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Vietnam sets world record with dazzling drone show featuring 10,500 drones


HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 May 2025 – A standout moment in the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025) was an extraordinary drone light show that lit up the skies over Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on April 28.

The drone light show in Ho Chi Minh City on April 28 featured an impressive fleet of 10,500 drones. Photo: Nguyễn Thế Dương
The drone light show in Ho Chi Minh City on April 28 featured an impressive fleet of 10,500 drones. Photo: Nguyễn Thế Dương

Featuring an impressive fleet of 10,500 drones, the performance dazzled spectators with vibrant, emotionally charged visuals that transformed the night sky and left an indelible impression on both locals and visitors.

The show dazzled spectators with vibrant, emotionally charged visuals that left an indelible impression on both locals and visitors. Photo: Nguyễn Thế Dương
The show dazzled spectators with vibrant, emotionally charged visuals that left an indelible impression on both locals and visitors. Photo: Nguyễn Thế Dương

The show was produced by Prowtech International Vina Joint Stock Company in partnership with domestic and international collaborators. More than a large-scale entertainment showcase, the spectacle embodied Vietnam’s spirit of innovation, resilience, and bold ambition in the digital era.

The performance was certified by Guinness World Records as the "largest drone light show by number of drones flying simultaneously."
The performance was certified by Guinness World Records as the “largest drone light show by number of drones flying simultaneously.”

Most notably, the performance was officially certified by Guinness World Records as the “largest drone light show by number of drones flying simultaneously.”

For full event coverage and media assets, please visit:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lWjW-5faZbNqd3YsL3Fomxz6cWyf3vEf

Hashtag: #Prowtech

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

Mekong Communities at Risk as Arsenic Levels Soar in Northern Thai Rivers, Researcher Found

Six Mekong-Lancang Countries Reach Pact on More Dam Operations Data Sharing
The Mekong River (photo used for representational purposes: Rainforest Cruises)

Arsenic levels up to 19 times higher than safety limits have contaminated rivers feeding into the Mekong, putting downstream communities across Southeast Asia at risk.

The findings come from researchers from Thailand’s Mae Fah Luang University and the Northern Natural Disaster Research and Prediction Institute who uncovered the contamination during a field survey on 30 April

Led by Suebsakun Kidnukorn and Surapol Vorapatratorn, the team collected water samples from nine sites along the Sai, Ruak, and Mekong rivers in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand, after flash floods swept through the region the day before.

Surapol Vorapatratorn (left), Suebsakun Kidnukorn (right). (Photo credit: Surapol Vorapatratorn)

They noticed unusual residue along the banks of the Sai River, prompting further investigation. Laboratory tests later confirmed dangerously high arsenic levels in most of the sampled sites. Arsenic, a toxic metal, can cause serious long-term health issues, including cancer.

Eight of the nine test sites exceeded the World Health Organization’s safety threshold of 0.01 milligrams per litre. 

The Sai River near Thamphachhom-Hua Fai and the 1st Thai–Myanmar Friendship Bridge both recorded levels of 0.14 milligrams per litre. An irrigation canal in Mueang Daeng village showed 0.18. The Ruak River near Vienghom and Sopruak villages, and the Sai River at the 2nd Thai–Myanmar Friendship Bridge, all came in at 0.12. Even the Mekong River at Wiang Chiang Saen Municipality reached 0.14. Only a small creek near Thamphachhom-Hua Fai stayed within safe limits.

The worst contamination, 0.19 milligrams per litre, occurred at the Golden Triangle, where the Ruak flows into the Mekong at the meeting point of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. 

Polluted water from this key junction continues its course downstream through Cambodia and Vietnam, affecting millions who rely on the Mekong River for drinking water, agriculture, and fishing.

The research team has already sent the samples for further analysis at a certified lab, but the early results have triggered widespread concern. Since the Sai River begins in Myanmar’s Shan State and flows through active mining areas, experts suspect that runoff from metal and mineral extraction has tainted the water.

