BEIJING, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Known for centuries as the “land of fish and rice” and the “land of rivers and lakes,” Jiangsu Province lies in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, along China’s eastern coastline. These names reflect a landscape shaped by fertile soil, crisscrossed with rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs that have nourished and brought prosperity for generations.

Today, Jiangsu, roughly the size of Iceland, stands as one of China’s most developed regions. In 2024, the province’s GDP reached 13.7 trillion yuan ($1.88 trillion), ranking second among China’s provincial administrative regions, trailing only behind Guangdong Province.

The province combines the natural wealth that has long defined it with a spirit of innovation and reform that continues to drive it forward. Its ancient towns still carry the elegance of traditional Chinese culture, while modern industrial zones and research parks testify to the province’s place at the frontier of progress.

This August, Jiangsu became the stage for a journey of discovery. From August 18 to 22, the New Dynamic Jiangsu: 2025 Global Media Tour brought together 19 journalists, including six from China and 13 from the Netherlands, Australia, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Brazil, India and Pakistan. Over five days, the delegation started their trip in the provincial capital city of Nanjing and followed a route from south to north, visiting cities such as Wuxi, Yancheng and Lianyungang.

By stepping into factories, laboratories, cultural sites, and communities, the journalists engaged directly with local people and saw firsthand how Jiangsu is evolving. The journey offered not only a snapshot of the province’s progress toward Chinese modernization, but also fresh perspectives on the province’s culture.

Smart tech frontiers 

As one of China’s leading manufacturing provinces, Jiangsu is pushing forward industrial upgrading through smart technologies. If its vast manufacturing base can be compared to a giant stage, then robots are undoubtedly among its brightest stars.

In Nanjing, technology is taking center stage. Journalists toured Nanjing’s Software Valley. Home to 328 AI-related companies and 50,000 AI professionals, the software base shapes a new landscape for the city’s AI industry.

One standout is TetraBOT. During the visit, the company showcased their robot products, already deployed in real factory environments, capable of taking over dirty, strenuous or hazardous tasks.

The company also demonstrated robots designed for emergency response, industrial maintenance, and civil safety. Liu Danfu, assistant to the chairman of TetraBOT, said the company’s products have been adopted by major enterprises in oil, chemical, mining and power sectors.

Devinder Kumar, editor at the China-India Dialogue magazine, was impressed by the advanced AI applications and the smart, user-friendly design of the robots. He said Nanjing is becoming a hub for AI and robotics, combining rich cultural heritage with dynamic technological momentum.

The journalists also visited the Turing AI Institute of Nanjing, founded in 2018 through a collaboration with Tsinghua University, one of China’s top universities. It was established under the leadership of Yao Qizhi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and recipient of the Turing Award, often regarded as the “Nobel Prize of Computing.”

The institute focuses on core technologies such as computer vision and natural language processing, applying them to fields ranging from robotics to smart city systems. Over the years, it has nurtured a thriving “Turing ecosystem,” now home to 83 AI-driven companies spanning healthcare, finance, education, urban management and security.

Also, with support in technology, funding, and market access, it has nurtured a generation of tech-driven startups. Lee Woojoong, a reporter at the ROK’s Segye Times said, “Visiting here allowed me to see how cutting-edge technology can truly take root in society.”

At Miracle Automation in Wuxi, journalists visited a factory that had evolved from a township workshop into a listed company with breakthroughs in intelligent equipment, recycling and humanoid robotics. In the demonstration hall, humanoid robot Walker S1 impressed visitors with its ability to navigate autonomously, carry loads and complete sorting tasks with precision, showcasing how humanoid robots can handle complex industrial tasks.

Song Kwangsub, a journalist from the ROK’s Maeil Business Newspaper, said seeing the machines in action and learning about the company’s data-driven approach deepened his impression of China’s robotics sector.

In Yancheng, the delegation visited Jiangsu Pudu Robotics Co. Ltd., where robots performing tasks such as delivering meals and transporting packages indoors were on display—machines already serving hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses in over 80 countries. 

Pedro Steenhagen, a Brazilian senior researcher and editor at Observa China, an online platform covering China-related issues for Portuguese-speaking countries, shared his experience of having meals delivered by a robot at a hotel, noting that the interactive system even called his room phone to remind him to pick up the order.

