Home Blog Page 1098

UN Representatives from 17 Nations Visit BEDI to Study China’s Leading Practices in Urban AI Industry Operations

BEIJING, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The United Nations International Digital Economy Governance and Leadership Capacity Building Programme officially opened at Beijing Electronic Digital & Intelligence (BEDI). A delegation of 34 ministerial and municipal representatives from 17 countries visited the Beijing Digital Economy Computing Power Center, which is planned and operated by BEDI. Through a combination of site visits and case‑based learning, the delegates systematically studied BEDI’s proven experience and implementation pathways in translating urban AI infrastructure into sustainable productivity.


The program was co-hosted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the Global Digital Economy City Alliance (DEC40), the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, and the Administrative Committee of Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, and was organized by the Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center. Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Digital Compact, this program aims to share China’s successful practices in digital economy governance, support developing countries in strengthening digital transformation capabilities, and jointly foster an equitable, inclusive, and sustainable global digital ecosystem.

On the day of the event, Zhao Hongyu, Vice President of Strategic Consulting at BEDI, joined academic experts from the Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center for an in-depth discussion on “scaling AI adoption”, focusing on how cities can progress from investing in computing power to acquiring AI capabilities.


Against the backdrop of the comprehensive advancement of AI+ Initiative, and addressing the reality that cities vary widely in development levels and industrial structures, BEDI leverages the full‑stack capabilities of its “Spark • Platform” and adheres to a “one‑strategy‑per‑locality” industrial‑operation approach to precisely address the pain points of urban digital intelligent transformation. Zhao Hongyu shared the example of City J’s AI productivity construction, where the Spark • Grand Platform deeply integrates the full‑stack “data‑computing‑model‑application” capabilities with tailored “industrial operation” expertise, delivering a “1+4+N+6” AI productivity‑building solution that meets local needs. Centered on building a city‑level AI foundation, the solution creates an AI commercial closed‑loop through dynamic computing‑power allocation and drives industrial innovation through ecosystem enablement, accurately empowering six major fields including technology, industry, and government services to efficiently advance local digital intelligence upgrading.

Powered by the innovative “data‑computing‑model‑application + industrial operation” model of the Spark • Platform, BEDI has established multi-industry partnerships with more than 20 cities. On site, Zhao Hongyu demonstrated BEDI’s benchmark AI practice cases across various domains, including batch AI video generation for e-commerce and short-form video, AI-personalized home renovation design for the home furnishing industry, AI‑powered digital profiles for city tourism and cultural creativity, and AI courses for key primary and secondary schools in Beijing. To date, BEDI has formed a diversified enablement landscape spanning AI+ healthcare, government services, education, manufacturing, cultural tourism and more, achieving deep integration of technology and industry.

While strengthening China’s domestic AI industry ecosystem, BEDI continues to refine replicable and scalable urban digital intelligence solutions, offering reference models for global urban AI development. Looking ahead, BEDI will further deepen cooperation with the United Nations and other international organizations, with a focus on cutting-edge fields such as trustworthy AI, secure data flows, and green digital transformation.

Through technology sharing, experience exchange, and talent empowerment, BEDI is committed to extending the benefits of digital economy development to more countries and contributing China’s expertise to the advancement of the global digital ecosystem.

Sungrow to open factory in Europe, strengthening local capabilities

MUNICH, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sungrow, the global leading PV inverter and energy storage system (ESS) provider, today announced a milestone deployment in the European market with the establishment of its first manufacturing facility in Wałbrzych, Lower Silesia. The 65,400 m² facility represents an investment of €230 million and contributes to the development of a robust European clean energy manufacturing ecosystem. The factory is scheduled to become operational within the next 12 months and is expected to create 400 new jobs in the region, fostering local expertise in the renewable energy sector.

Sungrow EU factory
Sungrow EU factory

“This new facility marks an important milestone for Sungrow in Europe. It allows us to be closer to our customers, respond more effectively to market needs, and will be a cornerstone of Sungrow’s strategy to bolster European supply-chain stability while creating skilled employment,” said Shawn Shi, President of Sungrow Europe.

