is keen to explore global partnership and collaboration opportunities. Learn more at www.guideoutdoor.com or contact enquiry@guideoutdoor.com.

TOKYO, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sakai Clinic 62 (Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Founder & Medical Director: Mari Sakai) announces that Dr. Mari Sakai held a dialogue with Mr. Peter Nobel, Chairman of the Nobel Sustainability Trust (NST), to discuss the international promotion of sustainability within the medical field.

The Nobel Sustainability Trust (NST) is an international foundation established by members of the Nobel family, dedicated to advancing sustainability by bridging scientific research and real-world implementation. During this dialogue, insights from regenerative medicine—including telomere injections and infusions developed by Dr. Sakai—were exchanged alongside NST’s global sustainability philosophy. The discussion revealed strong alignment between both parties and highlighted significant potential for future collaboration.

Dr. Sakai has long advocated that realizing the sustainability of both the human mind and body through regenerative medicine is a critical mission of modern healthcare. Through this dialogue, she further reinforced the importance of communicating the concept of medical sustainability to the international community.

Following the discussion, Dr. Sakai commented:

“This dialogue reaffirmed my strong sense of mission to present the value of medical sustainability to the world and to advance initiatives that safeguard the health and well-being of future generations. As Sakai Clinic 62, we are committed to acting as a pioneer in medical sustainability and will continue to promote these efforts in collaboration with domestic and international networks.”

Sakai Clinic 62 will continue to integrate a global perspective into its initiatives, striving to advance medical sustainability and contribute to the extension of healthy life expectancy and the sustainability of society through regenerative medicine.

Contact Information
8F TOP HILLS GARDEN Dogenzaka,
2-11-6 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
Tel: +81-3-6455-1813
Email: info@sakai-clinic62.jp 
Website: https://www.sakai-clinic62.jp/

What to Watch after OpenAI’s Ad-testing and Google’s UCP Launch for Agentic Commerce Integration?

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The race to commercialize AI has reached a pivotal moment. While the industry tracks OpenAI’s move into consumer ad-testing and Google’s strategic launch of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) last week, the shift toward autonomous commerce transaction models is quickly becoming a dominant market theme. Today, Deeplumen, an AI technology company focused on infrastructure for the next generation of commerce, announced the release of its UCP SDK for Java. This open-source initiative follows Google’s launch of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard designed to establish a “common language” for agentic commerce. By supporting native discovery and direct checkout across Google’s AI experiences, UCP helps brands capture user intent at the source. Deeplumen’s Java implementation provides an enterprise-ready agentic commerce path for brands to adopt UCP without rebuilding existing systems.

From Persuading Humans to Informing Agents

The launch of UCP for Java reflects a shift in how commerce experiences are discovered and executed. For decades, marketing has primarily focused on influencing human decision-making through emotional storytelling. As AI agents take on a larger role in shopping workflows, however, the primary consumer is no longer a human browsing a screen, but an AI agent making data-driven decisions based on structured and verifiable product and transaction data.

“Traditional marketing is about optimizing for ‘perception.’ AI agents optimize for parameters,” said Joy Wu, COO at Deeplumen. “In the M2AI (Marketing to AI) era, the goal isn’t to create ‘brand illusions,’ but to provide high-fidelity, structured data that allows AI agents to discover, verify, and execute transactions seamlessly. We aren’t just building tools; we are building a protocol for the future of trade.”

Why Java: Bridging the Enterprise Gap

While many AI development workflows are built in Python, a significant share of global e-commerce infrastructure runs on Java, including systems that power ERP, massive retail platforms, and order management. Deeplumen’s UCP SDK for Java ensures that any brand can integrate with the AI ecosystem without rebuilding their entire tech stack.

• Structured Identity: Helping brands define their products in a way that AI agents can interpret accurately.
• Seamless Integration: A plug-and-play library for Java environments to support agentic commerce.
• Transaction Readiness: Moving beyond simple search to full-loop transaction fulfillment within AI interfaces.

The M2AI Vision: Building the Infrastructure of Agentic Commerce

Deeplumen’s work on UCP for Java is part of a broader focus on M2AI infrastructure, helping brands compete on clarity, availability, and reliability. The company believes that as shopping becomes more agent-driven, the quality of structured commerce data will increasingly influence which products are purchased.

The Deeplumen UCP for Java is the first step in a broader roadmap to build the decentralized protocols and infrastructure required for AI-to-AI commerce. Deeplumen is helping brands position themselves as the first choice for the AI Buyers of tomorrow.

Availability

Deeplumen’s Google UCP SDK for Java is now available:

• Official Website: https://deeplumen.io
• Open Source on GitHub: github.com/Open-Commerce-Protocol

Deeplumen is continuously expanding its ecosystem with a suite of upcoming products that will power the future of autonomous commerce.

About Deeplumen

Deeplumen is an AI-first technology company focused on the intersection of AI agents and global commerce. As the pioneers of the M2AI (Marketing to AI) framework, Deeplumen builds the protocols, infrastructure, and connectors that allow brands to thrive in an era where machines represent the consumer.

Media Contact:

Deeplumen
ucp@deeplumen.io 

TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bebop (get.bebop.ai),  an AI-native and powered platform that delivers verified, high-intent opportunities to growth-focused businesses, announced the addition of Ready-to-Sell Leads to its product suite today. This new capability leverages groundbreaking prospecting technology and redefines what qualifies as a lead.

The new offering, powered by a proprietary algorithm, a sophisticated blend of LLMs, and specialized data sources, uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver a completely new class of lead.

Each opportunity is quadruple-vetted for accuracy and intent. Leads also come with a customized playbook outlining the exact sales angles to take, likely objections, key messaging cues, and more.

“Ready-to-Sell Leads gives customers fully qualified, intent-rich, deeply in market opportunities — all ready to close, so that sales teams can focus their efforts where it matters most,” said Gianpiero Policicchio, CEO of Bebop. “Sales teams tell us they spend too much time qualifying and researching leads instead of selling. This helps to raise the standards for what sellers should be expecting form lead generation and removes the guesswork when it comes to closing.”

Ready-to-Sell Leads joins a growing suite of AI tools designed to support every stage of the sales process. The Bebop App provides instant prospect research and personalized playbooks. Ready-to-Sell Leads delivers qualified, high-intent opportunities straight to a CRM or email. Bebop Insights offers large-scale access to real-time B2B data for teams that need deep market visibility.

You can learn more about Ready-to-Sell Leads by visiting get.bebop.ai/bebop-ready-to-sell-leads

About Bebop
Bebop, part of Blackpearl Group (NZX:BPG, ASX:BPG), is an AI sales platform that helps revenue teams reduce research time and improve lead quality. Its product suite includes the Bebop App for instant prospect research, Ready-to-Sell Leads for qualified high-intent opportunities, and Bebop Insights for large-scale B2B data.

Learn more at get.bebop.ai

About Blackpearl Group
Blackpearl Group (NZX:BPG, ASX:BPG) is a market-leading data technology company that pioneers AI-driven sales and marketing solutions for the US market.

Specifically engineered for small-medium-sized businesses (SMEs), BPG consistently delivers exceptional value to its customers. Our mantra is simple: “Creating Motivating Opportunities.”

Founded in 2012, BPG is based in Wellington, New Zealand, and Phoenix, Arizona.