Other industrial strengths 

About 270 km from Nanjing, Yancheng, one of China’s first pilot cities for carbon peaking, stretches along the Yellow Sea coast. At Dafeng Port Zero-Carbon Industrial Park, sunlight glints off solar panels powering offices and lighting, while the park’s carbon intelligence center monitors energy use, carbon emissions and green electricity consumption across all enterprises in real time.

In recent years, Dafeng Port has explored a “green electricity + hydrogen” development model, fostering industries such as green hydrogen and marine and synthetic biology, and supporting the transition of traditional sectors like steel, paper and chemicals. 

Muhammad Asghar, chief reporter for the Associated Press of Pakistan, said China’s clean energy projects are supporting Pakistan’s ecological efforts. He said Dafeng Port is well positioned to achieve zero-carbon emissions and expressed confidence in the goal.

Beyond sustainable energy, Jiangsu is also advancing innovation in health and pharmaceuticals. In Lianyungang, Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group operates six production lines in its second workshop, producing its glycyrrhizic acid products, derived from liquorice root, with 99.9-percent purity. Approved for three indications and included in several international clinical guidelines, the drug combines strong liver-targeting anti-inflammatory effects and high safety, contributing significantly to China’s fight against Hepatitis B.

With more than 80 percent of its research and development investment focused on innovation, the group now manages over 140 pipeline projects, including more than 70 novel drug candidates. Timothy Pope, an Australian working for the International Communications Center of Shanghai Dragon TV, said that seeing China produce so many new therapies was encouraging, and with global collaboration, more patients will benefit from these innovations.

The journey also introduced journalists to Jiangsu’s traditional industries. At Donghai Crystal City in Lianyungang, the world’s largest crystal market, age-old craftsmanship is embracing digital channels. Rows of glittering crystal products are not only sold on-site but also streamed live to buyers around the world, illustrating how Jiangsu’s traditional industries are connecting to global markets.

Japanese anchor Ohori Rio, from the Center for the Asia-Pacific, China International Communications Group, showed a newly purchased crystal bracelet, noting its affordability and saying she would like to buy more when browsing online platforms.

Cultural hubs 

The journalists also explored the cultural heritage of Jiangsu. At the Huishan Clay Figurine Museum in Wuxi, the delegation admired masterpieces ranging from traditional opera characters to modern creative designs. In hands-on sessions, senior craftsman Zhou Lu from Huishan Clay Figurine Factory taught reporters how to paint clay pandas. 

Huishan clay figurines have a history of more than 400 years. Known for their compact yet full-bodied forms, graceful lines, vivid colors and imaginative designs, they serve as toys, decorative ornaments, and collectible art.

Kumar said he was deeply impressed by the artisans’ dedication. Experiencing clay painting firsthand brought him joy and inspired him to explore more of China’s traditional culture, he added.

As night fell, the reporters caught a glimpse into another aspect of Jiangsu. In Wuxi’s Huishan Ancient Town, visitors stood on stone bridges over the Grand Canal, listening to the lilting local tune while watching boats glide gently across the water. Crowds gathered along the riverbanks to enjoy performances. Soul of the Moon, an immersive show, blends Wuxi’s rich historical culture with contemporary performing arts.

Among the highlights was a show paying tribute to visually impaired local artist Hua Yanjun, best known as Abing, China’s most famous erhu player, who earned a living performing on the streets and endured decades of hardship. The erhu is a traditional stringed instrument.

The show brought both the sorrow and hope in Abing’s musician masterpiece, The Moon Reflected on the Second Spring, to life, presenting a century-old folk legacy to a modern audience.

The journey into traditional culture continued in Yancheng at Huaiju Town, a cultural hub built to preserve and showcase Jiangsu’s intangible heritage Huaiju Opera, and as part of a cultural and tourism integration initiative. Inspired by the settings of Huaiju Opera, also known as Jianghuai Theater, which gained popularity around a century ago, the town features historical streets, architecture, waterways and village life, while creating new cultural experiences. The entire town is a big stage for visitors to have an immersive experience of the local opera.

Through visits to these cultural hubs, journalists learned Jiangsu’s efforts to revive intangible heritage and share the province’s cultural richness with visitors.