Stronger clean energy value chain in Europe

The facility is designed to support large-scale production, with an annual capacity of up to 20 GW for inverters and 12.5 GWh for energy storage systems (ESS). It will integrate advanced manufacturing and quality-assurance capabilities, ensuring high standards of product performance, reliability, and safety.

Marcin Lerner, President of the Management Board of the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone, said: “As the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone, we are constantly building a friendly ecosystem for the development of regional, national and international business. The Sungrow investment highlights Poland’s growing strategic importance within Europe’s clean-energy value stream and shows that Poland, including the industrialized and high-tech developed region of Lower Silesia, is one of the most attractive locations in Europe to scale renewable energy technologies- thanks to public support programs, stable economic growth, accessibility to technical universities and qualified employees.

In addition to strengthening local production, the facility will enhance Sungrow’s logistics capabilities across Europe by locating key manufacturing activities closer to customers, reducing lead times and enabling more efficient distribution. This will support greater efficiency and resilience across the region’s clean energy value chain.

Shawn Shi added: “Lower Silesia’s history of skilled technical expertise in electronics, automation and advanced manufacturing made it the prime location for our new factory. We intend to hire locally to tap into this expertise, as we live our commitment to grow with the communities we serve.”

Global expertise and local footprint

Active in Europe since 2005 and being an own legal entity in 2011, Sungrow Europe has expanded its regional presence to twenty-five local representative offices, two R&D centers, twenty-six warehouses, and three Training & Technology Competence Centers and Service Centers in the region, with its European headquarters located in Munich, Germany.

If you would like to learn more about the new factory in Poland, please click here.

About Sungrow
Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 29 years. As of June 2025, Sungrow has installed 870 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The company is recognized as the world’s most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we’re committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: https://www.sungrowpower.com/en

BEDI Chief Scientist Shares China’s AI Industry Practices at China-ASEAN AI High-Level Seminar

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The “2026 China-ASEAN AI Capacity-Building Training Program and High-Level Seminar on AI Frontier Technologies and Governance” was recently held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Professor Dou Dejing, Chief Scientist of Beijing Electronic Digital & Intelligence (BEDI), delivered a keynote titled “AI, LLMs, and Industrial Applications in China”. He shared practical outcomes in sectors such as healthcare and industrial manufacturing, offering ASEAN participants a reference for industry transformation.


Co-organized by the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific, the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Xiamen University Malaysia, and the Chinese Association of Automation, the seminar brought together nearly 150 representatives to discuss AI frontier technologies, safety governance, and pathways for regional cooperation. Centered on “full-stack AI capabilities driving industrial upgrading”, Prof. Dou outlined BEDI’s strategy and delivery results.

BEDI focuses on AI industry operations in China with a framework of “one AI foundation + two industry platforms”, and applies a tailored approach by city and by industry to deliver practical digital-intelligence solutions. As a benchmark case designed and operated by BEDI, the Beijing Digital Economy Computing Power Center provides full-stack services across data, computing, models, and applications, supporting high-quality innovation in Chaoyang District’s AIGC audiovisual industry. BEDI has also partnered with the China–Japan Friendship Hospital to build its agent development platform, improving its service efficiency and precision.

This foundation model is designed to scale. At the Foshan AI-Enabled Traditional Manufacturing Demonstration Base, BEDI leverages the Nanhai Guicheng Intelligent Computing Center as its core, using full-stack services to help manufacturers reduce costs, improve efficiency, expand globally, and foster new business models, and is projected to generate hundreds of billions in revenue growth. This model offers a practical path for AI-powered transformation in Southeast Asia.

Professor Dou emphasized that BEDI upholds the principles of “Ethical AI and Open Collaboration” and will engage in building the China-ASEAN AI ecosystem. Through technology transfer, joint R&D, and platform co-development, BEDI aims to continuously share the “China Approach” to AI-enabled industrial empowerment, supporting regional digital transformation and fostering a new landscape of cooperation.

