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Acting Thai Government Moves to Dissolve Parliament

Thailand’s Acting PM Phumtham dissolves parliament after opposition backs rival Anutin Charnvirakul, triggering new elections within 45–60 days.

By Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI/AFPThailand’s acting prime minister has moved to dissolve parliament, his party said Wednesday, 3 September after the largest opposition party backed a rival candidate to lead the country.

Prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was ousted by the Constitutional Court last week over her handling of a border row with Cambodia, leaving a power vacuum in the kingdom’s top office as rival factions jostled to replace her.

Her Pheu Thai party, still governing in a caretaker capacity, had courted the power-broking opposition People’s Party to back its own new candidate for prime minister.

But the People’s Party declared its support for conservative tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul instead.

Just moments later, Pheu Thai secretary general Sorawong Thienthong told AFP that acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai “has submitted a house dissolution decree”.

According to the Thai constitution, if the king approves the dissolution of parliament, an election must take place between 45 and 60 days later.

Covid and cannabis

Pheu Thai are the current electoral vehicle of the Shinawatra dynasty, which has for two decades jousted with the kingdom’s pro-monarchy, pro-military elite.

But their influence is in decline, analysts say, and they are struggling to keep a grip on power.

The People’s Party pledged its 143-strong parliamentary bloc to back Anutin, heir to a construction engineering fortune who previously served as deputy prime minister, interior minister and health minister, in 2022 delivering on a promise to legalise cannabis.

Charged with the tourist-dependent kingdom’s Covid-19 response, he accused Westerners of spreading the virus and was forced to apologise after a backlash.

But with parliamentary dissolution pending, it is unclear whether he will make it to the top office.

Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party was a key coalition backer of former prime minister Paetongtarn but abandoned their pact to govern this summer over her conduct during a border row with Cambodia.

That same dispute saw Paetongtarn sacked by the Constitutional Court on Friday, after it found she had breached ministerial ethics in the spat.

Only candidates nominated as potential premiers in the 2023 election are eligible to serve as prime minister, and a streak of turmoil had seen the number of potential leaders whittled down to just five.

The People’s Party had said its backing of Anutin was also conditional on house dissolution and fresh polls within four months, meaning his elevation to office would also set the stage for an election.


© Agence France-Presse

Aon Study Highlights Strategic Wellbeing Imperatives for Chinese Insurers to Build Capability and Address Medical Inflation Costs

  • Only one-third of insurers in China provide mental health services, despite rising demand
  • Fifty percent of insurers see personalisation as key to the success of health and wellbeing programs

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 September 2025 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, released insights from its inaugural 2025 Insurer Wellbeing Benchmarking Report offering a comprehensive analysis of the health and wellbeing services provided by insurers across mainland China. The report highlights both the breadth of services available and the critical gaps that remain in delivering measurable health outcomes and employee satisfaction.

The report is based on a survey of 12 insurers and evaluates over 600 data points across 10 key wellbeing domains, including telemedicine, mental health, employee assistance programs (EAPs), health screenings and case management.

The report reveals that the health insurance market is projected to exhibit a compound annual growth rate of 7.4 percent from 2024 to 2032. Additionally, the Chinese Government has introduced initiatives like Healthy China 2030 to ensure universal health security, emphasising preventive care and wellness programs. Increased market competition has required insurers to enhance efficiency and implement cost containment measures with 92 percent of insurers providing customisation support for clients with more than 1,000 employees.

“The China health insurance market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and supportive government policies,” said Susan Fanning, head of wellbeing solutions for APAC at Aon. “Insurers are expanding their offerings and rethinking how they deliver care — moving beyond traditional coverage to focus on prevention, personalisation and measurable outcomes. This report highlights the urgency for insurers to evolve their wellbeing strategies, build stronger partnerships, and use data more effectively to meet employee needs and manage costs.”

