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AluHouse Signs Strategic MoUs with Three Australian Partners to Address Housing Shortage with MiC Technology

HONG KONG, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At the Belt and Road Summit 2026 in Hong Kong, AluHouse Group, a global leader in Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Australian partners Northland Group Pty Ltd, DCF Property Group, and Up Modular Pty Ltd. This marks a major milestone in AluHouse’s strategy to introduce its proven modular technology to the Australian market.


“This partnership is an important milestone in AluHouse’s globalisation journey,” said Eric Kwong, Founder and Chairman of AluHouse Group. “Australia’s housing shortage demands innovative, scalable solutions. We will leverage our Hong Kong-proven MiC technology and project experience to deepen local collaboration and help ease Australia’s housing challenge.”

Responding to Australia’s Housing Challenge

Australia faces a severe housing shortage, with a projected shortfall of 380,000 homes by 2030 according to the Urban Development Institute of Australia. In response, the Australian government has committed over AUD 174 million to promote Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). While MMC can cut construction times by 20–50% and costs by 20%, market penetration remains below 5%.

“Australian developers see the efficiency gains of MMC but often lack the expertise in modular design, compliance, supply chain developments, logistics, and on-site installation,” said Johnny Nassif, Director of Northland Group. “We look forward to leveraging AluHouse’s mature modular systems to deliver high-quality housing efficiently.”

Global Modular Expertise, Local Commitment

The three partnerships bring together complementary capabilities required for successful large-scale Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) adoption in Australia, covering modular residential and mixed-use development, prefabricated building R&D, and strategic collaboration across Australia’s rapidly growing construction sector. AluHouse will provide a full-chain, one-stop solution covering all stages from project development and design to manufacturing and installation.

“Hong Kong, as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘value-adder’, continues to bridge Hong Kong and international markets,” Eric Kwong added. “The Belt and Road Summit provided an ideal platform for connecting with Australian partners, with important support from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKDTC).” Eric Kwong, emphasized that the company seeks deep local integration rather than just viewing Australia as an overseas market. “Our vision is to integrate globally proven MiC technology and Hong Kong MiC expertise with Australia’s building regulations, local market needs, and supply chain ecosystem.”

About AluHouse

AluHouse is a global leader in modular construction. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the company operates one of the world’s largest modular manufacturing hubs in China’s Greater Bay Area (48,000 modules/year), with a second facility under construction in Saudi Arabia (30,000 modules/year).

As one of the few modular solution providers with expertise in steel, concrete, and aluminum modular systems, AluHouse provides integrated, end-to-end services—from design and engineering to manufacturing, logistics, and on-site installation. Its projects span high-rise residential housing, apartment, student housing, schools, hospitals, and public utilities, serving markets across North America, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Greater China.

For more information, please visit www.aluhouse.com

Engineering the Next Horizon: FAW TRUCKS Ready to Deliver in Hannover

HANNOVER, Germany, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 72nd IAA TRANSPORTATION will run from September 14 through September 20 at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds in Germany. Under the theme “Engineering the Next Horizon, Delivering the Next Journey” FAW TRUCKS will make a strong showing with five vehicle models, including the CORTRON CS600, and nine core assemblies—opening a dialogue between its historic legacy and its exploration of the future on the global commercial vehicle stage.

During the show, the five vehicles on display will together trace FAW TRUCKS’s 70-year journey from its beginnings to industry leadership. The lineup will include three CORTRON CS tractors spanning diesel and battery-electric powertrain options. Developed for the long-haul transport market, the diesel models feature a new generation of core assemblies developed in-house, reducing vehicle fuel consumption by 15%. The battery-electric model is built on an 800 V high-voltage platform and supports dual-connector CCS2 fast charging at up to 1,000 A, with a single-connector Megawatt Charging System (MCS) available as an option. It also features a dual-motor e-axle with a peak transmission efficiency of 94.5%.

