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New World Development Recognised in TIME Magazine’s Top 50 “World’s Most Sustainable Companies”


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2024 New World Development Company Limited (“NWD” or “New World Development” or the “Group”; Hong Kong Stock Code: 00017) is pleased to announce that it has been recognised by TIME Magazine as one of the “World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2024,” an inaugural list that names top 500 companies in the world promoting corporate responsibility and advancing sustainable practices. Among the top 500 companies, NWD is ranked 43rd. The Group has been recognised in major areas of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), including climate change actions, energy conservation and emission reduction, successfully standing out from over 5,000 companies to make it into the top 50.

NWD Named One of TIME’s Top 50 World’s Most Sustainable Companies
NWD Named One of TIME’s Top 50 World’s Most Sustainable Companies

The TIME’s list is jointly organised by TIME and the statistics company Statista. Commenting on NWD’s inclusion in the world’s top 50 most sustainable companies, Adrian Cheng, CEO of NWD, said, “We are very pleased that New World has been selected as one of the world’s top 50 most sustainable and impactful companies, affirming our achievements in sustainable development. We have proactively incorporated sustainability into our business models to develop green buildings, reduce carbon emissions and energy intensity, and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. Building on this amazing accolade, we will continue our efforts towards the sustainable development of the company to create value for our stakeholders and a positive rippling effect across our community and society.”

The World’s Most Sustainable Companies list rewards the leading companies in corporate social responsibility with an evaluation based on more than 20 indicators relating to sustainable development, information disclosure, transparency, overall ESG performance, energy and carbon intensity, and female leadership, and commitments and targets set in these areas. The ranking process began with a comprehensive selection from over 5,000 of the world’s largest and most influential companies. From there, 500 companies from over 30 countries and regions were chosen. New World Development ranked 43rd and is the only Hong Kong company to make it into the top 50.

NWD has long been actively promoting ESG. The Group highly values sustainable development throughout the project lifecycle, aiming to achieve best practices from planning and design to operation and management, minimising environmental impact. The Group’s short-term 1.5°C science-based targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and the Group has committed to setting long-term targets in line with SBTi’s Net-Zero Standard.

The Group has also developed a Renewable Energy Roadmap, aiming to achieve 100% renewable energy use in its rental properties in the Greater Bay Area and Greater China by the fiscal years 2026 and 2031, respectively, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Group also strives to install renewable energy generation systems in new and existing projects, promoting the broader development of the renewable energy market.

Additionally, NWD has integrated climate considerations into its risk management process investment decision-making. The Group was an early supporter of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), formulating and implementing the “Climate Resilience Guideline” and incorporating climate change mitigation and adaptation measures into various stages such as design, major refurbishments and construction activities. Currently, New World has conducted preliminary climate-related risk assessments at multiple locations in Hong Kong and Mainland China and has conducted more in-depth surveys on assets identified as potentially high-risk to appropriately mitigate climate-related risks.

NWD is one of Hong Kong’s leading companies in promoting sustainable finance. In 2018, the Group’s property K11 ATELIER King’s Road received triple platinum certifications for WELL Building Standard, LEED, and Hong Kong’s BEAM Plus, successfully securing Hong Kong’s first green loan. Additionally, the Group partnered with DBS Hong Kong to achieve Asia’s first loan linked to the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) performance. New World is also the world’s first developer to issue a s USD-denominated social and green dual tranche offering in the public bond markets.

The Group is also a leading force in promoting workplace diversity and inclusivity. NWD’s female representation on board has reached 35.3%, among the highest of Hong Kong-listed companies. In addition, the Group has implemented a series of measures and social innovation programmes to support employees’ mental and physical wellbeing.

Please download high-res images from here:

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Hashtag: #NewWorldDevelopment #NWD

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

About New World Development

Founded in 1970, New World Development Company Limited (“The Group”, Hong Kong stock code: 0017) was publicly listed in Hong Kong in 1972 and is a constituent stock of the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index. A premium brand infused with a unique personality best defined by The Artisanal Movement, New World Group’s core business areas include property development, property investment and other strategic operations in Greater China, especially the Greater Bay Area, with a total asset value of approximately HK$470.2 billion as at 31 December 2023. The Group has an effective interest of approximately 75% in New World Department Store China Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 0825) and wholly owns New World China Land Limited.