Laos–China 500 kV Power Line Fully Connected, Operations to Begin in April

China Southern Power Grid Eyes More Power Investment Opportunities in Laos
FILE: transmission poles in Laos (photo: Electricite Du Laos)

Laos and China have completed the full connection of the Laos–China 500 kilovolt (kV) power transmission line, further enhancing their cross-border energy cooperation.

since the line link on 5 February, the countries plan to launch the line’s full commercial operations in April.

The transmission line runs a total length of 177.5 kilometers, linking the 500 kV Nam Mo 3 substation in Laos’ Nam Mo district, Oudomxay Province, with the 500 kV Xishuangbanna substation in China’s Jinghong City, Yunnan Province.

The 32.5-kilometer section on the Lao side was developed by the Lao National Electricity Transmission Company (EDL-T), with construction starting in February 2025.

Once operational, the line will support two-way electricity transmission of up to 1.5 million kilowatts. It is expected to transmit about 3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and cut carbon emissions by an estimated 2.5 million tonnes, supporting clean energy use across the Lancang–Mekong region.

During construction, project teams applied environmental protection measures, including route optimization and forest co-planting, reducing deforestation along the corridor by more than 80 percent.

Safety zones along the transmission route were also expanded to reduce risks to nearby communities.

Officials said the project has delivered local benefits, including the construction of a primary school in Nam Mo district, the establishment of five community libraries, and the creation of hundreds of local jobs. Training programs were also provided to strengthen local technical capacity in power transmission and grid management.

Authorities from both countries said the completed line will strengthen energy security, improve power system stability, and support long-term industrial and economic development in Laos.

HanchorBio Accelerates Global Clinical Footprint with Multiple Oral and Poster Presentations in Q1 2026

Sustained execution and high-impact data across HanchorBio’s next-generation immuno-oncology portfolio to be featured at ASCO-GI, AACR-IO, ESMO-TAT, ICNHO, and WOC

TAIPEI and SHANGHAI and SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HanchorBio, Inc. (TPEx: 7827), a global clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering transformative immunotherapies, today announced a robust schedule of scientific presentations at major international oncology congresses throughout Q1 2026. The selection of multiple abstracts, including four high-profile oral presentations, underscores the clinical maturity and global scientific recognition of HanchorBio’s proprietary pipeline.

The upcoming presentations will feature clinical data from the Company’s lead programs, including the HCB101-101 Phase 1 monotherapy (NCT05892718) and the HCB101-201 Phase 1b/2a combination (NCT06771622) studies, as well as the HCB301-101 Phase 1 monotherapy (NCT06487624) study, highlighting the therapeutic potential of its CD47-SIRPα innate immune backbone and multi-functional biologics:

  • HCB101: A highly engineered SIRPα–IgG4 Fc-fusion protein designed to maximize phagocytosis while minimizing hematologic toxicities.
  • HCB301: A first-in-class multi-specific candidate targeting the CD47/SIRPα, PD-1/PD-L1, and TGFb pathways to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME).

“The concentration of oral and poster presentations at premier global forums like AACR-IO and ESMO-TAT reflects the significant momentum of our clinical programs,” said Alvin Luk, PhD, MBA, CCRA, President & Chief Medical Officer (Group) and CEO (U.S.A.) of HanchorBio. “By presenting data on both HCB101 and HCB301, we are demonstrating our ability to execute our complex, multi-center trials and our commitment to delivering next-generation innate immune checkpoint therapies to patients globally.”

