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African Swine Fever Detected in Xaysomboun, Control Measures Enforced

Pig Farm (Photo: Vincent ter Beek - Pig Progress)

Authorities have declared several villages in Xaysomboun Province as under threat for African swine fever (ASF) following confirmed test results from five pigs in Vang Hai village. 

China-ASEAN Observation: What Are the Future Trends in China-ASEAN Digital Economy Cooperation?

BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The digital cooperation between Singapore and China holds exceptional promise, given their mutual commitment to technological innovation and digital transformation. Singapore, with its well-developed digital infrastructure, especially, the innovative regulatory framework, and status as a global financial hub, complements China’s vast market, technological expertise, and manufacturing capabilities. Singapore’s strategic position as a gateway to Southeast Asia also makes it an ideal partner for China as it seeks to expand its digital footprint in the region.

The collaboration between Singapore and China can be particularly impactful in several high-potential areas. This partnership can enhance financial inclusion and streamline transactions between businesses and consumers. There are also opportunities to explore central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and alternative global settlement solutions.

As leaders in AI research and development, Singapore and China can collaborate to advance smart cities, healthcare, and logistics. By sharing expertise in big data analytics, they can drive innovations across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and public services. The growth of e-commerce presents a valuable opportunity for digital cooperation. By aligning their digital trade policies and platforms, Singapore and China can facilitate smoother cross-border e-commerce transactions and enhance cybersecurity measures to ensure safe and secure digital trade.

Both nations are pioneers in smart city development. Collaborative projects in this area can lead to sharing best practices, conducting joint research, and implementing cutting-edge technologies to improve urban living, sustainability, and efficiency. For instance, integrating smart electric vehicles with smart city initiatives could be a key focus.

Additionally, as two of the most digitally advanced economies in Asia, the collaboration has the potential to set benchmarks for the region and beyond. Initiatives like the ChinaSingapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity and the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City can serve as blueprints for future collaborations, fostering a more integrated digital economy.

As for China and ASEAN, the cooperation in the digital economy is set to become a cornerstone of their economic partnership. Focusing on critical areas such as e-commerce, digital infrastructure, AI, and cybersecurity will unlock new growth opportunities and foster a more integrated and resilient digital economy. This collaboration will not only benefit China and ASEAN but also contribute to broader goals like digital inclusion and sustainable development in the Global South.

Governments and firms should closely monitor the following key trends:

1. Digital Silk Road Integration: The Digital Silk Road, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is likely to play a pivotal role in ASEAN-China digital cooperation. This initiative promotes the construction of digital infrastructure, e-commerce platforms, and smart cities, which will integrate ASEAN more closely into the global digital economy.

2. Rise of Digital SMEs: As digital infrastructure improves, more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in ASEAN will have the opportunity to engage in digital trade. This will lead to a more inclusive digital economy, where even the smallest businesses can access international markets. The economic amplifying effect has been well observed in China and ASEAN countries.

3. Increased Focus on Sustainability: Sustainability will become a key consideration in digital economy cooperation. Both China and ASEAN are likely to prioritize green technologies and digital solutions that contribute to environmental protection, such as smart grids, energy-efficient data centres, and sustainable urban planning. 

4. Collaborative Innovation Hubs: To foster innovation, China and ASEAN may establish joint research and development centres or innovation hubs focused on digital technologies with industry partners and universities. These hubs could facilitate collaboration between researchers, entrepreneurs, and governments, driving the development of new digital products and services.

As international data flows evolve, ASEAN and China face the critical challenge of balancing digital integration benefits with the need for robust data governance. To address these challenges and build a trustworthy, transparent, and secure digital environment, they should engage both the private sector and civil society to establish common standards for data governance, promote ethical use of data and AI to build trust through transparency and accountability, enhance multilateral dialogue and cooperation, strengthen cybersecurity collaboration, and facilitate cross-border data flows with continuous monitoring and adaptation. RCEP has already set up an arrangement to facilitate free data flow among the ASEAN 10 + 5 countries. 

ASEAN and China must deepen their collaboration across multiple fronts. By harmonizing data governance standards, enhancing cybersecurity cooperation, promoting ethical data use, and engaging a broad range of stakeholders, they can create a robust framework that supports digital innovation while safeguarding privacy and security. This approach will not only strengthen their digital economies but also contribute to the broader goal of building a secure and trustworthy global digital ecosystem.

(This article is a contribution from Yan Li, invited by China-ASEAN Observation. Yan Li is currently a senior lecturer at Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of China-ASEAN Observation.)