PolyU showcases research and innovations at its first overseas exhibition “Flying High” in France


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2024 – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is hosting its inaugural “Flying High” exhibition in Paris, France, from now until 1 July 2024. This marks the University’s first international showcase, featuring a diverse array of research and innovations across disciplines from fashion to technology and sustainable materials.

PolyU is hosting its inaugural “Flying High” exhibition in Paris, France, from now until 1 July 2024, featuring a diverse array of PolyU’s research and innovations across disciplines from fashion to technology and sustainable materials.
PolyU is hosting its inaugural “Flying High” exhibition in Paris, France, from now until 1 July 2024, featuring a diverse array of PolyU’s research and innovations across disciplines from fashion to technology and sustainable materials.

At the opening reception, Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) remarked, “PolyU is thrilled to bring our research and innovations to Paris, a city that resonates with creativity and innovation, reflecting our own values. ‘Flying High’ is not just an exhibition, it is a testament to our dedication to making a positive impact through our research and knowledge transfer activities. We are excited to share our achievements and to foster international collaborations for a better and sustainable future.”

The “Flying High” exhibition is not only witness to PolyU’s commitment to fostering global innovation and excellence in research, but also provides an exchange platform for researchers, industry experts, fashion editors and others. It coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations and the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, highlighting the importance of international dialogue and exchange in advancing scientific and cultural understanding.

The exhibition comprises two main themes “Style in Motion” and “Sustainability in Innovation”, with 10 projects as follows:

Project Principal Investigator(s)
Style in Motion
Tai-Chi, Sports and Olympics 2024

This Tai Chi-inspired sportswear collection blends the essence of the East with the electrifying spirit of the Games’ four selected disciplines: breaking, skateboarding, surfing and climbing. Each piece is meticulously engineered to capture the spirit of these vibrant sports, analysing the fluidity and strength required to excel in each. It complements an athlete’s form and improves their performance.

Dr Tsai-Chun HUANG, Assistant Professor, School of Fashion and Textiles
AI-assisted Personal Training Gear

AI-enhanced, wearable sensor-based training gear helps monitor posture, muscle activity and fatigue in real-time during workouts, providing immediate feedback to improve physical performance and minimise the risk of injury.

Prof. YIP Yiu-wan Joanne, Associate Dean and Professor, School of Fashion and Textiles
Sport-specific Sports Bra Designs from Analysis of Human Dynamic Motion

An anatomically tailored sports bra employs analysis of 4D scans to enable bra design to provide precise support for the unique demands of each sport and comfort for women of all ages and sizes.

Prof. Kit-Lun YICK, Professor, School of Fashion and Textiles
Sustainability in Innovation
Carbon Neutral Construction Materials

New technologies elevate construction projects to champion carbon neutrality, including CarbAggre, a carbon-negative and customisable material developed from construction and demolition waste, and a carbonation concrete coating technology that improves concrete durability.

Prof. C.S. POON, Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Michael Anson Professor in Civil Engineering; Chair Professor of Sustainable Construction Materials; Director, Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality
Sustainable Design from Biochar-concrete

Newly developed biochar-concrete merges sustainability with aesthetics, revolutionising traditional concrete construction and combating carbon emissions, and so paving the way for a greener world.

Dr Brian LEE, Associate Professor, School of Design
“Building Clothing” Using Textile Waste

“Building Clothing”, developed from textile waste, is a sustainable building envelope for thermal insulation and radiative cooling to revolutionise construction projects and help tackle the challenges of textile waste recycling.

Dr Dahua SHOU, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies and Assistant Professor, School of Fashion and Textiles
Metal-coated Textiles with Unique Visual Effects

These textiles fuse fashion and sustainability through sputtering coating technology. They are the very first to integrate material science, engineering and manufacturing for lustrous new textiles without any discharge or pollution.

