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SK Networks successfully hosts “SK Networks AI WAVE 2025” as part of its ongoing commitment to expanding the AI Ecosystem

– Under the theme Pitch the Future and Connect the Dots, the event brought together leading AI startups and investors
– The event showcased SK Networks’ key AI portfolio companies, including Upstage and PhnyX Lab
– A panel discussion on the future of Sovereign AI featured SK Networks’ President & COO, Sunghwan Choi, and Upstage CEO, Sung Kim.
– “SK Networks will continue to play a pivotal role in expanding the AI ecosystem and driving business innovation.

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On September 17th, SK Networks (CEO: Hojung Lee) successfully hosted the ‘SK Networks AI WAVE 2025’ at Wavehill, Walkerhill Hotel & Resort in Seoul, where it introduced its key global AI investment portfolio and held panel discussions on the future of the AI industry and Sovereign AI. SK Networks AI WAVE aims to foster connections and exchanges between leading AI startups and investors, with its inaugural event held in 2023.

This year’s event was co-sponsored by HF0 (Hacker Fellowship Zero), a fund invested in by SK Networks and renowned for its highly selective AI startup residency program in Silicon Valley. Over 100 participants, including investors, founders, and industry leaders, attended the event, featuring Upstage, the only startup selected for the government-led ‘Independent AI Foundation Model’ project.

In his keynote speech, SK Networks’ President & COO Sunghwan Choi stated, “In a rapidly changing world driven by technology, it is crucial to secure growth opportunities through active information exchange among innovative startups, industry leaders and prominent investors.” He also added, “Through this event, we aim to present our AI investment portfolio that we have built since 2020 and to expand the ecosystem where technology, capital, and vision are interconnected.”

The event featured company presentations and Q&A sessions from SK Networks’ portfolio companies, led by Sang Eun Shin, Head of AI Growth at SK Networks, and HF0 portfolio companies by Dan Morse, Head of IR at HF0. Technologies showcased included platforms that automate advertising and animation production using AI and AI-based lending platforms designed to facilitate more efficient transactions between consumers and capital providers, which received positive feedback from participants. Companies included Upstage, which supports enterprise clients in building AI models and systems based on its competitive LLM technology, and PhnyX Lab, which launched Korea’s first generative AI solution specialized in the pharmaceutical industry and is expanding globally.

Dan Morse, along with Sang Eun Shin, Minseok Bae, PhnyX Lab Founder & CEO, and Raven Gao, Pix AI Co-founder & CEO discussed  ‘The Future of AI and Smart Investment Strategies’ offering different perspectives based on their background as corporate executive, investor, and founders.

The highlight of the event was the panel discussion between SK Networks’ President & COO Sunghwan Choi and Upstage CEO Sung Kim. Under the theme ‘The Future of Sovereign AI’, they exchanged views on the importance of Sovereign AI, the latest trends, and potential strategies to enhance the competitiveness.

Mr. Choi emphasized, “Sovereign AI is a key strategy for securing digital sovereignty and advancing future industries. Korea must build its own AI ecosystem through bold government-led investments and public-private cooperation models, ensure alignment with global standards, and expand the technological ecosystem through domestic and international partnerships”. He added, “Tailored models optimized for Korean cultural background, and industrial environment will differentiate Sovereign AI from generic global big tech models”.

Mr. Kim stated, “The key is to secure Korea’s technological leadership by leveraging globally recognized technological expertise and execution capabilities to lead the LLM field and enhance the sophistication of the latest frontier models.” He continued, “As part of the K-AI team, we will develop highly practical, industry-specific specialized models and expand a sustainable, independent AI ecosystem, enabling Korea to strengthen its global industrial and AI competitiveness in this new era.”

SK Networks plans to continue hosting events such as SK Networks’ AI WAVE to share insights on technological and industrial trends with AI startups and investment partners, fostering mutual growth and innovation. The company also aims to accelerate its transformation into an AI enterprise by advancing its business model and strengthening investment collaborations.

Sang Eun Shin stated, “SK Networks AI WAVE 2025 was designed not merely as a corporate briefing or forum, but as a genuine platform for exchange and to strengthen connections among industry stakeholders. As an AI-focused business holding company, we will strengthen our internal capabilities and expand our global tech network to further enhance our business portfolio and drive innovation-led outcomes”.

