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Fourier Highlights System Level Integration Shift at 2026 Advanced Liquid Cooling Technologies Conference in Taipei

TAIPEI, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fourier Data Center Solution Inc. (“Fourier”), a modular data center company focused on AI and HPC infrastructure, showcased its integrated system architecture at the 2026 Advanced Liquid Cooling Technologies Conference co-developed with Intel.

Discussions at the conference underscored a structural shift in how AI infrastructure is defined. At the silicon and packaging level, advances in thermal interface technologies continue to push the limits of heat transfer. At the system level, Intel’s platform-driven approach is enabling ecosystem partners to extend beyond individual components into integrated data center solutions. At the conference, Fourier presented a 20-foot modular data center container, offering a full system view of integrated cooling, power, and compute architecture. The container was open for onsite walkthroughs, allowing visitors to directly experience the internal layout and system integration in operation.

Fourier and Intel jointly showcased a fully integrated 20-foot modular data center container at the Advanced Liquid Cooling Technology Conference, Taipei.
Fourier and Intel jointly showcased a fully integrated 20-foot modular data center container at the Advanced Liquid Cooling Technology Conference, Taipei.

For Fourier, this shift reframes the core constraint. The challenge is no longer a single device or subsystem, but the orchestration of cooling, power, and compute as a unified architecture. The ability to translate thermal innovation into deployable infrastructure has become the primary source of value.

As AI infrastructure cycles accelerate, deployment speed has emerged as a critical competitive variable. Delays in compatibility, validation, and integration directly impact time-to-revenue. What the conference reflects is the emergence of a more coordinated validation environment, where cooling technologies, power architectures, and system interfaces are increasingly aligned within a shared ecosystem, reducing integration friction at scale.

This reinforces a central principle for Fourier: deployment speed is a system level outcome. Prefabrication, factory integration, and standardized modular design are not only engineering strategies, but mechanisms to compress delivery timelines, reduce onsite uncertainty, and enable predictable deployment of high density infrastructure.

Fourier CRO Justin Cass delivered a keynote presentation on modular, flexible, and technology-agnostic AI infrastructure at the Intel co-hosted conference in Taipei.
Fourier CRO Justin Cass delivered a keynote presentation on modular, flexible, and technology-agnostic AI infrastructure at the Intel co-hosted conference in Taipei.

Fourier CRO Justin Cass discussed the accelerating shift toward modular AI infrastructure and the growing need for deployable, integrated data center systems. AI infrastructure is entering a phase where density is mandatory, liquid cooling is foundational, and integration defines competitiveness. The market no longer requires incremental component improvements, but deployable systems that unify compute, cooling, and power into a single architecture, delivered consistently across global environments.

Looking ahead, as AI infrastructure scales globally, the industry will increasingly converge toward integrated, prefabricated systems. Fourier will continue to focus on translating system level innovation into deployable infrastructure that meets the speed and density requirements of next generation compute.

Thai travelers’ behavior shifts toward short-haul destinations during the May holiday: Agoda

Search trends point to rising preference for closer, easier holiday getaways

SINGAPORE, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Thai travelers are increasingly favoring short-distance, easy-to-plan getaways, reflecting a growing preference for trips that require less time and effort to organize, according to search data from digital travel platform Agoda.

An increase in accommodation searches was seen for short-haul destinations during the 30 April to 4 May Labor Day and Coronation long weekend, compared to the same period last year. This growth in search interest spans both domestic and outbound travel – with Rayong emerging as a leading local destination, and Ho Chi Minh City ranking among the top choices for international trips.

Thai travelers are showing strong interest in nearby destinations within the country, with Rayong recording the highest growth at 44%, followed by Pattaya at 40% and Chonburi at 29%. Among destinations within driving range of Bangkok, Ko Samet at 22% and Hua Hin/Cha-am at 19% also continue to see steady growth, reinforcing the appeal of nearby escapes.

