Home Blog Page 1734

Xinhua Silk Road: Smart technology, whole industrial chain empower fishing rods manufacturing in E. China’s Weihai

By
Advertorial Desk
-

BEIJING, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Six out of every ten fishing rods sold in the world are produced in Weihai in east China’s Shandong Province. Behind this outstanding achievement is the coastal city’s continuous efforts in promoting intelligent manufacturing technology and its complete industrial chains layouts.

In the intelligent workshop of Shandong Handing Industrial Automation Co., Ltd., the world’s first full-automatic fishing rod production line, which is wholly developed by the company, is operating efficiently, enabling unmanned operation for over 30 fishing rod production processes. 

With a total investment of over 20 million yuan, this intelligent production line has obtained over 40 independent patents and helped to save 80 percent of the manpower so as to cut the labor cost by about 1.5 million yuan in one year, said the company’s R&D manager Sha Guodong. More importantly, the adoption of intelligent technology makes the quality of the products more stable with the defect rate being controlled below three per thousand even when the line is in full load.

While enhancing efficiency from technology upgrading, local fishing rod companies have also eyed on “soft powers”. In the designing studio of Weihai Guangwei Outdoor Equipment Co., Ltd. (Guangwei), designers are targeting the Southeast Asian market and working on the R&D of new lure poles. 

By upgrading the grade of carbon fiber and optimizing the structure, the new product has 10 percent less in weight but 15 percent increase in strength, said Tan Chunlin, vice general manager of Guangwei, adding that it launches more than 50 such iterative products every year to precisely meet diversified demands on targeted markets.

Apart from innovation, the city’s robust fishing rod industry has also benefited from its construction of whole industrial chain that enables fishing rod producers to make one-stop purchase of all the hundreds of components of a set of fishing gear in one hour. This high-efficient and collaborative industrial ecology has become a solid foundation for “Weihai Manufacturing” to going abroad.

At present, Weihai has gathered more than 5,000 fishing tackle and related enterprises with the products sold to over 60 overseas countries and regions, generating a total output value of over 10 billion yuan annually.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348204.html

Xinhua Silk Road: E. China’s Weihai City establishes 18 TCM health tourism demonstration bases

By
Advertorial Desk
-

BEIJING, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Weihai, a prefecture-level city in east China’s Shandong Province, has seen the establishment of 18 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health tourism demonstration bases, including the Weihai Tianmu Hot Spring Resort, as the city has emphasized the deep integration of tourism with TCM and health and wellness in recent years.

The forest coverage here is high and the environment is beautiful, said a tourist from Qingdao who was on a tour with her friends in the Weihai Tianmu Hot Spring Resort, adding that she and her friends had experienced the hot spring here which has TCM and flower petals, and felt very comfortable.

On the basis of ocean hot springs, the Weihai Tianmu Hot Spring Resort has developed hot spring medicinal bath projects combining traditional Chinese herbs with hot spring health and wellness, including those catering to different physical constitutions and health needs, and those featuring American ginseng.

The TCM bags in most of the pools of the resort have combined with the sodium chloride hot mineral water and generated unique health benefits, attracting many returning customers, introduced Wu Ming, the director of Tianmu Hot Spring’s publicity department.

The resort also offers Chinese massage, physiotherapy and other services, and has developed a health and wellness recipe featuring American ginseng, providing tourists with a comprehensive TCM health and wellness experience, Wu noted.

Weihai’s TCM health tourism demonstration base Shandong Jiangbulao Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. uses ginger as raw materials and produces deep-processed healthy food, and sets up intangible cultural heritage experience halls to allow tourists to immerse themselves in the inheritance of craftsmanship by display of ancient cooking techniques, DIY interaction, and storytelling.

Rongcheng Zhongwo Island Cultural and Creative Co., Ltd., another TCM health tourism demonstration base in Weihai, allows tourists to taste medicinal tea, eat medicinal diet, identify medicinal herbs, etc., so as to promote the inheritance of the extensive and profound TCM food and wellness culture.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348199.html

Xinhua Silk Road: E. China city fosters people-centric urban renewal to improve sense of happiness for locals

By
Advertorial Desk
-

BEIJING, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Weihai, a coastal city in east China’s Shandong Province, has always advanced people-centric urban renewal to improve the sense of happiness for locals.