About China-ASEAN Observation 

https://www.coa-observation.com/ 

Established by China Center for International Communication Development (CCICD) in 2024, China-ASEAN Observation is a dedicated content platform focusing on various aspects of China-ASEAN relations, including economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges, and regional developments. The platform gathers insights from experts and scholars across China and ASEAN, offering analytical articles that provide perspectives on key topics such as the current state and future prospects of China-ASEAN cooperation, the development of a shared future community, high-level exchanges, regional peace and stability, economic and trade trends, the South China Sea, technology, and cultural tourism. In addition to commentary, the platform incorporates data visualizations, infographics, and illustrations to present information in a diversified manner.

China-ASEAN Observation collaborates with multiple Chinese media platforms to establish a content-sharing mechanism, expanding its reach and influence. By providing in-depth perspectives and diverse content, China-ASEAN Observation aims to be a leading voice in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between China and ASEAN nations.

 

Sino Land Recognised in CDP’s 2024 ‘A List’ for Corporate Sustainability Leadership in Climate Action

HONG KONG, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sino Group (‘the Group’) is pleased to announce that Sino Land Company Limited (‘Sino Land’) (Stock Code: 0083.HK) has been recognised as one of the first developers in Hong Kong to be included in CDP’s highest benchmark, the 2024 ‘A List’, for its leadership in corporate sustainability, transparency and performance on climate action. This accreditation reinforces our commitment to accelerating climate action and provide a clearer pathway towards achieving net-zero carbon by 2050, in alignment with our Decarbonisation Blueprint.

Sino Land has been included in the CDP 2024 ‘A List’.
Sino Land has been included in the CDP 2024 ‘A List’.

CDP’s annual environmental disclosure and scoring process is globally recognised as the gold standard for corporate environmental transparency. As a leading non-profit organisation, CDP has tracked and disclosed corporate climate data since 2000, enabling businesses to effectively manage climate and environmental risks. In 2024, over 24,800 companies reported data to CDP. The organisation applies a detailed and independent methodology to assess companies’ emissions reduction efforts, climate risk management, and the comprehensiveness of their environmental disclosures, with the highest ‘A’ score awarded exclusively to companies demonstrating leadership in climate action, deforestation mitigation, and water security.

Mr Daryl Ng, Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the ESG Steering Committee of Sino Group, said, ‘We are honoured to be recognised among esteemed companies around the globe on the prestigious CDP “A List” for leadership in climate action. This achievement signifies a key milestone in our ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and enhance environmental transparency. We look forward to joining hands with like-minded partners to contribute to a more sustainable future through green architectural planning, decarbonisation, innovation and inclusion.’

The Group has been taking an active role in minimising the impacts of climate change. It has recently reached several important milestones on its decarbonisation journey, including official validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for long-term emissions reduction targets, the launch of the Decarbonisation Blueprint, being one of the pioneering developers in Hong Kong to publish a standalone Climate Action Report, and the installation of over 4,000 photovoltaic panels and over 1,800 electric vehicle chargers at the Group’s managed properties, highlighting its dedication to addressing long-term climate challenges.

Paris Baguette Expands Global Reach with the Launch of Its Regional Manufacturing Hub in Johor, Malaysia

Strategic Growth to Strengthen International Supply Chain and Meet Rising Global Demand

JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Paris Baguette, the globally renowned bakery brand under SPC Group, has officially launched its newest regional manufacturing hub in Johor, Malaysia. This milestone, graced by Johor’s Chief Minister Mr Onn Hafiz Ghazi, and Mr. Hur Young In, Chairman of SPC Group reinforces Paris Baguette’s commitment to global expansion, increased production capacity, and delivering high-quality bakery products to international markets.

MR. HUR YOUNG IN, CHAIRMAN OF SPC GROUP OFFICIATED THE GRAND LAUNCH IN MALAYSIA
MR. HUR YOUNG IN, CHAIRMAN OF SPC GROUP OFFICIATED THE GRAND LAUNCH IN MALAYSIA

This facility marks a strategic move in Paris Baguette’s global expansion, ensuring a seamless, efficient supply chain that supports the brand’s growing presence across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. As demand for premium bakery products continues to rise globally, the Johor hub will play a pivotal role in boosting production capabilities, streamlining international distribution, and reinforcing SPC Group’s position as a major player in the global food industry.

During the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Hur Young In, Chairman of SPC Group, stated: “Food is more than just what we eat—through food, we connect with people, honour our heritage, and create meaningful experiences that bring communities together. With the Johor Production Centre as a strategic hub, we aim to bring wholesome and delightful flavours to the 2 billion consumers in the Halal market, spanning Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. This milestone is not only about business expansion, but also about building stronger connections, creating job opportunities, and celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of the communities we serve.”