Prof. Kinor JIANG, Professor, School of Fashion and Textiles
Food Waste-derived 3D Printing Material

Harnessing the power of 3D printing technology, novel sustainable composite materials have been developed for indoor furnishings by combining spent coffee grounds or tea leaves with polylactic acid.

Prof. WONG Ka-hing, Professor, Department of Food Science and Nutrition; Director, Research Institute for Future Food
Anti-stain and Antiviral Vegan Leather

The world’s first vegan leather boasts both anti-stain and antiviral properties. It leverages structural color technology to ensure whiteness at 90/100 without use of pigment, dye or bleaching agent, and uses silicone that avoid microplastic issues.

Prof. Chris K.Y. LO, Professor, Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies

Prof. KAN Chi-wai, Associate Dean (Strategic Planning and Development) and Professor, School of Fashion and Textiles

Intelligent Textiles for Interiors, Fashion and Rehabilitation

Utilising computer vision and illuminating optical fibres, the intelligent textiles are developed to recognise hand and body gestures to customise colour illuminations instantly, thereby transforming conventionally passive fabrics into interactive textiles.

Prof. Jeanne TAN, Professor, School of Fashion and Textiles; Centre Assistant Director, Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design

Project images are available here. To learn more about the “Flying High” exhibition, please visit: https://polyu.hk/CZYFn.

Hashtag: #PolyU

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

PPD Global earns the Best Place to Work certification in Romania for 2024


BUCHAREST, ROMANIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2024 – PPD Global, one of the leading premium beverage distribution groups in Central and Southeastern Europe, has been recently recognized as one of the best places to work in Romania for 2024.

PPD Global received outstanding scores with excellent ratings across several aspects of the workplace including leadership, HR Practices, teamwork and relationships and employee engagement. This achievement is particularly remarkable as it was earned with the participation of 100% of the employees in the certification assessment. The evaluation also revealed that an impressive 96% of the employees consider PPD Global in Romania as a great place to work.

Alexandru Frangopol, General Manager for Romania at PPD Global, said “Being acknowledged as a best place to work in Romania is a strong validation that our company values are deeply embedded principles guiding our daily operations. Our ‘People First’ approach is evident in our actions and is genuinely valued by our colleagues. The energy, passion, and commitment in our daily work as well as the desire to be the best and to stay number 1, are indisputable proofs that we feel we are part of a family, the Photiades family,”

Elena Popa, HR Manager for Romania at PPD Global, commented as well about this achievement “We highly value our people’s well-being, and this shows in the trust and commitment of our employees, in our company culture and the feeling of belonging we managed to build over time. We encourage a working environment where every employee feels valued, listened to, and supported. At PPD Global, we are not just co-workers, we are friends and support each other. For us, ‘People First’ is not just a slogan, it’s a reality we live every day, and the best place to work certification is a reflection of this,”

The Best Places to Work assessment is one of the world’s most widely used model to understand employee perceptions about their workplace. The Best Places to Work certification accreditation denotes the voice of employees and demonstrates that you are an “Employer of Choice.” The coveted certification is awarded to the organizations that have best in the class people practices and provide outstanding employee experiences.

For more information, please visit www.bestplacestoworkfor.org
Hashtag: #BestPlacesToWork




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

Lao PM Highlights Drug Threat, Urges Unity on Anti-Drug Day

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (Photo: Pasaxon News)

On the 37th anniversary of International Anti-Drug Day, 26 June, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone addressed the nation, reflecting on the country’s efforts and progress in combating drug-related issues.

China achieves education-S&T-talent synergy for New Quality Productive Forces


BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2024 – New Quality Productive Forces is not the “solo performance” of any single country but rather a “grand chorus” of all countries.

PressReleaseTMPzajtij.jpg

China stands ready to work with the international community for cooperation in developing New Quality Productive Forces.

We are committed to open science regardless of borders and with no barriers imposed, ensure the free flow of STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) personnel and innovative factors around the world, in order to jointly create an open innovation ecosystem and explore a new model regarding mutually beneficial global cooperation.