For years, the city adhered to systematic planning and problem solving-orientation in its urban renovation, dividing urban areas into 145 renewal units, where a series of small-scale, gradual and sustainable renovations were completed to bring more convenience for local people.

If strolling alongside the local coastline, visitors can always spot a “whale leaping out of the sea”-shaped building — the Zhihai Port Bay, also a versatile new urban complex built upon the old port area.

As a typical renovated site, Zhihai Port Bay contains not only commercial units but also children- and pet-friendly zones, roof gardens, and a sea sight-seeing playground open all the year round to local citizens.

Exuberant over such renewal, locals in Weihai flocked to these renovated urban landmarks including the century-old Qixia Street, the Chinese Zodiac Street, Changfeng farmers’ market, etc. for leisure.

By listing electric vehicle charging piles erection and other urgent needs of locals into the ten issues that must be solved, Weihai helped 533 old local communities change the past looks.

As for education, medicare and old age services, the city built, renovated and expanded 150 primary and secondary schools, cultivated 268 childcare institutions and established 1,094 sites with elderly dining tables in local communities.

To further enrich urban functions, 50-plus community service stations, electric bicycle-only lanes and 469 anti-collision isolation facilities were built to further increase the sense of gains and happiness for locals.

Ignoring no corners of the city, Weihai also paid attention to micro-landscape refining and ecology protection and turned local streets and communities of varied types into characteristic blocks to present its exquisite city vibe.

When a comprehensive urban management platform entered operation in 2024, Weihai boasted an “urban brain” integrating services of 12 sectors including supply of heat and gas, anti-flood, etc.

With patience and intelligence, the city, whose urban examination work has entered the sixth year, is still examining local construction with 10 more indicators than the required basic ones to scientifically enhance the happy life of locals.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348200.html

SanegeneBio Announces RNAi Licensing and Research Collaboration with Lilly

By
Advertorial Desk
-

-Companies will collaborate on RNAi research for metabolic disease targets

BOSTON, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SanegeneBio, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative RNAi therapeutics, today announced a global research and licensing collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”). The companies will collaborate to advance RNAi candidates for metabolic diseases, based on SanegeneBio’s proprietary tissue selective delivery technology, LEAD™ (Ligand and Enhancer Assisted Delivery).

SanegeneBio will be responsible for discovery and identification of the optimized LEAD™-based RNAi molecule for each program, while Lilly will be responsible for the subsequent IND-enabling studies, clinical development and commercialization.

SanegeneBio’s LEAD™ platform has the potential to generate breakthrough therapies for metabolic diseases that could be administered subcutaneously as infrequently as twice per year.

“Partnering with Lilly represents a strong validation of our innovative and differentiated LEAD™ platform for tissue-selective delivery of RNAi medicines” said Weimin Wang, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of SanegeneBio. “We look forward to working closely with Lilly, a global leader in innovation for metabolic diseases, to unlock novel approaches for the treatment of metabolic disorders and to advance durable, disease-modifying therapies for patients worldwide.”

Under the terms of the agreement, SanegeneBio will receive an upfront payment and equity investment and will be eligible to receive near-term milestone payments. SanegeneBio will also be eligible to receive up to $1.2 billion in discovery, development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on future product sales.

About SanegeneBio
SanegeneBio is a global, venture-backed, fully-integrated biotechnology company focused on developing RNAi-based therapeutics. Founded in 2021 and led by a team of RNAi veterans, the company has R&D operations in Boston, Shanghai and Suzhou. Their clear vision is that RNAi technology will power blockbuster medicines in diverse therapeutic areas, improving the quality and longevity of life for patients worldwide. This vision is being realized by advancing a fast-growing pipeline, which includes experimental medicines for autoimmune nephropathies, obesity, and cardiometabolic indications. SanegeneBio has initiated clinical trials for four experimental medicines to-date, and is committed to developing potential best-in-class and first-in-class therapeutics which leverage our industry-leading and differentiated LEAD™ tissue-selective RNAi delivery technology. For more information, please visit: www.sanegenebio.com and engage on LinkedIn.