Q1 2026 Global Scientific Calendar

Following the successful presentation of the high objective response rate with HCB101 combination in second-line gastric cancer from the HCB101-201 Phase 1b/2a combination study at the ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in January, HanchorBio continues its aggressive clinical disclosure schedule with the following upcoming presentations:

Status

Conference

Location

Date

Presentation

Completed

ASCO GI Cancers Symposium

San Francisco, USA

Jan 08-10

1 Poster

Upcoming

AACR Immuno-Oncology

Los Angeles, USA

Feb 18-21

2 Posters

Upcoming

Asia-Pacific GI Cancer Congress

Okinawa, Japan

Mar 05-06

1 Poster

Upcoming

ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies

Paris, France

Mar 16-18

2 Orals, 1 Poster

Upcoming

ESMO Head and Neck Congress

Seville, Spain

Mar 19-21

1 Oral

Upcoming

World Oncology Congress

Paris, France

Mar 23-25

1 Oral

 

About HCB101: A Next-Generation SIRPα Fc-Fusion Protein

HCB101 is a rationally engineered SIRPα–IgG4 Fc fusion protein developed on HanchorBio’s FBDB™ platform to selectively block the CD47–SIRPα innate immune checkpoint while minimizing hematologic toxicity. Unlike earlier anti-CD47 approaches, HCB101 is designed to preserve macrophage-mediated antitumor activity while reducing binding to red blood cells, a limitation that historically constrained the clinical utility of CD47-directed therapies.

HCB101 was engineered using AI-assisted structural modeling to achieve differentiated binding to CD47 on cancer cells while maintaining low affinity for CD47 on red blood cells. Its safety profile, receptor occupancy characteristics, and pharmacologic properties are designed to support integration with established oncology regimens without disrupting standard dosing, safety expectations, or clinical workflows. Across ongoing clinical and translational evaluation, HCB101 has demonstrated consistent target engagement and early antitumor activity as both monotherapy and in combination settings, including tumor types historically considered challenging for CD47-directed therapies.

Together, these attributes position HCB101 as a differentiated innate immune checkpoint backbone with broad potential for a wide variety of combination strategies across solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

About HCB301: A Tri-Specific Checkpoint Immunotherapy

HCB301 is HanchorBio’s next-generation immunotherapy designed to integrate three synergistic mechanisms into a single molecule: CD47-SIRPα blockade to activate myeloid phagocytosis, PD-1 inhibition to restore exhausted T cells, and TGF-b pathway suppression to counteract immune evasion. Developed using the proprietary FBDB™ platform, HCB301 represents a next-generation approach to multi-checkpoint immunotherapy. Preclinical studies demonstrated enhanced immune activation and potent antitumor activity, and the results were presented at the SITC 2025.

About HanchorBio

Based in Taipei, Shanghai, and the San Francisco Bay Area, HanchorBio (7827.TPEx) is a global clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on immuno-oncology and immune-mediated diseases. The company is led by an experienced team with a proven track record in biologics discovery and global development, aiming to reshape the landscape of cancer therapies. HanchorBio’s proprietary Fc-based designer biologics (FBDB™) platform enables the design of multi-functional biologics with diverse targeting modalities, aiming to activate both innate and adaptive immune pathways to overcome the current challenges of anti-PD1/L1 immunotherapies. The FBDB™ platform has successfully delivered proof-of-concept data in several in vivo tumor animal models. HanchorBio is advancing a portfolio of innovative biologics designed to address significant unmet medical needs through differentiated molecular configurations in R&D and scalable CMC strategies. For more information, please visit: https://www.HanchorBio.com 

Dingdong Announces Entry into Definitive Agreement to Sell its China Business to Meituan

SHANGHAI, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dingdong (Cayman) Limited (“Dingdong” or the “Company”) (NYSE: DDL), a leading fresh grocery e-commerce company in China, today announced that it has entered into a definitive Share Purchase Agreement (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) with Two Hearts Investments Limited (“Buyer”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meituan (HKEX: 3690).

Pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement, Dingdong has agreed to sell to the Buyer all issued and outstanding shares of Dingdong Fresh Holding Limited, Dingdong’s wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“Dingdong BVI” or the “Target Company”), which holds through a series of wholly-owned and majority equity interest subsidiaries substantially all of the Company’s operations in China (the “Transaction”). The Company’s international business is not part of the Transaction and will be retained by the Company following any necessary reorganizational processes to be completed prior to the closing of the Transaction.

