LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Smashbox Cosmetics hosted an intimate dinner at LA’s iconic Magic Castle to celebrate the launch of its new Photo Finish Pore Vanishing Primer in Australia & New Zealand. The guest list featured a curated group of Australian creators, journalists, and brand friends based in Los Angeles.
Smashbox Global Team (L-R): Lauren Aja (Associate, International Marketing), Shannon Pirie (Vice President, Global Sales), Lori Taylor Davis (Global Pro Lead Artist), Felix Backhaus (Senior Manager, International Commercial & Marketing)
The evening was designed to build brand and product awareness while strengthening relationships with both familiar and fresh faces. Playing on the primer’s “vanishing” properties, the Magic Castle offered a fitting, whimsical backdrop to bring the product’s transformative effects to life, celebrating illusion, magic, and flawless skin.
Key guests included Australian journalist Isabelle Truman, and Australian influencers Eden Kannourakis, Millie Sykes, Paige De Cinque and Kat Moses. Smashbox founder and world-renowned photographer Davis Factor was also in attendance, with each guest receiving a signed copy of his book Make Shit Happen.
“I’ve always wanted to go to the Magic Castle, and being there with such an iconic brand was the perfect match. I loved meeting Davis and the team and learning about the new primer, such a magical experience,” said Isabelle Truman.
Eden Kannourakis shared, “I’m sometimes skeptical of primers, but this one really does what it says – makes my skin and makeup look flawless!”
The night generated strong ‘Get Ready With Me’ and product focused content and helped to foster authentic connections between the brand and creator community.
The Magic Castle event marked the first time Smashbox hosted an event in Los Angeles specifically targeting the foreign markets of Australia and New Zealand. Felix Backhaus, Smashbox Senior Brand Manager of International Markets, said, “Smashbox’s home is LA, and it’s been so great to engage with Australian influencers and editors in our own backyard.”
The Pore Vanishing Primer is a lightweight, oil-free face primer that instantly blurs the look of pores and locks in makeup for up to 12 hours. It controls shine, smooths texture, and leaves a velvety, matte finish, with no white cast or clogged pores. The result is a flawless base that keeps skin looking fresh and refined all day long.
Smashbox’s Pore-Vanishing Primer is now available in-store and online at MECCA, Smashbox’s exclusive retail partner in Australia and New Zealand. SRP: $59 AUD / $66 NZD.
ABOUT SMASHBOX COSMETICS: “Everything carries out of the studio into reality.” – Davis Factor
Born in a Los Angeles photo studio in 1990 by acclaimed celebrity and fashion photographer Davis Factor, Smashbox very quickly became a creative hub for world-class photographers, actors, models and musicians. The creative energy on set showed no signs of slowing down – except when the team had to stop for makeup touch ups. In 1996, Smashbox Cosmetics was officially born.
In 2000, Davis created Photo Finish Smooth & Blur, our original long-lasting primer. Now a cult-favorite, the formula helps makeup look flawless, feel better, and last longer—all day, every day, on set, and long after the shoot wraps.
Today, Smashbox carries that legacy with studio-grade, high-performance makeup that makes artistry easy—and always camera-ready.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A recent article published in the American Journal of Primatology criticizes work relied upon by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in its latest determination concerning long-tailed macaque monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).
The article, entitled “Estimating the Abundance of Widely Distributed Primates,” concludes that scientific work adopted by the IUCN is “flawed and results in a serious underestimate of the global abundance of the species.” The article goes on to state that such population estimates are based upon “a totally unrealistic relationship between habitat suitability and density.” The article is available at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajp.70082.
The American Journal of Primatology is the official journal of the American Society of Primatologists. The Society’s goals are to “promote and encourage the discovery and exchange of information regarding primates.”
Long-tailed macaques are used extensively throughout the world in biomedical research given their close approximation to human beings. Five of the 20 most used prescription drugs were developed with the help of long-tailed macaques. Research with long-tailed macaques has been crucial for advances in regenerative medicine, immunology, cancer, vaccine development, and pharmacology, as well as the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently published a review confirming the importance of long-tailed macaques in conducting biomedical research.
Prior to 2022, long-tailed macaques were designated as “vulnerable” by the IUCN. The IUCN then revised its species designation to “endangered.” In 2023, NABR filed a petition challenging the designation of long-tailed macaques, citing improperly used data. After more than two years of deliberation, the IUCN affirmed its status determination, largely ignoring data presented by NABR.
“The latest article published in the American Journal of Primatology confirms that this species is not at risk,” said Matthew R. Bailey, president of NABR. “This article also reconfirms that the science underlying the IUCN process is biased, and not reliable,” he added.
“Given the importance of long-tailed macaques to ongoing biomedical research throughout the world, it is imperative that the U.S. and other countries conduct a more objective assessment of the species’ status before further actions are taken.”