The stand will also feature nine core assemblies developed in-house, including the GD300 and ER540 Power Domains. Spanning multiple energy pathways—including conventional fuels, battery-electric power, and hydrogen—the lineup demonstrates FAW TRUCKS’s strong in-house development capabilities.

Located at Stand B10, Hall 24, the FAW TRUCKS stand features an open-plan design with four themed zones: Low Carbon, Zero Carbon, Ecosystem, and Future. These zones respectively showcase advances in energy efficiency and carbon reduction for conventional powertrains, the new-energy product portfolio, full-lifecycle solutions, and cutting-edge technologies for next-generation intelligent logistics. Each exhibit has its own QR code, while detailed product information is also available on a dedicated microsite. By integrating the on-site and online experiences, FAW TRUCKS extends the exhibition beyond the boundaries of time and place.

At this year’s exhibition, FAW TRUCKS will exhibit alongside partners including FAWER, FAWAY, FAWSN, SmartLink, and Zhuoyu Technology. Together, they will showcase FAW TRUCKS’s transformation from operating solely as a manufacturer to becoming an integrated “products + services + ecosystem” solutions provider, while creating a platform for deeper engagement with customers and the wider industry ecosystem worldwide. Looking ahead, FAW TRUCKS will remain committed to independent technology development, continue advancing its core capabilities in multi-energy powertrains and intelligent connectivity, expand the global reach of Chinese commercial vehicles, and contribute to the high-quality development of the global transport industry.

2026 World Laureates Foundation Prize Unveiled in Shanghai

11 WLF Prize laureates; the first time scientists of Chinese descent have been awarded; inaugural WLF Prize for Young Scientists launched.

SHANGHAI, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from Yicai Global:

On the morning of September 10, the winners of the 2026 World Laureates Foundation Prize (WLF Prize) were officially announced at the Lingang Center in Shanghai. It is the fifth year of the prize since its establishment in 2021, with 11 scientists honored this year. Notably, the WLF Prize for Young Scientists was awarded for the first time, further highlighting outstanding young scientists from around the world. The award ceremony will be held during the World Laureates Forum from October 30 to November 1.

The 2026 WLF Prize is initiated and organized by the World Laureates Foundation (WLF), with prize funding donated exclusively by HongShan and support from the Shanghai Lingang Science and Technology Innovation and Development Foundation.

WU Xiaohua, Chairman of WLF, said in his opening remarks at the press conference that both the number and the quality of nominations for the 2026 WLF Prize reached a multi-year high. Nominees came from leading universities and research institutions in many different countries and regions, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, a testament to the global representation and academic rigor of this year’s nominations. The WLF Prize, he added, has grown into an international science award with broad influence among the world’s top scientists.

I. Honors Unveiled: Three Prizes Recognize Landmark Scientific Breakthroughs

At the press conference, the winners of three categories of the 2026 WLF Prize were announced: one laureate of the WLF Prize in Computer Science or Mathematics (CSM), four laureates of the WLF Prize in Life Science or Medicine (LSM), and six laureates of the inaugural WLF Prize for Young Scientists. Another 10 young researchers were named the WLF Prize for Young Scientist Finalists.

2026 WLF Prize Laureate in Computer Science or Mathematics: Ingrid DAUBECHIES, Duke University. HUA Xiansheng, Executive Director of the Institute of AI for Engineering at Tongji University, announced the laureate and the citation, recognizing her “major contributions in applied harmonic analysis, wavelet theory, and image compression, and her leadership in the international mathematics community.” Michael I. JORDAN, Chair of the WLF Prize Selection Committee in Computer Science or Mathematics, offered an interpretation authoritative assessment of the winner’s work prize-winning work via video. Prof. DAUBECHIES has been responsible for some of the most profound developments in Wavelet theory, most notably the compactly supported continuous wavelet, which gave rigorous mathematical meaning to the notion of locality. Prof. DAUBECHIES will receive a prize of RMB 10 million.

2026 WLF Prize Laureates in Life Science or Medicine: YUAN Junying, Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China; WANG Xiaodong, National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, China; SHAO Feng, National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, China; and Vishva DIXIT, Genentech Inc., USA.

