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The 20th China Wuqiao International Circus Festival: Acrobatics’ grand homecoming with global perspectives

SHIJIAZHUANG, China, Sept. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from Great Wall New Media.

 

The 20th China Wuqiao International Circus Festival is being held from September 28 to October 8, 2025, jointly hosted in Wuqiao County of Cangzhou City and Shijiazhuang City.

For the first time in the festival’s 38-year history, the main events are staged in Wuqiao—the “hometown of acrobatics.” The Acrobatic Festival is finally coming home!

What exciting performances await? Which Chinese and international artists will take the stage? How do experts and scholars view this long-awaited “homecoming” celebration?

We’ve invited Great Wall international communication officers — Emily Francis (USA), Maria Clara Silva (Brazil), and Karpovich Polina (Russia) to explore Wuqiao together and bring you an exclusive view.

Smart Collaboration for a Thriving Ecosystem: Huawei FusionSolar Successfully Hosts the Global Installer Summit

DONGGUAN, China, Sept. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei FusionSolar held the 4th & 5th Global Installer Summit in Dongguan. More than 1200 partners and installers from around the world dived deep into the PV and energy storage system (ESS) market trends, installer strategies, success stories, and marketing strategies, co-creating a bright future of the distributed energy.

Smart Collaboration for a Thriving Ecosystem: Huawei FusionSolar Successfully Hosts the Global Installer Summit
Smart Collaboration for a Thriving Ecosystem: Huawei FusionSolar Successfully Hosts the Global Installer Summit

Smart Collaboration for a Thriving Ecosystem: Huawei FusionSolar Successfully Hosts the Global Installer Summit
Smart Collaboration for a Thriving Ecosystem: Huawei FusionSolar Successfully Hosts the Global Installer Summit

Zhou Jianjun, Vice President of Huawei and President of Global Marketing, Sales and Services of Huawei Digital Power, delivered a welcome speech at the summit. He noted that “every installer is the last-mile value creator and deliverer.” He explained that the summit aims to share the Huawei Digital Power’s positioning and strategies with global installers, highlight the latest technologies, products, and solutions, and establish a seamless communication platform. By gathering industry-leading practices from around the world, the event fosters business growth through practical experience and collective efforts toward a better future.

Smart Collaboration for a Thriving Ecosystem: Huawei FusionSolar Successfully Hosts the Global Installer Summit
Smart Collaboration for a Thriving Ecosystem: Huawei FusionSolar Successfully Hosts the Global Installer Summit

Sun Xiaofeng, President of Smart PV & ESS Marketing and Sales Services, Huawei Digital Power, delivered a keynote speech on “Huawei’s Culture and Innovation System.” He mentioned that Huawei Digital Power will stay customer-centric and committed to digitalization, intelligence, and decarbonization, ensuring continuous investment for cutting-edge technologies. Huawei Digital Power will maintain close cooperation with global partners and customers, and embrace future uncertainties with an open mind to build a better, greener future.

Jack Tong, President of Global Residential and C&I Smart PV & ESS Business, Huawei Digital Power, shared Huawei FusionSolar’s installer strategies. He pointed out that the Installer and EPC are the safety protector, quality guarantor and value creator in last mile in the transformation from energy consumers to energy prosumers for homes and enterprises. Huawei is committed to building a simple and efficient business journey for installers, and working with users, installers, and partners for shared success.

Allen Zeng, President of Technical Service & Operation, Huawei Digital Power, delivered a keynote speech titled “Engineer Your Success: Smarter Installs, Advanced Support, and Limitless Opportunities.” He revealed four major trends: stricter safety requirements, record-high growth market, increasing importance of the ESS, and new growth engines needed in the market. Huawei has built a three-dimensional service system that features quality excellence, professional mastery, and a strategic vision, focusing on simplified installation and maintenance, professional technical support and training, and long-term profits to help installers achieve business success.

Xia Hesheng, CMO of Huawei Digital Power, delivered a keynote speech titled “Simple Makes Wiser, Marketing Guidelines to Installers”, emphasizing the importance of branding and marketing for business success. Huawei Digital Power continuously enhances brand momentum and works with installers in Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America to explore successful joint marketing models. Huawei Digital Power will collaborate openly with partners and installers to share branding and marketing resources and expertise, fostering mutual business success.