About the National Association for Biomedical Research Founded in 1979, NABR is the only 501(c)(6) non-profit association dedicated to sound public policy for the humane use of animals in biomedical research, education, and testing. Members include more than 340 universities, medical and veterinary schools, teaching hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, patient groups, and academic and professional societies who rely on humane and responsible animal research to advance global human and animal health. Learn more about us at www.nabr.org.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2025 – OPPO’s global launch of the Find X9 Series reinforces its continued commitment to the high-end segment.
This move coincides with the brand’s global user base exceeding 740 million, reflecting its success in engaging new generations through user-centric innovation.
“OPPO is advancing its brand and user experience with a clear focus on the new generation of global users,” said Ling Liu, Overseas CMO of OPPO. “The new generation is defining the future of premium smartphones — they seek a complete experience that integrates imaging, AI, battery life, and connectivity. With Find X9 Series, OPPO aims to lead the new era of mobile imaging and set a new benchmark for camera flagships, marking a new chapter in our premium smartphone and innovation journey.”
Ling LIU, Overseas CMO of OPPO
Fueling Premium Market Momentum through Product Innovation
OPPO’s sustained momentum in the premium market is clearly reflected in recent data from Counterpoint Research, which shows the brand’s average selling price (ASP) surged by 14% year-on-year in Q2 2025. This is the fastest growth rate among all leading smartphone brands.
OPPO sustains product innovation by deeply understanding the needs of a new generation of consumers worldwide. According to IDC, the rising demand from young users is reshaping the technical roadmap of the mid-to-high-end market. In response, OPPO has integrated cutting-edge imaging systems, AI-powered features, long-lasting battery performance, and seamless cross-device connectivity into its products. This addresses the specific needs that are defining the next generation of mobile experiences.
Equipped with these comprehensive capabilities, Find X9 Series empowers today’s creators by turning the smartphone into a true content studio. Find X9 Pro’s 200MP Hasselblad Telephoto camera delivers exceptional clarity in every scenario – from live concerts to night cityscapes, ensuring users never miss a moment.
ColorOS 16 further enhances the experience with intuitive AI features. AI Portrait Glow optimizes lighting conditions for professional-grade portrait results, while AI Mind Space helps users organize ideas and inspiration effortlessly. Meanwhile, advanced privacy protection ensures user data remains secure.
More than just a smartphone, Find X9 Series embodies OPPO’s commitment to empowering creators, providing the advanced tools they need to create and express every moment in their own way.
OPPO Find X9 Series
Reimagining Retail Service for the New Generation
Going beyond its product innovation, OPPO has reimagined the retail experience. By embedding immersive display and customized service into its retail stores, offering new opportunities for users to connect directly with the brand. Online, OPPO is strengthening its global e-commerce presence across platforms favored by the new generation of shoppers, such as integrated TikTok storefronts and livestreaming, creating a seamless experience from discovery to purchase.
Immersive Display in OPPO Retail Stores
“Make Your Moment” with the New Generation
The brand slogan of “Make Your Moment” extends to OPPO’s partnerships. As the Official Smartphone Product Partner of the UEFA Champions League, OPPO elevates the fan experience with its cutting-edge imaging technology.
As part of the second chapter of the Culture in a Shot initiative, OPPO partners with Discovery to launch the campaign Every Culture Finds Its Stage. The journey continues through Spain, Mexico, and Thailand, capturing cultural performances on stage through OPPO Find X9 series, and encouraging creators worldwide to share their cultural moments.
OPPO and Discovery Channel partner to capture the cultural moments with OPPO Find X9 Series.
This spirit of co-creating with the new generation is further brought to life by OPPO Creation Ambassador, Ollie, who shares cutting-edge technologies, product experiences, and cultural stories with users through OPPO devices.
Ollie, OPPO Creation Ambassador
The OPPO Photography Awards 2025 invite creators around the world to capture and share the beauty of life through their lenses. The contest has already received over 15.4 million submissions from 78 countries, with the invitation still open until the November 20 deadline for creators worldwide to share their perspectives.
OPPO Photography Awards 2025
Guided by its user-centric strategy, OPPO will continue delivering high-quality products and services to global users, leveraging technological innovation and deep market insights to redefine the premium smartphone experience.
Hashtag: #OPPO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About OPPO
OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone – “Smiley Face” – in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with ColorOS operating system and internet services. OPPO has footprints in more than 70 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.
Empowering Smart Living Worldwide with AI-Powered, Secure, and Immersive Community Solutions
BANGKOK, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As smart cities and living thrive worldwide, Taiwan’s TWOWAY Communications Inc. leads a strategic alliance of 13 pioneering Taiwanese firms to launch the global “ASTER_Wise Smart Community PLUS+” initiative. Centered on the proprietary ASTER_Wise brand, it targets North America, Indonesia, and Thailand with an integrated solution blending AI, cybersecurity, smart sensing, cloud platforms, and VR interaction for next-generation living.