iQIYI International Hosts iJOY 2026 Thailand in Bangkok, Unveiling Annual Content Strategy and New International Collaborations

By
Advertorial Desk
-

SINGAPORE, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — iQIYI, Asia’s leading streaming platform, hosted the “iJOY 2026 Thailand” event in Bangkok, reviewing its annual achievements in the Thai market while unveiling its upcoming content strategy, upcoming C-Dramas, local Thai originals, and variety programs. As the new iQIYI International Global Ambassador, Esther Yu made a surprise appearance with co-stars He Yu and Thai actor Mike Wu to introduce “Speed and Love“,  the new flagship drama under iQIYI’s Heartbeat Theater. The main cast and production team of “Running Man Thailand,” co-developed by iQIYI and Korea’s SBS, also attended the event, drawing major attention.


Yang Xianghua, President of iQIYI Movie and Overseas Business Group, noted in his keynote speech that iQIYI Thailand achieved significant year-on-year growth in both membership and revenue so far in 2025, with Thailand becoming the top-grossing overseas market. Over 40 Thai dramas launched on iQIYI Thailand this year, many of which were iQIYI originals. In 2026, iQIYI plans to further increase its investment in Thailand and aims to double the number of its original Thai dramas, while advancing the “iQIYI Starship Program” to bring Chinese and Thai artists to other international markets, and co-developing premium productions with leading local studios.


At the event, iQIYI International unveiled its 2026 lineup of major C-Dramas, including “The Legend of Rosy Clouds,” “How Dare You!?”, “Fate Chooses You,” “Southern Anecdote”, “Overdo”, and “Chasing Jade”, covering genres from period fantasy to romance, suspense, and adventure. Among them, “Fate Chooses You” is directed by Guo Hu and stars Ren Jialun and Wang Herun, telling the fantasy love story of a cursed war spirit reborn to join forces with a cultivator in pursuit of redemption. “How Dare You!?”, starring Wang Churan and Cheng Lei, is adapted from Qi Yingjun’s popular novel and stands out for its comedic fusion of time-travel and modern workplace themes.

As the new flagship drama under iQIYI’s Heartbeat Theater, “Speed and Love” stars Esther Yu, He Yu, and Mike Wu appeared on stage to promote both the drama and iQIYI International’s Double 11 membership campaign. “Speed and Love” centers on racing and personal growth, exploring themes of trust, ambition, and self-discovery.


Li Kaichen, Vice President of iQIYI and Head of APAC and MENA, announced Esther Yu as the new iQIYI International Global Ambassador, following Bai Lu and Chen Zheyuan. As part of the “iQIYI Starship Program,” she will join multiple cross-border activities to advance the global reach of Chinese-language entertainment. Set across China and Thailand.

In the local originals segment, iQIYI announced its 2026 Thai content lineup, created in collaboration with top local studios including GMMTV, Mandee Work, Idol Factory, Copy A Bangkok and others. The lineup includes titles such as “Burnout Syndrome,” “Duang with You,” “Peach Lover,” and the “4 Elements” series among others. The “Interminable” premiered on November 7. The main cast and production team of “Unknown Lovers,” “Lust,” “GELBOYS 2,” “Identity Zero,” and the “188 Series”  also appeared on stage to present their dramas and share insights from behind the scenes.

Another highlight was “Running Man Thailand,” jointly produced by iQIYI and Korea’s SBS Studio Prism. The show features seven popular Thai celebrities — Daou, Nunew, Phuak, Oat Pramote, Ink Waruntorn, Jeff Satur, and Tay Tawan — as the main cast, and is expected to begin filming at the end of 2025 with a 2026 premiere. The main cast and producers made their debut appearance at the event, showcasing iQIYI’s expanding footprint in global entertainment collaboration.


Through iJOY 2026 Thailand, iQIYI reaffirmed its long-term commitment to innovation and cross-border creativity, reinforcing its role as a driving force in shaping Asia’s entertainment ecosystem and expanding the global influence of Chinese-language content.