SUN Yongkui, Director of Shanghai Innovative Drug R&D Center, announced the laureates and the citation, honoring them for “elucidating the molecular pathways of distinct forms of programmed cell death, and analyzing the mechanisms through which those pathways govern diverse physiological functions and disease pathogenesis.” Randy SCHEKMAN, Chair of the WLF Prize Selection Committee in Life Science or Medicine, offered an authoritative assessment of the winners’ work via video. The four pioneering scientists were recognized for discoveries that transformed programmed cell death from a set of observed biological phenomena into precisely defined molecular pathways. These four laureates will share a prize of RMB 10 million.

Inaugural WLF Prize for Young Scientists: awarded to six young scientists. PENG Huisheng, Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Vice Chairman of the World Laureates Foundation, announced the winners with their citations. Raphaële Juliette CLÉMENT, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, is awarded “for being a leading young researcher in future energy materials, with significant discoveries in solid-state systems for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. She is a core driving force in the R&D of next-generation battery technologies.” CHEN Peining, Fudan University, is awarded “for breaking through the classical structural paradigm of electronic devices, making major contributions in the field of novel flexible electronic materials and devices, and expected to drive transformative development in human-computer interaction technology and industry.” DING Shiqian, Tsinghua University, is awarded “for being a precision explorer of fundamental physics, achieving pioneering experimental results in continuous‑wave vacuum ultraviolet lasers, the thorium‑229 nuclear clock, and nuclear quantum precision measurements.” WU Jiajun, Stanford University, is awarded “for pioneering foundational architectures for the era of embodied intelligence. He develops physically grounded world models that bridge artificial intelligence and the real physical world, with profound implications for the future of robotics, AI4S, and beyond.” XIE Weidi, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, is awarded “for establishing a highly impactful model of AI4S, achieving major breakthroughs in AI-enabled reasoning, diagnosis, and treatment of rare diseases, and translating these advances into tangible real-world impact on healthcare.” ZHUANG Ziquan, Johns Hopkins University, is awarded “for being a leading figure of the new generation of international mathematicians, and for his fundamental contributions to K-stability and high-dimensional birational geometry.” Each of the six laureates will receive RMB 1 million.

Additionally, 10 young researchers were honored as Finalists for the 2026 WLF Prize for Young Scientists: AI Qingyao, Tsinghua University; Cesar DE LA FUENTE, University of Pennsylvania; LI Tingxin, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; LINGHU Changyang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; LIN Song, Stanford University; PENG Bo, Fudan University; TIAN He, Tsinghua University; WANG Ye, University of Science and Technology of China; WU Qingqing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; and ZHU Keren, Fudan University.

II. Five Years On: Four Milestones That Define the Prize

This year marks the fifth year of the prize. Four distinctive features set the 2026 edition apart: for the first time, scientists of Chinese descent have won in the prize’s history; the WLF Prize for Young Scientists is newly established and open to researchers worldwide; both the diversity of the nominees and the innovation of the award mechanism have reached unprecedented levels.

Through five years of efforts, the WLF Prize has become a new benchmark for international awards. The prize was established in Shanghai in 2021. It has recognized 12 scientists in the past four years. With five laureates in the two senior categories and six in the inaugural young scientist category this year, a total of 23 scientists have now received the WLF Prize—a mark of its rising international standing.

The inaugural WLF Prize for Young Scientists embodies the notion that “The future of science lies in the youth.” The new category underscores WLF Prize’s care and support for young researchers. It also aligns with Shanghai’s drive to build a youth-development-oriented city, which offers a more favorable environment for young people to unleash their potential, and echoes Lingang’s vibrant practice of developing a sci-tech innovation city and fostering “a young city, and a city for the young.”

Scientists of Chinese descent win for the first time, taking a historically high proportion. Three of the four laureates in Life Science or Medicine and five of the six laureates of the inaugural WLF Prize for Young Scientists are of Chinese descent. Meanwhile, among all the scientists nominated for the 2026 WLF Prize, those of Chinese descent accounted for more than half, demonstrating their growing engagement and influence in the world’s frontier research fields.

