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HKU Engineering researchers develop a soft colour-changing system that may lead to revolutionary optical devices

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 25 September 2023 – Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) designed an innovative pixalated soft colour-changing system called Morphable Concavity Array (MoCA).

(MoCA): a pixelated colour-changing soft system that mimics the colour-changing structure of butterfly wing.
(MoCA): a pixelated colour-changing soft system that mimics the colour-changing structure of butterfly wing.

Pixelated soft colour-changing systems are malleable structures that, by manipulating light, can change colour. They have applications in a wide range of industries, from medical bandages that change colour if there in a infection, to foldable screens on smartphones and tablets, as well as wearble technology where sensors are itegrated into the clothing fabric.

The research was co-directed by Professor Anderson Ho Cheung Shum from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at HKU, and Professor Mingzhu Li from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and led by Dr Yi Pan from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at HKU.

MoCA fabricated by the HKU researchers is a thin (its thickness is about 3 human hairs) rubber-like structure that consists of two layers – the top layer is a photonic crystal elastomer actuator (PC-EA) film and the bottom one is a hole array – a lattice with regularly spaced round holes.

The PC-EA film itself consists of two layers – an elastomer layer (GPDMS) on top and and a hydrogel layer (pNIPAM) below.

If ethanol is added to the pNIPAM layer, it swells, and the resulting tension pulls the elastomer GPDMS layer downwards into the hole in the array, producing a dish-like concave shape called morphable concavity (MoC) that acts as a pixel. After the concavity is formed, the red light is blocked and the visible colour of the pixel changes from red to blue.

MoCA was inspired by the stuctures on butterfly wings called dual-colour micro-concavities that produce vibrant, irredescent colours.

Dual-colour micro-concavities are tiny pits which block certain wavelength of light, producing two different colors depending on the angle of light and the viewer’s perspective. On butterfly wings these pits are arranged into a regular structures known as photonic crystals.

MoCA reproduces butterfly wing’s photonic crystal, and is revolutionary as the first example of a pixelated colour-changing system that relies on flat and concave structures to produce different colours.

“The colour-changing strategy of MoCA is achieved by changing its local morphology, specifically by controlling the transition between ‘flat’ and ‘concave’ states. This sets MoCA apart from other pixelated colour-changing systems,” said Dr Pan.

Another breakthrough is that the colour changes in pixels can be manipulated individually, because in MoCA each pixel is connected to an individual “piping system” through which ethanol is delivered.

“We use multi-channel microfluidics to introduce and remove solvents to manipulate MoCA, offering a complementary approach to the conventional electrochromic methods,” explained Dr Pan.

MoCA can be used for counterfitting – for example concealing in products, such as clothing, patterns or QR codes that can only be visible under certain conditions. HKU team’s long term goal, however, is to use the principles behind MoCA – soft matter and microfluidics, to construct optical devices that mimic, and surpass, the capabilities of compound eyes of insects.

Compound eyes contain multiple light-processing structures and offer several advantages over non-compound vision, such as wider field of vision and the ability to focus on multiple objects at the same time.

Deformation of the crystalline lens in the human eye allows us to focus on different distances, explains Professor Shum. MoCA’s technology where individual units can be deformed – made change shape from flat to concave, can be harnessed to create multiple lenses that can change focus individually.

Crystalline lenses have their own adavantages such as greater focusing ability, higher resolution, and better colour perception.

“Optical devices with a combination of the compound eye and the crystalline lens, would not only imitate nature but transcend it,” said professor Shum.

The results were published in Advanced Science as “Pixelating Responsive Structural Color via a Bioinspired Morphable Concavity Array (MoCA) Composed of 2D Photonic Crystal Elastomer Actuators.”

Declaration: The use of materials from this paper (Yi Pan, Chang Li, Xiaoyu Hou, Zhenyu Yang, Mingzhu Li, Ho Cheung Shum. Pixelating Responsive Structural Color via a Bioinspired Morphable Concavity Array (MoCA) Composed of 2D Photonic Crystal Elastomer Actuators. Advanced Science, 2023, 10, 2300347.) follows the terms of its CC BY 4.0 license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and all materials are used without any changes.