SK Networks' President & COO Sunghwan Choi delivering the keynote speech at ‘SK Networks AI WAVE 2025’ held in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
SK Networks’ President & COO Sunghwan Choi delivering the keynote speech at ‘SK Networks AI WAVE 2025’ held in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

 

SK Networks' President & COO Sunghwan Choi and Upstage CEO Sung Kim engaging in a dialogue on ‘The Future of Sovereign AI.’
SK Networks’ President & COO Sunghwan Choi and Upstage CEO Sung Kim engaging in a dialogue on ‘The Future of Sovereign AI.’

 

Venue view of the ‘SK Networks AI WAVE 2025’ event.
Venue view of the ‘SK Networks AI WAVE 2025’ event.

[Reference: Participating Startups]

Category

Company Name

Location

Sector

Overview

SK Networks
Investment

 

PhnyX Lab

USA

Pharmaceuticals
& Bio

Developer of Cheiron, a workflow
platform specialized in the
pharmaceutical and bio industry

Upstage

Korea

AI Solutions

Developer of proprietary frontier
language model Solar; supports
enterprise AI model and system
development

Outstanding

USA

Fintech

AI-based consumer lending platform
offering lower rates to consumers and
higher returns to capital providers

LinusBio

USA

Healthcare

Analyzes hair to support early disease
diagnosis, patient monitoring, and drug
development

HF0
Investment

 

AdsGency AI

USA

AI AdTech

All-in-one platform automating the entire
advertising process using AI

Pix AI

USA

AI Image
Generation

Platform for real-time creation, editing,
and sharing of high-quality anime/comic-
style AI images

Aquaria

USA

Climate Tech

Produces clean drinking water by
condensing atmospheric moisture and
purifying it via filtration and UV
sterilization

iKHOR Labs

USA

AI Animation
Production

Provides AI tools that automate
repetitive and labor-intensive animation
tasks

 

 

Facilitating Cross-border Payments for Chinese and Cambodian Residents: UnionPay-powered Wallets Achieve Significant Transaction Growth in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Under the joint guidance of the People’s Bank of China and the National Bank of Cambodia, UnionPay International has further enhanced QR payment connectivity between the two countries, with positive results increasingly apparent. The value of transactions made in Cambodia by Chinese UnionPay-powered wallets from January to July 2025 nearly tripled year-on-year, demonstrating the strong vitality of the bilateral payment cooperation.

In November 2023, the central banks of China and Cambodia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation, paving the way for QR payment linkage. In December of the same year, Cambodia’s national QR standard KHQR became interoperable with over 200 UnionPay-powered wallets around the world, including the UnionPay App and mobile banking apps of major Chinese commercial banks. Starting from March 2025, users of the Bakong App, owned by Cambodia’s national payment system Bakong, can make QR payments at merchants in UnionPay’s QR network worldwide and in WeChat Pay’s QR network in China’s mainland, marking UnionPay’s achievement of two-way QR linkage with a counterpart in Southeast Asia for the first time.

Notably, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have increased with the launch of the “China-Cambodia Tourism Year 2025”. Data shows that there were about 587,000 visits from China to Cambodia in the first half of 2025, up by 51% year-on-year. Almost all merchant POS terminals and 80% of the ATMs in Cambodia accept UnionPay card payments and cash withdrawals. With QR connectivity initiatives like this one, scan-to-pay, which is familiar to Chinese nationals, becomes available to them in other countries as well, ensuring better payment experience when they travel abroad.

Currently, the QR payment linkage is increasingly embedded in the retail ecosystems of China and Cambodia. With KHQR—the development of which was led by the National Bank of Cambodia—adopted by almost all QR merchants in the country, UnionPay QR payments are increasingly popular in places ranging from Phnom Penh International Airport to Angkor Wat. At the same time, a growing number of Cambodians visiting China are using the Bakong App to make convenient purchases at UnionPay merchants in China’s mainland, including department stores, food and beverage, etc.