Wang Wenyuan, Smart PV Management System Chief Engineer, Huawei Digital Power, shared “SmartDesign: From Concept to Business Plan in 10 Minutes.” SmartDesign is an online design tool that can efficiently solve many challenges faced by installers when designing solutions for owners, including standardized design, device selection, and intuitive and visual project benefits. Without needing to be on site, installers can complete a design in just 10 minutes. SmartDesign supports electrical design, 3D modeling, PV layout, and device list generation. In addition, it can generate detailed reports to clearly display the system return on investment (ROI), significantly improving the communication efficiency and experience between owners and installers.

In addition, Huawei FusionSolar solution experts provided in-depth analysis of the core value of Residential and C&I One-Fits-All Solutions, empowering global installers with practical insights and impactful takeaways. Installers from across the globe shared real-world applications and success stories, sparking forward-thinking ideas and new opportunities for collaboration through dynamic exchange.

The four-month (From April 1 to July 31) Huawei FusionSolar Creators’ Cup successfully concluded with a vibrant award ceremony. Installers from around the world showcased compelling stories of green and low-carbon development across homes and businesses. Through the lens, they captured authentic reflections and deep insights into the present and future of sustainable living.

The summit delivered high-impact, content-rich agendas centered on cultural consensus, strategic alignment, technological innovation, and model breakthroughs. More than just a global gathering for Huawei FusionSolar installers, the events served as vital platforms for cross-market and cross-regional knowledge exchange, where insights flowed freely and capabilities were elevated. Looking ahead, Huawei FusionSolar remains committed to collaborating with global partners to integrate industry expertise, accelerate the digital transformation of energy, and build a better, greener future.

China-Egypt collaboration promotes civilization dialogue

BEIJING, Sept. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This is a news report from China Daily: The Nile River, eternal and majestic, carves its path through endless desert landscapes before surrendering to the Mediterranean in North Egypt. Along its fertile black banks, ancient Egyptian civilization blossomed, a land of awe and mystery where the world’s first scripts were etched, some of the earliest cities rose, and belief in eternity gave shape to temples and tombs.

Visitors at the exhibition On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt in the Shanghai Museum on the night of Aug 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Visitors at the exhibition On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt in the Shanghai Museum on the night of Aug 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Today, this river of history flows into a new chapter, as China and Egypt join hands to guard the legacies of their ancient civilizations. Together they are breathing new life into weathered stones and faded murals, through joint archaeological digs, relic restorations and cultural exhibitions.

In this dialogue across time, two cradles of human wisdom affirm a shared belief that the diversity of civilizations is a treasure to be cherished, and that protecting the past is a way of inspiring the future, experts said.

From the summer of 2024 to the summer of 2025, Shanghai Museum staged the landmark exhibition “On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt”. Showcasing 788 rare artifacts, the 13-month event drew an impressive 2.78 million visitors. The exhibition presented over 400 newly unearthed artifacts, underscoring the rich fruits of recent China-Egypt joint archaeological projects.

In recent years, China and Egypt have steadily deepened archaeological cooperation. In 2018, following a protocol between Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China’s first full archaeological mission in Egypt began excavations at the Montu Temple ruins in Luxor’s Karnak Temple Complex.

In parallel, joint efforts are underway to nominate China’s Baiheliang Ancient Hydrological Inscription and Egypt’s Rawda Island Nilometer as World Cultural Heritage sites of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Meanwhile, teams have begun digitally documenting thousands of ancient coffins in Saqqara — a sprawling necropolis of ancient Egyptian royalty — contributing to both preservation and scholarship.

Yan Haiying, professor of history at Peking University, said that China and Egypt, both heirs to ancient civilizations, stand as mirrors to one another. Comparative research between these two cultural giants not only deepens mutual understanding, but also enriches each side’s sense of identity and historical self-awareness.

“The exhibition of ancient Egyptian civilization has sparked a cultural wave in China. In the past, Egypt-themed shows here were often canned exhibitions curated in the West and staged mainly for profit. This time, however, Shanghai Museum achieved a major breakthrough, taking the lead in curating independently and working hand in hand with Egyptian counterparts. Without the joint archaeology of China and Egypt, these newly unearthed relics could never have come to China,” Yan said.

She said ancient China and Egypt, both nourished by great rivers, shared striking commonalities as agrarian civilizations. Each cultivated cosmologies and philosophies rooted in the idea of harmony between heaven and humanity, and in prayers for blessings in the afterlife. Both sought a unified national order and revered the ideal of living in balance with nature.