Link to the paper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202300347

Hashtag: #HKU

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

Introducing ABeam Consulting As A Proud Partner In SAP’s Regional Strategic Service Partner (RSSP) Initiative

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 25 September 2023 – ABeam Consulting Singapore, a leading consulting firm in Singapore specialising in business transformation, proudly announces their partnership as the world’s first company to join SAP’s Regional Strategic Service Partner (RSSP) Initiative. This strategic collaboration amplifies ABeam’s Consulting capabilities and reaches in the Asia Pacific Japan (APJ) region, propelling the company’s rapid growth trajectory.

Caption


The RSSP initiative, distinct from SAP’s existing Global Strategic Services Partner (GSSP) program, empowers SAP partners in APJ to scale their SAP practice swiftly and fosters closer collaboration with SAP Consulting to ensure joint customer success. The programme facilitates partnerships within the region, focusing on partner entities that show specific capability and capacity requirements tailored to APJ.

To qualify for the RSSP initiative, ABeam Consulting met and exceeded a comprehensive set of SAP criteria, including geographical presence, vertical industry competencies, and alignment on a joint sustainability strategy. This achievement showcases ABeam Consulting’s commitment to excellence and positions the company as a trusted partner for SAP in the APJ region.

“APJ is one of the fastest-growing regions for SAP, and our partner ecosystem plays an integral role in customers’ transformation. With over 24,000 registered partners globally and close to 20% in APJ, there is a large SAP-certified community that can benefit customers and the broader ecosystem,” said Paul Marriott, President APJ, SAP. “Congratulations to ABeam Consulting on becoming our first partner to join the Regional Strategic Services Partner initiative. We look forward to amplifying ABeam’s SAP expertise across the region and drive more innovations for customers. And I look forward to welcoming more regional partners to the RSSP initiative.”

By joining the RSSP initiative, ABeam Consulting gains access to strategic support from SAP, including coordinated industry-aligned solutions, joint go-to-market strategies, and invaluable expertise from SAP’s regional and market unit industry professionals. This collaboration further strengthens ABeam Consulting’s partnership with SAP and drives the expansion of its business operations from a country level to a regional scale.

“It gives us great pride to know that ABeam Consulting is the world’s first partner on board SAP’s Regional Strategic Services Partner initiative. This is a recognition of the fast growth of SAP business in Asia Pacific and the quality of our flexible and adaptive services that take into account diverse local business practices and needs. It also highlights our advantages in delivering cutting-edge solutions and realising customer value, as well as the scalability of our integrated deployment across our Asian offices. This initiative further strengthens our partnership with SAP while driving the ABeam Consulting growth strategy aimed at making us the No. 1 consulting firm in Asia as a social change accelerator,” said Tatsuya Kamoi, President and CEO, ABeam Consulting.

As a longstanding partner of SAP, ABeam Consulting has consistently delivered corporate transformations, high-value services and cutting-edge initiatives to customers. The company remains dedicated to effecting social change in each sub-region of Asia and expanding its footprint in the Indian market. Through the co-creation of innovative solutions with SAP and promoting SAP S/4HANA Cloud, public edition across the APJ region, ABeam Consulting aims to drive digitalisation and support its clients in achieving true business renewal.

With over 30 years of collaboration, ABeam Consulting’s enduring partnership with SAP, coupled with its proactive adoption of the latest technologies, enables the company to provide SAP consulting services that empower clients to unlock their full potential.