Key highlights:

· Telemedicine: China’s most impactful digital health tool

Eleven out of 12 insurers have telemedicine options, making it the most widely adopted and effective service in reducing outpatient claims. Sixty-seven percent report measurable savings (0.5 percent to 5.1 percent), with services including 24/7 general physician access, chronic disease management and e-prescriptions. Despite strong ROI, only 40 percent offer telemedicine via annual subscription — highlighting a missed opportunity for scalable cost control.

· EAPs: Widely available, modestly used

While 66 percent of insurers offer EAPs, utilisation remains low, with only 10 percent of those corporates using them. Integration with other health services and more frequent HR engagement are needed to boost impact.

· Mental health: Underserved and underutilised

Only one-third of insurers provide mental health services, despite rising demand and high risk of mental health issues among employees. Utilisation is under 10 percent for 75 percent of policyholders and only 25 percent of programs are localised for cultural relevance.

· Health screenings: High potential, low ROI

Although five out of 12 insurers offer health screenings, none reported direct claims savings. Gaps in post-screening follow-up and reporting hinder their effectiveness in driving long-term health improvements.

· Case and specialist management: Critical Gaps

Less than half of insurers offer case management or specialist programs. Notably, there are no specialist programs for cancer, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal conditions or skin disorders — despite their prevalence.

Top Wellbeing Products and Services Offered

  • Virtual consultations with healthcare providers
  • Wellbeing workshops and seminars
  • Onsite health clinics
  • EAP
  • Physical wellbeing programs/mental health support

Nina Yu, head of Health Solutions for China at Aon, said, “China’s health insurance market is one of the most dynamic in Asia. Our findings reveal the enormous potential of customised benefits programmes in increasing the utilisation of these plans and reducing health inflation costs. The findings underscore a clear opportunity: insurers and employers must collaborate more closely, use data analytics and digital platforms to tailor benefits, improve access and drive measurable outcomes.”

“To position themselves as best-in-class employers, companies must move beyond offering services to strategically implement targeted, culturally relevant programs that meet evolving employee needs and help bend the medical cost curve,” Yu added.

Read more about Aon’s offerings in China here.

Hashtag: #Aon

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

About Aon

(NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses.

Follow Aon on , , and . Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon’s and sign up for news alerts .

Ph fintech GCash teams up with Alipay+, Mastercard for ‘Tap to Pay’ global launch

MANILA, Philippines, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Leading Philippine fintech player GCash has launched a new payment innovation, introducing a next-generation contactless solution that offers convenience, security, and global reach.

GCash launched a new payment innovation introducing next-generation contactless solution that offers convenience, security, and global reach.
GCash launched a new payment innovation introducing next-generation contactless solution that offers convenience, security, and global reach.

GCash Tap to Pay can now be used by its users to pay at more than 150 million Mastercard acceptance locations across the world, powered by Near Field Communications (NFC) technology. This innovative solution for e-wallets to make NFC payments is enabled through a collaboration between Alipay+ and Mastercard.

“At GCash, our goal has always been to drive financial innovation and create an inclusive, cashless ecosystem,” said Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of GCash mobile wallet operator G-Xchange, Inc. “With Tap to Pay, we’re not just modernizing payments; we’re empowering Filipinos with a seamless and globally competitive solution that is locally relevant and universally accessible.”

Tap to Pay enables users to complete payments with a simple tap of their NFC-enabled Android phone on any Mastercard-accepting POS terminal. This complements the current QR code payment in more than 50 destinations globally, significantly expanding global acceptance of GCash via scan or tap—from small local shops to major department stores.

“GCash is a pioneer in driving digital payments, and now one of our first partners to enable Alipay+ NFC global payment capability,” said Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International. “Alipay+’s collaboration with Mastercard is redefining a new future of global payments, enabling Alipay+ partner wallets to be accepted at Mastercard NFC merchants around the world. We believe that greater interoperability between e-wallet and card systems is a trend of the future.”