With their eyes on the stars and feet firmly on the ground, global intellect and industrial forces join hands to stride toward the future. Alongside its focus on breakthroughs in frontier basic science, the WLF Prize actively engaged candidates representing emerging industries and future industries, with special attention to disruptive technological change and the commercialization of innovations. From the mechanisms of cell death to next-generation therapies, and from wavelet theory to modern imaging and data technologies, the recognized work continues to supply original innovation to fields including biomedicine and artificial intelligence.

III. Next Stop, Lingang — The 2026 World Laureates Forum to Kick Off in October

The laureates met with the press via video link during the press conference, reflecting on their research careers and looking ahead to what lies ahead.

The WLF Prize recognizes researchers and technology pioneers who have never received a top award such as the Nobel Prize, the Turing Award, the Wolf Prize, the Abel Prize, the Lasker Award, the Canada Gairdner International Award, or the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. The WLF Prize for Young Scientists, launched this year, aims to identify and recognize outstanding and promising young scientists worldwide. It focuses on basic science and interdisciplinary frontier research, and closely follows emerging trends in the formation of new quality productive forces and future technological innovation. Each medal carries not merely honor, but also expectations for the continuous advancement of scientific exploration. The WLF Prize for Young Scientists recognizes the potential of today and looks forward to future growth. Today’s young laureates may well become world-leading scientists who drive major scientific breakthroughs and claim the WLF Prize tomorrow.

The WLF Prize’s forward-looking vision in identifying original achievements has won repeated recognition from the global scientific community. Dirk GÖRLICH, a 2022 WLF Prize laureate, received the 2025 Lasker Basic Medical Research Award, which is widely regarded as a bellwether for the Nobel Prize. Michael I. JORDAN, also a 2022 WLF Prize laureate, was honored with the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award. Yurii NESTEROV, a 2023 WLF Prize laureate, was awarded the Gauss Prize by the International Congress of Mathematicians in 2026, which is the highest distinction in applied mathematics.

The 2026 WLF Prize award ceremony will be held alongside the opening of the World Laureates Forum, from October 30 to November 1, at the Lingang Center in Shanghai. The laureates will attend the ceremony and Forum sessions, joining discussions under the theme “New Science Paradigm: Break Through for the Next Decade.”

The event was attended by representatives of the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology, Lin-gang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, HongShan, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, East China Normal University, Shanghai University, Shanghai Lingang Science and Technology Innovation and Development Foundation, and the World Laureates Foundation, along with reporters from more than 20 media outlets.

State Grid Suzhou Power Supply Company: Computing‑Power‑Electricity Coordination Empowers High‑Quality Development of the Computing Industry

SUZHOU, China, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, China has witnessed a surging power demand from the computing industry. In Changshu, Suzhou, the electricity load generated by computing infrastructure has grown remarkably. This summer, power consumption increments from the computing sector have overtaken seasonal air-conditioning loads to become the primary driver of regional electricity consumption growth. Concurrently, China’s ongoing market‑oriented power sector reform is deepening, with a series of policies governing electricity trading, green power and green certificate settlement being rolled out.

The Hongyun Technology (Changshu) Big Data Center, a key provincial digital infrastructure project, is now operating at full capacity, delivering robust computing‑power support for the Yangtze River Delta’s digital economy. State Grid Suzhou Power Supply Company has provided full-cycle, tailored power guarantee services for the project. During the construction phase, the company implemented the “Power-on Upon Arrival” service model and deployed a 110kV dual-power supply system to ensure on-schedule power delivery. After official operation, a 24/7 dedicated operation and maintenance system was established to sustain the stable and reliable performance of the center’s computing businesses.