The partnership between SAP and ABeam Consulting offers a multitude of benefits:

  1. Streamlined Operations: SAP’s innovative software solutions consolidate data from various departments into a single, accurate source. This streamlines operations by providing real-time insights to employees, breaking down organizational silos, and fostering collaboration.
  2. Informed Decision-Making: With seamless access to critical information, decision-makers are equipped to make informed choices. This leads to refined processes and optimized workflows, enhancing overall efficiency.
  3. Enhanced Customer Experiences: SAP’s data centralization enables businesses to create personalized customer experiences. By leveraging comprehensive customer insights, companies can tailor their offerings, promoting customer loyalty and satisfaction.
  4. Cutting-Edge Technology: SAP employs in-memory computing, elevating Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to new heights. This technology processes vast amounts of data, enabling advanced AI and machine learning capabilities. This empowers businesses with deeper insights, trend prediction, and automated decision-making, fostering innovation.
  5. Tailored Solutions: ABeam Consulting’s personalized consultants collaborate with experts to understand the organization’s unique challenges. They recommend and implement the most fitting SAP software solutions to adeptly address your specific needs.

In summary, the partnership between SAP and ABeam Consulting combines SAP’s cutting-edge software solutions with ABeam’s expertise to optimize operations, inform decision-making, enhance customer experiences, leverage advanced technology, and deliver tailored solutions to businesses, ultimately driving unprecedented success.

Furthermore, ABeam Consulting has exceptional recognition as world-class ERP implementation standards and best practices and is guaranteed by the SAP Partner of the Year Award for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023).

Hashtag: #abeam #sapconsulting #consultingfirmsingapore #consultingservices

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

About ABeam Consulting Singapore Ltd.

ABeam Consulting Singapore is an integrated management – a subsidiary of ABeam Consulting Ltd. – headquartered in Tokyo, providing comprehensive business transformation services across a wide range of industries, including strategy, BPR, IT, organisation/personnel, data analytics, outsourcing, and other domains of specialised expertise. With approximately 7,500 consultants all over the world, ABeam Consulting combines industry knowledge and best practices with an entrepreneurial approach to help clients achieve their business objectives.

For more information, visit www.abeam.com/sg or

Experience Tainan’s Rich Heritage, a Muse for “Someday or One Day”

TAINAN, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 25 September 2023 – As the starting point of Taiwan’s history, Tainan is home to well-preserved historical sites and traditional culture. A wealth of historical value and anecdotes is to be found every step of the way. No wonder Tainan ranks, alongside Kyoto, Hoi An, Bangkok, and Seoul, as one of the top five must-visit cities to experience Asian traditional cultures. Furthermore, donning Tainan’s traditional attire (qipao) to immerse in its cultural and historical charms has become a memory cherished and shared by visitors from around the world. A trip to Tainan can easily evoke a sense of time travel, taking the visitor back to how the city has evolved over four centuries.

Photo: Tainan's tourist attractions (from left to right): Confucius Temple Cultural Park, Anping Old Fort, Koxinga Shrine
Tainan’s tourist attractions (from left to right): Confucius Temple Cultural Park, Anping Old Fort, Koxinga Shrine

Want to savor the popular drama “Someday or One Day” again? This can be easily done by taking a journey to Tainan and being part of a massive international tourist event. A comprehensive map of filming locations for both the TV and cinematic versions has been created for fans everywhere. Retrace Huang Yu-hsuan’s steps to Three Two Record Store that leads to her changing upon key clues; Grandma Mo’s Shaved Ice Shop at Madou, Fengnan Senior High School at Liuying, and the spot for watching sunrise on New Year’s Day at Zuozhen. Be at the very scenes where the main characters have their classic dialogues. Tainan’s unique retro style promises infinite surprises.

Traversing the span of 400 years, it takes a mere 3-hour flight from Vietnam to the ancient city of Tainan. Join your friends or family to put on qipaos for a stroll through Tainan’s historical alleys and backstreets, immersing yourselves in the charm of the city’s four-century history. Indulge in the culinary delights of Michelin-starred restaurants and century-old establishments. Stay in uniquely designed boutique homestays available for exclusive bookings. Tainan, with its cornucopia of sightseeing resources, has secured multiple travel safety certifications and implemented a full range of visitor-friendly measures. It promises to host every international visitor with the highest standards of hospitality that only befits an international city wholeheartedly dedicated to tourism.