Building on successful deployments in North America and Indonesia in 2023, ASTER_Wise has evolved from a device provider into a full-fledged smart community solution partner. Its offerings include AI image recognition, smart access control, license plate recognition, energy monitoring, remote healthcare, and centralized control platforms—empowering telcos, property managers, and developers in digital transformation.
Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, is seeing a rapid rise in its middle class and government-driven smart city initiatives, making it a prime market for smart living. ASTER_Wise is collaborating with local telecom and property giants to accelerate market penetration through technology integration and co-branding strategies.
To enhance brand visibility and customer engagement, ASTER_Wise is rolling out diversified marketing campaigns including immersive VR smart community experiences, targeted social media outreach (LinkedIn, Instagram), international trade shows, and a high-profile collaboration with MLB’s “Taiwan Day” to raise awareness of Taiwanese innovation in premium markets.
Additionally, ASTER_Wise has formed a strategic partnership with Thailand’s ACI_Defence (a wholly owned subsidiary of TWOWAY Communications Inc.) to co-develop smart community systems based on intelligent security platforms, incorporating facial and license plate recognition alongside robust cybersecurity—key components in future urban infrastructure.
More than just a brand, ASTER_Wise symbolizes a global alliance for smart community innovation from Taiwan. Its PLUS+ marketing management platform provides distributors with instant access to promotional content, product data, customer feedback, and training resources, while AI-powered fleet management and chatbot services enhance operational efficiency and support.
Through the ASTER_Wise Smart Community PLUS+ plan, TWOWAY Communications Inc., with brand, solutions, and value as its core, is moving from “Made in Taiwan” to “Global Integration.” This not only accelerates its own layout in the international market, but also opens a new chapter of globalization for Taiwan’s smart living industry.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2025 –Leading global smart device brand OPPO today announced the worldwide availability of its latest flagship smartphones, Find X9 and Find X9 Pro. This new series delivers an exceptional all-around experience, combining a camera system co-engineered with Hasselblad, revolutionary battery life, powerful performance, and the smart, smooth ColorOS 16.
“Find X9 Series represents a giant leap forward in mobile imaging, driven by industry-leading innovations like the 200MP Hasselblad Telephoto,” said Pete Lau, SVP and Chief Product Officer at OPPO. “As OPPO’s new-generation flagship, Find X9 Series delivers a comprehensive, top-to-bottom upgrade, setting a new global standard for smartphone excellence.”
Precision in Every Pixel: The New-Generation Hasselblad Master Camera System
Continuing the Find X legacy of imaging innovation, Find X9 Series debuts a new-generation Hasselblad Master Camera System. By pairing cutting-edge hardware with advanced computational photography, the series represents a major leap in image quality.
Find X9 features a pro-level 50MP main camera with a 1/1.4-inch Sony LYT-808 sensor and an f/1.6 aperture, capturing 57% more light for stunning clarity. It’s joined by a versatile 50MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus for macro photography and a 50MP periscope telephoto camera featuring a 1/1.95-inch Sony LYT600 sensor for superior zoom shots. Complementing the three 50MP cameras is an industry-first True Color Camera. This dedicated spectral sensor precisely measures ambient light, resulting in more accurate color reproduction even in the most difficult lighting.
Find X9 Pro builds on this foundation with an upgraded main and telephoto camera. The Ultra XDR Main Camera features a customized 1/1.28-inch Sony LYT 828 sensor. This sensor uses groundbreaking Real-Time Triple Exposure technology that captures breathtaking detail in both shadows and highlights. Amping up its telephoto capabilities, Find X9 Pro introduces the 200MP Hasselblad Telephoto. Developed in partnership with Hasselblad, this 3x camera features a massive 1/1.56-inch 200MP sensor. It’s paired with a Hasselblad-certified lens that has an ultra-fast f/2.1 aperture for superior light gathering and a 10cm minimum focus distance for incredible macro shots. To carry that even further, OPPO developed an Active Optical Alignment process that precisely matches the lens with the sensor, boosting resolution by an additional 15%.
Debuting on Find X9 Series is the brand-new LUMO Image Engine, OPPO’s suite of computational photography algorithms that enhances clarity, dynamic range, and color science while ensuring photos look natural. By rebuilding the imaging pipeline with Parallel Computing, the engine achieves more with less: up to 50% less CPU usage, 60% less memory usage, and 50% less power consumption.1
The efficiency of the LUMO Image Engine unlocks the full potential of the high-resolution sensors. In bright daylight, users can capture photos in full 50MP resolution by default, delivering over four times the detail of standard 12MP images. In low light or other challenging cases, the camera intelligently switches to 25MP or 12MP modes, using pixel binning for superior noise control.
The series also introduces industry-first 4K Motion Photos, elevating video resolution from 1080p to 4K for dramatically clearer results. Additionally, users can extract any frame as a high-resolution still image, ensuring every moment is preserved in perfect detail.