The Burmese team conducts water testing on May 4, 2025. (Photo credit: The Irrawaddy – Burmese Edition)

A separate report from northern Laos, released on 28 April, revealed similar problems in the Phark River in La District, Oudomxai Province. Residents there raised alarms after gold mining near the river’s headwaters appeared to affect water quality. 

Binance and The National Agency for Investments of the Kyrgyz Republic Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Crypto-Asset Development

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, May 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Binance, the global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, and the National Agency for Investments under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at creating a long-term, sustainable foundation for collaboration in advancing the rapidly growing digital-asset sector in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The signing of the memorandum took place during a first meeting of the Council for the Development of Digital Assets with the participation of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov.

The MoU sets the stage for collaboration between the National Agency for Investments and Binance on several fronts. The partnership will see the introduction of crypto payments to the Kyrgyz Republic through Binance Pay, simplifying transactions for visitors. This initiative is set to revolutionize cross-border payment solutions across Central Asia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), paving the way for smoother and more efficient transactions across the region.

The agreement also emphasizes educational initiatives. Binance Academy, one of the world’s largest educational hubs for blockchain and cryptocurrency, will assist the National Agency for Investments of the Kyrgyz Republic in creating comprehensive educational programs designed to raise awareness among government agencies and financial institutions. Most importantly, these initiatives will focus on enhancing Kyrgyz citizens’ financial literacy and supporting domestic Web3 projects, ultimately elevating the knowledge and skills that the people of Kyrgyzstan will need to thrive in the era of digital finance.

“We are thrilled to embark on this strategic partnership with Binance, which marks a pivotal step in advancing the crypto-assets sector in the Kyrgyz Republic. This collaboration not only underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth but also highlights the importance of embracing digital transformation in today’s global economy. Together, we aim to create a robust framework that supports the development of crypto-assets, enhances financial literacy, and opens new avenues for cross-border payments, ultimately benefiting our citizens and the broader region.” — Farhat Iminov, Head of National Agency for Investments of the Kyrgyz Republic.

“Binance is excited to partner with the National Agency for Investments of the Kyrgyz Republic to drive forward the development of crypto-assets in the region. This Memorandum of Understanding represents a shared vision for leveraging blockchain technology to create sustainable economic opportunities, improve financial inclusion and advance the freedom of money in Kyrgyzstan. We look forward to working closely with our partners on all levels of the Kyrgyz government to implement innovative solutions and educational initiatives that will empower individuals and institutions alike.” — Kyrylo Khomiakov Regional Head of CEE, Central Asia and Africa at Binance. 

About Binance

Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 260 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com.

About National Investments Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic

The National Investments Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic is a governmental agency promoting foreign investments and assisting international companies in finding business opportunities in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The primary objectives of the National Agency are to attract and promote investment inflow to the national economy, to assist existing and potential exporters in promoting their products to overseas markets, as well as to develop mechanisms for public-private partnership.

CONTACT: pr@binance.com 

Underprepared for a new world order created by a ‘jaw dropping’ collapse of procreative power

SINGAPORE, May 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Policy makers around the world are not ready for a new demographic order of global depopulation and how it will recast societies, economies and power politics.

With birth rates plummeting globally, countries face a future of shrinking and ageing societies driven by an unrelenting collapse in fertility.

Family structures and living arrangements previously imaged only in science fiction will become commonplace features of everyday life with an unprecedented collapse of procreative power.

These stark warnings of an era of pervasive depopulation were delivered at the 2025 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) in Singapore today.

Internationally respected political economist, Dr Nicholas Eberstadt, is supporting an ASPIRE campaign advocating for policy changes that will encourage family building, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.

Dr Eberstadt is the Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute where he is renowned for his demographic research and studies on international security. He is also a senior advisor to the National Bureau of Asian Research.

He told the ASPIRE Congress that between 1965 and 2015 the human fertility rate in births per woman fell by half and the “record breaking, jaw dropping” plunge has quickened in recent years in rich and poor countries alike.

Dr Eberstadt said by 2023 fertility levels were 40 per cent below replacement levels in Japan, 50 per cent in mainland China, 60 per cent in Taiwan and 65 per cent in South Korea. Sub-replacement trends are also evident in countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

“Labour forces will shrink all around the world due to the spread of sub-replacement birth rates with the old beginning to outnumber the young,” Dr Eberstadt explained.