The Paris Baguette Regional Manufacturing Hub in Johor is designed to support the brand’s rapid expansion across key international markets. The hub is equipped with seven advanced production lines, enabling an output of up to 100million bakery products per year, ensuring a steady and scalable supply of bakery products to meet global demand.

A defining feature of this facility is its Halal certification, meeting some of the most stringent food safety and quality standards worldwide. Malaysia’s globally recognised Halal certification is synonymous with excellence in food hygiene, sourcing, and production processes. By achieving this certification, Paris Baguette ensures that its products meet the highest levels of quality, safety, and cleanliness, further strengthening consumer trust across international markets.

With around 4,000 outlets worldwide, Paris Baguette remains one of the fastest-growing bakery brands in the global market. The opening of this regional manufacturing hub is part of SPC Group’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as an international leader in the bakery and food production industry.

For more info, please visit https://www.parisbaguette.com.sg/.

About Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette, born in 1988, is a global bakery brand of SPC Group, a leading South Korean food and confectionery corporation. From its modest beginnings, the chain has grown steadily to become the No.1 bakery in Korea.

From 2004, the brand has expanded internationally, the brand operates around 4,000 stores worldwide across the United States, Canada, France, UK, China and Southeast Asia, solidifying its reputation as a truly global premium bakery brand.

About SPC Group

SPC Group is a Korea-based global food company, over 80 years of history. It owns 30 renowned brands and operates 7,000 stores worldwide, including Paris Baguette, Paris Croissant, Passion 5, Coffee@Works, and StrEAT.

SPC Group has successfully introduced global brands to the Korean market including Baskin Robbins, Dunkin, Pascucci, LINA’s, Jamba, Shake Shack.

SPC Group remains committed to innovation, quality, and sustainable growth, shaping a healthier and happier global food culture.

DFI Retail Group Announces Leadership Appointments


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 February 2025 – DFI Retail Group (“DFI”) today announced important leadership changes to strengthen its strategic capabilities and drive growth. Ella Chan has been appointed as Group Chief Strategy Officer, effective 1 April 2025. Ella brings over two decades of leadership experience in global strategy, transformation, and innovation within the retail and consumer sectors. In her new role, Ella will oversee Corporate Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Investor Relations, and Customer Insights.

DFI Retail Group appoints Ella Chan as Group Chief Strategy Officer, effective 1 April 2025
DFI Retail Group appoints Ella Chan as Group Chief Strategy Officer, effective 1 April 2025

Ella’s extensive career includes impactful roles at Walmart across the US, China and Hong Kong, where she drove significant business growth and operational excellence. Her achievements include leading initiatives resulting in double-digit sales growth, pioneering digital innovations, and developing new retail formats tailored to evolving consumer needs.

Wee Lee Loh, DFI’s Group Chief Digital Officer, will expand his responsibilities to serve as Group Chief Digital and yuu Rewards Officer, overseeing yuu Rewards, Retail Analytics, and Retail Media. Wee Lee, who joined DFI in September 2023, has a strong background in digital transformation and e-commerce. His expanded role reflects the DFI’s commitment to leveraging data-driven insights and digital innovation to enhance customer engagement.

Scott Price, Group Chief Executive, DFI Retail Group said, “We are pleased to welcome Ella to our leadership team and to expand Wee Lee’s responsibilities. I’m confident their leadership will further strengthen our ability to respond to evolving customer needs, empower our people, and deliver sustained value for our shareholders as we continue driving growth and innovation across the business.”

These appointments underscore DFI Retail Group’s dedication to fostering talent, driving strategic growth, and delivering operational excellence in the rapidly evolving retail landscape.
Hashtag: #DFIRetailGroup #yuuRewards #Mannings #Guardian #7-Eleven #Wellcome #MarketPlace #ColdStorage #Giant #IKEA

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

DFI Retail Group

DFI Retail Group (the ‘Group’) is a leading Asian retailer, driven by its purpose to “Sustainably Serve Asia for Generations with Everyday Moments”. The Group is dedicated to delivering quality, value and exceptional service to Asian consumers through a compelling retail experience, supported by an extensive store network and highly efficient supply chains. The Group, including associates and joint ventures, operates a portfolio of well-known brands across six key divisions: health and beauty, convenience, food, home furnishings, restaurants and other retailing.

Driving Impact: Southeast Asia as a Rising Force in Social Developments and Impact Investing

The region’s rising maturity and rapid economic growth
position it as a critical player in addressing social issues,
while fostering innovative solutions through collaborative ecosystems.

