SINGAPORE, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On 31^st July 2025, a unified consensus document for improving lung cancer care in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region was officially launched in Singapore, marking a pivotal moment in the regional fight against lung cancer. This represents the first comprehensive consensus for the region, an evidence-based agreement between stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem that outlines shared priorities, strategies, and recommendations to elevate the standard of lung cancer care across diverse health systems.

Held on the eve of World Lung Cancer Day, the initiative involved over 43 contributors, including clinicians, academics, patient advocates, and health organisations across 14 APAC health systems.

Launch Highlights and Key Voices

The APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus was launched with keynote contributions from:

• Dr Mary Bussell (TriMar Strategies), who delivered an overview of the global lung cancer consensus and its relevance to regional efforts
• Mr Yannick Romero (Union for International Cancer Control – UICC), who contextualised the APAC consensus within the broader global lung health resolution, emphasising policy alignment and strategic integration
• Ms Helena Wilcox (The Lung Cancer Policy Network – LCPN), who highlighted how the APAC framework enables regional advancement in care and partnership building
• Mr Francis Goh (Lung Cancer Education and Advocacy for Patients – LEAP), Singapore) stressed the pivotal role of patient voices in shaping lung cancer policy and health system transformation
• A/Prof Herbert Loong (Asia Pacific Coalition against Lung Cancer – APCLC) and Asst Prof Yeon Wook Kim (SNU Bundang Hospital), who provided an in-depth presentation on the consensus development process, five key pillars, and concrete calls to action

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the APAC region, and accounts for nearly 60% of global cases. With regional incidence projected to exceed 1.8 million by 2040, the need for a cohesive, regional strategy to combat the disease has never been more urgent. Furthermore, survival rates in the APAC region often lag behind global benchmarks, with five-year survival rates frequently below 20%. This fragmented landscape highlights the critical need for a coordinated approach, one that addresses the unique epidemiological, environmental, and healthcare challenges within the region.

The APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus is the result of an extensive collaborative process involving two expert working sessions, one patient workshop and a final expert voting session, with input from patients, clinicians and academic leaders across the region. The consensus lays out a unified policy framework anchored in five core principles, all aimed at driving sustainable, equitable improvements in lung cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and stigma reduction across the region.

Importantly, the APAC Consensus aligns closely with the Global Lung Cancer Consensus, which was first ratified at the 9th International Lung Cancer Network in 2023. By endorsing this global statement, the APAC region reaffirms its commitment to improving lung cancer outcomes.

The Five Global Principles Anchoring the APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus:

1. Improve and Expand Prevention

• Strengthen tobacco control, public education, and environmental risk research to prevent lung cancer across all exposure types

• Expand screening and diagnostic access through inclusive guidelines and innovative technologies to enable timely lung cancer detection

• Promote timely, affordable access to modern and personalised lung cancer treatments across diverse healthcare settings

• Foster cross-sectoral collaboration and advocacy to drive investment and policy reform in lung cancer care

• Address stigma through education and empowerment to support early diagnosis, treatment adherence, and community acceptance

A Region-Specific Approach to Lung Cancer Care

The APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus is not just a regional adaptation of global recommendations; it is a comprehensive response to the distinct challenges faced by the APAC region. Unlike Western health systems that primarily focus on smoking-related lung cancer, the APAC region must contend with a higher prevalence of lung cancer in never-smokers due to factors such as environmental pollutants, and genetic predispositions. Moreover, the region’s healthcare systems are highly heterogeneous, ranging from well-resourced settings with cutting-edge cancer care to lower-resource environments building on basic cancer services.

Given these disparities, a one-size-fits-all approach would be ineffective. The APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus presents a regionally tailored action plan that offers specific strategies and targets to improve lung cancer care and outcomes, ensuring that every health system in the region, regardless of its capacity, can make progress toward the shared goals.

“We call on policymakers, healthcare leaders, and stakeholders across the APAC region to urgently prioritise and implement policies that improve lung cancer outcomes. While the specific solutions will vary across health systems, this consensus provides a shared foundation to guide national efforts. By acting now and adapting these recommendations to local contexts, we can foster a future where healthcare systems of all sizes work together to overcome regional challenges.” said Judy Li, Consortium Manager at ASPIRE for Lung Cancer.