Your Best Companion for Concerts
Find X9 Series is engineered to be the perfect companion for concerts and live events, providing unrivaled zoom in both photo and video shooting.
By intelligently cropping its 200MP sensor, Find X9 Pro delivers high-quality lossless zoom up to 13.2x, while both models feature OPPO’s Super Zoom algorithm for enhanced clarity up to 120x. With OPPO’s Stage Mode, users can capture concert photos with enhanced contrast and tone for a dramatic, atmospheric effect.
The series’ pro-grade video capabilities are equally impressive, as both devices support 4K 120fps Dolby Vision HDR video recording on the main camera, with Find X9 Pro extending this capability to its 200MP Hasselblad Telephoto. For professional users, Find X9 Series supports LOG recording with ACES certification, providing a flat, data-rich file that serves as the perfect canvas for professional color grading.
For the ultimate advantage, OPPO also offers the Hasselblad Teleconverter. This professional-grade optical accessory, designed exclusively for Find X9 Pro, transforms the phone into a 10x optical super-zoom powerhouse, enabling up to 200x digital zoom for photos and 50x for video.
A New Era of Battery Power: 7000mAh and Beyond
Find X9 is equipped with a substantial 7025mAh battery, all within a slim 7.99mm profile. Taking advantage of its larger size, Find X9 Pro packs an even more impressive 7500mAh battery, the largest in any OPPO flagship.
Fitting all that battery power into such a slender frame is made possible by the third-generation OPPO Silicon-Carbon Battery, which has 15% silicon content. And with OPPO’s customized spherical carbon material, Find X9 Series is engineered for long-term reliability, retaining over 80% of its original capacity even after five years of typical use. 1
When it’s time to recharge, both models support 80W OPPO SUPERVOOC™ wired flash charging, 50W AIRVOOC™ wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging for convenient power top-ups.
Elegant Design, Built to Last
Find X9 Series features a modern, flat-edged aesthetic with a subtly contoured frame for a comfortable grip. The streamlined camera module is positioned to stay clear of fingers during use.
Both models feature a new-generation flat display with ultra-thin, 1.15mm symmetrical bezels for an immersive, borderless viewing experience. The 120Hz displays boast a peak outdoor brightness of 3600 nits and a minimum brightness of 1 nit, combined with high-frequency PWM dimming for eye comfort in all conditions.
Find X9 is available in three sophisticated finishes: Titanium Grey, Space Black, and Velvet Red. Find X9 Pro is offered in exclusive Silk White and Titanium Charcoal finishes. All models feature a matte aluminum frame and glass back cover that resists fingerprints.
Beyond aesthetics, both devices are engineered for exceptional durability. With IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, Find X9 Series delivers class-leading protection against dust, powerful water jets, water submersion, and even high-temperature spray.
Unleash the Peak Power of Dimensity
Find X9 Series is powered by the cutting-edge MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset. Built on TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process, its All-Big-Core CPU architecture achieves up to 32% higher performance and 55% less peak power consumption. The Arm G1-Ultra GPU delivers a massive boost as well, with 33% higher graphics performance and 42% better power efficiency, while the new MediaTek NPU 990 offers over double the performance with 56% more efficiency. These capabilities are enhanced by Find X9 Series’ customized vapor chambers, ensuring smooth and stable gameplay that stays cool to the touch. 2
Developed in close collaboration with MediaTek, OPPO’s All-New Trinity Engine redefines chip-level resource management for sustained high performance and superior power efficiency. This includes features like Chip-Level Dynamic Frame Sync for greater fluency in high-stress scenarios, a Unified Computing Power Model for over 90% accuracy in power-consumption prediction, and Sensor Offload, resulting in 16.1% less power usage during 4K 60fps HDR video recording. 1
ColorOS 16: Smarter, Smoother, More Connected
Debuting on OPPO Find X9 Series, ColorOS 16 sets a new benchmark for smoothness, intelligence, and connectivity.
Building on the foundation of ColorOS 15’s Parallel Animation, the new Seamless Animation delivers instantaneous, fluid interactions powered by the All-New Luminous Rendering Engine.
ColorOS 16 also brings a range of AI-powered features that boost productivity and creativity. With AI Mind Space, users can capture on-screen content instantly using the new Snap Key. AI Recorder automatically generates titles and summaries, while AI Portrait Glow enhances low-light portraits by balancing light and skin tones with a single tap.
Expanding its cross-device capabilities, O+ Connect now supports both Mac and Windows. Users can manage phone files from their computer or remotely control their PC via their phone. Screen Mirroring allows up to five apps to be displayed and operated using a mouse and keyboard—perfect for multitasking across devices.