To support the full roll‑out of market‑based power policies, State Grid Suzhou has proactively partnered with Hongyun Technology to take part in power market seminars. It clarifies key operational points for retail power transactions and green power settlement, and encourages enterprises to optimize energy consumption based on market price signals. During the critical summer peak power consumption period, the two parties further deepened government-enterprise collaboration to tap load regulation potential and build a standardized demand response mechanism. By optimizing refrigeration systems, deploying self-contained power supplies, and scheduling non-urgent computing tasks off-peak, the project has achieved an adjustable load capacity of 13,000 kilowatts without compromising core business operations, enabling rapid load reduction within 30 minutes.

Following the implementation of the new transmission and distribution tariff policy, State Grid Suzhou conducted on-site policy briefings and precise electricity cost calculations for Hongyun Technology, helping the enterprise save over ten million yuan in annual electricity expenses. Both parties continue to conduct in-depth research on green power consumption and digital twin applications for data centers. The collaboration is transforming the traditional one-way power supply relationship into a two-way symbiotic digital energy partnership, setting a replicable practical example for the coordinated development of the new power system and the digital economy.

Vietnam-Backed Bauxite Project in Laos Moves Toward 2028 Production

A picture of aluminium smelting project in Sekong Province, southern Laos, is expected to produce 1 million tonnes annually, with operations to begin in 2028.

A major bauxite project in southern Laos is moving closer to production, with Lao and Vietnamese officials now turning their attention to the environmental risks and community impacts of the operation.

A workshop in Vientiane on 10 September brought together officials and project developers to discuss management, technical standards and preparations for a local workforce at the Dakcheung project in Xekong.

Construction of the Dakcheung bauxite mining and alumina processing complex began in late 2022, with production scheduled to start in 2028.

The complex will process bauxite into alumina, allowing Laos to process more of its mineral resources domestically before the material is exported or used in further production.

Phase one of the Dakcheung complex requires is designed to produce 1 million tonnes of alumina annually. Production capacity is planned to increase to 2 million tonnes by 2035.

The project is also expected to create more than 1,000 direct jobs during its first three years, rising to around 1,500–1,800 workers once fully operational.

Developers said they will prioritize local recruitment and training as the project moves toward production.

According to Lao state media, environmental management was a major focus of the discussions in the latest workshop. Talks also included measures to manage water resources, mining waste, and red mud generated during alumina production. 

The project’s developers are Vietnam-Phuong Group (VPG) and its Lao subsidiary VPG Lao-Viet One Member Co., Ltd. (VLV) located in Dakcheung district.

Environmental Concerns

The focus on safeguards comes amid previous environmental and community concerns over bauxite mining in southern Laos.

In 2019, Thai and Chinese investors pursued a bauxite mining project on the Bolaven Plateau in Champasak Province, according to Mekong Watch. The area had already seen communities displaced and lost access to land amid agribusiness and hydropower development.

Despite a government advisory urging restrictions on mining, the project appeared to have been delayed rather than cancelled by mid-2020, raising concerns over potential impacts on livelihoods and the environment.

Lao and Vietnamese officials said the Dakcheung project must therefore combine industrial development with environmental safeguards and measures to limit its impact on local communities.

Emblem, Mascot and Theme Slogan of WCH Beijing 27 Unveiled at One-Year Countdown Event


BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 September 2026 – On 10 September, the one-year countdown event for the World Athletics Championships Beijing 27 (WCH Beijing 27) was held in the Golden Hall of the National Stadium, commonly known as the Bird’s Nest. Amidst the anticipation of the audience, the emblem, mascot, and theme slogan of the WCH Beijing 27 were officially unveiled, conveying the message of Beijing through unique designs.

The Emblem of WCH Beijing 27: Jing Yue
The Emblem of WCH Beijing 27: Jing Yue

The emblem, “Jing Yue”, centred on the Temple of Heaven and the Chinese character “京” (Jing), draws on the expressive charm of Chinese calligraphy, engraves Beijing’s local identity, and radiates the vibrant energy of athletics.