Since Taiwan reopened its borders to international visitors on October 13, 2022, Tainan has emerged as one of the most recommended destinations. High on the list of Tainan’s diverse and rich tourist attractions are the Sicao Green Tunnel, also fondly known as the “Little Amazon River”; the Chimei Museum that is distinctly reminiscent of European palaces; Taiwan’s oldest salt fields; historical buildings scattered throughout its streets and alleyways. Moreover, Tainan will celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2024. As is only fitting for this auspicious occasion, the city will host the Taiwan Lantern Festival, the most important annual event for Taiwan’s tourism industry. Together with the Longci Light Festival, Yuejin Lantern Festival, Puji Temple’s Lantern Festival, Chenggong Lantern Festival, and Shennong Street Lantern Festival, what awaits visitors is no less than the grandest event of its kind ever in this country. That’s not all. The World Orchid Conference Trust (WOCT) has also chosen Tainan as host to both the 23rd World Orchid Conference and the 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show, a World Cup-like event for the orchid community that only takes place every three years. International travelers are invited to enjoy both the Taiwan Lantern Festival and the international orchid show at the same time.

Tainan City Government spares no effort in promoting tourism. Priority is given to attracting more international visitors and encouraging local tour groups to stay and spend in the city. Thus, the 2023 Incentive Program for the Travel Industry to Attract International Tourists has been implemented with a view to driving the city’s tourism industry and enhancing its appeal to international tourists. For the latest in Tainan’s tourist attractions and events, please go to Travel Tainan or its Facebook fanpage: https://www.twtainan.net/en; https://www.facebook.com/traveltainan/?locale=zh_TW.

Hashtag: #TainanCityGovernment

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

BOL Chief Calls For More Cooperation in Launching Cross-Border Payment Systems

BOL Chief Calls For More Cooperation in Launching Cross-Border Payment Systems
Dr. Bounluea Sinxayvoraving, Governor of the Bank of Laos

Dr. Bounluea Sinxayvoraving, Governor of the Bank of Laos, spoke at the 15th ASEAN-China Financial Cooperation and Development Summit Forum in Nanning, China, calling for the use of local currency in cross-boundary payments.

The Hong Kong Enterprise Achievement Award 2023

Organized by Echolade, a brand of Pulse Radar Limited

Recognizing outstanding companies

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 25 September 2023 – Organized by Echolade, a brand of Pulse Radar Limited, the Hong Kong Enterprise Achievement Award 2023 Presentation Ceremony was successfully held on 21 September 2023 at the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel. The event celebrated the remarkable contributions and accomplishments of companies and organizations from various industries, and was attended by representatives of the award winners and distinguished VIP guests.

press release photo collage.jpg

The Hong Kong Enterprise Achievement Award 2023

Organized by Echolade, a brand of Pulse Radar Limited, the Hong Kong Enterprise Achievement Award (HKEA Award) aims to encourage outstanding businesses and community leaders across different sectors to uphold their innovative spirit and steer their industries forward through top-notch products and services. It also provides an opportunity to showcase to the public the business acumen of local entrepreneurs and their continuous commitment to the community, all while acknowledging their endeavours and achievements.

This year’s HKEA Award garnered an overwhelming response from a diverse range of industries, such as IT, e-commerce, asset management, real estate, insurance, accounting, legal, AI, Web3 and digital assets, healthcare, construction, manufacturing, trade, education, food and beverage, marketing, language services, human resources, ESG, and corporate consultancy. A total of 15 companies were selected as winners from a pool of numerous participating organizations by a panel of professional judges with an emphasis on “Corporate Management and Administration”, “Creativity In Products and Services”, and “Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)”. The award recognizes Hong Kong and international corporations that have made commendable contributions to Hong Kong amid a challenging economic environment, affirming their accomplishments. To elevate the grandeur of the occasion, Mr Walter Jennings, CEO of Asia Insight Circle, was invited to be the guest of honour at the awards ceremony.