This shift in travel behavior may be influenced by rising travel costs and a growing preference for more budget-conscious and flexible trips, where shorter distances help reduce both planning time and overall expenses. Rayong’s growing appeal is also supported by wider efforts to promote agricultural tourism, with seasonal fruit orchards and farm experiences adding a fresh dimension to the destination and encouraging more local travel.

Further afield, destinations such as Krabi at 13% and Chiang Mai at 28% also recorded positive growth, indicating that while short-distance trips are a key trend this holiday period, Thai travelers continue to explore longer-distance options for a wider range of travel experiences.

A similar pattern can be seen in outbound travel, where short-haul destinations are driving the strongest growth. Cities within a short flight from Bangkok see strong interest from Thai travellers, with Ho Chi Minh City recording the highest increase at 134%, followed by Da Nang at 58% and Hong Kong at 2%.

Seoul is the only destination in the top rankings that falls outside the short-haul category, recording a 49% increase. Its popularity is likely supported by seasonal appeal, as spring is widely considered one of the best times to visit.

Akaporn Rodkong, Country Director, Thailand and Indochina at Agoda, said “Thai travelers remain enthusiastic about traveling across the year, even immediately after a major holiday period such as Songkran. At the same time, there is a clear shift toward more budget‑conscious decision‑making, with travelers placing greater value on simpler and more convenient trips. As a result, short‑distance and easy‑to‑plan destinations are gaining popularity, both within Thailand and across nearby international markets. At Agoda we are proud to offer a broad range of options across different destinations and budgets, helping travelers find choices that suit their needs.”

Travelers planning their mid-year getaways can explore great value across more than six million holiday properties, over 130,000 flight routes, and more than 300,000 activities and experiences on Agoda. With a wide range of options across nearby beach destinations and short-haul city breaks, Agoda makes it easy for travelers to plan quick, convenient escapes that fit perfectly into long weekends, helping them maximize their time off while enjoying seamless booking and great deals.

TWSC Officially Inaugurates Guangming Intelligent Manufacturing Base to Advance High-End Storage

SHENZHEN, China, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The official launch ceremony of TWSC Guangming Intelligent Manufacturing Base was successfully held at Guangming Science City, Shenzhen.

TWSC Officially Inaugurates Guangming Intelligent Manufacturing Base to Advance High-End Storage
TWSC Officially Inaugurates Guangming Intelligent Manufacturing Base to Advance High-End Storage

Strategic Positioning: A High-End Storage Manufacturing and Validation Platform for the AI Era

Driven by surging demand from AI applications, storage solutions are evolving from general-purpose hardware toward mission-critical AI infrastructure, requiring superior throughput, ultra-low latency and continuous operational stability.

As a pivotal high-end storage manufacturing initiative for the AI era, TWSC Guangming Intelligent Manufacturing Base serves as the company’s high-end manufacturing and test & validation center. Focused on enterprise-grade and embedded storage products, the base aims to build a world-class intelligent manufacturing platform for high-end storage in China. Its official launch marks a critical milestone in TWSC’s strategic upgrade of high-end manufacturing capabilities.

Upon full ramp-up, the base will deliver an integrated high-end manufacturing system covering intelligent production, test & validation and large-scale delivery. It will support mass production and comprehensive testing of enterprise-grade SSDs, RDIMMs and embedded storage products, further strengthening high-reliability validation and scalable manufacturing capacity.

Core Advantages: AGV+MES-Driven Unmanned End-to-End Production Line, Upgrading TWSC’s SMT Intelligent Manufacturing

End-to-End Automated Manufacturing System

To ensure high-quality introduction and scalable delivery of high-performance storage products, the Guangming Base has deployed an industry-leading intelligent SMT manufacturing system. It adopts large-scale AGV intelligent logistics to realize fully unmanned material flow across production, inspection and logistics processes.