Looking Ahead

The launch of the APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus marks the start of a sustained regional effort to transform lung cancer care in the Asia-Pacific region. Over the coming months, ASPIRE for Lung Cancer and its partners will continue to engage with policymakers, healthcare leaders, and patient advocacy groups to ensure that the consensus principles are translated into concrete action, with measurable outcomes.

Through this regional collaboration, APAC aims to drive meaningful change that will improve survival rates and quality of life for lung cancer patients across the region.

For more details about the APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus or to learn how you can get involved in advancing lung cancer care in your region, visit https://www.aspirelungcancer.com/ 

About ASPIRE for Lung Cancer

ASPIRE (Asia Pacific Policy Review and Engagement) for Lung Cancer is a collaborative multilateral effort focused on improving lung cancer outcomes in the Asia-Pacific region through policy reforms. We advocate for prioritising lung cancer in government action plans, aiming to drive transformative changes that enhance patient access and care.

We believe in the influence of collaboration and collective action to drive positive change. We therefore work with governments, agencies, NGOs and patient groups, bringing together multi-disciplinary experts to improve health outcomes for lung cancer patients in the APAC region.

CONTACT: ASPIRE for Lung Cancer, aspire.secretariat@eq-health.com

BEIJING, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On July 27, iQIYI, China’s leading online entertainment platform, celebrated the grand finale of its acclaimed music competition, “Sing! Asia“, in Macao. Japanese singer Miyuna was crowned champion, after a series of electrifying performances, with top finalists from China and Vietnam. The innovative competition showcases the immense talent of the region, garnering fans across Asia. “Sing! Asia” also exemplifies iQIYI’s dedication to breaking new ground in entertainment and connecting audiences across the region through music.

“Sing! Asia” stands out as Asia’s first cross-border music competition, uniquely blending the thrill of a traditional talent show with an adventurous “cruise + international competition” format. The journey began in Shanghai onboard a cruise ship, charting a course through vibrant destinations like Okinawa (Japan), Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), Singapore, and Klang (Malaysia), before returning to China and docking in Hong Kong for the show’s finale in Macao. The distinctive setting not only provided a dynamic stage for emerging artists but also immersed them in the rich musical traditions of each port of call.

The show featured an impressive roster of global music icons, including Malaysia’s Azora CHIN, British pop sensation Jessie J, Chinese superstar Jane ZHANG, and Japanese pop legend Kudo SHIZUKA. Their participation highlighted music’s profound ability to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers, fostering meaningful artistic and cultural exchanges throughout the region.

Over the course of the competition, 32 exceptionally talented singers from across Asia faced diverse musical challenges, performing a rich tapestry of genres that celebrated their unique cultural heritage. From the intrinsic beauty of Chinese operatic influences to the innovative fusions of Vietnamese folk and electronic music, “Sing! Asia” truly painted a vivid picture of Asia’s musical richness.

The show’s fresh format and the performers’ eclectic musical styles resonated deeply with viewers not only in China but also across Asia. On Chinese social media, the hashtag #Sing!Asia garnered an impressive 1.51 billion reads on weibo, alongside over 1,000 trending posts, while a standout collaborative stage performance by Jessie J and Jane ZHANG of “Flashlight & You Ain’t Right” captivated fans on Bilibili, surpassing one million views. Across Asia, “Sing! Asia” achieved significant impact—iQIYI International reported that in the first half of 2025, the show secured the second spot in cumulative variety show channel views in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, solidifying its success in uniting cultures through music.

Building on this momentum, iQIYI continues to deliver exciting entertainment throughout this summer with a dynamic slate of new shows. Alongside the success of “Sing! Asia“, viewers can anticipate popular shows such as “The Rap of China 2025,” “The King of Stand-Up Comedy,” and “Smile at You.” The exciting lineup reinforces iQIYI’s commitment to producing innovative, engaging, and high-quality content that captivates audiences no matter where they are.