Robust security is at the core of this innovation, with authentication protocols and data encryption ensuring every payment is protected from tampering and fraud. The result is a seamless and secure experience for everything from a quick coffee run to a full grocery trip.

GCash Tap to Pay now empowers Filipinos to make simpler, more seamless transactions—both locally and internationally—through a strategic collaboration with Alipay+ and Mastercard.

About GCash

GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App and Largest Cashless Ecosystem. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills via partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6 million partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. Its mobile wallet operations are handled by G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt, the first and only $5 billion unicorn in the Philippines.

GCash is a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.

SERES Posts Robust H1 2025 Results: Revenue Hits CNY 62.4 Billion, Net Profit Up 81% to CNY 2.94 Billion, R&D Investment Soars nearly 155%

CHONGQING, China, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On August 29, SERES announced its 2025 mid-year results, reporting strong growth across all key metrics. In the first half of the year, SERES achieved operating revenue of CNY 62.4 billion and net profit attributable to shareholders of CNY 2.94 billion—an 81% year-on-year increase. R&D investment reached CNY 5.12 billion, up nearly 155% from the prior year, while NEV sales totaled 172,108 units.

This impressive performance was fueled by robust demand for premium smart electric vehicles under the AITO brand, supported by exceptional product quality and delivery capabilities. Contributing factors include the versatile MF Platform for efficient model development, the Super Factory for rapid production scaling, advanced digital-intelligent quality assurance systems, and a modern luxury experience that continues to strengthen AITO’s market reputation.

Media reports
Media reports

AITO’s latest models continue to raise the bar, with the AITO 9 and AITO 8 maintaining their positions as sales leaders.

In the first half of this year, the AITO series continued to evolve with several new launches, including the AITO 5 Ultra, the 2025 Edition AITO 9, and the AITO 8—all of which received strong market and consumer response.

Thanks to improvements across its entire value chain, AITO has set new standards for delivery among China’s luxury new energy vehicle brands. As of August 2025, total deliveries of all AITO models have surpassed 750,000 units. Notably, cumulative deliveries of the AITO 9 have exceeded 220,000 units, making it the top-selling vehicle in the CNY 500,000 luxury car segment. The AITO 8 quickly became a bestseller after its debut, with over 70,000 units delivered and holding the top spot in the CNY 400,000 price segment for four consecutive months.

Additionally, according to LandRoads’ Brand Health Tracking Study for New Energy Vehicles in the first half of 2025, the AITO brand ranked No. 1 in the Brand Development Confidence Index. The AITO 9 also led the overall new energy vehicle Net Promoter Score (NPS) rankings, with a score of 85.2.

Media reports
Media reports

Notably, AITO launched an all-electric version of its family-focused flagship SUV, the AITO 8, on August 25. The all-new AITO 7 is also set to make its official debut in September. With the ongoing introduction of new models, AITO continues to expand its product lineup to meet the diverse needs of consumers and strengthen its leadership in the luxury new energy vehicle market.

A Commitment to Technological Innovation and Robust R&D Investment

Technological innovation is central to SERES’ long-term growth. The company has consistently invested in research and development, driving new advancements and achieving remarkable results in technology. In the first half of 2025, SERES invested CNY 5.20 billion in R&D—nearly a 155% increase year-over-year. The number of R&D personnel reached 6,984, up approximately 27% from last year and now comprising 36% of the company’s total workforce.

At this year’s Shanghai Auto Show, SERES unveiled its intelligent safety system, pioneering a scenario-based approach to vehicle safety. The new system establishes an intelligent safety framework across four key areas: life protection, vehicle body protection, health care, and privacy protection. This comprehensive approach ensures user safety throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle and sets a new industry benchmark for intelligent safety.

Media reports
Media reports

Previously, SERES introduced a series of major technological advancements, including the SERES MF Platform, SERES Super Range-Extender, and the SERES Super Factory. The SERES Super Factory has been an industry pioneer with its “factory-within-a-factory” model, driving product integration, intelligent manufacturing, and industrial clustering to boost collaboration and innovation. The company also set a new industry standard with its Zero-Carbon Smart Logistics Hub.