“Societies will have to adjust their expectations to comport with the new realities of fewer workers, savers, taxpayers, renters, home buyers, entrepreneurs, innovators, inventors, consumers and voters.

“Dwindling workforces, reduced savings and investment, and unsustainable social outlays and budget deficits are all on the cards for today’s developed countries without sweeping changes in immigration, lifecycle earning and consumption patterns, and government policies for taxation and social expenditures. 

“Super-elders of 80-plus years of age are the world’s fastest growing cohort. By 2050, there will be more of them than children in some countries. The burden of caring for people with dementia will pose growing costs – human, social, economic – in an aging and shrinking world.”

Dr Eberstadt said as families and societies assume new structures under long-term population decline, the challenge will be to develop new habits of mind, conventions and cooperative objectives.

“Policymakers will have to learn new rules for development in the midst of depopulation,” he explained. “Investors, likewise, will need new playbooks to profit from an altered environment of opportunity and risk.

“There will be less margin for error for investment projects, be they public or private, and no rising tide of demand from a growing pool of consumers or taxpayers to count on.

“Prosperity in a depopulating world will also depend on open economics, free trade in goods, services and finance to counter the constraints that shrinking populations impose. As the hunt for scarce talent becomes more acute, the movement of people will take on new economic salience and immigration will matter more than in does today.”

ASPIRE President, Dr Clare Boothroyd, said in response to the disturbing fall in fertility rates, a new ASPIRE special interest group would be created to harness expertise in population sustainability.

She will co-Chair the group with acclaimed reproductive endocrinologist, Professor Dominique de Ziegler from Foch Hospital in Paris.

“Humanity is entering uncharted territory in the phenomenon of depopulation, and it is a challenge that must be embraced by governments, industry, the education sector and the public to push for family friendly policies that encourage family planning,” Dr Boothroyd said.

The ASPIRE Congress at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre in Singapore has attracted more than 2,000 leaders from various disciplines in assisted reproduction to address latest advances and knowledge in fertility health.

For further information, go to www.aspire2025.com

Canton Fair Chronicles a Decade of Growth in the Global Pet Economy

GUANGZHOU, China, May 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Phase 3 of the 137th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), held from May 1 to 5, marked the eleventh year of the dedicated exhibition zone for pet products and food. Since its launch at the 116th session in 2014, the zone has evolved alongside the pet industry itself, reflecting the shift from pets as simple companions to key drivers of consumer spending.

Market data points to steady growth across a wide range of pet economy segments, such as food, hygiene products, smart feeders, and more. Each area offers significant potential. According to Global Market Insights, the pet accessories market alone reached USD 23.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 49.6 billion by 2034, with a projected annual growth rate of 7.9%. As industry expands, competition intensifies, pushing companies to continuously adapt and innovate.

The 137th Canton Fair marked the fifth appearance of Puyuan (Dalian) Pet Products Co., Ltd., which values the event for its unique advantages over industry-specific exhibitions. May Wu, Puyuan’s Operation Manager, noted that the Fair attracts a more diverse group of buyers, enabling access to procurement teams that are often absent at niche trade shows. This exposure has opened doors to new customer segments and led to larger orders from major retailers and supermarkets.

Demonstrating its commitment to innovation, Hangzhou TianYuan Pet Products Co., Ltd. continues to unveil its latest offerings at every edition of the Fair. “A few years ago, this industry was still in its early stages, but now it has reached a considerable scale,” said Haha, TianYuan’s Marketing Manager. “With over two decades of experience, we’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand.”

The Canton Fair has also played a pivotal role in tracking the rapid development of the pet industry. Initially showcasing necessities like food and toys, this exhibition zone has evolved into a hub for innovation, introducing advanced solutions that redefine pet care, such as a CF Award-winning device that uses voice control and lasers to engage cats, easing anxiety and promoting exercise. Newer offerings also emphasize co-living comfort, from multifunctional furniture for pets and owners to oxygen-infused mineral cat litter that enhances the home environment.