“Usually, we only see major cities like Shanghai, Beijing or Shenzhen show a modern, internationalized side. But by visiting smaller cities, you get to experience the real diversity of China, its culture, folk festivals, food, clothing and traditions, while also seeing its rapid technological development,” Kumar told Beijing Review.

Website: https://www.bjreview.com/China/202509/t20250915_800415014.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19tqhx5Ne9/ 

X: https://x.com/BeijingReview/status/1969023676231155992 

Comments to liqing@cicgamericas.com  

The 32nd Edition Returns 4–7 March with Global Sourcing Opportunities, Design Innovation, and Exclusive Buyer Perks

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) has officially opened visitor registration for its 32nd edition, taking place 4-7 March 2026 across two premier venues: Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL). Showcasing its signature concept of “1 Fair, 2 Venues, 17 Halls“, MIFF 2026 will once again be the region’s central hub for global buyers and suppliers.

The announcement follows MIFF 2025’s remarkable success, which generated an estimated USD 1.31 billion in on-site sales – up 3% from the previous year. The 2025 edition attracted 19,556 trade visitors from 120 countries and regions, connecting them with 742 exhibitors across 100,000 square metres of exhibition space.

Since its debut in 1995, MIFF has evolved into Southeast Asia’s largest export-oriented furniture trade show, gaining global recognition as a “real business show” where deals are sealed on the spot.

“With a proven track record of over 30 years, MIFF is a trusted marketplace, supported by a strong community of loyal exhibitors and international buyers who return year after year, ” said Ms Kelie Lim, General Manager of MIFF. “Buyers don’t just come to look; they come to place orders and pay deposits on the spot. Our rigorous vetting process for exhibitors saves buyers valuable time and ensures they meet reliable suppliers who can deliver.”

Renowned for the widest selection of Malaysian-made wooden home and office furniture, MIFF features different hall segmentation with product categorisation to streamline sourcing in both venues. Its commitment to excellence and innovation was recently recognised, when its sustainability-focused Tree Planting campaign in 2024, received the Merit Award for Event Technology Excellence from the Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (MACEOS).

MIFF 2026 offers a comprehensive suite of hospitality programmes designed to further enhance visitor experience:

• Valued Visitor Privilege (VVP) Programme: Complimentary hotel accommodation for first-time early-bird international visitors.
• Hosted Buyer Programme: Exclusive benefits for international trade delegations.
• Airport Fast-Track: Priority clearance at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 1) for registered overseas buyers

“Every aspect of MIFF is designed to support our visitors’ business objectives,” added Ms Kelie Lim. “From saving costs on registration to simplifying travel logistics, our hospitality programmes ensure that buyers can focus fully on sourcing and building partnerships.”

MIFF 2026 will spotlight design innovation, technology, and sustainability through a series of initiatives:

• The xOrdinary Showcase, KL iDesign Week, My Favourite International Design (MFID) Awards and more.
• The MIFF Furniture Design Competition (FDC) 2026, themed “Playful. Practical. Purposeful: Furniture for Generation Alpha,” focuses on children’s bedroom furniture. Submissions close 1 December 2025. The new MIFF FDC CLUB fosters year-round connections between designers, manufacturers, and buyers.
• MIFF Furniverse, an upgraded digital ecosystem featuring interactive floor plans, intelligent lead retrieval for exhibitors, intuitive navigation tools, and personalised matchmaking services.
• The return of MIFF’s award-winning Tree Planting campaign, reinforcing its sustainability commitment.

In today’s shifting global supply chains, Malaysia is a key beneficiary of the “China+1” sourcing strategy. International buyers increasingly turn to ASEAN for its exceptional craftsmanship, design intelligence, supply reliability, and robust export capacity.

Malaysia’s furniture industry generates approximately USD 4.2 billion in revenue, supported by world-class export infrastructure and a skilled workforce. Its strategic location and multicultural business environment make it an ideal hub for international trade. By connecting global buyers with Malaysia’s manufacturing excellence, MIFF continues to drive exports and strengthen the country’s position in the global market.