The Mascot of WCH Beijing 27: Jing Yan
The Mascot of WCH Beijing 27: Jing Yan

The mascot, “Jing Yan”, draws inspiration from “Yan’er”, the mascot of the 2015 edition of the Championships. Modelled after the Beijing swift, it symbolises “the return of the swift after 12 years”. The design subtly incorporates traditional Chinese kite patterns and the expressive eye makeup of Peking Opera, while a lightning-bolt dynamic adds a sense of speed. This seamlessly blends natural vitality, culture, art, and athletic competition. It not only nods to the 2015 edition of the Championships, but also brings Beijing’s rich cultural heritage vividly to life.

The theme slogan “Every Step Counts” embodies the relentless competitive spirit that every step and every effort matters. It sends a warm yet resolute message to the world: on the road to excellence, every wholehearted effort holds extraordinary value.

In his video address, President of World Athletics Sebastian Coe noted that Beijing is the first city in the world to have successfully hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics, with a remarkable record of staging world-class events. He said the World Championships Beijing 2015 produced many iconic moments, and that World Athletics firmly believes China will stage the 2027 edition of the Championships to the highest possible standard and deliver an unforgettable sporting spectacular for audiences across the globe.

The World Athletics Championships Beijing 27 will be held at the National Stadium from 10 to 19 September 2027. More than 2,000 athletes from over 200 countries and regions will gather at the Bird’s Nest for this grand athletics celebration.
Hashtag: #WCHBeijing27 #EveryStepCounts

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Seven Years of Data Raise the Alarm for Shui Hau: WWF-Hong Kong Releases Conservation Report and Hosts Science Forum to Build Consensus on Protecting Horseshoe Crabs and the Sandflat


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 September 2026 – WWF-Hong Kong (WWF) today released Recommendation Report for Conservation of Shui Hau Sandflat, revealing an alarming trend in one of Hong Kong’s most unique marine ecosystems: Based on seven years of ecological data collected at Shui Hau sandflat, the study confirms that Shui Hau remains a critical stronghold for the Chinese Horseshoe Crab (Tachypleus tridentatus). However, overall clam density has declined precipitously by 65% since 2018, reflecting the current harvesting activity has exceeded sustainable levels. This poses an immediate threat to the sandflat ecosystem and directly jeopardises the survival of globally Endangered horseshoe crabs. The overall trend is deeply concerning, underscoring the urgent need to implement science-based conservation measures more urgent than ever.

These findings, collected through WWF’s community-based conservation project, paint a complex picture of ecological stress and behavioural shifts along Shui Hau’s coastline. While the sandflat continues to support significant number of juvenile horseshoe crabs, made up largely by the globally endangered Chinese Horseshoe Crab, its dependent habitat faces mounting pressure from escalating clam harvesting activities.

“Grounded in scientific evidence and informed by the expertise of ecologists, academics and conservation groups, this report presents a range of practical recommendations and calls on all sectors to take action for the sustainable future of Shui Hau.” said Kelvin So, Oceans Conservation Manager at WWF-Hong Kong. “The science is clear: the ecological health of Shui Hau is at a tipping point, and we must act now to balance recreational use with the survival of threatened species.”

Key Findings of the Report:

  • Alarming Decline in Clam Populations: A 65% decline in overall clam density since 2018 signals that current harvesting pressure is ecologically unsustainable, placing enormous pressure on the ecosystem, with negative impact rippling through the entire food web.
  • High Vulnerability of Horseshoe Crabs: Analysis reveals a 16% overlap between juvenile horseshoe crab habitat and recreational activity zones. Critically, over 70% of all horseshoe crab sightings were concentrated within just 6% of the sandflat. This extreme concentration means that even minor human disturbances—such as trampling and digging—can have a devastating impact on the population.
  • Positive Behavioural Shift in Visitors: Despite a marked decline in clam numbers, the study observed a positive shift in visitor behaviour. A higher proportion of visitors now proactively avoid collecting immature clams, demonstrating that sustained public education efforts, including the distribution of the WWF-developed clam gauges are effectively driving noticeable compliance with sustainable harvesting.
  • Technology-enabled Smart Conservation: The project successfully integrated advanced technologies, including AI-assisted clam size monitoring and real-time IoT spatial visitor tracking, to monitor the site. This “Smart Conservation” approach helps advance adaptive management, ensuring conservation strategies remain responsive to real-time ecological and visitor dynamics.