Data-Driven Intelligent Lean Manufacturing

Powered by MES system, intelligent dispatch center and end-to-end data management platform, the base enables digital collaboration and full traceability in manufacturing, testing, quality assurance and fulfillment. This significantly improves production efficiency, product consistency and cross-functional operational synergy.

Advanced Validation: High-Reliability Testing Capabilities for Leading Mainstream Platforms

Catering to AI servers, data centers and intelligent terminals, the Guangming Intelligent Manufacturing Base has established a robust high-reliability test and validation system to meet demands for efficient, stable and secure storage performance.

On one hand, the base features a comprehensive validation cluster equipped with hundreds of high-performance servers and a one-stop enterprise-grade storage test line, delivering high-stress validation capabilities for AI servers and data centers. It also provides a dedicated embedded validation platform supporting DDR die testing and validation of eMMC, UFS, LPDDR and other embedded storage products, enhancing compatibility and stability verification across multiple protocols and platforms.

On the other hand, TWSC is actively building a comprehensive AI storage technology laboratory focused on proprietary firmware development. This ensures reliable product operation in AI large model and data center scenarios, while continuously improving validation efficiency and scenario adaptability.

Currently, TWSC has two intelligent manufacturing bases with a total area of over 40,000 square meters, further consolidating its end-to-end capabilities spanning R&D, intelligent manufacturing and large-scale delivery. The company will continue to enhance high-end storage manufacturing efficiency and global customer service, accelerating the deployment of full-stack AI storage solutions.

Laos Orders Travel Companies to Attach Hotel Booking Confirmations of Clients

This photo is used for representational purpose only.

Travel companies bringing tourists into Laos must now attach confirmed hotel booking documents to their entry paperwork, the Tourism Police Department announced.

According to the 12 May notice, tour operators are required to submit a detailed set of documents to the government before tourists arrive, including passenger name lists, passport details, travel itineraries, arrival and departure checkpoints, intended hotels, daily activity schedules, and tour guide information.

The new rule adds one more step: listing a hotel name in the itinerary is no longer enough. Companies must now attach the actual confirmed booking document for every night of the trip, from the day tourists arrive to the day they leave.

Authorities said the change supports a government drive to move tourist accommodation records into a modern digital system, with the aim of improving safety, security, and the overall visitor experience in the country.

The move comes as Laos pushes to grow its tourism sector. The country welcomed 4.58 million international visitors in 2025 and is now targeting between 5 and 6 million arrivals in 2026.

All previously required documents remain mandatory and no existing paperwork needs to be refiled. However, any company that does not yet collect official hotel confirmation documents as part of its standard booking process must update its procedures immediately. Applications submitted without the new attachments risk delays or outright rejection.

LGT appoints CEO for its wealth management business in Thailand


BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 May 2026 – LGT continues to strengthen its leadership team in Thailand with the appointment of Anchalee Bunsongsikul as Chief Executive Officer of LGT Securities (Thailand) Limited (“LGT Thailand”). This senior management hire underlines the strategic importance of Thailand for LGT and reflects the firm’s commitment to further expanding its presence in the market.

Anchalee Bunsongsikul
Anchalee Bunsongsikul

With over three decades of leadership experience in international banking, including most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer, Thailand and Representative Offices for Standard Chartered Bank, Anchalee Bunsongsikul will further strengthen LGT’s senior management bench in Thailand. She brings extensive experience in corporate banking, financial markets and client coverage, as well as a deep understanding of the local client landscape.

Commenting on the appointment, Dr. Henri Leimer, Chief Executive Officer, LGT Private Banking Asia Pacific, said: “Thailand is an important market for us, one where we have built a strong market position through a consistent, relationship-led approach focused on serving Thai families and entrepreneurs.” Karn Karuhadej, Managing Director and Senior Market Adviser, added: “Anchalee brings extensive leadership experience, strong client relationships and deep market knowledge that will further strengthen our franchise in Thailand. We look forward to welcoming her to our team and working together to further develop our business in the region.”