With over 700 exhibitors expected, MIFF 2026 will once again serve as the epicentre for buyers seeking Southeast Asia’s finest furniture and global sourcing opportunities. The show consistently attracts more than 20,000 buyers from 140 countries and regions, cementing its status as the region’s most international furniture trade show.

Registration for MIFF 2026 is now open at www.miff.com.my.

Trade visitors can secure free admission by registering before 13 February 2026, saving RM30 entrance fee and gaining access to MIFF’s exclusive buyer privilege programmes designed to make sourcing more efficient and rewarding

For exhibitor opportunities at Southeast Asia’s most productive furniture trade show, contact the MIFF organising team for prime positioning.

Notes to Editors

About MIFF (www.miff.com.my) MIFF is the largest and leading export-oriented furniture trade show in Southeast Asia, showcasing the widest collection of Made-in-Malaysia wooden furniture, home furniture, and office furniture. Since 1995, MIFF is a one-stop platform connecting a wider community of 20,000+ buyers from 140 countries and regions. MIFF is organised by Informa Markets, which is a part of Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B event organiser in the world.

– Driving the next wave of AI innovation through high-performance inference at the edge

SINGAPORE, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Zenlayer, the world’s first hyperconnected cloud, today announced the launch of Zenlayer Distributed Inference at Tech Week – Cloud & AI Infra Show in Singapore, a one-stop, instant-deployment platform built to power high-performance AI inference on a massive global scale.

As AI applications are proliferating across industries and geographies, two challenges continue to limit their scalability. On one hand, costly GPUs are often left idle due to uneven workloads, wasting investment while causing unpredictable inference response times. On the other, orchestrating models and resources across regions remains highly complex, leading to latency gaps and inconsistent inference performance.

Zenlayer’s Distributed Inference directly addresses these issues. The platform integrates Zenlayer’s globally distributed compute infrastructure with a set of inference optimization techniques spanning scheduling, routing, networking, and memory management to maximize inference performance at the edge. With broad model support, ready-to-use frameworks, and real-time monitoring, the platform streamlines operations and accelerates model deployment, making it easier than ever to scale inference on a global level.

“Inference is where AI delivers real value, but it’s also where efficiency and performance challenges become increasingly visible,” said Joe Zhu, Founder & CEO of Zenlayer. “By combining our hyperconnected infrastructure with distributed inference technology, we’re making it possible for AI providers and enterprises to deploy and scale models instantly, globally, and cost-effectively.”

What sets Zenlayer apart is that, instead of requiring customers to manage infrastructure or integrate low-level optimizations, the company provides elastic GPU access, automated orchestration across 300+ PoPs globally, and a private backbone that reduces latency by up to 40%. The result is simple, scalable, real-time inference delivered closer to end users—allowing organizations to focus on building applications while Zenlayer handles the complexity of global deployment.

As AI continues to reshape industries, the ability to deliver instant, real-time intelligence anywhere in the world will be essential. Zenlayer Distributed Inference marks a major step forward in bringing that capability to reality. Along with this new offering, Zenlayer is developing a broader portfolio of AI-ready services to unlock the full potential of AI at the edge.

About Zenlayer

Zenlayer is the hyperconnected cloud that enables high-speed, efficient and reliable data moves for AI on a globally distributed compute platform. Businesses utilize Zenlayer’s on-demand compute and networking services to deploy and run applications at the edge. With 300+ points of presence across 50 countries, 180+ Tbps of global network bandwidth and over 10,000 direct connections to network and cloud providers, Zenlayer helps businesses reach 85% of the internet population within 25 ms.

For more information, visit www.zenlayer.com

• SingPost to support schools with starter kits to kickstart the Young Philatelists School Programme
• Sengkang Green Primary School set to pilot Young Philatelist programme using philately as a medium of education

SINGAPORE, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Singapore Post (SingPost) today launched a Young Philatelists School Programme for Singapore schools. The launch, officiated by Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth & Trade and Industry, coincided with World Post Day and marked the Company’s dual celebration with Singapore’s 60^th anniversary.

“Stamps are more than just a means of postage; they are miniature works of art and historical milestones that tell stories of who we are, where we’ve been, and what we have achieved as a nation. It’s a powerful way to engage our youth and ensure that valuable skills like curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking are not lost in the digital age,” said Ms Neo Su Yin, Group Chief Operating Officer, SingPost.