“Therefore, before the relics of ancient Egypt, Chinese hearts stir with a quiet resonance: two great civilizations, though distant, recognizing one another across the span of time,” Yan said.

Xue Jiang, a researcher at the World Art History Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, said that ancient Egyptian and Chinese civilizations share similar characteristics, and these cultural parallels have laid a strong foundation for the two nations to deepen cooperation in preserving their rich heritage.

Xue and his colleagues carried out field research in Egypt on the digitization of newly unearthed artifacts, which led to an agreement with Egyptian partners to launch a series of long-term collaborative projects. The first initiative, which focused on the investigation, cataloging, database creation and joint publication of artifacts discovered in Saqqara, was designated as a pilot, testing new methods and technologies for heritage preservation.

“Following our research, we will publish findings in Arabic, Chinese and English, and establish a trilingual database. Looking ahead, we plan to set up joint laboratories and apply China’s most advanced archaeological technologies to help Egypt build a modern archaeological system,” he said.

Both experts said strengthened cooperation between China and Egypt in heritage protection will not only deepen cultural exchanges, but also contribute to safeguarding the diversity of world civilizations.

“Every civilization shines with its own brilliance, and all stand equal, and this forms the very foundation of dialogue and exchange. As heirs to these legacies, we bear the responsibility of safeguarding world heritage and preserving the shared treasures of human civilization,” Xue said.

Yan said that with each newly unearthed artifact, Egyptian national pride swelled and confidence soared, inspiring renewed efforts to safeguard their cultural treasures and celebrate their rich history.

“Understanding one’s past is key to fostering one’s cultural confidence. China and Egypt should work together to safeguard their shared historical and cultural heritage, enhance the protection and transmission of cultural relics, and jointly preserve the collective memory of history,” she said.

Xue added: “Civilizations are neither superior nor inferior; they are united by the shared aspiration to learn from one another, collaborate and achieve mutual benefit. In reflecting on civilization, we must not only examine its authenticity, but also seek a collective human memory and empathy that transcend time and space.”

 

CIIF 2025: Shanghai Electric Empowers Global Energy and Industrial Supply Chain Resilience with Frontier Innovations

From advanced nuclear power equipment to smart robotics, the Chinese industry pioneer unveils integrated solutions to tackle energy security and intelligent manufacturing challenges

SHANGHAI, Sept. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Shanghai Electric (SEHK: 2727, SSE: 601727), a global leader in industrial and energy equipment manufacturing, highlights its latest breakthroughs in new power systems and zero-carbon industrial parks at the 25th China International Industry Fair (CIIF 2025), held September 23 to 27 in Shanghai.

 

Themed “Never Stop the Evolution,” Shanghai Electric’s exhibition at CIIF 2025 accentuates its commitment to enhancing global supply chain resilience through clean energy and smart manufacturing. The company aims to accelerate the transition to a sustainable, high-precision industrial ecosystem amid rising demands for energy security and decarbonization.

Groundbreaking advancements making industry-wide impact

At CIIF 2025, Shanghai Electric presented high-end, intelligent, and green technological innovations across seven sectors—energy, industry, drives, components, healthcare, environmental protection, heating and cooling. Recognized for its revolutionizing contributions and impact, the company won four CIIF Energy Awards and two CIIF Industrial Automation Awards, making it the most awarded exhibitor at this year’s fair. Highlights included:

  • Hualong One advanced PWR core equipment and large forging development;
  • Next-gen ultra-supercritical steam turbines with deep peak-shaving capabilities;
  • 300MW hydrogen-blended heavy-duty gas turbine;
  • LDES No.1 500 kW/2 MWh double-container vanadium-iron liquid flow battery energy storage system;
  • Intelligent manufacturing and maintenance algorithm development and application of complex energy equipment;
  • Spirit Python tube-climbing robot.

As China’s sole supplier of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor core equipment, Shanghai Electric exhibited models of its Hualong One and Guohe One reactors, demonstrating its robust capabilities in the manufacturing of third- and fourth-generation primary nuclear power equipment technologies.

Since 2000, Shanghai Electric has been a key participant in the “Artificial Sun” nuclear fusion project, emerging as one of the most comprehensive suppliers of core equipment for nuclear fusion reactor systems. At CIIF 2025, the Company showcased critical components of the reactor systems, including the vacuum chamber, thermal shield, coil box, and Dewar vessel. These exhibits highlighted China’s independent innovation capabilities in controlled nuclear fusion technology.