The evolution of the Canton Fair’s pet products and food zone not only mirrors the industry’s advancement but also underscores the growing bond between people and their animal companions.


 

Bybit and St. Paul American Scholars School Furthers Partnership Commitment in Bybit’s HQ Visit

DUBAI, UAE, May 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, extended a warm welcome to an international delegation from the St. Paul American Scholars (SPAS), a top international school in Korea on Monday. The visit is part of a joint initiative between Bybit and SPAS dedicated to fostering the next generation of blockchain innovators through a series of academic and educational programs.

Ryan Kim, Head of SPAS, and Jinny Kim, Director of SPAS, were greeted by Helen Liu, COO of Bybit at the Bybit headquarters in Dubai. The official visit underscores the institutions’ shared commitment to building the partnership from the ground up, and creating a knowledge base to prepare SPAS students for the future of technology and the blockchain-enabled economy.

In the academic year of 2025/26, Bybit has committed a $100,000 scholarshipto 300 SPAS students of St. Paul American Scholars (SPAS). The broader theme of the collaboration centers on collective learning and community sharing, which aligns with SPAS’s philosophy of building a closely knitted community for educators, parents, and students. Bybit will organize interactive educational sessions on campus to fill the knowledge gap between the demands for future-ready skills and traditional academic resources.

The fast moving blockchain landscape is central to a changing world. Parents and students today are increasingly aware of the possibilities and potential challenges of the dawning on-chain economy. The new dynamics will require creators and contributors to be equipped with understanding of blockchain technologies, to develop their passion, and to project their creativity onto positive causes. Through workshops and interactive events, the Bybit and SPAS initiative stands to leave a profound impact on blockchain education for international students in SPAS. 

SPAS representatives boarded the crypto express to the world of digital assets at the Bybit headquarters, sharing unique perspectives as educators and first-hand insights from Liu at the frontier of the digital economy.

“We are proud to welcome the SPAS family to Bybit’s headquarters, and we hope this will become the starting point of SPAS students’ blockchain journey. The value of blockchain education is not only giving students a headstart in understanding the digital economy, but also to inspire them to think about changing the world for the better with a powerful technology that will one day be entirely at their disposal,” said Helen Liu, COO of Bybit.

“It is a great honor for Saint Paul International School to establish a meaningful partnership with Bybit, a global leader in blockchain technology. This visit to Bybit’s headquarters in Dubai was more than just a meeting; it was a precious opportunity to build a foundation of deep mutual trust,” said Ryan Kim, Head of SPAS. “Bybit’s warm-hearted commitment to providing scholarships for Saint Paul International School students and planning continuous social contribution programs deeply moved us all. We firmly believe that, with its sincere vision and values, Bybit will continue to shine as a world-leading company,” he said.

The SPAS delegation toured the Bybit Crypto Ark Experience Store, a new venue at Bybit’s Dubai headquarters that showcases blockchain innovation and provides an open space for crypto collaborations. Since opening, the store has attracted hundreds of visitors, entrepreneurs, and crypto enthusiasts contributing to the regional ecosystem.

Bybit and St. Paul American Scholars School Furthers Partnership Commitment in Bybit’s HQ Visit
Bybit and St. Paul American Scholars School Furthers Partnership Commitment in Bybit’s HQ Visit

Established in 2015, SPAS operates four campuses across Korea’s major metropolitan areas and is recognized as a leading American educational institution with full accreditation from multiple organizations. SPAS also offers international exchange programs through partnerships with schools in New York, Canada, and the UK, providing students with opportunities to experience diverse cultures and global perspectives.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

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Ping An Rapidly Launches Overseas Emergency Assistance to Support Chinese Citizens Affected by Major Traffic Accident in the U.S.

HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, May 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (“Ping An”, the “Company” or the “Group”, HKEX: 2318; SSE: 601318) has established the “502 Overseas Emergency Assistance Task Force” to coordinate emergency responses and assistance for Chinese citizens affected by the May 1 traffic accident near Yellowstone National Park in the US. Preliminary reports indicate that the collision between a pickup truck and a tourist van in Idaho resulted in the deaths of five Chinese citizens and injuries to eight more.