SINGAPORE, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The AVPN Southeast Asia Summit 2025, held at Fairmont Singapore on 24 and 25 February, brought together over 450 investors, leading philanthropists, government officials, policymakers, and impact leaders from around the world to accelerate solutions for Southeast Asia’s most pressing challenges. Under the theme “Voices of Southeast Asia: Driving Regional Transformation and Inclusion,” discussions focused on the region’s growing leadership in tackling climate action, health resilience, gender equality, catalytic philanthropy, blended finance and impact investing, and AI skilling.

From left to right: Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO, AVPN; Muhamad Chatib Basri, Co-Chairman of The Pandemic Fund and former Minister of Finance of Indonesia; Dini Indrawati Septiani, Regional Director, Southeast Asia, AVPN
From left to right: Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO, AVPN; Muhamad Chatib Basri, Co-Chairman of The Pandemic Fund and former Minister of Finance of Indonesia; Dini Indrawati Septiani, Regional Director, Southeast Asia, AVPN

Guests of honour who attended the Summit include Dr. Mari Elka Pangestu, Indonesia’s Presidential Special Envoy for International Trade and Multilateral Cooperation, Bapak Muhammad Chatib Basri, Co-Chairman of Pandemic Fund and former Minister of Finance of Indonesia, Dr. Kraiyos Patrawart, the Managing Director of the Equitable Education Fund, Mr Vinamra Srivasta, Chief Sustainability & Sustainable Investments Officer, CapitaLand Investment (CLI),  and Boon Heong Ng, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Temasek Foundation.

Addressing Southeast Asia’s Critical Challenges

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, but it faces mounting challenges, including the need for net-zero strategies, workforce upskilling, gender equity, and healthcare resilience. Despite its economic strength, investment gaps continue to hinder progress in these critical areas. To overcome these barriers and drive sustainable, inclusive growth, collaborative capital and innovative financing models are essential. This includes exploring new approaches and tools to reform the development finance architecture, to raise the voice of Asia at critical global forums.

Encouragingly, impact investing in the region has surged, with over 67% of cumulative capital from the past 15 years committed in just the last three years (2020–2022), signalling strong momentum for solutions-driven investment. Starting in 2025, world leaders have emphasised the need for collective action and shared solutions to advance the SDGs at global forums. Southeast Asia is well-positioned to emerge as a leader in tackling social challenges through innovative, localised approaches.

“The AVPN Southeast Asia Summit 2025 reinforced that while the region is increasingly recognised as a key driver of global impact, unlocking its full potential requires more than dialogue—it demands tangible commitments and coordinated action,” said Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN. “By convening the region’s key changemakers, we are not only spotlighting solutions in gender finance, AI skilling, and climate resilience but also mobilising the capital and partnerships necessary to turn ideas into measurable outcomes.”

Building Resilience for Vulnerable Communities in Asia

CapitaLand Hope Foundation, the philanthropic arm of CapitaLand Group, in collaboration with AVPN, announced the launch of the SGD 3 million CapitaLand Community Resilience Initiative at the Summit. This initiative, which will be implemented across China, India, Singapore, and Vietnam, aims to equip vulnerable children and youth with the skills, knowledge and support systems needed to thrive in the face of adversity, strengthening their resilience to ensure a stronger, more adaptive and equitable future. Funding will be provided to projects by non-profit organisations focused on improving the education, health and well-being of children and youths.

Improving Access to Medicine Across Southeast Asia

AVPN, together with Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Access Health International, and SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute have pledged to ensure sustained and equitable access to medicines in Southeast Asia amongst underserved communities.

The Southeast Asia Access to Medicines Pledge underpins a shared vision of improving medicine access in the region, addressing disparities both within and across countries. Leveraging multistakeholder collaboration, each organisation aims to share knowledge and best practices, invest resources, work together to drive progress, and continuously measure and report impact.

Generating Insights and Increasing Transparency for Social Investment Ecosystem

AVPN and Impact Intelligence launched the Social investment in Asia in Action (SIAA) Dashboard, an AI-powered tool that provides a dynamic view of social investment capital flows across Asia-Pacific. Covering more than 50 markets across Asia-Pacific, the dashboard generates news and insights on social investments across Asia, and identifies specific impact activities across sectors, geographies, capital investment mechanisms and more.

This tool will support the social investment ecosystem by improving decision making through the deployment of valuable insights, increase accountability and transparency, and strengthen collaboration between social investors, philanthropists, corporates and other stakeholders.

Looking Ahead: Turning Commitments into Action

As the Summit concluded, speakers emphasised the need to move from discussion to action.

“The Southeast Asia region is integral to tackling global challenges, from climate change and gender equality to healthcare resilience and youth empowerment,” said Naina. “The solutions developed here will not only shape Southeast Asia’s trajectory but also contribute to the broader global agenda.”