Winners of the Hong Kong Enterprise Achievement Award 2023 (in alphabetical order)

Company Award
AI Digital Group Most Outstanding ESG and Sustainability Solution Provider of the Year
Alphaslab International Company Limited Most Outstanding Recruitment Agency of the Year
Antares Vision Asia Pacific, Ltd. Most Outstanding Pharmaceutical Solution Provider of the Year
Bela Offices Most Outstanding Serviced Office Provider of the Year
Calla Woods Limited Most Outstanding Real Estate and Construction Consultancy of the Year
Chelsfield Asia Most Outstanding Asset Manager of the Year
Cloudbreakr Most Outstanding Social Media Analytics Company of the Year
Hospitality Impact Consulting Limited Most Outstanding Hospitality Consultancy of the Year
Index Game Most Outstanding Metaverse Agency of the Year
LOST Most Outstanding Entertainment Provider of the Year
Management Resources Consultants (MRC-Asia) Most Outstanding Remuneration & Predictive Analytics Consulting Firm of the Year
Mergon Creative Limited Most Outstanding Language Solutions Provider of the Year
NORTHFIELD GLOBAL Limited Most Outstanding Commodity Trading Firm of the Year
Strategic Sports Limited Most Outstanding Sports Helmet Manufacturer of the Year
TALON Most Outstanding Esports Team of the Year

Hashtag: #Echolade #PulseRadar


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

Pulse Radar Limited and Echolade

With over a decade of industry experience, Pulse Radar Limited is a Hong Kong-based public relations and media company. It was founded by seasoned marketing and media professionals who aim to provide an online and offline marketing and promotional platform for SMEs and start-ups in Hong Kong. Pulse Radar appreciates and acknowledges the entrepreneurial spirit of local business leaders and their long-standing commitment to the community.

With this in mind, Pulse Radar launched Echolade and the Hong Kong Enterprise Achievement Award to share the inspiring stories of businesspeople with every Hong Kong citizen, thereby promoting their entrepreneurial journey and fostering their business development. In line with the post-pandemic business landscape, the Echolade Award aims to facilitate knowledge sharing across all business sectors and provide inspiration for everyone. Echolade regularly organizes large-scale events, including award ceremonies and business leader meetings, to honour outstanding enterprises. This platform enables individuals from different backgrounds to network and explore business opportunities.

GAZOO Racing (GR) GT Cup Asia 2023: Bold strategies pay off for new Asia champion Andika Rama

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 25 September 2023 – The GAZOO Racing (GR) GT Cup Asia 2023 played out across three heart-thumping races on Sunday, 24 September 2023. E-motorsports enthusiasts saw 15 local qualifiers – from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand – pit their driving skills, dexterity, and wits against one another, as they battled for the regional championship title and a spot in the Global Finals.

GR GT Cup Asia 2023 Winners Group Photo.jpg

This year’s GR GT Cup Asia saw a change in race format where all regional finalists participated in a total of three races on PlayStation®’s “Gran Turismo 7”. The first race, played on Mount Panorama with GT Supra Gr.4 cars, began with a 5-minute time attack as a qualifying round to determine grid positions, followed by a 15-minute race. The second race on the Tokyo Expressway – East Clockwise track was played with Race 1’s grid positions reversed using GR Corolla cars over a 25-minute race time. The third and final race, played on the legendary Spa Francorchamps racetrack with GR010 Hybrid Hypercars, once again began with a 5-minute time attack qualifying round, before concluding with a 35-minute race amidst dynamic weather. The championship was determined from cumulative points earned through finishing positions in all three races, the first five positions in qualifying rounds, and bonus points for the fastest laps in each of the three races. At the end of the competition, the two highest scoring finalists will proceed to the Global Finals, slated for November in Barcelona, Spain.