CANNES GALA supports AXLR8-G to Help Artists Step onto the Global Stage

By
Advertorial Desk
-

A GRAMMY-Targeted Artist Acceleration Program Has Launched from Japan
Born as an international nexus of music and culture, [ ACCELERATE-“GRAMMY” ]

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AXLR8-G is a cross-industry project formed by Japan’s leading artists, creators, and record label representatives. Encompassing a diverse range of works from multiple musicians, it represents an unprecedented initiative to accelerate Japan’s challenge toward the global stage. This year, AXLR8-G took its first step by strongly supporting numerous official entries from Japan. Designed with the utmost respect for the GRAMMY Awards, the project does not replace any role of the official organizers. Instead, it aims to build the pathway for artists to step onto the international stage, in full compliance with the official submission and review process set by the Recording Academy.

The key visual is created by a former Studio Ghibli artist and international animator known for ONE PIECE FILM RED.
The key visual is created by a former Studio Ghibli artist and international animator known for ONE PIECE FILM RED.

These activities are conducted under the guidance and cooperation of the officially recognized CANNES GALA, endorsed by the Cannes Film Festival.

In recent years, Japan’s animation and manga industries have achieved record-breaking revenues. Owing to its unique market structure—stronger in physical media compared to global standards—the music market has also shown double-digit growth, expanding Japan’s content industry. However, according to IFPI global statistics, Japan, despite being Asia’s largest music market, has maintained a heavy focus on domestic activities.

The launch of AXLR8-G marks a major step in enhancing Japan’s international music mobility, positioning the country as a model case that may influence the global balance of the content industry, as Asia’s largest consumer market becomes more deeply connected to Western industry structures.

The first event will be held on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, coinciding with the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Kimitaka Kato – Executive Director:
“A new generation of Japanese artists is creating a powerful movement in the global music scene. Their energy transcends borders, resonating deeply with young audiences in the West and beginning to exert real influence. By pursuing the GRAMMY Awards together, we aim to further expand the presence of Japanese music across the world.”

TAICHI – Chairman:
“The GRAMMY Awards uphold the philosophy of ‘connecting people and cultures through music to build a better society.’ They have continually demonstrated how creativity can transform the world. Sharing this same spirit, AXLR8-G—alongside the CANNES GALA, the only officially recognized social ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival—envisions a future where artistic creation unites beyond national boundaries.”

Chairman: TAICHI

Executive Director: KIMITAKA KATO
Executive Producer: RYO NAKATSUJI

Directed by AKASHI STEVE KAWAMITSU
Director: SHINPEI TOKAI
Director: NAO
Creative Directors: SCATTER（NOMA）
: NAOHIRO NAKAMURA
: KAZUAKI HAYAMA
: VELNO YOMI
: IPPEI NISHIHARA
: REIKO KOIDE
Creative Producer / Actor: YUKA KUMAMOTO
Co-Producer: JIN MASAHISA
Co-Producer: YUKI MIMA

Key-Visual: Animator: HIROSHI SHIMIZU

Produced by TAKURO ANDO
Producer: SATOSHI MIMA

Production: NOMA
Approved by CANNES GALA

Expanding the Horizon of Collaboration – “2025 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum” Successfully Held on November 8 (Sat) in Singapore

By
Advertorial Desk
-

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Choi Hwi-young) and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE, President Park Changsik) successfully held the “2025 ASEAN–KOREA Innovative Culture Forum” on Saturday, November 8, at the National Gallery Singapore.

Poster of the 2025 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum
Poster of the 2025 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum

Now in its sixth year, the forum was first launched in 2020 and has since become a leading platform where cultural and creative professionals from ASEAN Member States and Korea (11 countries in total) gather to discuss innovation and cooperation in the cultural sector.

This year’s event began with a keynote speech by Professor Kyogu Lee (Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University; Co-founder of Supertone) titled “Inclusive AI for Cultural Sustainability.” The forum then continued with four thematic sessions: Navigating Cultural Diversity in Inclusive AI, Creative Industry Shifts in the Age of AI, The Future of Cultural Heritage, AI Literacy for an Inclusive ASEAN Culture.

Each session featured experts and cultural professionals from major ASEAN KOREA institutions such as the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, ASEAN Foundation, ASEAN Secretariat, and the National Gallery Singapore. The discussions explored practical ways to preserve cultural diversity and inclusivity amid rapidly changing technological environments.