The appointment will take effect on 15 May 2026. Upon joining LGT Thailand, Anchalee Bunsongsikul will also become a member of the Executive Board Asia Pacific of LGT Private Banking.

LGT has deep roots in Asia. Since opening its first representative office in Hong Kong in 1986, LGT has grown into a competitive regional private bank and wealth manager. In 2019, LGT launched its wealth management business in Thailand. Today, the Bangkok office comprises a strong team of experienced relationship managers and investment consultants who provide investment and wealth management services to Thai clients, complementing LGT’s private banking operations in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Across Asia Pacific, LGT has a presence in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Australia, India and the Middle East, and employs around 1800 people in the region. In 2025, LGT ranked as the sixth1 largest private bank in the region, with USD 164 billion in assets under management as of the end of 2025.


1Based on finews.asia 2025 Private Banking AUM league table (finews.asia Releases 2025 Private Banking AUM League Table)

Hashtag: #LGT

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

LGT in brief

LGT is a leading international private banking and asset management group that has been fully controlled by the Liechtenstein Princely Family for over 90 years. As at 31 December 2025, LGT managed assets of CHF 386.1 billion (USD 487.3 billion) for wealthy private individuals and institutional clients. LGT employs 6000 people who work out of more than 40 locations in Europe, Asia, the Americas, Australia and the Middle East. .

Esperanza Partners with One Cool Stage to Open New Financing Frontiers for Hong Kong’s Cultural Assets Esperanza

Hong Kong theatre IP “The Big Big Day” anchors the next phase of fan participation and entertainment asset tokenization, with qualifying projects potential exceeding HK$2 billion in scale


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 May 2026 – Esperanza Fintech (Securities) Limited (“Esperanza” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce that a tokenized fund managed by the Company has participated in co-presenting The Big Big Day (《大龍鳳》), a Hong Kong theatre IP project produced by One Cool Stage Limited (“One Cool Stage“), a subsidiary of One Cool Group Limited. A cooperation arrangement to this effect has been signed by both parties. The collaboration marks a further extension of Esperanza’s regulated fintech solutions — building on its earlier tokenized live-entertainment offerings — into Hong Kong theatre, cultural IP, and fan-engagement scenarios, as the Company continues to explore the commercial value and applications of cultural and entertainment assets under new financing models.

One Cool Group Limited is one of Hong Kong’s most recognizable integrated film and entertainment enterprises, with operations spanning film, television, production, post-production, artist management, and related entertainment services. The partnership with One Cool Stage not only reflects Esperanza’s continued expansion of tokenization use cases for cultural and entertainment assets, but also showcases the broader development potential of high-quality Hong Kong content and IP under new financing frameworks.

As a Hong Kong-based fintech and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization platform serving the Asia-Pacific market, Esperanza is committed to operating within a regulated framework to connect quality assets, professional investors, content owners, project operators, and fan communities — building more transparent, participative, and scalable financial infrastructure for cultural and entertainment projects.

Mr. Ronald Leung, Group Chief Executive Officer and Chief Legal Officer of Esperanza, said:

“The Big Big Day project is more than a single theatre collaboration — it represents another important milestone in Esperanza’s work to bring tokenized capital solutions to Hong Kong’s cultural and entertainment assets. Hong Kong has long stood at the intersection of Asian culture, creativity, and capital. We see this city as the ideal starting point for combining high-quality local content with next-generation fintech infrastructure, and for forging deeper value linkages among content owners, project parties, fan communities, and professional investors. As part of this project, Esperanza will also take the lead in launching tokenized experience applications in Hong Kong, enabling supporters to participate in ticket redemption, exclusive merchandise offerings, and cultural entertainment experiences through relevant tokenized arrangements. This will further extend the interaction between stage productions and audiences beyond the performance itself. Through compliant tokenization solutions, Esperanza will continue to support more projects of cultural significance and market potential in establishing financing connections that are more flexible, more transparent, and more participatory.”