CONTACT: iQIYI Press, press@qiyi.com

XIAMEN, China, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from Beijing Review: Nyiobhe Anxe Reyes, a U.S. high school student, appeared excited about his trip to China.

“I always knew China is great, but after this trip, it really feels like home. I want to tell my family they have to come and experience this culture and diversity for themselves,” Reyes, a student from Bard High School Early College (Baltimore), shared during a visit to Xiamen, a coastal city in the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian, on July 19.

On July 17-22, the U.S. Youth Ambassadors in Xiamen program brought 27 students and teachers from Baltimore, Maryland and Orange County, California, to Xiamen for an immersive cultural and friendship exchange.

“This exchange gave us a real opportunity to understand each other. I believe this friendship will continue. I hope that everyone who visits China or the U.S. in the future can feel the strong bonds we’ve built,” Reyes told Beijing Review.

Xiamen is home to one of the first four special economic zones in China, established in the early 1980s. Dubbed a window of the country’s opening up, it has been at the forefront of pursuing high-quality development on all fronts.

On July 19, American and Chinese youth visited the Wuyuanwan (Wuyuan Bay) Wetland Park, often referred to as the “green lung” of Xiamen. There, they participated in a “nature classroom” focused on the city’s efforts to harmonize human activity with nature—particularly through its wetland bird conservation initiative.

The city’s transformation, particularly the revitalization of Wuyuan Bay and Yundang Lake since the mid-1980s, stood out as remarkable examples of ecological restoration and urban planning.

Once polluted and neglected, Wuyuan Bay has been rehabilitated into Xiamen’s iconic “guest house,” while Yundang Lake now boasts clear water and thriving wildlife.

Since 2002, Xiamen has undertaken a succession of renovation and development projects in its bay areas. By dredging seawall openings, restoring mangrove shorelines and revitalizing beaches, it has created a pleasant living environment around the bays.

“What has impressed me the most is definitely the wildlife here. Learning that there are over 500 different species of animals or different birds here is very impressive,” Janelli Moriah Gonzalez, a student from Bard High School Early College (Baltimore), said.

Aaron Israel Nava, a student from Orange County Music & Dance, hailed it as a “cool and unique experience.” “You see a lot more trees than I’m used to in California,” he said.

As part of the visit, the participating youth also planted “friendship trees” and signed them with their names.

“I found planting the trees here meaningful because it gives us a chance to explore more of the Chinese community and also gives us a chance to leave our roots here,” Reyes said.

Chelsea Nakabayashi, a faculty member at Bard High School Early College (Baltimore), said, despite the heat and humidity in Xiamen, where temperatures reached 34 degrees Celsius that day, “[the American students] just got right to work. They really appreciated the opportunity to engage.”

“I’ve heard the saying that planting a tree is like planting a life,” Nakabayashi said. “I think we share a similar idea with China—one of growth, continuity and hope, even in challenging times.”

Nakabayashi began learning Chinese in high school and first came to China in the 1980s. She eventually earned a Ph.D. at Beijing Normal University and became a dedicated educator. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasized the importance of early connections in shaping future relationships.

“It’s sentimental to know that something we’ve planted here will continue to grow, even after we return to America. It’s a lasting connection—something we’ll always share with our Chinese friends. As it grows, I hope our friendship grows with it,” Gonzalez said.

In 1985, then Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer led a 21-member delegation to Xiamen to establish a sister-city relationship. One year later, Xiamen Mayor Zou Erjun reciprocated with a visit. Since then, both cities have carried out numerous exchanges and joint projects, and enriched their connection over generations.

“This effort of people-to-people exchange never changes,” Nakabayashi said. “Even if it slows at times, it always returns. That’s the one constant in our (U.S.-China) relationship.”

“Given the current state of our relations, parents worry about sending their children to China, especially with the concerns shaped by our media. But the students who’ve already been here have become strong advocates. They’re telling their friends, ‘It’s okay. You should come. You’ll love it.’ And I believe that’s how we keep the relationship going. Through them, no matter what happens, we can truly change the course of our countries’ relations,” she added.

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