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ZJLD Awarded the 2024 Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Award by the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies

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Laotian Times
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 December 2024 – The first baijiu company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ZJLD Group Inc. (“ZJLD” or the “Company”, SEHK stock code: 06979. HK), is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the 2024 Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Award by the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies (“CHKLC”). This accolade recognizes ZJLD’s outstanding ESG practices and affirms the Company’s effort in sustainable development and responsible business strategies. The award ceremony was successfully held on December 12 with Mr. Joseph Chan, Acting Secretary for the Financial Services and the Treasury, and Dr Kelvin Wong, Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”), attending as guest speakers.

Mr. Paul Ng (middle), the Executive Director and Head of International Operations of ZJLD Group
Mr. Paul Ng (middle), the Executive Director and Head of International Operations of ZJLD Group

In the context of an increasingly ESG-oriented global capital market, ZJLD appreciates the critical importance of business sustainability for investors and the financial sector. Our ESG strategy encompasses full-fledged dimensions, including water resource management, climate change risk control, packaging recycling, employee welfare, and community engagement. The Group is dedicated to establishing a transparent corporate governance framework, promoting board diversity, and enhancing shareholder communication. As ESG turns into a vital criterion for assessing long-term corporate value and risk management, the Company’s competitiveness in the financial arena has been further consolidated by its ESG initiatives, improving governance standards and providing investors with more attractive investment options.

Mr. Paul Ng, the Executive Director and Head of International Operations of ZJLD Group, said, “We believe that robust ESG practices can increase cost efficiency and attract more investment from international funds focusing on sustainability. This not only strengthens the Company’s international image but also lays a solid foundation for thriving business growth and capital operation. We urge more enterprises to actively engage in responsible production and sustainable business operations to tackle challenges like global climate change collectively. Through our collective effort, we can promote sustainable development on a global scale.”

Hashtag: #ZJLD

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

About ZJLD Group Inc.

Zhen Jiu was established in 1975 in Zunyi, Kweichow, China’s primary production area of sauce-aroma baijiu. In 1988, it was honored with the National Quality Award at the 5th National Wine Appreciation Conference. In the same year, it was announced by the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Communication Department of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, and the Great Hall of the People Management Bureau to become one of the two sauce-aroma baijiu served at state banquets. It is also known as one of the “Three Representative Baijiu Brands in Kweichow”.
ZJLD Group Inc. is a leading baijiu group in China that is devoted to offering premium baijiu products, including sauce-aroma, mixed-aroma, and strong-aroma. In 2023, the Company was the third-largest private baijiu company in China in terms of revenue, according to Frost & Sullivan statistics. It also was the largest IPO fundraising company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2023. The Company operates four baijiu brands in China, including two national baijiu, Zhen Jiu and Li Du, and two regional brands, Xiangjiao and Kaikouxiao. ZJLD prides itself on inheriting the time-honored baijiu-brewing techniques and reinvigorating them to develop iconic products. It strives to create a wide variety of aromatic and mellow baijiu products to meet the diverse preferences of consumers, seize broader market opportunities, and promote traditional Chinese baijiu culture.

XTransfer and OCBC Jointly Announce Comprehensive Partnership

By
Laotian Times
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“Global Multi-Currency Accounts” Empowers SMEs with New Market Opportunities


SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 December 2024 – XTransfer, the World’s Leading & China’s No.1 B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform, and OCBC, the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia, jointly announced the comprehensive partnership. OCBC China will leverage the OCBC Group’s extensive regional network and resources in its key markets of Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia to collaborate with XTransfer to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaging in international trade with one-stop innovative cross-border financial solutions, including payment, FX, risk control and wealth management. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 18 December 2024 by Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, and Ang Eng Siong, CEO of OCBC China.

Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer (Left) and Ang Eng Siong, CEO of OCBC China (Right) at the MoU signing ceremony.
Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer (Left) and Ang Eng Siong, CEO of OCBC China (Right) at the MoU signing ceremony.

Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, stated, “This collaboration marks a significant milestone for XTransfer, greatly enhancing our global payment capabilities. By leveraging OCBC’s extensive global payment network, XTransfer saves a substantial amount of market costs and accelerates our business expansion in Southeast Asia, saving on local expansion efforts. XTransfer looks forward to expanding its business with OCBC in the future in a variety of areas, including wealth management and lending, and is looking forward to working with them to capture the vast opportunities in Greater China and ASEAN.”