The Company also presented the Taonan integrated wind-biomass green methanol project, China’s first EU ISCC-certified large-scale green methanol initiative. The project provides a scalable “electricity-hydrogen-methanol” pathway for decarbonization in sectors including aviation and shipping.

Furthermore, Shanghai Electric is strengthening its supply chains and advancing smart manufacturing, delivering integrated solutions for manufacturing, chemicals, metallurgy, smart cities, and industrial parks. The high-precision grinding centers with nanometer-level accuracy for aerospace engine components and robotic joints, thereby enhancing global high-end manufacturing supply chain diversity.

Leveraging its diverse industrial portfolio and cross-sector synergies, Shanghai Electric has achieved a full-industry-chain ecosystem in robotics—spanning robot bodies, applications, key components, and core manufacturing equipment, to deliver resilient, cost-effective automation solutions for global industrial automation operators. The exhibition at CIIF 2025 featured specialized robots like LINGTENG (pipe inspection), LINGHANG (patrol), LINGYAO (wheel-legged), LINGKE (dual-arm), and HENGSUN (hip surgery system), as well as humanoid robot components.

As heritage meets innovation, Shanghai Electric also presented a special exhibition titled “Century of Power” featuring historic artifacts including China’s first 6,000 kW steam turbine measuring instrument, reflecting the Company’s engineering legacy and reliability, which is the cornerstone of delivering mega-scale projects worldwide.

Looking forward, Shanghai Electric will continue to drive synergetic evolution in energy and industry, refining and upgrading our core technologies toward a future defined by ‘industrial innovation, and intelligent manufacturing without boundaries.’ With new quality productive forces as the key driver of high-quality development, Shanghai Electric aims to propel Shanghai and China’s new industrialization through innovation-driven growth, tangible advancements, and high-end transformation.

 

“The Summer Hikaru Died” Greenlit for Season 2 New Illustrations and Comments Released from the Author, Cast, and Staff

TOKYO, Sept. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hit TV anime “The Summer Hikaru Died” (original manga published by KADOKAWA; anime co-produced by CyberAgent and KADOKAWA; animation production by CygamesPictures) will officially return for a highly anticipated second season.

The Summer Hikaru Died_2nd Season
The Summer Hikaru Died_2nd Season

“The Summer Hikaru Died” is a coming-of-age horror story that follows Yoshiki, an ordinary high school boy, as he experiences a series of mysterious and unsettling incidents in his daily life with Hikaru—a mysterious being that imitates his childhood friend Hikaru Indo.

Since its broadcast premiere on July 5, the series has captured fans with its haunting visuals and immersive sound design. Following Episode 2, the anime ranked No. 1 on Japan’s “Today’s Top 10 Series” on Netflix. (*1) They secured the No. 1 spot on ABEMA’s weekly anime ranking for three consecutive weeks, generating widespread excitement throughout the summer of 2025.

To mark the announcement of Season 2, we are pleased to share special illustrations from the original manga’s creator Mokumokuren and character designer Yuichi Takahashi as well as comments from Chiaki Kobayashi (voice of Yoshiki Tsujinaka) and Shuichiro Umeda (voice of Hikaru). Fans can look forward to the continuation of this series, which took the summer of 2025 by storm.

(*1) Weeks of July 7–13 and July 14–20, 2025

Creator & Cast Comments:

Mokumokuren (Original Story)

Mokumokuren (Original story)
Mokumokuren (Original story)

Chiaki Kobayashi (Voice of Yoshiki Tsujinaka)

Chiaki Kobayashi (Yoshiki Tsujinaka)
Chiaki Kobayashi (Yoshiki Tsujinaka)

“Congratulations on the announcement of Season 2 of The Summer Hikaru Died!

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the summer of 2025 was defined by this series for me. It was such a meaningful time, and I’m truly happy to see the story continue- and to once again portray Yoshiki Tsujinaka.

Even with all of Yoshiki’s struggles and hardships, I’m eager to see where his journey goes next.

I hope you’ll stay with us, and thank you as always for your support!”

Shuichiro Umeda (Voice of Hikaru)

Shuichiro Umeda (Hikaru)
Shuichiro Umeda (Hikaru)

“Congratulations on The Summer Hikaru Died getting a second season!

I’m truly happy. I can’t wait to spend more time with Hikaru and the others when we return to the recording booth.

I’m also really looking forward to sharing this second season of the anime with all the fans.

Thank you so much, as always, for your support!