OPPO Find X9 and Find X9 Pro Availability
OPPO Find X9 and Find X9 Pro will be available globally beginning at early November. Find X9 comes in 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, and 16GB + 512GB configurations, while the Find X9 Pro is offered in a 16GB + 512GB configuration. 3
The devices will be offered through official OPPO stores, authorized retailers, and partner carriers worldwide. For detailed information about pre-orders and launch promotions, visit oppo.com/global or follow OPPO’s official social media channels.
1. Data from OPPO Lab 2. Data from MediaTek 3. Specific available date, price and configuration may vary among different regions Hashtag: #OPPO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About OPPO
OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone – “Smiley Face” – in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with ColorOS operating system and internet services. OPPO has footprints in more than 70 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.
RIVERSIDE, Calif., Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — PartnerOne, one of the fastest-growing software groups in the world, has entered into an agreement with Accenture to acquire Mortgage Cadence, a leading provider of cloud-based digital lending solutions. This strategic move will mark a significant milestone in Mortgage Cadence’s journey to transform the mortgage origination experience for lenders and borrowers alike.
PartnerOne, known for its unwavering commitment to building and investing in enterprise software companies, will provide Mortgage Cadence with a Forever-Home: a long-term platform for growth, innovation, and customer-centric excellence. PartnerOne acquires software companies with enduring commitment, investing to make them better, stronger, and faster.
“This agreement represents a powerful alignment of values and vision,” said Pedro Garcia, Mortgage Cadence CEO. “PartnerOne’s investment philosophy and operational excellence will enable us to evolve our platform, deepen our customer relationships, and continue delivering exceptional solutions across the mortgage lifecycle.”
Mortgage Cadence’s platform, including its Enterprise and Essentials offerings, is designed to streamline loan origination, reduce operational costs, and enhance borrower experiences. Joining PartnerOne will enable the development of new capabilities, integrations, and automation tools that meet the evolving needs of major financial institutions, credit unions, and independent mortgage banks.
“PartnerOne looks forward to bringing Mortgage Cadence into our portfolio,” said Suzanne Fortman, Vice-President at PartnerOne. “We believe in building enduring software companies that prioritize people and customers. Mortgage Cadence exemplifies this ethos, and we’re excited to invest in its future, expand its employees’ skillsets, and accelerate innovation in mortgage technology.”
PartnerOne is committed to ensuring stability and a seamless transition for Mortgage Cadence customers and partners.
Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About PartnerOne
PartnerOne is one of the fastest growing enterprise software groups in the world, with a proven track record of acquiring and growing enterprise software companies. Over 1,500 enterprise and government organizations rely on PartnerOne software, including 80% of the largest companies in the world. For more information, visit www.partnerone.com.
About Mortgage Cadence
Mortgage Cadence delivers the industry’s most complete, modern, cloud-based digital lending platform designed to provide an exceptional user experience throughout the entire mortgage lending life cycle, across all channels and products. With leading borrower point-of-sale through closing collaboration tools, the end-to-end platform is both complete and configurable, offering an open architecture designed to meet the needs of today’s lenders. The platform enables lenders to work more efficiently, leveraging automation and workflow tools that deliver excellent borrower, sales, and operational user experience. For more information, visit www.mortgagecadence.com.
BEIJING, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — China’s flagship event in the financial sector, the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum (FSF) 2025, officially kicked off in Beijing on Monday. The FSF 2025, running from Monday to Thursday, will showcase a wave of important developments in the financial sector, including the introduction of key policies, the launch of major institutions, the signing of international cooperation agreements, and the presentation of flagship projects and reports in financial technology, green development, and industrial finance, the Global Times learned from the organizer.
Themed “Global Financial Development in an Era of Innovation, Transformation and Restructuring,” this year’s forum focuses on promoting high-quality global finance. It calls for greater consensus on innovation, the stimulation of transformative momentum, and the advancement of restructuring efforts, aiming to build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global financial system, according to the organizer.
Over 400 guests from more than 30 countries and regions around the world gather at this year’s event. The forum, as an important window into China’s financial cooperation and opening-up to the world, helps inject stability, draws greater attention from international capital, and enhances the country’s overall appeal, Chinese experts said.
Major policies rollout
The FSF was established in 2012, and since 2020 its annual conference has been upgraded to a national-level, international professional forum, where government officials announce key financial policy and regulation reforms, with this year’s forum being no exception.
At Monday’s opening ceremony, Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the central bank, said that at present the bond market is operating well overall, and the PBOC will resume open market operations involving government bonds.
Last year, in line with the directives of the central financial work conference, the central bank began conducting government bond transactions in the secondary market, said Pan. Earlier this year, considering the significant supply-demand imbalances in the bond market and the accumulation of market risks, the PBOC temporarily suspended these transactions.
However, Pan said, currently, with the bond market running smoothly overall, the central bank will resume open market government bond operations.
Also in his speech, Pan said that to help individuals expedite the repair of their credit records while maintaining the deterrent effect of default information, the PBOC is studying the implementation of a one-time personal credit relief policy.