China will share resources, markets and technological innovations with the rest of the world, so that New Quality Productive Forces can benefit all mankind.

By pursuing a holistic and coordinated approach, China will also promote high-standard opening up of the education sector, develop platforms for fostering basic research talent, train high-performing engineers and highly-skilled workers, enhance support for young scientists and engineers, and actively promote international personnel exchanges.

The author, BAO Shujun, is the Researcher at International Cooperation Center of National Development and Reform Commission
Hashtag: #ChinaNewsNetwork

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

Immuno Cure Successfully Admitted into the HKSTP Elite Programme

Remarkable funding support for becoming a biotech unicorn


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 June 2024 – Immuno Cure BioTech (“Immuno Cure“) is delighted to announce its recent successful admission to the prestigious Elite Programme of Hong Kong Science & Technology Park (“HKSTP“), positioning the company for accelerated growth and innovation in the field of biotechnology in Hong Kong. This significant funding support will fuel Immuno Cure’s mission to revolutionize DNA vaccine and antibody immunotherapies for fighting infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancers.

The Elite Programme of HKSTP is a three-year milestone-based funding programme of HK$21.5 million, aiming to promote enterprises with innovative technology and strong growth potentials to become a future “unicorn”. Immuno Cure has recently become one of the thirty-seven HKSTP Elite companies.

Immuno Cure’s DNA vaccines are based on its “PD-1-Enhanced DNA Vaccine Platform” for DNA vaccines with dendritic cell-targeting ability, together with electroporation-assisted enhanced drug delivery by its “Vaccine Delivery Platform”. Currently, two DNA vaccine candidates, ICVAX and ICCOV, are undergoing Phase I and Phase IIa clinical trials respectively. ICVAX is a therapeutic DNA vaccine candidate for HIV/AIDS, and ICCOV is a preventive DNA vaccine candidate for COVID-19. Immuno Cure’s DNA vaccine pipeline also includes cancer DNA vaccine candidates at earlier R&D stages.

Apart from DNA vaccines, Immuno Cure’s “Anti-Δ42PD1 Antibody Platform” utilizes a newly discovered Δ42PD1, an isoformic programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), for the restoration of cancer-killing function of killer T cells for the treatment of cancers such as liver cancer and colorectal cancer. A humanized anti-Δ42PD1 antibody against liver cancer is at IND-enabling stage currently, and its first-in-human trial is expected in 2025.

Dr. Xia JIN, CEO of Immuno Cure, said, “Being selected to join the Elite Programme is a huge privilege and we’re thrilled to be among the most dynamic and innovative businesses in Hong Kong, which underscores the trust and confidence placed in our company merits and research achievements. With the strong backing from HKSTP, Immuno Cure will continue to lead the way in DNA medicines, antibodies and novel immunotherapies research and development, developing new and powerful vaccine technologies to broaden our cancer and infectious disease portfolio.”

Dr Percy CHENG, Chairman of Immuno Cure, concluded, “This recognition further strengthens Immuno Cure’s position as a frontrunner in the local biotech industry, with the potential to become the leading company worldwide. With the support of HKSTP, we will bring our HIV vaccine and other promising candidates to market and usher in a new era in healthcare.”
Hashtag: #ImmunoCure

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

About Immuno Cure

Immuno Cure is a clinical stage biotechnology group based in the Hong Kong Science Park, focusing on research and development of immunotherapies for cancers, inflammatory and infectious diseases based on its patented PD-1-enhanced DNA vaccine and Anti-Δ42PD1 Antibody platforms; with two DNA vaccine candidates currently in clinical trials.

To learn more about Immuno Cure BioTech, please visit .

Lao U-16 Team Excels at ASEAN Championship, Eyes Semi-Final Spot

The Lao U-16 national football team (Photo: Lao Football Federation)

The Lao U-16 national football team has demonstrated outstanding performance at the ASEAN U-16 Boys Championship tournament, paving the way for their qualification into the semi-finals.