Yuichi Takahashi (Character Design・Chief Animation Director)

Yuichi Takahashi (Character Design・Chief Animation Director )
Yuichi Takahashi (Character Design・Chief Animation Director )

Follow “The Summer Hikaru Died” on Social Media:

Official Website: https://hikanatsu-anime.com/
Official X: https://x.com/hikaru_anime_en
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hikaru_anime_en

Introduction

In a certain village
Since their childhood, they have grown up together.
Yoshiki and Hikaru, childhood
friends.
the sun shining down on them
the chirping sound of a cryptotympana facialis
Ice cream on the way home

Laughing over trivial things
One day in summer, no different from any other day

…… You’re not Hikaru after all, are you?

Half a year ago, Hikaru went missing in the mountains.
A week later, he came back on a whim.
The voice, the figure, the thing that looked like Hikaru
What was stirring inside…

“Hikaru is no longer with us. …… if that’s the case.”

Starting the days with “something” in the form of a friend,
The “same as usual” everyday life.
But at the same time…
Strange incidents begin to plague the village.

Falling into the unknown “something”
The curtain rises on a coming-of-age horror story.

Key Visual

Broadcast & Streaming Information
Available on Netflix worldwide from July 5th, 2025
Netflix (Worldwide): https://www.netflix.com/title/81948057

Cast

Yoshiki Tsujinaka: Chiaki Kobayashi
Hikaru: Shuichiro Umeda
Tanaka: Chikahiro Kobayashi
Rie Kurebayashi: Wakana Kowaka
Asako Yamagishi: Yumiri Hanamori
Yuta Maki: Yoshiki Nakajima
Yuki Tadokoro: Shion Wakayama

Staff

Original Story: Based on the manga “The Summer Hikaru Died” by Mokumokuren; originally serialized in YOUNG ACE UP, published by KADOKAWA

Director/Series Composition: Ryohei Takeshita
Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Yuichi Takahashi
DORODORO Animator: Masanobu Hiraoka
Prop Design: Ryunosuke Ouchi
Sub Character Design: Mai Watanabe, Hiroko Saigan, Shoko Nagasawa
Art Setting: Shuhei Tada, Takeyuki Takahashi, Yoshihiro Sono
Art Director: Kohei Honda
Color Design: Naomi Nakano(stella)
Assistant Color Design: Yuko Koshida
3D Supervisor: Yoshinori Nakano
Director of Photography: Tomohiro Maeda
2D Design: Yusuke Nagara, Yuri Tsue
Editing: Kashiko Kimura
Sound Director: Koji Kasamatsu
Sound Production: dugout
Music: Taro Umebayashi
Opening Theme Song: “saikai” by Vaundy
Now Streaming
– Streaming Link: https://lnk.to/Vaundy_saikai
– Non-Credit Opening Animation of “The Summer Hikaru Died,” Featuring the Opening Theme Song “saikai” by Vaundy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP7la6a1H1g

Ending Theme Song: “Anata wa Kaibutsu (you are my monster)” by TOOBOE
Now Available as an Advance Digital Release
– Streaming Link: https://tooboe.lnk.to/youaremymonster
– Non-Credit Ending Animation of “The Summer Hikaru Died,” Featuring the Song “Anata wa Kaibutsu (you are my monster)” by TOOBOE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dq21OHPJTk

Animation Production: CygamesPictures

Copyright: ©Mokumokuren/KADOKAWA/The Summer Hikaru Died Partners 
*Copyrights must be indicated when posting or using the images/materials

FNZ Employee Shareholders question the actions of FNZ’s Chairman and investor Motive Partners with a US$4.6 billion lawsuit pending

LONDON, Sept. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FNZ employee shareholders – who collectively hold over 30% of the company’s equity – are questioning the actions of FNZ’s Chairman and private equity firm Motive Partners. This follows a year of alleged relentless executive turnover, unprecedented increases in expenditure to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars and repeated failure to deliver on the strategy introduced by the private equity firm Motive Partners.

A spokesperson for the Employee Shareholders, who have filed a US$4.6 billion class action against FNZ Group Limited and 17 of its current and former Directors, said the Chairman must be held accountable for the alleged lack of governance that has allowed this private equity firm to take control of the management of the company and, presumably, all flow of information to the Board. 

Since September 2024, when Motive Partners installed its own personnel in senior leadership roles, a large number of senior leaders have left including recent sudden departures of the firms CRO, COO and CTO.