Ang Eng Siong, CEO of OCBC China, said, “OCBC uses Singapore and Hong Kong as our twin-hubs, radiating out to Greater China and ASEAN regions. XTransfer’s business development plans in these areas align closely with our network layout. As XTransfer’s global account manager, OCBC China will support XTransfer and its clients in facilitating cross-border settlements through close collaboration with various business subsidiaries of the group. This will help meet the growing demand for cross-border development and business growth, helping them achieve their aspirations in Greater China and ASEAN.”

XTransfer and OCBC collaborate in several areas of cross-border business. In particular, XTransfer leverages the strong banking networks and service capabilities of OCBC to offer its customers the “Global Multi-Currency Account” provided by OCBC Hong Kong, allowing clients to make payments and collect funds globally. The Global Multi-Currency Account supports not only major currencies, such as the Renminbi, US Dollar, British Pound, Euro, etc., but also currencies from ASEAN and various countries and regions. This will benefit SMEs in foreign trade settlement in the corresponding countries and enhance global cross-border trade efficiency. The partnership will provide XTransfer’s over 550,000 clients and their buyers with more payment and collection options. Additionally, clients can make payments and collect funds through CHATS or FPS, the local clearing network in Hong Kong, offering convenience similar to local bank transfers.

In recent years, trade exchanges between China and ASEAN have become increasingly close. According to data from XTransfer, from January to September 2024, the amount received by small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises on the XTransfer platform from ASEAN grew by 80% compared to the previous year. The partnership between XTransfer and OCBC will address this growth in international trade by SMEs, and help them capture opportunities in trade and capital flow between China and ASEAN.

XTransfer continues to build its global payment infrastructure for foreign trade through partnerships with renowned international banks and financial institutions. This partnership with OCBC brings XTransfer a new upgrade in its global payment infrastructure, offering substantial benefits to global cross-border traders. By utilising the Global Multi-Currency Account provided by OCBC Hong Kong, buyers can easily make payments in various currencies to overseas suppliers and collect funds from worldwide customers. This partnership is expected to enhance cross-border trade by significantly broadening the payment methods and scope for SMEs.

Hashtag: #XTransfer #OCBC #Partnership #SMEs #Crossborder #Payments





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

Guangzhou Development Zone Aims to Build a Bridgehead for the opening up of Guangzhou, China

By
Laotian Times
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GUANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 December 2024 – This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Guangzhou Development Zone. The revised Regulations of the Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulations”) officially came into effect on November 1, 2024.Recently, the district released a micro-documentary “Road in Whampoa” focusing on its 40 years of development, telling the story of their struggle through the stories of companies growing up here.

Guangzhou Development Zone
Guangzhou Development Zone

After 40 years of development, the Guangzhou Development Zone has established three major industrial clusters, each valued at over 10 billion yuan, characterized by high-end equipment, biotechnology, and integrated circuits. Additionally, five industrial clusters, each exceeding 100 billion yuan, are represented by automobiles, new displays, green energy, new materials, and health and beauty products. The zone is also taking the lead in the low-altitude economy and artificial intelligence sectors, aiming for a new trillion-yuan market.

‘The Guangzhou Development District has formed a relatively complete industrial chain, ranging from the equipment and materials supply to the panel processing, and the terminal application.’said Zhang Haitao, general manager of TCL CSOT, Guangzhou Base.

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The Guangzhou Development Zone was born out of reform and has thrived through openness. As a key gateway for Guangzhou’s external openness, foreign investment has always been a pivotal topic since the zone’s establishment. In 2023, the actual foreign investment utilized by the Guangzhou Development Zone surpassed 3 billion US dollars for the first time, accounting for 44.4% of the city’s total foreign investment. The zone has maintained its position as the top economic development zone in the country for five consecutive years.

‘When we joined the Development District, we fully utilized the innate advantage of the Development District as a window of reform and opening up. The entrepreneurial spirit of that time is still fresh in the memory of these entrepreneurs.’said Chen Senlin, vice president of Supply Chain, Amway China.

In this revision of the Regulations, “openness” remains a prominent development keyword for the Guangzhou Development Zone. The zone aims not only to attract high-quality investments but also to adhere to a strategy of high-quality outbound engagement. By pursuing both “bringing in” and “going global” strategies with equal emphasis, the zone seeks to expand its new development landscape and fully leverage its role as an open platform.