Brand Value Surges Amid Strong Investor Confidence

As the world’s fourth new energy vehicle manufacturer to achieve profitability, SERES laid a strong foundation for growth in the first half of the year through strategic product portfolio optimization, technological innovation, and enhanced operational efficiency.

SERES also ranked 169th on the 2025 Fortune China 500 list. This was an ascent of 235 spots from the previous year, making it the fastest-climbing company on the list. On the TopBrand 2025 China’s Top 500 Brands list, released in August, SERES ranked 92nd with a brand value of CNY 175.52 billion, breaking into the automotive industry’s top 10 and highlighting its leadership in brand development and market influence. More recently, on August 28, SERES climbed to 59th place—up 174 spots—on the 2025 China Top 500 Private Enterprises list, becoming the top-ranked private enterprise in Chongqing.

Meanwhile, the capital markets continue to show strong confidence in SERES’ future growth. In the past six months, nearly 40 securities firms have issued “Buy” ratings for SERES, with expectations that the company will maintain a strong growth trajectory throughout the second half of the year.

 

DXC Advances AI Innovation in Automotive and Manufacturing through Startup Collaboration

Startups Acumino, CAMB.AI, and GreenMatterAI, bring AI innovation to market

Collaborations stem from DXC’s partnership with STARTUP AUTOBAHN

ASHBURN, Va., Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), a leading Fortune 500 global technology services provider, today announced cutting-edge collaborations with Acumino, CAMB.AI, and GreenMatterAI, to develop AI solutions for the automotive and manufacturing industries. The initiatives are part of DXC’s long-standing partnership with STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play, a global innovation platform that facilitates collaboration between promising early-stage innovators and large enterprises in the field of mobility.

“We strive to transform breakthrough innovation to deliver real-world impact at global scale,” said Karim Jeribi, Vice President Global Industries at DXC Technology. “Through our collaboration with STARTUP AUTOBAHN and the incredible startups in their ecosystem, we’re not just experimenting with AI, we’re pushing industries forward by solving some of our customers’ most pressing challenges.”

Through its collaboration with STARTUP AUTOBAHN, DXC has so far selected over 100 emerging technology companies and launched over 25 pilots and customer projects, transforming innovation into real-world impact.

“At STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play, our mission is to connect the best startups in the world with industry leaders to drive real-world impact,” Sascha Karimpour, Partner at Plug and Play. “As industries accelerate their push to integrate AI into mission-critical systems, DXC is an immensely valuable partner to bridge the gap between early innovation and enterprise deployment – co-developing, testing, and scaling emerging technologies to help companies reduce cost, speed time-to-market, and unlock competitive advantage.”

AI-Powered Robotics for Smart Factories

Seattle-based AI and robotics startup Acumino is partnering with DXC to explore how general robotic intelligence can enable faster, more dynamic deployment of robotic tasks for scalable automation – particularly in complex production environments with high product variety and small batch sizes, where traditional robot solutions are often too rigid or complex to be economically viable.

At Expo 2025 in June, STARTUP AUTOBAHN’s yearly flagship event, Acumino showcased early results from a proof-of-concept study they are performing successfully together with Schaeffler, a globally leading motion technology company, headquartered in Germany. Leveraging its extensive experience in advanced production technology, Schaeffler identified for Acumino’s technical possibilities highly relevant industrial use-cases in the area of packaging automation. Using Acumino’s AI-powered human-in-the-loop training system and DXC’s expertise in large-scale IIoT deployments, outcomes can now be transferred to further industrial partners – enabling robots to quickly learn new tasks with human-like dexterity and accelerating the adoption of intelligent, safe robotics.

This cross-company collaboration earned the 2025 Global Plug and Play Innovation Award, which recognizes impactful partnerships between startups and industry leaders that deliver tangible digital innovations.