Ms. Ella Wong, Chief Financial Officer of One Cool Group Limited, said:

“We are delighted to begin this collaboration with Esperanza. In today’s diversified entertainment ecosystem, innovation in financial structuring is critical to advancing the creative industries. Through this partnership, we look forward to leveraging professional fintech infrastructure and solutions to open up more flexible commercial possibilities for Hong Kong’s cultural and entertainment assets.”

This collaboration also reflects Esperanza’s continued strategic build-out in entertainment and cultural assets. The Company is actively sourcing additional projects with tokenization potential and commercial scalability — across film, live entertainment, theatre IP, licensing businesses, AI-driven immersive entertainment, multimedia applications, experiential venues, and other categories underpinned by real-asset foundations and commercial cash flow potential.

As Asia-Pacific’s content industries, fan-engagement models, AI technologies, and immersive entertainment ecosystems continue to evolve rapidly, Esperanza expects growing market demand for mature, compliant financial platforms capable of helping high-quality cultural and entertainment projects expand their access to capital, community engagement, and commercialization capabilities. The Company is currently evaluating and progressing multiple related opportunities, with a potential project pipeline expected to exceed HK$2 billion in scale across entertainment and culture, IP licensing, real estate, multimedia, AI immersive entertainment, and other real-world asset applications.

Esperanza emphasizes that the Company will continue to anchor its work in compliance, transparency, and sustainability — guiding cultural and entertainment assets from traditional project financing and single-consumption models toward more institutionalized, digitalized, and participatory new financing markets, and creating new growth opportunities for Hong Kong and the wider Asia-Pacific creative industries.

Hashtag: #Esperanza

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

About Esperanza Fintech (Securities) Limited

Esperanza Fintech (Securities) Limited (“Esperanza“) is a licensed corporation under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong), permitted to carry on Type 4 (advising on securities) and Type 9 (asset management) regulated activities. On 13 February 2026, Esperanza received a “no further comment” letter from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission in respect of its proposal to tokenize managed funds — formally permitting Esperanza to conduct tokenized investment business.

About One Cool Stage Limited

One Cool Stage Limited (“One Cool Stage“) is a subsidiary of One Cool Group Limited, engaged in the development of cultural, entertainment, and theatre projects in Hong Kong. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Hong Kong, One Cool Group Limited is a diversified enterprise dedicated to the development of the film and entertainment industry. Guided by the philosophy of “Visionary in Creativity, Strive for Diversity,” the Group has built a multi-faceted business portfolio spanning the entire entertainment industry value chain, with stable partnerships and operational footprints across major Asian markets. For more information, please visit .

About Esperanza Fintech Group

Esperanza Fintech Group is a fintech group headquartered in Hong Kong. The group’s licensed businesses include (i) gold trading and tokenized gold services operated by Esperanza Fintech (Commodities) Limited, a DPMS (dealers in precious metals and stones) Category A Registrant (No. A-B-25-03-08913) with the Hong Kong Customs with permitted businesses including the issuance, redemption and trading of gold backed instruments on ; (ii) client asset custodian service operated by Esperanza Fintech (Nominees) Limited, a licensed Trust or Company Service Provider in Hong Kong (Licence No. TC010260), regulated by the Hong Kong Companies Registry; (iii) espetopia trading platform operated by Espetopia Limited; and (iv) tokenized investment services operated by affiliate company Esperanza Fintech (Securities) Limited, an SFC-regulated asset manager with permission to carry out tokenized investment businesses.

HGC Partner Day 2026 Successfully Concludes Deepening AI Ecosystem Development to Strengthen Its role as AI Enabler and Service Company Group


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 May 2026 – HGC Global Communications (“HGC” or “the Group”), a fully-fledged ICT service provider and network operator with extensive global coverage, yesterday hosted its fourth annual Partner Day, bringing together more than 200 industry leaders, representatives from industry associations and government organization from over 80 companies across various ICT sectors worldwide.