Following the incident, Ping An promptly activated its Level 2 emergency response protocol for major incidents. The Company task force is led by Co-CEO Michael Guo, and includes Board Secretary and Brand Director Richard Sheng, Chief Administrative Affairs Officer Zhiliang Wang, Ping An Life Chairman Zheng Yang, Ping An P&C Chairman Quan Long, Ping An Health Insurance Chairman Yougang Zhu, Ping An Finserve Chairman Yue Lu, and Ping An Pension Insurance Corp. Chairman Weimin Gan.

Under the guidance of the “502 Emergency Assistance Task Force,” Ping An’s business units — including life insurance, P&C, pension insurance, and health insurance — have established specialized emergency response teams. These teams are working closely with local medical institutions, rescue organizations, and insurance companies to provide seven key overseas emergency assistance measures, including advance claims processing, direct compensation, emergency aid, and medical support for eligible clients.

Ping An is liaising with the Chinese Embassy in the US and the Consulate General in San Francisco. Under the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the Chinese Embassy, and the San Francisco Consulate General, Ping An will collaborate with relevant overseas aid and medical organizations to assist injured individuals and the families of the deceased. Additionally, Ping An has launched a special overseas emergency assistance program, offering help to anyone affected by the accident, regardless of whether they are Ping An customers. Individuals can call the emergency hotline 95511 for assistance. As of 3 p.m. Beijing time on May 3, Ping An has not identified any of its customers as being involved in the accident.

The Company will closely monitor the progress of emergency response efforts related to this accident, continue screening customer involvement, mobilize resources to support medical treatment for the injured, and ensure the implementation of all overseas emergency services, expedited claims processing, and customer care initiatives. Ping An is committed to doing everything possible to help affected customers and their families navigate this difficult time.

Below are seven key overseas emergency assistance measures:

  1. Proactive claims service: Actively identify customers that may be affected and reach out to provide claims services.
  2. Expedited claims processing: Dedicated 24/7 reporting hotline via 95511, with overseas access available at +86 755 95511.
  3. Medical support: Provide services such as emergency medical care, medical transportation, repatriation, hospitalization, advance payment, medical translation, urgent medication delivery, and medical equipment support.
  4. Emergency assistance: Offer services including repatriation of remains/ashes, local burial/funeral expenses, arrangements for relatives to handle posthumous matters, repatriation of minor children, family visits, and accommodation for recovery.
  5. Simplified accidental death claims process: For customers who suffered accidental death in this incident, beneficiaries can apply for death claims based on official government-confirmed death lists. Supporting documents such as death certificates, cremation certificates, and household deregistration certificates can be provided later.
  6. Advance compensation for confirmed deaths: Proactively issue advance compensation for confirmed death cases.
  7. Claims without policy documentation: For affected customers, if the applicant’s basic policy information matches the insurance company’s database, claims can be processed without requiring physical policy documentation.

About Ping An Group
Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (HKEX:2318 / 82318; SSE:601318) is one of the largest financial services companies in the world. It strives to become a world-leading provider of integrated finance, health and senior care services. Under the technology-driven “integrated finance + health and senior care” strategy, the Group provides professional “financial advisory, family doctor, and senior care concierge” services to its 242 million retail customers. Ping An advances intelligent digital transformation and employs technologies to improve financial businesses’ quality and efficiency and enhance risk management. The Group is listed on the stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai. As of the end of December 2024, Ping An had more than RMB12 trillion in total assets. The Group ranked 29th in the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2024 and 53rd in the Fortune Global 500 list in 2024. 

For more information, please visit www.group.pingan.com and follow us on LinkedIn – PING AN.