“We’ve lost all the leadership and knowledge that built FNZ to date, but it still needs to continue to build and grow as a growth company. In its place, we have Motive Partners with no relevant experience in actually building companies, let alone building technology companies. The company is being run according to a relatively junior, lower tier, private equity playbook.” said a spokesperson for the Employee Shareholders.

“In addition, Motive’s recent investment in several direct competitors of FNZ raises the question of what Motive’s agenda really is. Overwhelmingly Private Equity investors would avoid such conflicts in their portfolio companies.”

A class action filed in the High Court of New Zealand by FNZ’s employee shareholders alleges the deliberate and oppressive dilution of employee shareholders’ holdings, as well as the direct transfer of their equity to conflicted institutional and private equity shareholders. Motive Partners would seem to be playing a central role.

Fueling Hangzhou’s Global AI Rise: Zhejiang University Leads the Way in Nurturing AI Trailblazers


HANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 September 2025 – As east China’s digital tech hub Hangzhou is gearing up for the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo (September 25–29), a globally watched digital gala centered on “deep integration of digital trade and AI,” many would wonder who are the creators of the world-leading computing infrastructure, large models, embodied intelligent robots, and over 100 AI application scenarios showcased at the expo.

Caption: A ZJU student works on robot development at ZJU’s Innovation Practice Base of Robotics and Intelligent Equipment
Caption: A ZJU student works on robot development at ZJU’s Innovation Practice Base of Robotics and Intelligent Equipment

The pioneers making Hangzhou’s reputation as what The Wall Street Journal called “global AI competitor” hail from talent cultivation from top institutions like Zhejiang University (ZJU). The rise of entrepreneurs such as ZJU alumnus Liang Wenfeng, founder of DeepSeek, vividly testifies to the university’s AI education success. From early explorations decades ago to today’s systematic innovation, ZJU has long nurtured batches of AI “pioneers.”

ZJU’s AI roots trace to 1978, when it established its Computer Science Department. Founding director He Zhijun prioritized “AI theory research and new computer design” in the department’s blueprint, making ZJU the first in China to enroll AI master’s students and sow the seeds of AI research.

Seizing the opportunity from the 2017 national new-generation AI development plan which mandated AI undergraduate programs, ZJU became one of China’s first 35 universities to launch an AI undergraduate major in 2018. It followed with the nation’s first interdisciplinary AI program in 2019, and in 2024, secured China’s only national AI textbook base.

Now ZJU has built integrated teaching resources—textbooks, courses, faculty, and training platforms—and forged a complete talent pipeline spanning undergraduates to postgraduates for AI professionals and “AI+other majors”, fostering an ecosystem where “everyone can learn AI anywhere, anytime.” This year, it expanded AI enrollment to welcome more young explorers.

As a general-purpose technology akin to the internal combustion engine or electricity, AI inherently drives interdisciplinary collaboration—whether solving scientific/engineering challenges via AI (e.g., AI for Science: predicting 3D protein structures) or optimizing AI through science (e.g., Science for AI: refining neural networks via statistical physics). Future breakthroughs will largely emerge from such intersections. Today, AI is as accessible as water and electricity, thanks to natural language interfaces. Understanding, using, innovating AI, and upholding human-robot ethics have become core competencies for the intelligent age.

In September 2024, ZJU pioneered hierarchical, compulsory AI general education courses and a textbook series—General Education of Artificial Intelligence —the first of its kind in China, tailored for STEM/agriculture/medicine, social sciences, and humanities/art. No more “shying away” from one-size-fits-all content, medical students can find AI-assisted diagnosis insights while art students can explore AI-driven creation.

Interdisciplinary training is ZJU’s forte. In 2021, it co-founded China’s first inter-university “AI+X” micro-major with five other leading universities. Targeting non-computer students, it acts as a “pathfinder” for interdisciplinary talent development. Polished over years, this model upgraded to “AI+X 2.0” in 2025.

ZJU also partnered with China Academy of Art on the “intelligent art and design” micro-major, incorporating cutting-edge fields like “embodied intelligence” and “digital-intelligent organizations” to explore disciplinary paradigm shifts and unlock “X+AI” potential.

Nurturing talent requires elevating faculty and student quality. ZJU released a series of guidance, requiring students to use AI, innovate AI, and uphold ethical boundaries while urging teachers to uphold educational values, master AI knowledge, reform teaching models, and assume social responsibilities.