‘With the Development District as a window to the world, we have carried out autonomous driving tests, operations, and services in 30 cities across seven countries globally.’said Huang Yehua, Vice President of WeRide.

After 40 years of magnificent transformation, the Guangzhou Development District is now advancing towards a higher level of openness with a pioneering spirit!

Hashtag: #GuangzhouDevelopmentZone

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

Laos Performs First Beating-Heart Cardiac Surgery

By
Souliyasone Ngotsyoudom
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Mahosot Hospital
Mahosot Hospital

On 13 December, medical staff at the Laos-Luxembourg Heart Institute performed Laos’s first-ever cardiac surgery.

A team of cardiac surgeons from Laos and Luxembourg performed the surgery at Vientiane’s Mahosot Hospital using the “beating-heart surgery” technique, a type of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) that does not require stopping the patient’s heart.

Unlike traditional CABG, which requires halting the heart and using extracorporeal circulation, the beating-heart method keeps the heart beating throughout the procedure, reducing both trauma and costs. Experts say this technique is less invasive and more affordable for patients compared to traditional heart surgery. 

The first patient, a 50-year-old man with severe angina and blocked arteries, received four bypass grafts while his heart continued to beat. The surgery was a success, leading to improved cardiac function, a rapid recovery, and a short stay in the ICU.

This achievement marks an advancement in cardiac care for Laos, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, particularly in resource-limited settings. It also complements other procedures like stenting and angioplasty. The surgery was made possible through the support of Luxembourg Aid and Development and LuxDev in Laos.

 

HKU engineering researchers develop revolutionary diamond fabrication technology

By
Laotian Times
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 December 2024 – A research team led by Professor Zhiqin Chu, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Professor Yuan Lin, Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has developed a groundbreaking method for massively producing ultrathin and ultra-flexible diamond membranes, in collaboration with Professor Kwai Hei Li, Assistant Professor of the Southern University of Science and Technology, and Professor Qi Wang, Professor of the Dongguan Institute of Opto-Electronics of Peking University.

HKU engineering researchers develop revolutionary diamond fabrication technology
HKU engineering researchers develop revolutionary diamond fabrication technology

These ultrathin and ultra-flexible diamond membranes are compatible with existing semiconductor manufacturing technologies, and thus can, in principle, be fabricated into a variety of electronic, photonic, mechanical, acoustic, and quantum devices.

The innovative edge-exposed exfoliation method discovered by the team facilitates the rapid production of scalable, free-standing diamond membranes. This approach is superior to traditional methods, which are typically time- and costly and limited in size. Remarkably, the new process can manufacture a two-inch wafer within 10 seconds, offering unmatched efficiency and scalability.

These ultra-flat diamond surfaces, essential for high-precision micromanufacturing, along with the flexibility of the membranes, open up new possibilities for next-generation flexible and wearable electronic and photonic devices. The research team envisions significant industrial applications in electronics, photonics, mechanics, thermics, acoustics, and quantum technologies.

“We hope to promote the usage of the high-figure-of-merit diamond membrane into various fields, and to commercialise this cutting-edge technology and deliver premium diamond membranes, setting a new standard in semiconductor industry. We are eager to collaborate with academic and industry partners to bring this revolutionary product to market and accelerate the arrival of diamond era,” concluded Professor Chu.

Diamonds, renowned globally as valuable gemstones, possess exceptional versatility in various scientific and engineering applications. They are the hardest natural material, boasting unparalleled thermal conductivity at room temperature, extremely high carrier mobility, dielectric breakdown strength, an ultrawide bandgap, and optical transparency spanning from the infrared to the deep-ultraviolet spectrum. These remarkable properties make diamonds ideal for fabricating advanced high-power, high-frequency electronic devices, photonic devices, and heat spreaders to cool high-power density electronic components, such as those in processors, semiconductor lasers, and electric vehicles. However, the inert nature and rigid crystal structure of diamonds pose significant challenges in fabrication and mass production, particularly for ultrathin and freestanding diamond membranes, thereby restricting their widespread usage.