Breaking Language Barriers in Global Automotive Mobility

Dubai-based AI localization company CAMB.AI is working with DXC to develop an intelligent AI-powered real-time speech translation solution that aims to improve traffic interpretation in vehicles worldwide.

The solution supports safer and more confident driving experiences for international users, turning complex, multilingual environments into effortlessly navigable journeys through live conversation translation, multilingual street sign recognition, and traffic rule explanations – all embedded within the vehicle’s digital cockpit.

Synthetic Data Driving Manufacturing Efficiency

Berlin-based startup GreenMatterAI is partnering with DXC to advance automatic weld inspection. The solution uses a proprietary data generation engine to create precise synthetic training datasets and pre-trained computer vision models, eliminating manual data labeling and solving bottlenecks with real-world data.

Seamlessly integrated into production environments, the solution enables smarter and faster iterations of Vision AI applications, improving defect detection accuracy and driving overall process optimization. By reducing rework costs by 25%, the solution allows manufacturers to fully realize the advantages of automated quality control and has the potential to deliver millions in annual savings.

Scaling Innovation Through Ecosystem Collaboration

These initiatives reflect DXC’s open innovation strategy, which leverages partnerships with emerging companies to accelerate AI adoption and deliver real-world results.

With over 50 years of experience and trusted by more than 240 Fortune 500 companies, DXC delivers manufacturing and automotive solutions that modernize operations, integrate IT and OT, enable smart factories, and support connected, sustainable mobility.

About DXC Technology

DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) is a leading global provider of information technology services. We’re a trusted operating partner to many of the world’s most innovative organizations, building solutions that move industries and companies forward. Our engineering, consulting and technology experts help clients simplify, optimize and modernize their systems and processes, manage their most critical workloads, integrate AI-powered intelligence into their operations, and put security and trust at the forefront. Learn more on dxc.com.

Media Contact: Aleksandra Andreasik-Binkowska, External Communications, Europe, DXC Technology, a.andreasikbinkowska@dxc.com

Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship Supercharges NSS in Global Chip Race


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 September 2025 Malaysia’s semiconductor ambitions are moving in step with its role as ASEAN chair, with investment momentum signalling a larger regional shift in the global chip supply chain. In the first half of 2025, the country secured RM190.3 billion (USD45.2 billion) in approved investments, an 18.7 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Singapore was the largest foreign investor with RM43.4 billion (USD10.3 billion), reflecting strong cross-border confidence in Malaysia’s trajectory.

Over 89,000 new jobs to be created through projects spanning manufacturing, services and the primary sector. The electrical and electronics (E&E) industry stood out with RM13.1 billion in new commitments, highlighting Malaysia’s push to evolve beyond its traditional role in assembly and testing. The National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), launched in 2024, has already attracted RM54.2 billion in its first year, marking a strong start towards the government’s RM500 billion target by 2030.

“What investors are responding to is Malaysia’s ability to deliver. In semiconductors, that means proven ecosystems in Penang and Johor, strong links with Singapore, and a pipeline of trained engineers ready to take on higher-value roles. The NSS gives us a clear direction, but credibility comes from how quickly projects move from approval to operation. On that front, Malaysia is building real trust,” said Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

Moving Upstream

In March 2025, Malaysia signed an agreement with Arm Holdings Plc to gain access to the UK-based firm’s design library – aiming to produce its own chips within the next decade.

Malaysia currently controls seven per cent of the global semiconductor market, with six out of the 12 largest semiconductor companies globally operating in the country.

This share is expected to increase as semiconductor players worldwide turn to Southeast Asia for a stable microchip supply chain, as the US-China trade war escalates.

A Turning Point for Local SMEs

At home, small-medium enterprises (SMEs) such as CG Global Profastex hail the NSS as “a turning point” in moving beyond traditional manufacturing into higher-value activities like advanced test development, product design enablement, and process automation.