To deliver AI general courses, ZJU assembled an interdisciplinary teaching team from 40 colleges and trained teachers in intelligent education. It also launched 11 episodes of the DeepSeek online public course, drawing over 50 million views to spread AI knowledge beyond campus. The first national “Qizhen Wenzhi” AI model & agent competition will launch later this year, encouraging inter-university teams to practice in real scenarios.

Classroom AI innovation enlivens learning: In the class of Computer Architecture, AI teaching assistants act as digital doubles—explaining concepts, generating PPTs, answering questions 24/7, designing quizzes, and mapping knowledge. Medical AI class uses generative platforms for heuristic questioning, generative exploration, and focused discussion, with AI as an inspiration assistant for drug design. Even job-hunting gets support from “Xiaoye,” an AI career mentor offering insights and resources.

Caption: Students in an AI-related course
Caption: Students in an AI-related course

ZJU is also strengthening its AI education ecosystem. The 2024-established Artificial Intelligence Education Research Center coordinates campus-wide reform. In March 2025, it launched an AI-empowered education project called “AI STEP” (Start-Train-Explore-Progress), which features “Science, Technology, Engineering & Enterprise, Philosophical & Social Science” interdisciplinary integration, and build a new model for fostering top AI innovators.

As Hangzhou’s expo showcases the AI industry’s vitality, it stands on ZJU’s education-built talent reservoir. From alumni like Liang Wenfeng to campus AI explorers, ZJU’s practice fuels the AI industry with steady talent supply, aligning education and industry to create more “DeepSeek moments” in the AI era.
Hashtag: #ZhejiangUniversity

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

HKIS – Quantity Surveying Division Conference 2025

“Navigating ‘3Cs Role in QS’ in the New Era: Cost Management, Chance and Collaboration”


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 September 2025 – The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) Quantity Surveying Division hosted the HKIS Quantity Surveying Division Conference 2025 (the Conference) today at the CIC-Zero Carbon Park.

This year’s theme, “Navigating ‘3Cs Role in QS’ in the New Era: Cost Management, Chance and Collaboration”, reflects the evolving role of Quantity Surveyors during a time of economic restructuring.

The Conference brought together around 250 participants both in person and online, including government officials, industry leaders, professionals, academics, and young practitioners. Mr. David LAM Chi Man, JP, Under Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government, attended as the Guest of Honour and delivered a keynote speech.

Quantity Surveyors are trained construction cost consultants with expertise in costs, values, finance, contracts, and legal matters related to the built environment. In today’s rapidly changing market, the roles of Quantity Surveyors have become increasingly vital, extending well beyond cost estimation. Through collaboration and technology adoption, Quantity Surveyors act as trusted advisors who safeguard financial viability, enhance efficiency, and unlock value in project delivery.

Mr. David LAM Chi Man, JP, Under Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government, said in his keynote speech that the conference, covering issues such as construction cost management, opportunities brought by new mega development and new technologies as well as the power of collaborative contracting, underscored the evolving role of quantity surveyors from traditional cost controllers to innovators, facilitators and collaborators, in shaping the future of the industry. The Government is proactively increasing the investment in public works projects. Mr Lam encouraged quantity surveyors to continue upskilling, embracing new tools, and seizing opportunities to lead the industry forward.

Featuring 18 distinguished speakers from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore and Australia, the Conference aimed to stimulate thought-provoking discussions, providing participants not only technical knowledge but also broader perspectives on how Quantity Surveyors can adapt to global trends and take the lead in meeting local needs.

Sr Robin LEUNG Chi Tim, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, noted in his welcome speech, “This year’s theme reflects the dynamic evolution of our profession. Quantity Surveyors today transcend cost management roles; they are already well acquainted with emerging opportunities and actively foster collaboration across sectors. In this era of economic restructuring, their specialised knowledge and expertise are indispensable in driving Hong Kong’s development into a resilient and sustainable city.”

Sr Tim NGAI Chi Hang, Chairman of the HKIS Quantity Surveying Division, said: “Amid economic restructuring, Quantity Surveyors are central to safeguarding cost management while creating value and resilience in projects. Today’s conference serves as both a platform for professional advancement and a reminder of the meaningful impact our profession makes on the built environment. QSD will continue to serve our members by promoting professional excellence and fostering innovation.”