2024 New Taipei Smart City International Forum Bringing Together Cross-Border Exchange in New Taipei: AI and Sustainability as Dual Engines for Future Development


NEW TAIPEI CITY, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 June 2024 – On June 19, 2024, at the Hilton Taipei Sinban Hotel, the New Taipei City Government, in collaboration with the international organization ICF (Intelligent Community Forum), co-hosted the “2024 NTPC Smart City International Forum and ICF Top7 Global Cities Announcement.” The forum’s theme was “AI: The Innovation Accelerator,” which explored how artificial intelligence has contributed to economic growth, sustainability, and human welfare. The event attracted overseas dignitaries, representatives from consulates, and industry leaders from nearly 30 countries, fostering lively participation.

The event attracted overseas dignitaries, representatives from consulates, and industry leaders from nearly 30 countries, fostering lively participation.
The event attracted overseas dignitaries, representatives from consulates, and industry leaders from nearly 30 countries, fostering lively participation.

Deputy Mayor Chen, Chwen-Jing emphasized that this forum serves as a crucial platform for New Taipei City to showcase its achievements in smart city development and promote international communication and collaboration. Through this forum, we aim to share global public policies related to AI development and accelerate sustainable progress using AI technology. ICF Chairman and Co-founder John G. Jung, along with Co-founder Robert Bell, highlighted that as AI becomes more human-centric, sustainability and economic development are no longer parallel lines but mutually reinforcing tools.

During the forum, the Mayor of Dublin, USA, shared practical experiences in local AI applications. Dublin has received multiple recognitions as an ICF Top7 global city and has led smart city development in the Midwest America for over 15 years. Additionally, the former Mayor of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, showcased the collaboration with Queensland government in formulating a 20-year regional economic development strategy. The Mayor of Kitchener, Canada, emphasized that city development strategies should revolve around technology and innovation. The President of the Institute of Research and Urban Planning in Maceió, Brazil, highlighted how AI’s robust data collection efficiency can provide solutions for digital transformation and sustainable development. The Founder and CEO of BABLE Smart Cities in Germany explained how European cities are leveraging AI to address challenges posed by pollution and population density.

In the first panel discussion, the Director of Economic Development from Dublin, USA; the Economy, Innovation, and Employment Councilor from Las Rozas, Spain; the CEO of ICF Institute in Taiwan; and Deputy Magistrate Hsieh Shu-Ya from Yunlin County shared insights on applying AI to create carbon reduction systems, develop smart industries, and address sustainability challenges faced by cities. Professor Lin Feng-Tyan from the Department of Urban Planning at National Cheng Kung University, along with representatives from Far EasTone Telecommunications, LUXGEN Motor, ASUS, and Delta Electronics, demonstrated how AI is being used to introduce smart green energy on campuses, establish connected vehicle networks, and enhance building operational efficiency. Outside the forum venue, ten companies showcased Taiwan’s leadership in software development, system integration, and hardware technology.

The 2024 ICF Top7 Global Cities Announcement Dinner, hosted by Deputy Mayor Chen, Chwen-Jing and Director Leu, Jang-Hwa from the Administration for Digital Industries, Ministry of Digital Affairs, welcomed attendees. The list of cities that made it to the ICF Top7 this year was announced by ICF.

The Top7 of 2024

  • Assaí, Paraná, Brazil
  • Coral Gables, Florida, USA
  • Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
  • Durham Region, Ontario, Canada
  • Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
  • Hilliard, Ohio, USA
  • Yunlin County, Taiwan

The forum gathered overseas dignitaries, consulate representatives, and industry leaders from 30 countries.

In the 2024 ICF Top7 Global Cities Announcement Dinner, Deputy Mayor of New Taipei City, Chen Chwen-Jing, representatives of ICF, and Director Leu Jang-Hwa, Administration of Digital Industry, and representative of Las Rozas, Spain, who will be hosting the 2025 ICF Top7 raised their glasses to celebrate the commencement of the Announcement.Hashtag: #NewTaipeiSmartCityInternationalForum

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