The full paper can be accessed here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08218-x

About Professor Zhiqin Chu

Prof. Zhiqin Chu received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physics from Northwest University (China) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, in July 2008 and July 2012, respectively. After spending one year as a postdoctoral fellow in the same group, he conducted postdoctoral research at The University of Stuttgart (Germany) from April 2014 to September 2016. Since November 2018, he has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (with a joint appointment in the School of Biomedical Sciences) at The University of Hong Kong, and was promoted to tenured Associate Professor in November 2024. Since joining HKU, Prof. Chu has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Nature, Nature Communications, and Science Advances, and has filed 14 patents related to diamond technology. Prof. Chu has received multiple awards, including the Gold Medal at the 2023 International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN), the Top 10 Best Invention Award at the 2023 iCAN, the Silver Medal at the 2022 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days, and the Gold Medal at the 2024 International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva.

About Professor Yuan Lin

Prof. Yuan Lin earned his B.S. and M.S. in Engineering Mechanics from Tsinghua University, followed by another M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Solid Mechanics from Brown University. He joined The University of Hong Kong in 2008 and is now a full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His research on cell/tissue mechanics and mechanics of functional materials led to publications in top journals, including Nature, PNAS, Nature Communications, Science Advances and PRL. Prof. Lin has served as Chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Nano-Mechanical Interfaces and keynote speaker in numerous international conferences. As the PI or Co-PI, he has secured more than 15 research grants. Prof. Lin currently serves as the Secretary for the Hong Kong Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.

Hashtag: #HKU

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Rising Costs Prompt Market Reform Proposals

By
Laotian Times
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Local shop in Laos (Photo: IDSALA)

National Assembly Representative for Vientiane Capital, Valy Vethsaphong, has called on the Lao government to address the rising prices of essential goods, despite the stability of the country’s exchange rates. Speaking at the 8th Ordinary Session of the Vientiane Capital People’s Assembly on 18 December, Valy highlighted the financial strain facing many citizens, particularly civil servants, who are struggling to meet their daily expenses.

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Agilis Robotics completes world’s first robot-assisted bladder tumour resection in clinical trial

By
Laotian Times
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 December 2024 – Agilis Robotics has announced the successful completion of the world’s first robot-assisted en-bloc resection of a bladder tumour (ERBT) using its self-developed, fully flexible endoscopic surgical robotic system. The procedure was performed by a renowned urology team at a leading hospital in Hong Kong as part of an ongoing clinical trial.

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The groundbreaking achievement represents a significant milestone in the application of robotic technology for minimally invasive treatment of bladder cancer, offering a promising new surgical option for patients worldwide. Robot-assisted ERBT can enable surgeons to remove bladder tumours in a single piece with greater precision, improving cancer staging accuracy and lowering recurrence rates compared to traditional techniques.

Transforming Bladder Cancer Treatment with Robotic Innovation

The gold standard for early-stage bladder cancer treatment is transurethral resection of bladder tumours (TURBT), which involves removing tumours in a piece-by-piece fashion. However, this traditional piecemeal approach can result in floating tumour cells and incomplete tumour resection, leading to higher recurrence rates and poor cancer staging.

Agilis Robotics’ endoscopic surgical robotic system addresses these challenges with a pair of fully flexible robotic arms that allow surgeons to precisely resect tumours in one piece (i.e. en-bloc). This approach reduces the risk of tumour cell reimplantation, improves specimen integrity for pathological analysis, and significantly decreases the likelihood of cancer recurrence.

Precision, Usability, and Accessibility Redefined

Bladder tumour resections are often complicated by the location of tumours, such as the bladder dome and anterior wall, which are highly challenging to resect completely. The robotic system developed by Agilis Robotics can provide urologists with dexterous and delicate control over the tumour resection process, enabling safer and more precise tumour resection, even in challenging cases.

Agilis Robotics completes world's first robot-assisted bladder tumour resection in clinical trial

Designed with intuitive controls and advanced robotic capabilities, the system can be adopted easily by both experienced surgeons and trainees. By reducing the learning curve for performing ERBT, it has the potential to make this advanced technique more widely available, improving outcomes for patients around the world.

Pioneering Natural Orifice Surgical Robotics

Founded in 2021, the Hong Kong-based Agilis Robotics specializes in developing innovative surgical robots designed to operate through natural orifices such as the urethra, mouth, or anus, eliminating the need for external incisions to treat early-stage tumours.

The company’s robotic system has reached the critical stages of regulatory applications to the FDA and NMPA. If approved, it is poised to become the first commercially available robotic system for transurethral bladder tumour resection.