“In Hong Kong, there are few examples of ecologically important coastal sites where systematic monitoring has been conducted consistently across multiple years, generating the datasets needed for meaningful comparisons,” said Professor Hui Tin-yan, Assistant Professor, Division of Science, Lingnan University, and a core member of the expert group. “WWF’s seven years of continuous monitoring at Shui Hau Sandflat have generated a rare dataset that allows us to detect ecological changes, and to understand how human activities are influencing ecological conditions over time. These long-term data not only demonstrate Shui Hau’s significant conservation value, but also provide an important foundation for developing future targeted management measures.”

The report presents concrete conservation recommendations to the Hong Kong government and key stakeholders, advocating for an integrated management model that combines robust science, community participation, and statutory governance. Recent observations, including visitor surges during major holiday periods such as the Labour Day Golden Week, suggest that recreational pressure on Shui Hau is likely to increase further. WWF-Hong Kong believes there is now a golden opportunity to establish proactive management measures before ecological impacts become irreversible. WWF-Hong Kong urges the government to implement four key actions, including:

  • Zoning Management Strategy: Designating a “Biodiversity Management Zone” to protect ecologically sensitive horseshoe crab and waterbird hotspots, while allowing controlled public access in a designated “Wise Use Zone”.
  • Visitor Capacity Management: Establishing a science-based daily visitor carrying capacity supported by real-time monitoring and alert systems to prevent overcrowding.
  • Clam Harvesting Management: Introducing minimum size restrictions and quotas, alongside incentive mechanisms for voluntary clam release.
  • Clamming Tool Management: Restricting the use of high-impact tools that disrupt sediment layers, while permitting only lower-impact tools like small hand rakes.

On the same day, WWF-Hong Kong hosted the “Shui Hau Sandflat Science and Conservation Forum,” bringing together representatives from government advisory committees and departments, academia, conservation groups, environmental consultants and other stakeholders to share the latest research findings and practical experience on horseshoe crab conservation, intertidal ecology and the Shui Hau sandflat.

During the Forum, participants exchanged views on topics including horseshoe crab conservation, blue carbon ecosystems, visitor management and community engagement, discussing how cross-sector collaboration, grounded in scientific data, can drive the long-term conservation for the site going forward.

Speaking at the forum, Professor Cheung Siu-Gin, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, another member of the expert group, said: “One of the most distinctive features of the Shui Hau sandflat is that juvenile Chinese Horseshoe Crabs are not evenly distributed across the sandflat, but are instead highly concentrated in a small area of core habitats. This pattern is relatively rare among Hong Kong’s coastal ecosystems. From a conservation perspective, effectively protecting these key areas brings significant benefits, conversely, even minor disturbance to these core habitats could have a far greater impact than we might expect.”

” Our recommendations allow people to continue enjoy this secluded bay while critical biodiversity areas receive targeted protection they need.” said Lydia Pang, Head of Oceans Conservation at WWF-Hong Kong. ” Our long-term data clearly alerts us the risk of environmental degradation while guiding us to identify the most ecologically sensitive habitats. To ensure its long-term sustainability, we must move beyond voluntary measures. The government’s Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) 2035 provides a clear vision to enhance conservation of Shui Hau through area-based conservation. We stand ready to work closely with all stakeholders to safeguard this irreplaceable natural asset.”

Link to download the completed report and event photos : https://wwf.hk/Shui-Hau-Report-Photos

Hashtag: #WWF #WWFHK #馬蹄蟹 #水口 #中國鱟 #保育 #HorseshoeCrab #ShuiHau #ChineseHorseshoeCrab #conservation




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

About WWF-Hong Kong

WWF is a leading global conservation organisation, with a network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. WWF-Hong Kong has been working since 1981 to deliver solutions for a living planet through conservation, footprint and education programmes, with the aim of transforming Hong Kong into Asia’s most sustainable city. More details on .