UnionPay has launched or is working on QR payment linkage with the local switches of 19 countries and regions outside China’s mainland. As a result, tens of millions of merchants overseas will accept UnionPay QR payments. Looking ahead, UnionPay will strengthen cooperation with local partners to advance two-way interoperability projects in order to benefit consumers.

Dr. Carl June and Dr. Michel Sadelain are being awarded the Broermann Medical Innovation Award 2025

  • With prize money of one million euros, it is one of the most highly endowed medical awards in the world
  • Awarded for groundbreaking pioneering work in cancer therapy using CAR-T cells
  • Award Ceremony with Hessian Prime Minister Boris Rhein

GIESSEN, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 18 September 2025. The jury of the Broermann Medical Innovation Award (BMIA) is honoring Dr. Carl June (University of Pennsylvania) and Dr. Michel Sadelain (Columbia University) for their groundbreaking research in the field of CAR-T cell therapy. The Broermann Medical Innovation Award is being presented for the first time this year. With prize money of one million euros, it is among the most highly endowed awards for medical research worldwide.

A Revolution in Cancer Therapy

Dr. Carl June and Dr. Michel Sadelain are recognized for their pioneering roles in the genetic modification of T-cells, which enable these cells to identify, attack, and destroy cancer cells. They use synthetic receptors, so-called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which enable T cells to see and kill cancer cells. CAR-T cells achieve remarkable success rates in cancers such as leukemia, lymphomas, and myelomas; for other cancers, this new approach is still in the experimental phase.

Dr. Carl June (Foto: Asklepios)
Dr. Carl June (Foto: Asklepios)

Dr. Carl June, the Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, says: “I am deeply honored to receive the inaugural Broermann Medical Innovation Award together with my esteemed colleague Michel Sadelain. This award not only recognizes our decades of research but above all the transformative potential of CAR-T cell therapy for cancer patients worldwide.”

Dr. Michel Sadelain (Foto: Asklepios)

Dr. Michel Sadelain (Foto: Asklepios)

Dr. Michel Sadelain, Director of the Columbia Initiative in Cell Engineering and Therapy (CICET), says: “Receiving the Broermann Medical Innovation Award is an extraordinary honor for me and a recognition of the revolutionary power of CAR-T cell therapy. Together with Carl June, we have worked to turn the immune system into a precise weapon against cancer. Our work precisely symbolizes what the Broermann Award stands for: medical breakthroughs that fundamentally change patients’ lives. It fills me with profound gratitude to know that our research helps usher in a new era of cancer treatment and create hope for patients who were once considered incurable.”

CAR-T cell therapy has achieved remarkable success rates in treating cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Through their visionary research, Sadelain and June have ushered in a completely new era in cancer treatment.

Selection process by the renowned jury

The laureates of the Broermann Medical Innovation Award are selected by an outstanding scientific jury consisting of nine senior members of renowned institutes: Prof. Dr. Werner Seeger (Chair of the Broermann Medical Innovation Award), Prof. Dr. Karsten Krüger (Member of the Executive Board of Justus Liebig University Giessen), Prof. Dr. Isabelle Bekeredjian-Ding (Director Center of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Marburg), Prof. Dr. Britta Siegmund (Vice President of the German Research Foundation), Prof. Dr. Stefan Offermanns (Director of the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research), Prof. Dr. Otmar Wiestler (President of the Helmholtz Association), Prof. Dr. Dr. Gerd Geißlinger (Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Clinical Pharmacology), Prof. Dr. Martina Brockmeier (President of the Leibniz Association), and Dr. Jan Liersch (Managing Director of Broermann Holding GmbH). Supported by a group of international reviewers, the committee evaluates all nominations in a multi-stage process that ensures the highest scientific quality and independence. The decision is based on strict selection criteria.

About the laureates

Dr. Carl June was born in Denver, USA, in 1953. He received his MD from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and his postdoctoral training at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Following a research career in the US Navy, June founded the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies (CCI) at the University of Pennsylvania in 1999 and established a leading interdisciplinary research initiative for cellular immunotherapies. In 2012, he received the prestigious Richard W. Vague Professorship.