HGC Partner Day 2026 brought together more than 200 industry leaders, representatives from industry associations and government organization from over 80 companies across various ICT sectors worldwide.
HGC Partner Day 2026 brought together more than 200 industry leaders, representatives from industry associations and government organization from over 80 companies across various ICT sectors worldwide.

Under the theme “Navigating the Digital Frontier, Accelerating Collective Success”, the gathering underscored HGC’s deepening partner alliance and its positioning as an AI Enabler and Service Company Group that is leveraging owned infrastructures to enable individuals, enterprises and international business partners to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies application at scale.

Bridging AI Ambition and Reality: The AI Enabler Delivering Integrated Services

In a rapidly evolving AI landscape, HGC is sharpening its position as an AI Enabler and Service Company Group, focused on turning enterprise AI ambition into secure, scalable and operational reality.

As an AI enabler, HGC delivers the critical foundations corporates need to deploy and operate AI with confidence. This includes AI-ready infrastructure and high-speed, low latency connectivity linking data centres and cloud environments for AI workload; intelligent operations platforms, such as the award-winning, self-developed GodEye, which enhances network management and service delivery; end-to-end AI lifecycle support spanning testing, rollout, monitoring and optimization. Equally critical, HGC embeds AI governance and security to ensure AI solutions remain compliant, resilient and fully controlled. Positioning as a service backbone, HGC enables customers and partners to focus on value creation and innovation.

These fundamental capabilities are underpinned by HGC’s identity as a Service Company Group, where value is created through one-stop shop service, expertise and accountability, rather than one-off service delivery. HGC owns the full operating journey – from solution design and deployment to 24/7 monitoring services and ongoing optimization. Combining human expertise with AI‑driven intelligence, HGC delivers long‑term, subscription‑based partnerships that ensure enterprise AI systems remain secure, reliable and future‑ready.

Strong Performance in Various Market Sectors Reflect the Winning Strategy

The practical impact of being an AI enabler that provides integrated services was demonstrated across different market sectors:

Corporate Business: Under its customer-centric approach, HGC’s ICT business combining digital infrastructure, ICT services intake drove a 6% year-on-year growth in vertical expansion. HGC’s Corporate & Enterprise business continued to deepen its engagement across eight major sectors in Hong Kong, including FSI, government, education, logistics, property, retail, professional services, and trading & manufacturing. Backed by deep industry expertise and long-established customer relationships, HGC provides integrated end-to-end solutions covering secure connectivity, cybersecurity, managed services, and digital transformation capabilities. This continued momentum was reflected in Q1 2026 performance, where gross profit from cybersecurity solutions increased by 32% year-on-year, while SME data bandwidth subscription grew by 12%.

International Business: HGC is building the backbone of its AI regional infrastructure, with OTT number of customers up 20% year-on-year in Q1 2026. Under the East-West Gateway Project, a Memorandum of Understanding with Johor Capital Group, it is creating a next-generation digital infrastructure hub in Johor, integrating submarine landing points, terrestrial networks, data centre interconnects and internet exchanges to serve one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing AI data centre clusters. By simplifying network implementation, HGC gives enterprises, service providers and OTT providers greater flexibility to connect across diverse data centres. Additionally, HGC has obtained a strategic pilot approval from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, to engage value-added telecommunications services in Chinese Mainland. This milestone supports the country’ digital economy, facilitating the opening-up of China’s telecommunications market and more Chinese Mainland enterprises to go global.

Consumer Market: HGC’s consumer business continued its steady upward trajectory in Q1 2026, driven by strong growth in 2Gpbs and above high-speed broadband subscribers, which record a 39% year-on-year increase. The robust uptake reflects rising customer demand for high‑capacity network services, reinforcing the competitiveness of the Group’s premium residential broadband offerings. HGC also marked a key milestone with the launch of HGC Mobile, a new brand extending HGC’s footprint into mobile telecommunications services. The new brand delivers a highly flexible, best in value “network-on-the-go” experience, further strengthening engagement across HGC’s residential customer base through a more integrated suite of connectivity solutions.