Indonesia’s Andika Rama came out tops with a total of 65 points throughout the competition. Slow and steady won Rama the race, with the seasoned racer clocking 4th and 5th places in Race 1 and 2 before boldly claiming pole position in Race 3 by maximizing his time on track against increasingly bad weather. The Philippines’ Luis Moreno similarly bided his time, securing 6th and 4th place in earlier races before scorching to pole position in Race 3’s qualifying round, and maintaining his podium spot in the race to come out overall second in the championship with 52 points. Singapore’s Fadtris Isa and Malaysia’s Dhanesh Wigneswaran also performed remarkably, although several misjudgments in weather and pitting put them further down on the championship table.

“I knew that my pace in the final race was not as good as Luis and Dhanesh, so even though it started to rain, the wetness on track was low, I gambled on another two laps with hard tires while everyone went to pit. I tried to manage my pace after pitting, and it paid off,” Rama recounted elatedly. “I’m thankful to my family, friends, and fans who are here watching me live or online at home, and of course grateful to Toyota Indonesia for supporting us all the way. I look forward to racing with Luis at the Global Finals against our Italian and Japanese peers.”

Aside from the revised race format keeping things fresh for spectators, the fourth season of the GR GT Cup Asia in 2023 continues to underscore Toyota’s commitment in making e-motorsports accessible across generations, by enabling racing enthusiasts from around the region to experience the thrill and joy of competitive racing. Fans and participants were also treated to a visual feast of fascinating livery designs inspired by each participating country’s national colors.

“We are thrilled to see strong, continued support for the fourth edition of the GAZOO Racing GT Cup Asia. All racers displayed exceptional skills that were spectacularly demonstrated, even across the various racing conditions. We hope that GR Asia brought a thrilling evening of entertainment to E-motorsports fans around the region, particularly with our all-new race format and colorful livery designs displayed throughout the competition,” said Jaja Ishibashi, General Manager at Toyota Motor Asia Pacific. “My heartiest congratulations to all racers for a putting up a wonderful race today, and all the best to Andika Rama and Luis Moreno for the upcoming Global Finals.”

Andika Rama and Luis Moreno will represent Asia and race against some of the world’s best e-Motorsport racers in the TGR GT Global Finals slated for November.

GR GT Cup Asia 2023 – Highlights of the Regional Finals

Beginning the competition at sunrise on Australia’s Mount Panorama, a tight 5-minute qualifying round saw this year’s youngest racer, Singapore’s Fadtris Isa at 19 years old, secure pole position for the race, with Malaysians Taj Aiman and Dhanesh Wigneswaran locking second and third position respectively, and Indonesians Benaya Theo and GR GT Cup veteran Andika Rama in fourth and fifth position respectively.

In the 7-lap race, Benaya Theo suffered technical issues, putting him out for much of the race, while Aiman quickly shot past Isa to hold a strong lead for the first half of the race. After pitting for a switch of tires from soft to medium however, Isa chased down Aiman to snatch the lead back in lap 6, spectacularly winning the first race with a 0.6 second lead ahead of Aiman, and Wigneswaran shortly behind in third place. Aiman and Wigneswaran each served three-second penalties, giving the podium finish for Race 1 to Fadtris Isa (Singapore), Andika Rama (Indonesia), and Ethan Yoh (Singapore).

Moving on to the second race, held on Tokyo Expressway, a grueling and enthralling 11 lap battle went underway – with Benaya Theo looking to put behind his disappointment from the first event. Reverse starting grid placed him in prime spot – pole position – a racer’s dream. Cue to the main event, the smooth and flowing nature of the street circuit saw numerous battles, with racers constantly trading positions through the track’s tight and undulating turns. Matthew Ang from the Philippines saw his championship hopes dashed as he crashed into the barriers midway through the race, leaving him dead last. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Zaim Rasyad found himself in clear air up at the front. Next up was the pit window, where huge changes in tire and race strategies came into play, bringing Theo to the fore. By constantly drafting alongside Malaysia’s Chong Kai Chang and Thailand’s Thanaphat Pungphat, Theo came home in first place, marginally pipping Pungphat and Chong to the line, in P2 and P3 respectively.