The Company’s board of directors has approved the Company entering into the Share Purchase Agreement after a thorough review of the terms of Transaction with its financial and legal advisors. The consummation of the Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of antitrust and other required regulatory approvals. The Company plans to convene an extraordinary general meeting for shareholders to vote on approval of the Transaction.

Transaction Consideration

Under the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement, based on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2025, and after Dingdong (Cayman) Limited receives total cash not exceeding US$280 million from Dingdong BVI and its subsidiaries (provided that the remaining net cash of Dingdong BVI and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall not be less than US$150 million), the Buyer will pay total cash consideration of US$717 million in the Transaction. This amount is subject to adjustments based on certain net cash, net working capital and other financial line items of the Target Company as of certain agreed upon dates. 

The adjusted consideration will be payable in cash in two installments: (i) 90% of the consideration payable at closing, and (ii) the remaining 10% payable following the Company’s settlement of applicable taxes related to the Transaction.

Management Comments

Mr. Changlin Liang, Founder, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dingdong, stated:

“Since its founding, Dingdong has been driven by the vision of redefining the traditional fresh food industry through the deep integration of digital technology and supply chain innovation. We have always adhered to our founding mission of ‘Empowering Everyone to Eat Better, Live Healthier’. From direct sourcing at the origin, the efficient operation of our frontline stations, to the last-mile delivery service, every step of our operations is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of our consumers.

We believe that this unwavering commitment is aligned with Meituan’s company mission of ‘Helping People Eat Better, Live Better’, laying a solid foundation for the strategic merger between the two companies.

Following thorough deliberation and rigorous review by our board of directors, we have entered into an agreement with Meituan for the sale of Dingdong’s China business. This transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions precedent, including necessary regulatory approvals, and approval by our shareholders. We have and will continue to ensure full regulatory and legal compliance and transparency throughout the process. During the integration and transition period between the signing of the Share Purchase Agreement and the closing of the Transaction, Dingdong will strictly honor all of its commitments to customers, employees, and partners, ensuring the stability and orderly operation of the China business. We firmly believe that through the deep integration of the strengths of both companies, we will jointly build a more resilient fresh food infrastructure and deliver higher-quality services to consumers.”

Mr. Song Wang, Director and Chief Financial Officer of Dingdong, stated:

“From a financial and strategic investment perspective, the pricing rationale of this transaction fully demonstrates the capital markets’ high recognition of Dingdong’s supply chain moat, user stickiness, and brand core values. We believe that this is not only fair and prudent pricing based on the long-term synergies between the two parties, but also a strong validation of the quality of Dingdong’s China business accumulated over years.

At present, the Transaction is progressing steadily in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory procedures and closing conditions. We will continue to optimize the efficiency of capital allocation, and on the premise of ensuring the compliance of the Transaction, strive to maximize the interests of all of our shareholders. We will also provide solid financial and resource support for the Company to enter its next stage of high-quality growth.”

Key Terms of the Share Purchase Agreement

The Share Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and covenants of the parties. Key terms include:

  • Conduct of Business and Transition: From the signing date until closing (the “Transition Period”), the Company covenants to operate the Target Company in the ordinary course of business. Any operating profits or losses incurred by the Target Company and its subsidiaries during this period will accrue to the Buyer. The Company is subject to customary restrictive covenants during this period, including, among other things, limitations on capital structure changes and material non-ordinary course contracts. The Company represents to the Buyer that no unauthorized leakage of funds has occurred or will occur. Any such leakage may result in a direct deduction from the consideration.
  • Non-Competition: The Company and the Founder have agreed to a five-year non-competition and non-solicitation covenant following the closing, covering the To-C fresh grocery e-commerce business within the Greater China region.
  • Exclusivity: The Company is bound by a “no-shop” obligation, prohibiting the solicitation or facilitation of alternative acquisition proposals from third parties during the Transition Period.
  • Termination and Fees: The Share Purchase Agreement may be terminated if closing does not occur within 12 months, which may be extended with mutual consent. The Agreement includes tiered termination fee arrangements: (i) the Buyer shall pay a US$150 million termination fee if it fails to proceed to closing despite the satisfaction of all material conditions; (ii) the Company shall pay a US$75 million termination fee if it fails to satisfy certain material controllable conditions, or fails to cooperate in regulatory filings; and (iii) the Buyer shall pay a US$75 million termination fee if the Transaction fails and the required anti-monopoly approval or certain other regulatory clearance cannot be obtained, despite the Company’s material cooperation.

Closing Conditions

Closing of the Transaction is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various customary conditions, including, among other things, the approval by the Company’s shareholders, the receipt of anti-monopoly clearance from the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People’s Republic of China (SAMR), the completion of the overseas business carve-out,  the completion of non-resident indirect transfer tax filings and the absence of any Material Adverse Effect.

About Dingdong (Cayman) Limited

Dingdong (Cayman) Limited is a leading fresh grocery e-commerce company in mainland China, with sustainable long-term growth. We directly provide users and households with fresh groceries, prepared food, and other food products through delivering a convenient and excellent shopping experience supported by an extensive self-operated frontline fulfillment grid. Leveraging our deep insights into consumers’ evolving needs and our strong food innovation capabilities, we have successfully launched a series of private label products spanning a variety of food categories. Many of our private label products are produced at our Dingdong production plants, allowing us to more efficiently produce and offer safe and high-quality food products. We aim to be the first choice for fresh and food shopping.

For more information, please visit: https://ir.100.me.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident,” “potential,” “continue,” or other similar expressions. Among other things, business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Dingdong’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Dingdong may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its interim and annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Dingdong’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Dingdong’s goals and strategies; Dingdong’s future business development, financial conditions, and results of operations; the expected outlook of the on-demand e-commerce market in China; Dingdong’s expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services; Dingdong’s expectations regarding its relationships with its users, clients, business partners, and other stakeholders; competition in Dingdong’s industry; Dingdong’s proposed use of proceeds; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to Dingdong’s industry, and general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this announcement and in the attachments is as of the date of the announcement, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

ATFX Global Head of Marketing Weems Chan Receives Prestigious “Hong Kong’s Woman Leaders” Award

HONG KONG, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ATFX is proud to announce that its Global Head of Marketing, Ms. Weems Chan, has been honoured with the esteemed “Hong Kong’s Woman Leaders” Award by the World Women Leadership Congress (WWLC). The award recognises leaders who make a real impact by guiding diverse teams and managing complex projects across different markets.

A Collective Achievement and Leadership Philosophy

The recognition reflects Ms. Chan’s leadership journey and her contributions to ATFX and the wider business community. Reflecting on the honour, Ms. Chan described the award as a collective achievement rather than an individual milestone.

“It is such a privilege to be recognised alongside so many amazing women leaders. To me, this award isn’t just about my own work. It really feels like a celebration of everything our team at ATFX has achieved together. It is a great reminder of how much we can accomplish when we work collaboratively and embrace diverse perspectives.”

In her role, Ms. Chan places strong emphasis on leadership qualities that foster an environment where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to do their best work. She works closely with teams that invite collaboration, flexibility, and inclusivity, principles that help the organisation remain creative and agile in a fast-changing industry while delivering strong results for clients worldwide.

Ms. Chan also encourages women leaders who are just starting out to trust their vision, stay persistent, make accurate decisions, and build strong networks of people who support and challenge them. She believes leadership is not defined by a title, but by the ability to inspire others, face challenges head on, make a positive impact, and stay true to one’s values while supporting diversity.