Andrew Kwok, Chief Executive Officer of HGC, said, “I would like to extend my deepest thanks to every partner who joined the HGC partner day – a true convergence of the East and the West, and demonstrates the strong alliance and important future that we are building together. I am equally grateful for the consistent support of local governments that have helped to make our vision a reality. Your belief in open, collaborative digital infrastructure gives us the confidence to push ahead. As we navigate a landscape being rewritten by AI, HGC will continue to embrace the challenges ahead with our partners, turning headwinds into shared opportunities.”

At the panel discussion featuring speakers from A & A Limited, Byteplus and CBC Tech, together with HGC experts explored how the entire AI ecosystem, from infrastructure to cloud to application, can tackle shared challenges and accelerate adoption. The dialogue reflected HGC’s commitment to uniting diverse players across the ICT landscape.

“At HGC, we will continue to seize every opportunity that the shifting landscape creates, not by chasing trends, but by staying true to our core strengths while transforming our business model in pace with the market. The advancement to AI Enabler and Service Company Group is just the beginning. As we look ahead, HGC will remain resourceful, flexible and relentlessly adaptable, building highways for AI adoption so that our partners can focus on driving value. I am confident that together, we will turn the uncertainties of this AI era into the defining opportunities of this generation,” concluded Andrew.

Hashtag: #HGC

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

HGC Global Communications Limited

HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international telecom operator and ICT solution provider. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. HGC has 20 global offices and staff presence in 33 cities worldwide. It provides telecom infrastructure service to other operators and serves as a service provider to corporate and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data center services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate, SME and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibre-optic network, five cross-border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in Chinese Mainland and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. In 2019, HGC Group completed the acquisition of Macroview Telecom Limited (Macroview), a leading digital technology solution and managed services provider. The addition of Macroview further accelerates HGC Group’s digital transformation path and positioning as a pioneering ICT and digital services leader. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities, transport, social infrastructure, digital infrastructure, and environmental infrastructure in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

To learn more, please visit HGC’s website at:

Authorities Destroy Illegal Gold Mining Equipment in Savannakhet

Authorities in Phine district, Savannakhet province, destroyed equipment used in illegal gold mining operations on 11 May. (Photo by Phine district media)

Authorities in Phine district, Savannakhet, have taken action against illegal gold mining activities, destroying equipment on 11 May that had been linked to unauthorized mining operations near Phalong village.

The crackdown followed an inspection initiated on 25 April after residents reported illegal mining activities in the area. A team of five military personnel was deployed to investigate multiple excavation sites in nearby forests.

During the operation, officials uncovered evidence of extensive illegal mining, including around 1 hectare of dug-up land and new areas measuring roughly 40 by 40 meters and 50 by 50 meters, believed to be prepared for further mining activities.

Although the suspects had likely fled the area, possibly after a tip-off, authorities discovered two large gold separation machines hidden about 200 meters from the mining sites. Due to the size and difficulty of transporting the equipment, authorities opted to destroy the machines on-site to prevent their future use.

Nationwide Crackdown

The operation in Phine district is part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities following a directive issued by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on 7 March 2025. The order emphasizes enhanced monitoring and inspections of gold, stone, and sand extraction across Laos, driven by growing environmental and safety concerns.

Since then, several provinces have intensified enforcement efforts. Earlier this year, Attapeu province introduced stricter penalties for illegal extraction, with violators facing heavy fines and potential prison sentences. In June 2025, Houaphanh province permanently banned new gold mining permits and ordered the removal of equipment from illegal mining sites.

Additionally, Xieng Khouang province reported four deaths in 2025 after a landslide buried miners at an unregulated site, underscoring the severe safety risks associated with unauthorized mining.

As illegal mining continues to pose significant challenges, authorities across Laos are ramping up inspections and enforcement measures to combat the issue.