Dr. Michel Sadelain was born in Paris, France, in 1960 and received his medical degree from the University of Paris in 1984 and his PhD from the University of Alberta, Canada in 1989, before conducting postdoctoral research at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1994, he joined Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Sadelain now serves as director of the Columbia Initiative in Cell Engineering and Therapy (CICET) center in New York, established in 2024, where he leads innovative cell therapy research.

Both scientists have received numerous scientific prizes for their pioneering contributions to cancer therapy.






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

About the Broermann Medical Innovation Award

The Broermann Medical Innovation Award was established in 2024 by Dr. Bernard große Broermann, namesake and founder of the Asklepios Kliniken Group. Even during his lifetime, Dr. große Broermann was guided by the vision of creating an innovative

healthcare company that delivers real value to people. Under his leadership, Asklepios set new standards in medical innovation, making targeted investments in cutting-edge medical technology and digital solutions, thereby advancing patient care — values that also form the foundation of the Broermann Medical Innovation Award. The award carries forward his vision and continues to highlight the commitment of his foundation beyond his lifetime. With a record prize of one million euros, the award is presented in a formal ceremony at the Hessian State Chancellery in Wiesbaden by the current Hessian Prime Minister, Boris Rhein.

Hong Leong Bank Wins Top Euromoney Award for SME Banking Two Years Running

HLB has also received similar awards by The Asian Banker and Asian Banking & Finance, cementing its position as an industry leader in SME banking

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hong Leong Bank (“HLB” or the “Bank”) has been named Best SME Bank in Malaysia at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence for the second consecutive year. This latest recognition comes after the Bank received similar recognitions by The Asian Banker and Asian Banking & Finance this year, culminating a remarkable year where HLB’s consistent market leadership and unparalleled excellence in SME banking have been celebrated across three esteemed industry platforms.

Ng Wee Lee [2nd from right], Chief Executive of HL Bank Singapore, HLB’s Singapore arm, accepting the award at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence ceremony in Singapore.
Ng Wee Lee [2nd from right], Chief Executive of HL Bank Singapore, HLB’s Singapore arm, accepting the award at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence ceremony in Singapore.

HLB’s SME customer base has increased 18% year-on-year (“y-o-y”), rising to over 320,000 customers in 2024 across both borrowing and non-borrowing segments. This was supported by the Bank consistently providing innovative financing solutions, notably enabling over RM280 million being approved for over 360 SMEs through the Government Guarantee Scheme MADANI 1.0 (“GGSM 1.0”) program in 2024 and will continue to provide more financing via GGSM 2.0 in 2025 and beyond. HLB has also enabled full-digital onboarding for business accounts, including sole proprietorships, and provides enhanced business and foreign currency accounts for SMEs.

Kevin Lam, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HLB commented, “At HLB, our core purpose as a financial institution is simple: to empower our customers to grow their wealth. We believe that by championing the growth of SMEs, who form the backbone of the Malaysian economy, we are directly contributing to the nation’s prosperity.

“Our commitment to the SME community transcends traditional banking. We have a clear vision of the bigger picture, positioning ourselves not merely as a service provider but as a true value-adding partner. Through a powerful combination of innovative digital tools and expert advisory, we enable our SME customers to navigate a global economic landscape defined by continuous change and digital evolution. By forging strategic partnerships with both our clients and key industry players, we bridge the gap between opportunity and solution, empowering our customers to pursue their diversified business objectives while confidently managing industry headwinds and market trends.

“Therefore, these recent industry recognitions are a powerful testament to the trust and deep partnership we share with our SME customers, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to our goal of becoming the Best Run Bank in Malaysia.”

A key driving force of HLB’s SME banking success is its digital leadership, with HLB becoming the first bank in Malaysia to introduce fully digital eKYC onboarding for sole proprietors, which can be completed in under 10 minutes. Further enhancements such as tablet-based partnership onboarding, digital onboarding for foreign currency accounts, and the integration of Weixin Pay have further strengthened accessibility and convenience for SMEs, alongside improved advisory through expanded SME cash and FX teams and regional SME centres.

HLB also has operations in Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia and Hong Kong SAR, reflecting its presence across key regional markets.