A Masterpiece in Metal and Light: Groundbreaking Ceremony for the CMU Museum of Fine Arts Marks a Milestone in Taiwan’s Architectural History

Frank Gehry’s Sole Major Project in East Asia Begins to Rise in Taichung

TAICHUNG, May 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On May 3, 2025, beneath the ever-shifting skies of Taichung’s Shui-Nan campus, China Medical University (CMU) broke ground on what promises to be a transformative landmark for Taiwan—the CMU Museum of Fine Arts, designed by none other than Frank Gehry, laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize and one of the most revered architects of our time. This will be Gehry’s only monumental creation in East Asia, and a defining moment in Taiwan’s architectural and cultural evolution.

The China Medical University Museum of Fine Arts, Frank Gehry’s only major project in East Asia, features folded stainless steel forms that capture light like a watercolor—a defining moment in Taiwan’s architectural and cultural evolution.
The China Medical University Museum of Fine Arts, Frank Gehry’s only major project in East Asia, features folded stainless steel forms that capture light like a watercolor—a defining moment in Taiwan’s architectural and cultural evolution.

Showcasing Taiwan to the World: Groundbreaking Ceremony for the CMU Museum of Fine Arts

CMU and Healthcare System Chairman Dr. Chang-Hai Tsai expressed his ambition to extend the university’s contributions beyond its achievements in education, medicine, and biotechnology:

“Through architecture and art, and through the hand of a master architect, we hope to offer the world a glimpse of Taiwan’s spirit.”

As early as 2014, Dr. Tsai entrusted New York–based SOM, one of the world’s largest architecture firms, with planning the Shui-Nan campus. At the heart of the blueprint was a museum—a space not just for art, but for ideas, identity, and innovation. Among more than 30 living Pritzker laureates, Dr. Tsai sought only one: Frank Gehry, the father of deconstructivist architecture. Despite no longer participating in design competitions and working exclusively by invitation, Gehry was moved by Dr. Tsai’s invitation and agreed to craft a museum tailor-made for Taiwan.

Pritzker Laureate Frank Gehry’s Tailored Tribute to Taiwan: A New Chapter in Global Architecture

CMU and Healthcare System Chairman Dr. Chang-Hai Tsai envisioned extending the university’s legacy beyond education, medicine, and biotechnology, aspiring to make contributions in architecture and the arts.

To realize this dream, in 2014, CMU invited New York–based SOM to plan the Shui-Nan campus, including a dedicated museum space. Among more than 30 living Pritzker laureates, Dr. Tsai chose only one—Frank Gehry, the father of deconstructivist architecture.

Moved by Dr. Tsai’s sincerity, Gehry agreed to create a museum uniquely designed for Taiwan, without participating in public competitions—an honor reserved for only the world’s most distinguished clients.

Forging a New Urban Aesthetic with Cascading Steel and Sculpted Metal

The CMU Museum of Fine Arts will be sculpted from folded metal sheets and undulating stainless steel, capturing the endless play of light across the sky.

Gehry’s design transforms the building’s surface into a living canvas, radiating delicate hues like a watercolor painting that changes with the sun and weather.

In an interview with the New York Times (April 14, 2021), Gehry explained:

“The design is inspired by reflections of buildings, trees, and the sky on pools of water and mirrored steel. Using softer stainless steel, we crafted a fluid form through precise folds and curves. The building will shimmer gently, breathing with light, like a watercolor in motion.”

This innovative approach not only showcases Gehry’s profound mastery of material but also creates a poetic dialogue between architecture, nature, and the cityscape—a vibrant new link between art and urban life.

Fusing Education and Art to Forge Global Connections

Chairman Tsai remarked:

“World-class cities are home to world-class universities—institutions that not only excel in academic research, but also house world-renowned museums. Universities such as Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, and Cambridge exemplify the seamless integration of scholarship and the arts.”

The CMU Museum of Fine Arts is thus envisioned as a new hub where Taiwan’s university education and aesthetic education converge, connecting Taiwan to the global cultural circuit. In the future, it will join forces with the Asia Museum of Modern Art, as well as institutional allies such as Harvard’s Fogg Museum, Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center, Oxford’s Ashmolean, and Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum. Together, they will elevate Taiwan’s cultural voice on the world stage—and with it, CMU’s global reputation.

CONTACT: Carolyn Chen, 100709@tool.caaumed.org.tw