Under the policy, personal default information related to loans below a certain amount that occurred during the pandemic and has since been repaid will not be displayed in the credit reporting system, according to Pan. The official noted that after completing the relevant procedures, the central bank, together with financial institutions, will carry out the necessary technical preparations, with the measure planned for implementation early next year.
Also at the opening ceremony, the launch of a work plan for optimizing the qualified foreign institutional investor (GFII) system was officially announced. The work plan includes measures to streamline access management, improve investment efficiency, and expand the investment scope, aiming to provide various foreign investors with a more transparent, convenient, and efficient regulatory environment, Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, said at the opening ceremony.
Among these, measures such as establishing a green channel for quota-based foreign investment access will be implemented immediately, according to Wu.
Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, said China will unswervingly deepen reform and expand opening-up, continuously enhancing the momentum and vitality of the financial sector.
Specifically, Li Yunze said the administration aims to create a new phase of high-level opening-up in finance by extending institutional opening-up to wider and deeper areas, and by fully implementing a system that combines pre-establishment national treatment with a negative list for market access.
Injecting new momentum
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), China’s total economic output has passed several milestones and is expected to reach 140 trillion yuan this year, according to Xinhua News Agency. The country’s contribution to global economic growth has remained around 30 percent, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5 percent, the report said.
The annual meeting is expected to inject new momentum into China’s financial reform and opening-up, while contributing greater stability to the global economy, some Chinese experts told the Global Times on the sidelines of the forum.
The forum, serving as an important window into China’s financial cooperation and opening-up to the world, helps attract more international capital, enhance the country’s overall appeal, and contribute to world economic stability, especially amid global headwinds from rising protectionism and unilateralism, Li Changan, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies under the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Monday.
Li Changan said that by bringing together government officials, business leaders, and scholars, the forum also provides a valuable platform for the global community to better understand China’s policy decisions in the financial field.
At the critical moment of the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the financial officials’ remarks send a fresh signal of the country’s financial sector continuously promoting reform and expanding high-level opening-up during the next five years, Xi Junyang, a professor at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, told the Global Times on Monday.
By further enhancing the coordination of the macro-economy and the financial sector, it will better promote the sustained and healthy development of the economy and society, Xi Junyang said. Along with the enhancement of China’s economic capacity, the country’s financial sector is expected to open wider to the rest of the world, according to the expert.
“I’m confident in the prospects of China’s economy. The economy is expected to maintain stable and upward trajectory during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30),” Xi Junyang said.
Two-Day Event to be Held on 6-7 November Bringing Together Global Investors and Entrepreneurs to Explore New Frontiers in AI, Digital Assets, and Hong Kong’s Role as an International Innovation and Technology Hub
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2025 – As the global venture capital market evolves amid economic shifts, investment flows are increasingly concentrated, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), which continues to drive significant momentum. The annual flagship event, Cyberport Venture Capital Forum (CVCF), will take place on 6-7 November 2025at Cyberport. Themed “The Innovation-Venture Nexus: Igniting Transformative Success”, this year’s CVCF will unite influential global investors and entrepreneurs to explore the transformative impact of AI on the global venture capital landscape and Hong Kong’s unique strengths in blockchain and digital assets. The forum aims to empower start-ups and investors to break through financing and market expansion barriers, seizing new market opportunities.
The annual flagship event, Cyberport Venture Capital Forum (CVCF) 2025, will take place on 6-7 November 2025 at Cyberport. Themed “The Innovation-Venture Nexus: Igniting Transformative Success”, this year’s CVCF will unite influential global investors and entrepreneurs to explore the transformative impact of AI on the global venture capital landscape and Hong Kong’s unique strengths in blockchain and digital assets. The forum aims to empower start-ups and investors to break through financing and market expansion barriers, seizing new market opportunities.
Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport (second left), Hendrick Sin, Chairman of Cyberport Investors Network (CIN) Steering Group; Co-Founder of CMGE Technology Group Limited; Chairman of China Prosperity Capital (second right), Eric Chan, Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport (first left) and Fred Ngan, Co-Founder of Bowtie Life Insurance, Cyberport Incubation Programme Alumnus, and a leading virtual insurer in Hong Kong (first right) attended the media briefing.
Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport, said, “Cyberport actively serves as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder’, enhancing the fundraising capabilities of start-ups and connecting them with domestic and international capital and markets. To date, Cyberport start-ups have collectively raised HK$46 billion, with nine new listed companies and two unicorns joining our community this year, underscoring the growing fundraising strength of Cyberport’s enterprises. The venture capital market is increasingly focused on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, and digital assets, with AI-driven innovation leading global capital flow. This year’s CVCF aligns with these trends, providing a vital platform to connect high-potential AI, blockchain, and digital assets companies in Cyberport with this substantial capital flow, helping start-ups transcend boundaries, secure financing, and ignite their path to success, while enabling investors to identify and match with high-potential start-ups for superior returns.”