The Bank ended its Financial Year 2025 (ended 30 June 2025) with a 7.5% y-o-y growth in loans to domestic business enterprises, which has reached over RM70 billion. HLB has also expanded its loans and financing to SMEs by 8.1% y-o-y to over RM40 billion, while its community SME banking portfolio also grew by 10.4% y-o-y.

For more information, please visit https://www.hlb.com.my/en/business-banking/group-sme-banking.html

Altair and Gordon Murray Group Developing Groundbreaking Ultra Lightweight Platform

Collaboration leverages advanced simulation technology to drive innovation in next-generation vehicle design

TROY, Mich., Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Altair, a global leader in computational intelligence, announces the launch of a collaboration with Gordon Murray Group (GMG) as part of an Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) facilitated project, M-LightEn. This project will utilize Altair’s leading optimization solutions and concept development processes to support the next generation ultra lightweight and low embedded CO2 platform development for Gordon Murray Automotive’s driver-focused vehicles.

Altair and Gordon Murray Group announce a collaboration to leverage advanced simulation technology to drive innovation in next-generation vehicle design.
Altair and Gordon Murray Group announce a collaboration to leverage advanced simulation technology to drive innovation in next-generation vehicle design.

The collaboration will utilize the Altair C123 process, designed specifically for rapid and collaborative simulation-led concept development. C123 enables efficient exploration of design trade-offs in structural mass and performance across various manufacturing methods, materials and vehicle architectures, ensuring innovative, optimized outcomes in record time.

“We are proud to support GMG on such a forward-looking program,” said Dr. Royston Jones, global head of automotive, Altair. “By applying our C123 digital concept development approach, we will help significantly reduce development time while enabling the creation of highly optimized, ultra lightweight structures. This aligns perfectly with GMG’s ambition to innovate rapidly and sustainably across its next generation of vehicle platforms.”

The Gordon Murray Group continues to pioneer innovation in vehicle engineering, following the principles of its founder, professor Gordon Murray CBE. His illustrious career spans 20 years as technical director to the Brabham and McLaren Formula One teams, the creation of the F1 road car, establishing Gordon Murray Automotive and its iconic products such as T.50, T.33, and the most recent Le Mans GTR.

Under Gordon’s direction, the M-LightEn collaborative research project—in partnership with Altair, Brunel University of London, Carbon ThreeSixty, and Constellium—aims to develop a production-ready, ultra lightweight, low CO₂ monocoque structure to support a range of future high-performance vehicles. This project is match-funded by the UK government’s Department for Business and Trade and facilitated through the APC in partnership with Innovate UK.

This collaboration underscores the mutual commitment to innovation and sustainability in the automotive industry and marks a significant milestone in the advancement of vehicle platform development.

Altair’s C123 is a unique three stage concept development process that integrates advanced optimization and simulation technology throughout the early design phases. It enables rapid, collaborative exploration of structural architectures across diverse vehicle platforms, manufacturing methods and materials. Supported by a bespoke toolbox built on the Altair® HyperWorks® design and simulation platform, C123 enhances CAD interoperability to streamline the transition from concept to production.

For more information about Altair HyperWorks, visit https://altair.com/altair-hyperworks. To learn more about Gordon Murray Group, visit https://www.gordonmurraygroup.com/.

About Altair
Altair is a global leader in computational intelligence that provides software and cloud solutions in simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and AI. Altair is part of Siemens Digital Industries Software. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com or sw.siemens.com.

Media contacts

Altair Corporate

Bridget Hagan

+1.216.769.2658

corp-newsroom@altair.com

Altair Europe/The Middle East/Africa

Altair Asia-Pacific

Louise Wilce

Man Wang

+44 (0)7392 437 635

86-21-5016635,,825

emea-newsroom@altair.com

apac-newsroom@altair.com

 

 

JinkoSolar Announces Completion of Sale of A Shares in Its Subsidiary, Jinko Solar Co., Ltd., through Inquiry Transfer and Placement

SHANGRAO, China, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (“JinkoSolar” or the “Company“) (NYSE: JKS), one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world, today announced that the Company has completed the sale of 300,156,075 A shares of Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. (“Jiangxi Jinko“), an indirect, majority-owned principal operating subsidiary of the Company incorporated in the PRC whose A shares are listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Sci-Tech Innovation Board (the “Sale of A Shares“). The A shares were sold to certain institutional investors at a price of RMB4.90 per A share. As previously announced, the Sale of A Shares was conducted through an inquiry transfer and placement pursuant to the rules of the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

After the Sale of A Shares, JinkoSolar currently owns approximately 55.59% equity interest in Jiangxi Jinko.