ATFX’s Collaborative Culture and Leadership Support

She further highlighted ATFX’s collaborative culture and its role in supporting leadership across global teams. With teams spread around the world, ATFX places importance on respecting and learning from different backgrounds and experiences, while maintaining open communication so ideas and feedback can be shared freely. This supportive environment helps leaders grow, builds trust across teams, and enables the organisation to tackle challenges more effectively in a fast-changing industry. Ms. Chan also expressed her appreciation to the management team, noting that their continued commitment and vision have been instrumental in building the strong and supportive culture at ATFX.

About ATFX

ATFX is a leading global fintech broker with a local presence in 24 locations and holds 9 licenses from regulatory authorities, including the UK’s FCA, Australia’s ASIC, Cyprus’ CySEC, the UAE’s SCA, Hong Kong’s SFC, South Africa’s FSCA, Mauritius’ FSC, Seychelles’ FSA, and Cambodia’s SERC. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, innovative technology, and strict regulatory compliance, ATFX delivers exceptional trading experiences to clients worldwide.

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

Signing of strategic technology supply and offtake agreement with Carester, US$20 million equity investment from the Industrial Development Corporation, and commencement of DFS for the Zandkopsdrift magnet rare earths and battery grade manganese project in South Africa

LUXEMBOURG, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Frontier Rare Earths Limited (“Frontier” or the “Company”), which is developing the Zandkopsdrift magnet rare earths and battery grade manganese project in South Africa, is pleased to announce the signing of a Technology Supply Agreement with Carester SAS (“Carester”), one of the leading western rare earths separation specialists, and an investment of US$20m from South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation to finance a Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”), with first production targeted for 2030.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Strategic technology supply and offtake agreements signed with leading rare earth  specialist Carester
    • Carester’s proprietary rare earth solvent extraction technology to be deployed at Zandkopsdrift
    • Will enable production of high-purity NdPr oxide and mixed heavy rare earth carbonate (“MHREC”) at Zandkopsdrift
    • Includes 7-year offtake for MHREC, which will be processed at Carester’s Lacq facility in France
  • Updated Prefeasibility Study (“PFS”) on Zandkopsdrift project completed in 2025
    • Expected to be lowest-cost producer of battery-grade manganese globally and lowest-cost producer of magnet rare earths outside China
    • Battery-grade manganese by-product revenue expected to cover ~90% of rare earth production costs, with neodymium-equivalent net production cost of $100/kg
    • Post-tax NPV10%: US$2.0bn; post-tax IRR (ungeared): 28%; post-tax IRR (50% geared): 34%; average annual revenue: US$727m; average operating margin: 72%
  • Long-life, magnet-focused production profile
    • Expected average annual production (first 25 years): ~3,038 tpa NdPr oxide, and 114 tpa of Dy oxide and 25 tpa of Tb oxide separated by Carester
    • Magnet rare earths (Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb) represent ~94% of contained rare earth value
    • Proven and Probable Reserves support >45-year mine life at planned production rates
  • US$20 million strategic equity investment from Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa
    • Investment to fund DFS and corporate development activities
    • Conditions precedent satisfied in September 2025, with DFS under way and completion scheduled for H1 2027
    • IDC holds an option for offtake up to 10% of production at prevailing market prices, subject to being used in further downstream processing in South Africa
  • Zandkopsdrift designated as EU Strategic Project; multiple potential EU funding pathways under evaluation
    • Designated a Strategic Project under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (June 2025)
    • Aligned with objectives of EU–South Africa Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (signed November 2025) and the EU’s RESourceEU Action Plan financing (announced December 2025)
  • First production targeted for 2030
    • Zandkopsdrift project fully permitted with Mining Right and Environmental Authorisation in place
    • Infrastructure planning (roads, power, process water) already completed, supporting a smooth transition from DFS into mine development

For more details view full press release on the Frontier’s website here.

Media enquiries
Tavistock
Jos Simson/ Jade Davenport: +44 (0) 207 920 3150
frontierrareearths@tavistock.co.uk