The competition concluded at the iconic Spa Francorchamps in Belgium. Drivers equipped with GR010 Hybrid Hypercars made their preparations for the 5-minute qualifying round. The Philippines’ Luis Moreno lit up the timing screens on his way to pole position with the fastest time, closely followed by Wigneswaran, Theo, Isa, and Rama – a huge indicator of the competition standards one can expect in the upper echelons of regional motorsports.

The action ensued in the final race, as nine of fifteen racers racked up time penalties, eager to pip ahead of one another. Aiman – runner up in the first event – suffered technical issues that unfortunately ended his race early. Back at the front, Moreno maintained a comfortable lead for the first few laps. However, complications showed up on lap 5. The previously sunny weather had very quickly turned overcast, with racers furiously watching the weather radar for spots of precipitation. What started out as a light drizzle soon turned into a monsoon-like downpour, soaking the track and limiting visibility. Tire choices soon became crucial, as then-championship leader, Isa, made the ultimately premature switch to intermediate tires. Rasyad and Theo followed suit, and while others chose to hop onto medium tires, banking on a passing shower, the rain only got heavier. Rama, holding steady amidst a mad rush to the pits for tires, stayed out on the hard compound, timing the pits to perfection. He exited his pitstop on lap 8 and came home cool and composed to win the final race. Coming in second, Wigneswaran put in a valiant effort, closing the gap from seven to less than two seconds, followed closely with third place Moreno pulling up five seconds behind.

Prizes were awarded to the top three racers (by individual cumulative points earned) and top three country teams (by total points earned per country). Andika Rama (Indonesia) earned 6,000 USD with a final tally of 65 points, Luis Moreno (Philippines) earned 3,000 USD with 52 points, while Fadtris Isa (Singapore) earned 1,500 USD with 49 points. In the team championship, Team Indonesia secured 6,000 USD with an impressive total of 122 points, Team Malaysia settled with 3,000 USD with a total of 105 points, followed closely by Team Singapore on 98 points to get the final cash prize of 1,500 USD.

To re-watch the Regional Finals for GR GT Cup Asia 2023, please click here.

Hashtag: #ToyotaMotorAsiaPacific

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

About the GR GT Cup Asia

GR GT Cup Asia is the regional online race, which will bring together the top gamers from each of the participating countries in Asia to pit their skills against each other.

Players will race in “Gran Turismo 7” on their PlayStation®4*1 (PS4®) or PlayStation®5*1 (PS5®) in a selected Toyota GR line-up.

Under the global vision of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, e-Motorsports has evolved to be one of the key pillars of TGR motorsport activities and is an exclusive platform to engage with the increasing motorsport-lovers around the world.

About TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR)

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) is TOYOTA’s racing company where motorsports activities are a key pursuit of product development. Its ethos builds on a heritage of more than 60 years in excellence in “making ever-better cars”. With this aim, the company takes into account feedback and learnings gained on tough racing roads under harsh environments to create thrill and joy of racing Toyota GR cars for everyone.

About Toyota Motor Asia Pacific

Toyota Motor Asia Pacific [TMAP] is incorporated in Singapore and is the regional corporate headquarters and subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. TMAP leads and supports the Asia Pacific region in sales and marketing activities, service parts, accessories and customer services, thus contributing to the overall development of auto industry and the growing economies in the region.

Toyota envisions the future mobility society to bring freedom of movement to all. Moving forward, Toyota will provide a diverse range of mobility services and transportation solutions to people around the world as we transform Toyota into a mobility company.