About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world. JinkoSolar distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in China, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Greece and other countries and regions.

JinkoSolar had over 10 productions facilities globally, over 20 overseas subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Mexico, and other countries, and a global sales network with sales teams in China, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Spain, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Vietnam and India, as of June 30, 2025.

To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Ms. Stella Wang
JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 21-5180-8777 ext.7806
Email: ir@jinkosolar.com

Mr. Rene Vanguestaine
Christensen
Tel: +86 178 1749 0483
Email: rene.vanguestaine@christensencomms.com

In the U.S.:

Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Christensen, Scottsdale, Arizona
Tel: +1-480-614-3004
Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

iQIYI’s “The King of Stand-Up Comedy” Wraps Season 2, Proving Humor Drives Progress

BEIJING, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — iQIYI’s original variety show, “The King of Stand-Up Comedy”, recently wrapped its second season, cementing the platform’s role in China’s growing comedy scene. With Jianing ZHAI crowned as the season’s champion, the show continued its successful run, generating over 5,100 trending topics and scoring an 8,121 on iQIYI’s peak content popularity index, a key metric for a show’s influence and reach.


The show’s appeal lies in its sharp take on modern life. Bringing together 48 comedians from China and abroad, the series finds humor in the everyday – from workplace challenges and family dynamics to broader social topics. This blend of relatability and humor sparks conversations beyond the screen.

For instance, one comedian’s routine on airline uniform policies helped trigger actual policy reviews at several airlines, showing how comedy can lead to tangible social progress. Other contestants brought fresh takes on trending topics like technology and education, offering diverse perspectives on the details of daily life.

Beyond its social impact, “The King of Stand-Up Comedy” is helping to grow China’s comedy industry. Initiated by the esteemed Hong Kong film star and director Stephen Chow, the show gives up-and-coming comedians a stage to find their voices and share their unique perspectives. This season continues the core spirit of season one with the theme “Life needs comedy, and comedy belongs to everyone,” while introducing innovative competition formats such as team battles and call-out duels, pushing comedians to explore new creative ground.

The show’s influence was felt beyond the stage. It topped major variety show charts across multiple third-party data platforms, including Enlightent, Guduo, Endata, and Dengta. Notably, “The King of Stand-Up Comedy” Season 2 was the No. 1 variety show in Enlightent’s August “Dominating Screen Chart of Variety Shows,” and the only comedy program to earn the spot in 2025.

As Season 2 closes, the appetite for stand-up comedy in China continues to grow. iQIYI is committed to supporting this ecosystem by giving new talent the stage to launch their careers. Through shows like “The King of Stand-Up Comedy,” comedians are turning their dreams into reality – rising from everyday individuals to celebrated stars and helping to shape the future of Chinese comedy.

Contact:
iQIYI Press, press@qiyi.com

iSee Taiwan Foundation Debuts Taiwan’s Gastronomy Culture in Singapore as a Platform to Bring It to the World

The foundation uses gastronomy and cultural design to call upon Asian enterprises to drive the next chapter of knowledge-service industries

SINGAPORE, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The iSee Taiwan Foundation made its international debut today at the opening ceremony of the World Design Business Forum, hosted by the Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS), with a keynote address by the Foundation’s Chief Executive Don Chen.

The iSee Taiwan Foundation was invited to deliver the opening keynote at the 40th anniversary of DBCS, Chief Executive Don Chen delivered “Taiwan’s Journey as an Economic Powerhouse Through Design,” urging Asian enterprises to advance the knowledge services industry.
The iSee Taiwan Foundation was invited to deliver the opening keynote at the 40th anniversary of DBCS, Chief Executive Don Chen delivered “Taiwan’s Journey as an Economic Powerhouse Through Design,” urging Asian enterprises to advance the knowledge services industry.