With its unique technological advantages and significant market potential, the company has secured more than US$17 million in funding, positioning itself as a leader in natural orifice surgical robotics.

Expanding the Boundaries of Minimally Invasive Surgery

The successful demonstration of robot-assisted ERBT not only provides a breakthrough treatment option for bladder cancer but also opens the door to broader applications of minimally invasive robotic surgery through natural orifices, including procedures for the colon and upper gastrointestinal tract.

Agilis Robotics is committed to advancing medical technology, driving innovation, and delivering impactful solutions that benefit patients worldwide.
Hashtag: #agilisrobotics

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

LOFTER GROUP Awarded 12 Honors at PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, Recognized as Best Boutique Developer (Hong Kong and Macau)

By
Laotian Times
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UPPER PRINCE Triumphs as Best Connectivity Condo Development in Asia


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 December 2024 – LOFTER GROUP (“LOFTER” or “the Group”), a Hong Kong-based property developer, is thrilled to announce its recognition at the recently concluded 2024 PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards. The Group has been honored with the Best Boutique Developer (Hong Kong and Macau), while “UPPER PRINCE”, the new residential development of the Group located in Prince Edward, has been recognized with the Best Connectivity Condo Development (Asia). Together with the project at 2C Boundary Street in West Kowloon, the Group has won a remarkable total of 12 awards.

Leveraging exemplary performance in innovative architectural design and distinctive landscape design, both “UPPER PRINCE” and the project at 2C Boundary Street have been honored with multiple awards across several categories, including architectural design, landscape design, and interior design for Hong Kong and Macau. As these significant projects are expected for completion next year, alongside the residential development “Elize PARK” in Mong Kok, the Grade A commercial project “ONE BEDFORD PLACE” in West Kowloon, and the contemporary industrial project “TWO BEDFORD PLACE,” are poised to generate substantial synergistic effects. Collectively, these initiatives are anticipated to rejuvenate the area and transform its overall aesthetic, fostering a vibrant and dynamic environment.

Ms. Carol Chow, Founder and Chairperson of LOFTER said, “we are deeply honored to receive multiple accolades at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards for the recognition of our group’s projects. This is an affirmation of the professionalism and dedication to the excellence exhibited by our team. As a local property developer, we are committed to providing high-quality residential projects for the public, while actively preserving the existing cultural heritage and seamlessly integrating into our innovative architectural designs.

We aim to showcase not only the meticulous craftmanship and distinctive advantages of our projects, but also our contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage, thereby achieving sustainable development. ”

List of awards received by the Group is as follows:

LOFTER GROUP

  • Best Boutique Developer (Hong Kong and Macau)


UPPER PRINCE, Prince Edward

  • Best Connectivity Condo Development (Asia)
  • Winner – Best Connectivity Condo Development (Hong Kong and Macau)
  • Winner – Best Condo Architectural Design (Hong Kong and Macau)
  • Winner – Best Condo Landscape Design (Hong Kong and Macau)
  • Highly Commended – Best Condo Interior Design (Hong Kong and Macau)
  • Asia Finalist – Best Condo Architectural Design (Hong Kong and Macau)
  • Asia Finalist – Best Condo Landscape Design (Hong Kong and Macau)


2C Boundary Street, West Kowloon

  • Winner – Best Condo Interior Design (Hong Kong and Macau)
  • Highly Commended – Best Condo Architectural Design (Hong Kong and Macau)
  • Highly Commended – Best Condo Landscape Design (Hong Kong and Macau)
  • Asia Finalist – Best Condo Interior Design (Hong Kong and Macau)

Click here to download HD photos.
Hashtag: #LOFTERGroup #樂風集團 #UPPERPRINCE #PropertyGuru #AsiaPropertyAwards

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

LOFTER GROUP

Founded in 2012, LOFTER GROUP is a property developer based in Hong Kong. It is principally engaged in developing exceptional and high-quality residential, commercial, retail, and industrial properties. Leverage on its extensive experience, the Group is actively exploring a variety of opportunities for developing urban renewal projects across core districts of Hong Kong, with key focus on Grade A Commercial and Luxury Residential Projects. The Group vows to accommodate the needs of a diverse market and dynamic social policies, while maintaining a good balance between profitability, responsibility, and sustainability.

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