The Young Philatelists School Programme

The new programme aims to enable schools to leverage the educational potential of stamps to spark curiosity in students. Stamps open windows to national identity, history, culture, geography, design and communication. By studying them, students can bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern learning, gaining new perspectives on the world around them. Schools keen to start a philately club can approach SingPost for a “starter pack” of stamps. These resources will enable schools to set up their own clubs and inspire students to discover the rich stories behind each stamp.

In January 2026, Sengkang Green Primary School will pilot the programme. The school will launch the Young Philatelist Club a Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) for students in Primary 3 and above.

“The Young Philatelist Club is not just about stamp collecting but about the study of stamps,” said Mr. Gau Poh Teck, Principal of Sengkang Green Primary School, an avid philatelist. “Stamps tell a story, and a well-curated local collection transforms stamp collecting into a pathway for self-directed learning, and an immersive exploration of our nation’s past and present,” he added.

Mr Gau added that the programme closely aligns with the school’s mission to nurture positive learning dispositions in the students. “Learning dispositions are habits of the mind which are important to promote the joy of lifelong learning. At Sengkang Green Primary, we hope to nurture in our students a sense of curiosity, knowledge of the world, grit, inventiveness, appreciation and engagement that will serve them throughout their lives. Through the study of stamps, students can research historical and cultural contexts, learn to pay attention to details, strengthen their communication skills, and embark on their own journeys of discovery that extend beyond the classroom,” he explained.

SingPost to launch Digital Resource Hub 

SingPost is also building up a digital repository of national stamps which will help schools, and the general public access the archives of Singapore national stamps with greater ease. “We hope to be able to unveil this digital resource hub in 2026, which will be a repository for everyone, showcasing part of our national heritage,” added Ms. Neo. “These programmes are an investment in Singapore’s future launched as we celebrate our nation’s 60th Anniversary and World Post Day. We hope these initiatives will leave a lasting impression by inspiring students to make their mark on Singapore’s future.”

60 Years in 60 Stamps: A public Exhibition

From 10-12 October, SingPost will host an SG60 philatelic exhibition at the Temasek Shophouse on Orchard Road, providing a unique opportunity for Singaporeans to reflect on the nation’s remarkable journey through the philatelic lens. This is one of the first events taking place at the newly reopened Temasek Shophouse, chosen as its mission as a social impact hub – focused on building connected communities – aligns with SingPost’s objective of celebrating Singapore’s philatelic heritage.

The Visual Arts Center across the road will also house an exhibition organised and sponsored by the Association of Singapore Philatelists and co-organised by the Singapore Philatelic Society, the Singapore Stamp Club and Zui You Philatelic Society. Having both events running in tandem provides visitors a comprehensive range to enjoy and appreciate Singapore philately.

How to Join the Young Philatelists School Programme

Schools keen to start a philately club can approach SingPost for a “starter pack” of stamps. These resources will enable schools to set up their own clubs and inspire students to discover the rich stories behind each stamp. Schools or members of the public interested in the Young Philatelists School Programme are invited to contact SingPost via www.singpost.com/youngphilatelists for more information or to get involved.

About Singapore Post Limited (SingPost)

Singapore Post (SingPost) is a leading postal and eCommerce logistics provider in Asia Pacific. The portfolio of businesses spans from national and international postal services to warehousing and fulfilment, international freight forwarding and last mile delivery, serving customers in more than 220 global destinations. Headquartered in Singapore, SingPost has approximately 3,000 employees. Since its inception in 1858, the Group has evolved and innovated to bring about best-in-class integrated logistics solutions and services, making every delivery count for people and planet. www.singpost.com 

About Temasek Shophouse

Temasek Shophouse, a social impact hub in the heart of Singapore, works closely with partners to convene change-makers, foster collaborations, and catalyse partnerships and solutions for positive impact.

With a focus on building connected communities, Temasek Shophouse seeks to strengthen relationships in Singapore and beyond, steward community bonds through effective placemaking efforts in community spaces, and support change-makers and social impact organisations by providing co-working and event spaces. Temasek Shophouse is home to the Temasek Trust ecosystem and like-minded co-working partners.