Luang Prabang Families Displaced by Laos-China Railway Project Get Relocated to New Village

The Lao-China Railway Company has relocated the residents of Buam-Or village, Xiengngeun district, Luang Prabang province. (Photo: CRI)

The Laos-China Railway Company has relocated the residents of Buam-Or village, Xiengngeun district, Luang Prabang province, to a new village with access to recently-built infrastructure, like roads, schools, health centers, water supply, and electricity.

Explore Timeless Tainan, as Seen in “Someday or One Day”

TAINAN, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 25 September 2023 – As the starting point of Taiwan’s history, Tainan is home to well-preserved historical sites and traditional culture. A wealth of historical value and anecdotes is to be found every step of the way. No wonder Tainan ranks, alongside Kyoto, Hoi An, Bangkok, and Seoul, as one of the top five must-visit cities to experience Asian traditional cultures. Furthermore, donning Tainan’s traditional attire (qipao) to immerse in its cultural and historical charms has become a memory cherished and shared by visitors from around the world. A trip to Tainan can easily evoke a sense of time travel, taking the visitor back to how the city has evolved over four centuries.

Caption
Tainan’s tourist attractions (from left to right): Confucius Temple Cultural Park, Anping Old Fort, Koxinga Shrine

Want to savor the popular drama “Someday or One Day” again? This can be easily done by taking a journey to Tainan and being part of a massive international tourist event. A comprehensive map of filming locations for both the TV and cinematic versions has been created for fans everywhere. Retrace Huang Yu-hsuan’s steps to Three Two Record Store that leads to her changing upon key clues; Grandma Mo’s Shaved Ice Shop at Madou, Fengnan Senior High School at Liuying, and the spot for watching sunrise on New Year’s Day at Zuozhen. Be at the very scenes where the main characters have their classic dialogues. Tainan’s unique retro style promises infinite surprises.

Just board a flight in Thailand and head for the ancient city of Tainan. Join your friends or family to put on qipaos for a stroll through Tainan’s historical alleys and backstreets, immersing yourselves in the charm of the city’s four-century history. Indulge in the culinary delights of Michelin-starred restaurants and century-old establishments. Stay in uniquely designed boutique homestays available for exclusive bookings. Tainan, with its cornucopia of sightseeing resources, has secured multiple travel safety certifications and implemented a full range of visitor-friendly measures. It promises to host every international visitor with the highest standards of hospitality that only befits an international city wholeheartedly dedicated to tourism.

Since Taiwan reopened its borders to international visitors on October 13, 2022, Tainan has emerged as one of the most recommended destinations. High on the list of Tainan’s diverse and rich tourist attractions are the Sicao Green Tunnel, also fondly known as the “Little Amazon River”; the Chimei Museum that is distinctly reminiscent of European palaces; Taiwan’s oldest salt fields; historical buildings scattered throughout its streets and alleyways. Moreover, Tainan will celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2024. As is only fitting for this auspicious occasion, the city will host the Taiwan Lantern Festival, the most important annual event for Taiwan’s tourism industry. Together with the Longci Light Festival, Yuejin Lantern Festival, Puji Temple’s Lantern Festival, Chenggong Lantern Festival, and Shennong Street Lantern Festival, what awaits visitors is no less than the grandest event of its kind ever in this country. That’s not all. The World Orchid Conference Trust (WOCT) has also chosen Tainan as host to both the 23rd World Orchid Conference and the 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show, a World Cup-like event for the orchid community that only takes place every three years. International travelers are invited to enjoy both the Taiwan Lantern Festival and the international orchid show at the same time.

Tainan City Government spares no effort in promoting tourism. Priority is given to attracting more international visitors and encouraging local tour groups to stay and spend in the city. Thus, the 2023 Incentive Program for the Travel Industry to Attract International Tourists has been implemented with a view to driving the city’s tourism industry and enhancing its appeal to international tourists. For the latest in Tainan’s tourist attractions and events, please go to Travel Tainan or its Facebook fanpage: https://www.twtainan.net/en; https://www.facebook.com/traveltainan/?locale=zh_TW.

Hashtag: #TainanCityGovernment

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