Mr. Chen shared the Foundation’s vision of showcasing Taiwan’s cultural identity by blending gastronomy with global design expertise. This approach, he emphasized, not only highlights Taiwan’s unique character but also creates extraordinary value and new opportunities for enterprises across Asia.

“With AI and robotics reshaping industries, businesses must move beyond past models and adopt strategies rooted in local values and design,” said Mr. Chen. “Taiwan’s experience shows that when manufacturing is integrated with design thinking, it strengthens brand equity and transitions into knowledge-based services and the experience economy. This transformation unlocks new value chains and offers a blueprint for Singaporean enterprises to embed design into services and innovation, fueling the next wave of growth.”

The iSee Taiwan Foundation is a core member of the ProFederal platform, which is committed to enhancing the value of the knowledge service industry and promoting high-quality services. The Foundation has long championed Taiwan’s unique cultural and geographic identity.

Singapore and Taiwan Region: Co-Creating a Design-Driven Future

Singapore’s role as a hub for business, design, and cross-cultural exchange has made it the natural first stage for the Foundation’s international debut. Last year, mutual trade between Taiwan Region and Singapore reached SGD 116.8 billion (US$85.9 billion), with Taiwan Region ranked as Singapore’s fourth-largest trading partner and Singapore as Taiwan Region’s sixth.

The Foundation’s iSee Taiwan Signature initiative illustrates the potential for Taiwan Region and Singapore to co-create a design-driven innovation ecosystem. By combining Taiwan’s strengths in design, technology, and culture with Singapore’s global platforms and investment capacity, the collaboration demonstrates how Asian economies can align their strengths to build future-ready industries.

From Gastronomy to the Knowledge Economy

The use of food and lifestyle items as demonstration pieces highlights how design bridges cultures and drives market opportunities.

Guided by the developmental directions of discovery, integration, marketing, and service, the iSee Taiwan Signature collection begins with fruit jam — a familiar item in daily life worldwide. Premium guava and lemon from smallholder farms are blended with roses and jasmine grown through natural farming methods, creating a jam that preserves the characteristic flavours of Taiwan’s fruits while highlighting the features of local agriculture. Through integrated design and packaging, the jam enhances both quality and value, showing how cultural richness can be reinterpreted into resilient supply chains with global resonance.

“Culture is part of everyday life, which is why the Foundation chose food as the entry point,” Mr. Chen noted. “By combining gastronomy with innovative design, Taiwan can showcase the quality and value of its gastronomy, while opening the door to deeper collaboration with global enterprises.”

Looking Ahead

Design-driven value creation lies at the core of the Foundation’s strategy. Mr. Chen outlined the organisation’s history of promoting knowledge-intensive service innovation, including:

  • Supporting the establishment of the Service Science Society of Taiwan (2011)
  • Hosting Taiwan’s first stage-based experiential showcase
  • Hosting cross-cultural gastronomy forums, invited 50 Best and Madrid Fusion
  • Launching the iSee Design platform (2015), collaborating with international organizations such as the World Design Organization (WDO) and DBCS, building a global network of 40 design associations across five continents

With Singapore as its first international stop, the iSee Taiwan Foundation aims to expand into a broader platform for dialogue and collaboration across Asia and beyond. Amid rapid technological transformation, the Foundation continues to champion human-centered creativity as a defining competitive advantage for the knowledge-service era.

About iSee Taiwan Foundation

Founded in 2003 by Sayling Wen and continued under Chairman Ted Wen since 2008, the iSee Taiwan Foundation (www.iseetaiwan.org) is guided by the vision of “becoming an essential portal for the world to see Taiwan.” Its mission is to bring Taiwan’s unique character and heritage to global audiences, making the world Taiwan’s service market. The Foundation pursues this goal through four strategic directions: discovery, integration, marketing, and service.

About ProFederal Platform

ProFederal (https://www.profederal.com/en/) is a business consulting platform with a vision to enhance the knowledge services industry by supporting member companies in delivering higher-quality services and products, thereby creating greater value. With ‘Meet Success’ as our guiding principle, ProFederal provides member companies with global resources—including talent, expertise, information, networks, and capital — and empowers business owners to achieve success. Together with an ever-growing number of successful member companies, we advance toward our vision.