Cyberport Community Raised HK$46 Billion in funding, with AI and Web3.0 as Market Focus
Despite a challenging venture capital environment, Cyberport’s start-ups have demonstrated robust fundraising performance over the past year. From October 2024 to September 2025, Cyberport companies raised nearly HK$3.4 billion in total, bringing the cumulative total to HK$46 billion. During the year, nine Cyberport companies successfully listed, including Yunji Technology and Xunfei Healthcare, which achieved listing within six months after landing at Cyberport, alongside Cyberport incubatees Diginex and Real Messenger. Additionally, Cyberport welcomed two unicorns, Qiangnao Technology, valued at US$1.3 billion, and Inspur Cloud, valued at US$2.5 billion, injecting powerful momentum into the I&T ecosystem. Recent high-value fundraising rounds include Bowtie, DigiFT, Klook, KPay, KUN, Hashkey Group, LeapXpert, Animoca Brands, and more, many of which leverage AI, blockchain, and digital assets, reflecting the market’s focus on AI and Web3.0, underscoring Cyberport’s success in fostering the development of these industries.
Hendrick Sin, Chairman of Cyberport Investors Network (CIN) Steering Group; Co-Founder of CMGE Technology Group Limited; Chairman of China Prosperity Capital,said, “The global market presents both challenges and opportunities, with AI continuing to dominate high value transactions. Building on last year’s establishment of the ‘Web3.0 Investment Circle’, which successfully gathered over 40 investors focused on blockchain and digital assets, we have now launched the ‘AI Investment Circle’ to connect AI companies showing strong fundraising potentials. Through various financing channels, Cyberport continues to link global investors with start-ups. Cyberport Investors Network (CIN) has facilitated nearly HK$4.26 billion in investments, while Cyberport Macro Fund (CMF), alongside co-investments, has contributed close to HK$1.99 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence in Cyberport companies. The CVCF further connects international investors, industry leaders and start-ups, fostering deep collaboration across government, industry, academia, research, investment, and users, while gathering innovative pioneers and ideas from home and abroad to propel Hong Kong’s development as an international I&T hub.”
As Hong Kong’s digital tech hub, AI accelerator and key incubator, Cyberport leverages the Cyberport Investors Network (CIN) to attract influential investment units from around the world to connect with high-potential Cyberport enterprises to accelerate their development. Since its inception in 2017, the total investments facilitated by CIN have reached over HK$4.258 billion, a year-on-year increase of over HK$1.66 billion, representing a threefold growth. CIN has facilitated a cumulative total of 109 projects, up by 13 from last year. CIN’s investment units have also grown by over 20, now exceeding 220, with 15% from the Greater Bay Area and 14% from the Asia-Pacific region, successfully aggregating global venture capital. Following the success of the establishment of “Web3.0 Investment Circle” last year, which successfully brought together more than 40 investors, Cyberport has launched the “AI Investment Circle” this year to match investors with high-potential and high-growth AI start-ups, further strengthening the AI ecosystem.
Another key financing channel, Cyberport Macro Fund (CMF), continues to invest in high-potential start-ups while enhancing their fundraising capabilities. As of October 2025, CMF has invested in 29 start-up projects, with the total investment, including co-investments, exceeding HK$1.989 billion, with a co-investment ratio of 1:9.3 — meaning every HK$1 invested by Cyberport attracts an additional HK$9.3 in co-investment. This demonstrates Cyberport’s sustained ability to attract capital in a challenging environment.
Driving Innovation Financing and Supporting Enterprise Growth
Cyberport companies have recently achieved remarkable success in the venture capital market. Among them, virtual insurer Bowtie Life Insurance and DigiFT, a licensed Hong Kong digital asset firm headquartered in Singapore, have successfully secured financing exceeding US$10 million and attracted significant market attention. Bowtie successfully completed its Series C funding round of a US$70 million in July 2025, which was led by Sun Life Hong Kong Limited. Meanwhile, DigiFT, which earlier received approval from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for Type 1 and Type 4 licenses, supporting its regulated activities in the tokenised securities space.
Fred Ngan, Co-Founder of Bowtie Life Insurance, Cyberport Incubation Programme Alumnus, and a leading virtual insurer in Hong Kong, shared their success story and said, “Cyberport’s role as an international springboard helps start-ups accelerate their business growth. The CIN platform has connected us with local large enterprises, government bodies, global investors, leading tech corporations, and international professional services providers, improving our capital strength base. Bowtie successfully completed a US$70 million Series C funding round in mid-2025, marking it the largest funding round for digital health insurers in Asia with a direct-to-consumer model. This not only reflects our confidence and that of our investors in Hong Kong’s healthtech and virtual insurance market, but also demonstrates that, in Hong Kong as an international financial centre, start-ups with strong technological capabilities and clear profitability models can attract diverse capital and become the next success story.”