About AVPN

AVPN is the largest network of social investors in Asia, comprising over 600 funders and resource providers across 33 markets. Our mission is to increase the flow and effectiveness of financial, human, and intellectual capital in Asia by enabling members to channel resources towards impact. As an ecosystem builder, AVPN enables its members to connect, learn, act, and lead across key pillars and improve the effectiveness of deployed capital, bringing local field needs, regional expertise, and policy insights to the forefront. We have market representatives as local points of contacts across Asia-Pacific and beyond, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Philippines. For more information about AVPN and our work, please visit our website and read our latest Annual Review 2023/24.

ZTO to Announce Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results on March 18, 2025 U.S. Eastern Time

SHANGHAI, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK: 2057) (“ZTO” or the “Company”), a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China, today announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024 and its unaudited annual results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, after the U.S. market closes on March 18, 2025.

ZTO’s management team will host an earnings conference call at 8:30 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, which is 8:30 A.M. Beijing Time on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

United States:

1-888-317-6003

Hong Kong:

800-963976

Singapore:   

800-120-5863

Mainland China:

4001-206115

International:

1-412-317-6061

Passcode:

9429827

A replay of the conference call may be accessible through March 25, 2025 by dialing the following numbers:    

United States:

1-877-344-7529

International:

1-412-317-0088

Canada:

855-669-9658

Passcode:

8404611

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company’s investor relations website at http://zto.investorroom.com.

About ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK: 2057) (“ZTO” or the “Company”) is a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. ZTO provides express delivery service as well as other value-added logistics services through its extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China.

ZTO operates a highly scalable network partner model, which the Company believes is best suited to support the significant growth of e-commerce in China. The Company leverages its network partners to provide pickup and last-mile delivery services, while controlling the mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting network within the express delivery service value chain.

For more information, please visit http://zto.investorroom.com.

For investor inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations
Tel: (86) 21 5980 4508
Email: ir@zto.com

ATFX Illuminates the Future with 2025 Annual Gala Dinner

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On February 22, 2025, ATFX hosted its highly anticipated Gala Dinner at the prestigious Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together over 600 employees from 23 office locations worldwide. The evening was filled with entertainment, awards, and relationship-building. Guests were treated to a variety of wonderful performances and good food, setting the stage for an unforgettable night.

The formal segment began with an opening speech from ATFX Group Chairman, Joe Li, in which he shared his “3H philosophy” of being Hungry, being Humble, and having Heart, encouraging employees to stay driven, grounded, and passionate in their roles. He highlighted ATFX’s 2025 slogan, “Illuminate the Future Spectrum“, which emphasizes the dynamic and unified nature of ATFX, reflecting the company’s innovation and breakthroughs much like a spectrum of colours which are diverse yet remain unified.

Following his speech, a toasting ceremony took place, with VIPs gathering on stage to celebrate ATFX’s success. As dinner commenced, a live band performance created a lively atmosphere while guests enjoyed a fine dining experience.

A major highlight of the evening was ATFX very own talent competition, where teams from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Jordan, and Vietnam competed in a showcase of talent. Guests voted for their favourite performances, adding an interactive element to the event. After the final performance, ATFX’s Chief Strategy Officer, Drew Niv, took the stage to deliver a speech before announcing the winner and presenting the Most Creative Performance Award, further inspiring employees to embrace creativity and teamwork.

The event also honored long-serving employees, as well as top sales teams and outstanding employees from both China and the overseas. Chairman Joe Li, Jeffrey Siu, ATFX’s Chief Operating Officer, and Siju Daniel, ATFX’s Commercial Officer, presented these prestigious awards, highlighting ATFX’s deep appreciation for its employees’ dedication. The excitement continued with a lucky draw, giving attendees the chance to win valuable prizes.

With a perfect blend of entertainment, recognition, and team spirit, the ATFX Gala Dinner 2025 was a resounding success. The night concluded with a high-energy DJ session, as guests danced and celebrated late into the night. As ATFX continues its global expansion, events like these strengthen the company’s culture of excellence, unity, and innovation, reinforcing its commitment to growth and achievement.

About ATFX

ATFX is a leading global fintech broker with a local presence in 23 locations and licenses from regulatory authorities including the UK’s FCA, Australian ASIC, Cypriot CySEC, UAE’s SCA, Hong Kong SFC and South African FSCA. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, innovative technology, and strict regulatory compliance, ATFX provides exceptional trading experiences to clients worldwide.

For further information on ATFX, please visit ATFX website https://www.atfx.com