TCMA Receives Two National Awards, Highlighting Thailand’s Cement Industry Progress Towards Net Zero 2050


BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 September 2026 – Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) has received two major national recognitions in 2026, highlighting the progress of Thailand’s cement industry in translating its Net Zero 2050 ambition into practical action through collaboration across government, industry, technology, finance and international partners.

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TCMA received the Thai Climate Partnership: DCCE Climate Partner Award from the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in recognition of its continued collaboration to advance climate action in Thailand. TCMA also received the Trade Prestige Award 2026 at the Excellent Level from the Department of Business Development (DBD), Ministry of Commerce, for the fourth consecutive year, recognizing its contribution to industry competitiveness and Thailand’s economic development.

“These recognitions reflect the power of collective action. The transition to Net Zero cannot be achieved by any single organization or sector. It requires collaboration that connects policy, technology, investment and implementation, both within Thailand and internationally,” said Mr. Surachai Nimla-or, Chairman of TCMA.

A key framework guiding the industry’s transition is the Thailand 2050 Net Zero Cement and Concrete Roadmap, which brings together technology, innovation, standards, energy transition and economic mechanisms to reduce emissions across the cement and concrete value chain.

One of the most significant areas of progress has been the broad adoption of hydraulic cement, a lower-carbon cement that has become mainstream in Thailand and is increasingly used across infrastructure, public buildings, industrial facilities and housing. The transition has contributed to cumulative greenhouse gas emissions reductions of more than 3.8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent since 2019. In parallel, the industry is advancing energy transition and energy efficiency, including greater use of alternative fuels and renewable energy, together with efforts to improve energy performance across cement production.

At the local level, the Saraburi Sandbox is providing a practical environment to connect policy, technology, investment and implementation, with the aim of testing solutions that can be replicated and scaled.

International cooperation and financing are supporting the transition from ambition to implementation. TCMA has worked with international partners through the Decarbonization of Cement and Concrete Sectors in Thailand initiative, supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), UNIDO and the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA). The programme supports technology development, standards and certification, capacity building and practical pathways for low-carbon cement and concrete. It also includes the development and demonstration of innovative solutions, including a Mobile Carbon Capture Unit (MCCU) pilot, providing a platform to explore carbon capture technologies under real industrial conditions and build knowledge for future scale-up.

At the regional level, TCMA is supporting the development of the 2035 AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap, helping cement producers across ASEAN move towards a common direction on decarbonization while strengthening regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.

The transition to a low-carbon cement sector requires more than technology alone. It depends on an enabling ecosystem that brings together policy and regulatory frameworks, technology and innovation, finance and investment, standards and certification, and effective governance and implementation. These elements are increasingly important to strengthen industrial competitiveness and support Thailand’s transition towards a low-carbon economy.

“The next stage is about moving from individual initiatives and pilots to wider implementation and scale. We need an environment where technology providers, investors, governments, academia and industry can work together to develop solutions that are technically viable, economically meaningful and scalable,” Mr. Surachai said.

“For Thailand, the Net Zero transition is also an opportunity to strengthen industrial competitiveness and create new opportunities for innovation, investment and international cooperation. Continued collaboration across sectors and across borders will be essential to turn shared ambitions into practical solutions and lasting value for Thailand and the region,” he added.

Building on these achievements, Thailand’s cement industry is entering “The NEXT Chapter to Net Zero 2050,” with a focus on scaling technology and innovation, accelerating energy and circular economy transitions, and strengthening the enabling conditions for long-term, collaborative action across Thailand and the region.
Hashtag: #TCMA #TCMAtoNetZero2050 #NextChapterToNetZero2050 #CementDecarbonization #ClimateSolutionsPartner #InternationalCollaboration #ClimateFinance #CleanTechnology

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