Sr Mandy NG Man Yan, Organising Committee Chair of the Conference stated in her closing remarks, “Today’s programme showcased the many ways Quantity Surveyors can lead in a time of economic restructuring — from AI-driven cost management to opportunities in the Northern Metropolis and collaborative contracting. The discussions offered not only technical insights but also broader inspiration on how our profession can adapt, innovate, and thrive in the new era.”

List of Speakers (in order of presentation delivery)

Keynote Speech by Guest of Honour

  • Mr. David LAM Chi Man, JP, Under Secretary for Development, Development Bureau, HKSARG

Session 1: Effective Cost Management

  • Sr Hon. Tony TSE Wai Chuen, SBS, JP, Member of Legislative Council of the HKSAR (Architectural, Surveying, Planning and Landscape Functional Constituency)
  • Mr. LEI Peng, Vice President, Glodon Company Limited
  • Sr Thomas WONG, Director, Beria Consultants Limited
  • Sr LAM Yen Ling, Managing Director, Rider Levett Bucknall Limited
  • Sr Katherine LEUNG Oi Kwan, Assistant Director (Quantity Surveying), Architectural Services Department, HKSARG
  • Ir Sr Tony ZA Wai Gin, Executive Director, Hip Hing Construction Co., Ltd.

Session 2: Chance of QS in the New Era

  • Mr. Michael FONG Hok Shing, JP, Director of Civil Engineering and Development, HKSARG
  • Mr. Elvis LI, CEO, isBIM Limited
  • Sr Pesire LAU Yuen Man, Deputy Director, Rider Levett Bucknall Limited
  • Sr Gareth CHAN, MHKIS, MAIQS CQS
  • Sr Colin KIN, President, Quantity Surveying Division, Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers
  • Sr Dickey LEE Kwok Wing, Director, LESK Solutions Co., Ltd.

Session 3: Collaboration in QS Duties

  • Sr Stanley CHANG Hon Wah, Hon Secretary, Quantity Surveying Division, Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers
  • Sr Alvis WONG Ka Wai, Director, Rider Levett Bucknall Limited
  • Sr Francis LEUNG Lap Ki, Past President, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
  • Sr Betty LO K.Y., NEC Tutor
  • Prof. Isabelle CHAN Y.S., Associate Head of Department and Director of BSc (Surveying) Programme, Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong

List of speakers and topics are downloadable here
Conference booklet is downloadable here
High-resolution event photos are downloadable here

Photo Caption:
001 Mr. David LAM, JP, Under Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government, was invited as the Guest of Honour.

002 Sr Robin LEUNG, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, delivered the welcome speech.

003 Sr Tim NGAI, Chairman of the HKIS Quantity Surveying Division, delivered the opening speech.

004 The event received extensive support from the government and industry.
From left to right: Mr. KWAN Wai Ming, Chief Engineer (Energy Efficiency) of Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, HKSARG; Sr Katherine LEUNG, Assistant Director (Quantity Surveying) of Architectural Services Department, HKSARG; Ir Prof. Thomas HO, Chairman of the Construction Industry Council; Sr Tim NGAI, Chairman of the HKIS Quantity Surveying Division; Sr Hon Tony TSE, SBS, JP, Legislative Council Member (Architectural, Surveying, Planning and Landscape Functional Constituency), HKSARG; Mr. David LAM, JP, Under Secretary for Development; Sr Robin LEUNG, President of HKIS; Sr Mandy NG, Organising Committee Chair of the HKIS QSD Conference 2025; Mr. Kelvin NG, Acting Deputy Director of Highways Department, HKSARG; and Ms. Grace LEE, Chief Quantity Surveyor of Housing Department, HKSARG.

005 Sr Mandy NG, Organising Committee Chair of the HKIS Quantity Surveying Division Conference 2025 delivered closing remarks.

006 The Conference gathered over 250 industry professionals, participating in person and online.
Hashtag: #HKIS #QS #HKIS-QSD #CostControl #CostManagement




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The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

Established in 1984, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) is the only surveying professional body incorporated by ordinance in Hong Kong. As of 25 July 2025, the number of members reached 11,169, of which 8,119 were corporate members. HKIS work includes setting standards for professional services and performance, establishing codes of ethics, determining requirements for admission as professional surveyors, and encouraging members to upgrade skills through continuing professional development.

The Institute has an important consultative role in government policy making and on issues affecting the profession. We have advised the government on issues such as building safety and unauthorised building works, problems of property management, town planning and development strategies, construction costs and housing problems. We have also issued guidance notes on floor area measurement, real estates valuation and land boundary survey, etc.