Following the forum, KOFICE and the ASEAN Foundation signed an MOU, establishing a new foundation for strengthening ASEAN– KOREA cultural cooperation. Through this agreement, both organizations plan to pursue sustained exchanges and joint projects, further expanding the cultural network between Korea and the ASEAN region.

Threads of Harmony | Shirley Zhou’s Unconfined Embroidery International Exhibition Opens in Singapore

By
Advertorial Desk
-

SINGAPORE, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Shirley Zhou’s Unconfined Embroidery International Exhibition which organized by Shanghai Genarts Culture Media Co., Ltd. holds its official opening at ION Art Gallery, Singapore, running from November 6 to 10.


Curated and presented by Ms. Shirley Zhou, the fourth-generation inheritor of China’s intangible cultural heritage embroidery art, the exhibition showcases over 50 artworks that bridge Eastern and Western aesthetics. Centered on the theme “Threads of Harmony: Cultural Symbiosis,” it invites audiences into a dialogue on cultural fusion and artistic innovation through the language of needle and thread.

Bridging East and West — Building Cultural Symbiosis Through Embroidery

“Threads of Harmony” is not merely an exhibition—it embodies Shirley Zhou’s artistic philosophy. Her works merge the subtlety of Eastern embroidery arts with Western compositional structure, breathing new life into traditional embroidery.

Mr. Zhou Nan, President of the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Association, noted that Shirley Zhou’s artistic journey reflects the spirit of innovation among a new generation of cultural inheritors.

The representative figures in Singapore’s art community and audience remarked that Shirley Zhou’s artistic creations use silk threads as a bridge between tradition and technology, infusing contemporary vitality into heritage art while enriching Singapore’s cultural diversity and inclusiveness.

Special Tribute: celebrate Singapore’s 60th Anniversary

In celebration of Singapore’s 60th anniversary of independence in 2025, Shirley Zhou’s created a special tribute piece — a portrait of former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, rendered through four distinct embroidery techniques: realism, abstraction, sketch, and line drawing.

This artwork embodies the artist’s admiration for Singapore’s multicultural spirit, resilience, and openness — a reflection of mutual respect and cultural resonance between China and Singapore.

A Poetic Dialogue in Threads

Two lotus-themed pieces, combining oil-painting vibrancy with the poetic restraint of ink wash, drew particular attention. Through thousands of meticulous stitches, Shirley Zhou recreates the richness of oil tones and the ethereal balance of Chinese ink.  The first piece “Water Lilies” showcases the essence of oil painting through embroidery. With crisp and lively needlework, vibrant colors, and seemingly unrestrained yet meticulously executed stitches, the passionate texture of oil painting blossoms on the embroidered canvas. The second piece ” The Charm of Lotus” captures the soul of ink wash painting. The blending of ink flows like clouds and water, in fact, conceals dozens of subtle gradations of black, gray, and white. the embroidery weaves a ‘richly colorful ink palette,’ revealing depth within elegance and boundless meaning within simplicity.

Artist-led Tours and Cultural Exchange

During the exhibition, Shirley Zhou personally conducted guided tours for visitors, explaining her techniques, inspirations, and stories behind each piece. These exchanges deepened the audience’s understanding of modern embroidery as both a cultural legacy and a contemporary art form.

Shirley Zhou’s attributes her creative liberation to the dynamic interplay between Eastern and Western cultures. This fusion has empowered her to transcend conventional boundaries and develop a uniquely unconfined artistic voice.

From Singapore to the World

“Threads of Harmony” marks not only an exhibition but the beginning of a broader cultural journey. Through her needle and thread, Shirley Zhou echoes Singapore’s spirit of openness and innovation.

In the future, Zhou’ art will continue to reach out to the world. With an open mind, it will engage in the preservation and promotion of global intangible cultural heritage, allowing Eastern embroidery to shine on the international stage—transcending cultures and connecting souls.

Exhibition Dates: 10:00-22:00 Nov 6-11, 2025
Venue: ION Art Gallery, Level 4, ION Orchard 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Theme: Threads of Harmony • Cultural Symbiosis
Artist: Shirley Zhou, the fourth-generation inheritor of China’s intangible cultural heritage embroidery art

1...1,7331,7341,735...6,324Page 1,734 of 6,324