Kevin Loo, CEO of DigiFT Hong Kong, CyberportIncubatee DigiFT, a licensed digital asset firm headquartered in Singapore and received approval from the regulatory authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong,said, “Cyberport serves as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder,’ actively driving the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and supporting high-potential start-ups in expanding into local and international markets. We are thrilled to be selected for the ‘Blockchain & Digital Asset Pilot Subsidy Scheme’ and to collaborate with UBS and Chainlink on the ‘open architecture for RWA processes automation’ pilot project in Hong Kong. Having recently obtained SFC Type 1 and 4 licences in Hong Kong, DigiFT is among the few financial institutions leveraging smart contract-driven on-chain infrastructure with such regulatory approval, underscoring the growing maturity of Hong Kong’s digital asset market and RWA tokenisation. As a Cyberport incubatee, we are encouraged by the support from Cyberport and the HKSAR Government for the development of digital assets and blockchain technology, as well as the tangible assistance provided in expanding into global markets, fostering collaboration and promoting innovative RWA applications.”
Connecting Investors and Start-ups, Showcasing Cutting-Edge Innovations
Cyberport Venture Capital Forum 2025 will feature an opening remarks by Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and bring together venture capital leaders, including representatives from Longling Capital, Cyber Creation Ventures, Hongshan CBC Cross-border Digital Fund, Cathay Innovation, Rasmal Ventures, Granite-Integral, Sinovation Ventures, Eminence Ventures, Gobi Partners, and more, to discuss the latest technology and market focus:
AI and Web3.0 Nexus: Exploring practical applications and investment prospects of AI, blockchain, and digital assets, with sessions focusing on AI’s role in reshaping industries, digital assets in financial systems, and the decentralised innovations driven by Web3.0.
Regional Market Focus: Analysing growth potential, unique innovations and investment advantages in key markets through dedicated panel discussions.
Web3.0 and Digital Assets: Highlighting Hong Kong’s development as a digital asset hub, covering virtual asset regulatory frameworks, Real-World Assets (RWA) tokenisation, and the commercialisation of Decentralised Finance (DeFi) and Web3.0 gaming.
CVCF 2025 will continue to feature the popular “Investor Matching” session, offering face-to-face and online interactions to pair investors with start-ups based on their technological focus and investment preferences, enhancing collaboration efficiency. Additional highlights include innovator showcase, start-up clinic & workshop, providing attendees with practical insights and strategic advice.
The Web3.0 Innovation Expo, a key highlight of the forum, aims to strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international digital asset hub. The expo will bring together global Web3.0 leaders, regulators, and traditional financial giants, and showcasing cases from Cyberport’s “Blockchain & Digital Asset Pilot Subsidy Scheme”, which accelerates the practical applications in tokenised assets, payments, Regulatory Technology (RegTech), and the creator economy.
As Cyberport’s flagship venture capital event, CVCF connects investors and entrepreneurs in the global digital technology. In 2024, the hybrid event attracted over 2,600 participants, achieved more than 150,000 views and facilitated more than 350 deal flows, fostering partnerships and investment opportunities. For more details, please visit the website: http://cvcf.cyberport.hk/.
Hashtag: #CyberportVentureCapitalForum
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Cyberport
Wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Cyberport is Hong Kong’s digital tech hub and AI accelerator, with a vision to empower industry digitalisation and intelligent transformation, to promote digital economy and AI development, and to foster Hong Kong to be an international AI, innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Cyberport gathers over 2,300 companies, including 12 listed companies and 10 unicorns. One-third of onsite companies’ founders come from 26 countries and regions, while Cyberport companies have expanded to over 35 global markets.
Cyberport, with Hong Kong’s largest AI Supercomputing Centre and AI Lab as the engine, has been building the AI ecosystem with industry-leading AI companies and over 400 AI and data science start-ups. Through development of tech clusters, namely AI, data science, blockchain and cybersecurity, Cyberport empowers industries across smart city and government, banking and finance, digital entertainment, culture and tourism, healthcare, education and training, property management, construction, transportation and logistics, green environment and more, while hosting Hong Kong’s largest FinTech community. Commissioned by the HKSAR Government, Cyberport has implemented proof-of-concept and sandbox schemes, subsidisation for digital tech adoption, industry tech training and start-up incubation, to drive technology R&D, translation and commercialisation, thus propelling digital transformation and intelligent upgrade across industry and society.
Also as “State-level Scientific and Technological Enterprise Incubator” and Hong Kong’s key incubator, Cyberport supports entrepreneurs with funding and office space, extensive networks of enterprises, investors, technology corporations and professional services for business growth and expansion to Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, all-round facilitation for landing in Hong Kong, talent attraction and cultivation, ready as a launchpad to take start-ups in any stages of development to the next level.
https://www.cyberport.hk/en