Operating out of Penang for almost a decade now, CG Global serves both front-end and back-end semiconductor-related customers – particularly in equipment, test, and automation subsystems – in Malaysia and selected ASEAN markets.

“Traditionally, EMS SMEs operated in transactional roles—limited to basic assembly or support functions. Today, under the NSS framework, we have been actively encouraged to move up the value chain.

“It pushes us to upgrade our infrastructure, adopt advanced technologies, and build the capabilities needed to support complex, precision-driven industries,” said CG Global managing director Siti Padillah Binti Abdul Wahab.

Siti Padillah said the company plans to apply for NSS-aligned funding to scale up production capacities and adopt digital tools in order to strengthen Malaysia’s position within ASEAN semiconductor landscape.

“With the NSS as our guide, we are investing in the future—so Malaysia can lead not only in volume, but in value,” she added.

If anything, CG Global reflects the confidence boost that hundreds of homegrown enterprises have received from the NSS to pursue larger ambitions and greater appetite for growth.

Going Global as a Region

In 2024, the ASEAN semiconductor market was valued at US$95.91 billion, making up 15 per cent of the global semiconductor market that reached a record high of US$627.6 billion.

The region’s market share is set to soar in the coming months, thanks to the newly-launched Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which combines Singapore’s upstream excellence and Malaysia’s Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) strength.

Johor emerged as Malaysia’s top state for approved investments in the first half of 2025, recording RM56 billion (USD13.3 billion). Among the early movers was Japan’s Ferrotec Group, a leading supplier of materials, components and equipment for the global chip industry. The company commenced operations at its new facility in Johor in April 2025, supporting both regional and international customers.

“The JS-SEZ offers efficient cross-border logistics and connectivity with Singapore, which is critical for our operations,” said Soo Kim Fatt, director of Ferrotec Power Semiconductor Malaysia. “Its proximity to Singapore provides excellent transport accessibility, making it easier for international customers, partners, and overseas colleagues to visit Johor Bahru for meetings, technical support, and collaboration.”

“The JS-SEZ is more than just proximity. It gives investors access to Singapore’s design and R&D right next to Malaysia’s manufacturing and assembly,” said Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim. “Together with the NSS, it strengthens ASEAN’s position as a credible alternative in the global semiconductor supply chain.”

Johor’s role is also expected to strengthen further by significant technological advancements from a partnership between YTL Power International and Nvidia, focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Located at the YTL Green Data Centre in Kulai, this landmark project adds a critical digital infrastructure layer to the state’s technology ecosystem, positioning Malaysia as a leading AI hub in the region.

Tapping the Talent Pool

Beyond infrastructure and investments, Malaysia is also actively positioning itself as a regional talent magnet and a training hub for semiconductor expertise.

As of mid-2025, Malaysia has trained over 13,000 high-skilled semiconductor talents – more than one-fifth of the 60,000 target outlined in the NSS.

The government sees this as part of a regional effort. During the one-year anniversary of the NSS, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia’s training and upskilling initiatives are part of a “broader, regional, ASEAN-wide push”, pointing to deep STEM pipelines in Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. Under Malaysia’s chairmanship, initiatives such as the ASEAN Framework for Integrated Semiconductor Supply Chains (AFISS) are promoting cross-border training and collaboration.

MIDA is working with investors to align training and academic programmes with industry needs. “Talent is the decisive factor for the next phase of growth. Our priority is to make Malaysia both talent-rich and talent-ready, while attracting the best from around the region,” said Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim.

The Test Ahead

The NSS has given Malaysia a running start, drawing global names, lifting SMEs and tying national ambition to ASEAN’s broader potential. Its early success lies not only in billions invested but in the alignment, it has fostered between government, industry and regional partners.

Hashtag: #MIDA

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

Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 “Re_Crafting Tomorrow” 60 Days of Grandeur Begin on September 4

CHEONGJU, South Korea, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 will embark on a 60-day journey beginning with the opening ceremony September 4.

Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 Re_Crafting Tomorrow Poster
Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 Re_Crafting Tomorrow Poster

Featuring works by 1,300 artists from 72 countries and totaling more than 2,500 pieces. This Biennale proclaims itself unprecedented in scale. True to its theme, “Re_Crafting Tomorrow” the Biennale builds on craft, which is rooted in the fundamental acts of cooking, clothing, and shelter that have shaped human life, as its cornerstone. It integrates art, design, and architecture; connects human beings, nature, and objects; and raises questions about the earth’s future in collaboration with communities, stacking these concerns into a structural and lucid narrative of craft’s new identity and potential.

  • Main Exhibition – Re_Crafting Tomorrow

In this digital age of image saturation and speed, in a time of impoverished abundance where expensive luxury goods coexist with disposables, in an era where development and growth themselves trigger disaster, and where consumption only multiplies waste and intensifies human guilt—what can craft do? The main exhibition of the Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 embodies precisely this question. Artistic Director Kang Jae-young stated, “This exhibition shows how universal craft, which began as indispensable items for human survival, evolves through aestheticism to become craft for all beings and ultimately craft with communities. This Biennale is a site where craft generates a new civilization through the act of ‘making together and sharing together.'” 

  • Invited Country Exhibition Thailand

Another reason not to miss this Biennale is the Invited Country Exhibition. For the first time in Biennale history, a single Asian country has been invited as a solo guest nation: Thailand. The exhibition is curated by Gridthiya Gaweewong, Artistic Director and recipient of the 2025 Audrey Irmas Award for Curatorial Excellence from Bard College, an honor awarded to the most pioneering and innovative curators in the global art world. Entitled “Living in an Elastic Time”, the exhibition highlights Thailand’s crafts, which have preserved their unique culture and spirit despite the pressures of speed and commercialization. It is composed of 3 sections of ‘Creating without Time limits’, ‘Techno-Craft’, and ‘Time is the True Home of the Mind’. And the ‘Thai Culture Week’ held September 9–14, are additional highlights not to be missed.

The Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 will run for 60 days, from September 4, to November 2, at the Culture Factory and across Cheongju.

www.okcj.org

Trusted by Millions: FBS Wins Best Islamic Forex Broker Asia 2025


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 September 2025 FBS, a leading global broker, announces its latest recognition as the Best Islamic Forex Broker Asia 2025. The BRM awards highlight FBS’s ongoing commitment to creating trading conditions that respect clients’ values while ensuring the highest standards of safety, fairness, and responsibility.

FBS Wins Best Islamic Forex Broker Asia 2025
FBS Wins Best Islamic Forex Broker Asia 2025

FBS offers a range of services aligned with the principles of Islamic finance, including:

  • Swap-free accounts — trade without overnight interest.
  • Negative balance protection — the account balance will never fall below zero.
  • Segregated accounts — client funds are securely held in top-tier banks, separate from company assets.

Beyond trading, FBS has established itself as a socially responsible broker. The company runs regular CSR initiatives across the globe, including projects during Ramadan that provide food aid, support education, and assist vulnerable communities.

“This award is not only recognition of our strong trading conditions but also of our mission,” an FBS spokesperson commented. “We believe in responsible trading, protecting our clients, and giving back to society. Together with our traders, we’re building a future where financial growth and positive change go hand in hand.”

FBS thanks its global community of traders and partners for their trust and loyalty. With every milestone, the company strengthens its vision of providing secure, ethical, and client-first trading opportunities across the world.

To learn more about FBS and its services, visit FBS.com.

Disclaimer: This material does not constitute a call to trade, trading advice, or recommendation and is intended for informational purposes only.
Hashtag: #FBS #trading #forex #Asia #Broker



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

About FBS

is a global brand that unites several independent brokerage companies under the licenses of FSC (Belize), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia). With 16 years of experience and over 100 international awards, FBS is steadily developing as one of the market’s most trusted brokers. Today, FBS serves over 27 000 000 traders and more than 700 000 partners around the globe.