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Inside China | Kishore Mahbubani: APEC meeting in Shenzhen could inspire global development

GUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — News report from South: 

Shenzhen recently hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting and has been confirmed as the venue for the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Singapore’s former ambassador to the United Nations, Kishore Mahbubani — who attended the first APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 1993 — recently returned to the city. He approached Shenzhen, which he has described as “the fastest-developing city in world history,” with analytical curiosity.

“When APEC leaders come here, they will be very impressed,” Mahbubani said. “What Shenzhen has achieved can offer genuine inspiration for the world.”

That inspiration, he argues, lies in the city’s industrial transformation. Standing atop a skyscraper overlooking Shenzhen Bay, Mahbubani recalled looking across from Hong Kong decades ago. “There was nothing here — just rice fields,” he said. “Today, the skyline rivals that of major global cities.”

At BYD, the Shenzhen-based electric vehicle maker, Mahbubani test-drove new models and observed safety demonstrations of its blade battery technology.

Founded three decades ago, BYD now operates in 116 countries and regions. For Mahbubani, its rise reflects Shenzhen’s broader shift from basic manufacturing to advanced technology.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of Shenzhen’s designation as a special economic zone. Over that period, the city has grown into one of the largest urban economies on the Chinese mainland, widely seen as a testing ground for China’s development policies.

Shenzhen’s strengths, Mahbubani noted, are also institutional. At the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub, he met start-ups and Hong Kong-funded firms benefiting from integrated government services and policy support — an approach he described as effective and replicable.

In Mahbubani’s view, Shenzhen’s 45-year development is also the story of how relations with Hong Kong have shifted — from one-directional spillover to mutual reinforcement.

With a young population and a dense innovation ecosystem, Shenzhen continues to attract emerging industries, from electric vehicles to augmented reality. At a time when global growth is slowing, Mahbubani said the city offers a different way of thinking about development.

“What Shenzhen has accomplished can be a real source of inspiration for countries to see how much progress can be made in such a short period of time,” Mahbubani said.

Dstny Microsoft Teams integration Facilitates 445 Million Calls in 2025 as Platform Adoption Accelerates

Fully managed UCaaS adoption up 75% year-over-year as businesses embrace mobile-first communications

BRUSSELS, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Dstny today announced it has facilitated 445 million calls in 2025 via its Call2Teams middleware for Microsoft Teams, demonstrating the scale and reliability of its business communications platform.

Dstny Call2Teams Microsoft Integration
Dstny Call2Teams Microsoft Integration

 

The company also saw strong uptake across its managed services. Hosted UCaaS users grew by 10% year-over-year, while fully managed UCaaS increased by 75%, reflecting demand for flexible, hassle-free communication tools.

These milestones reinforce Dstny’s position on the Frost & Sullivan Frost Radar, which recognises the company’s focus on innovation and customer-centric approach.

“Nearly half a billion Teams calls through our platform shows the trust customers place in us every day,” said Christian Hed, Head of Brand & Communications at Dstny. “Businesses want communications that simply work, wherever their teams are.”

About Dstny

Dstny makes hybrid work actually work by simplifying business communications across all boundaries — devices, locations, teams, and applications. Our solutions combine mobile-first architecture with patented technology to seamlessly integrate voice, video, and messaging into business-critical tools.

Through our AI-enabled platform and world-leading Microsoft Teams integration, we empower over 4 million users across 80+ markets to connect effortlessly with colleagues and customers, no matter where they work.

Headquartered in Brussels, Dstny has over 1,000 employees in 7 European countries.

Learn more at www.dstny.com.

Media Contact: 
Christian Hed, Head of Brand & Communications
(Christian.hed@dstny.com)

 

 

Urielle Envisions a Bright Future

Education Cannot Wait-funded UNICEF Training Centres for Children with Vision Impairments empower children to reach their full potential in the Central African Republic.

BANGUI, Central African Republic, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Urielle sits in a classroom, absorbed in her reading. Her fingertips trace the intricate pattern of raised dots on the paper in front of her.

Urielle stands in front of the Education Cannot Wait-supported Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments. © UNICEF CAR/Jose Carlos Rodriguez
Urielle stands in front of the Education Cannot Wait-supported Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments. © UNICEF CAR/Jose Carlos Rodriguez

“I lost my eyesight at the age of three but that did not stop me. From a tender age, my parents taught me to be independent and self-reliant – to work hard and follow my dreams,” says Urielle.

Despite the challenges she has faced in her life, the 20-year-old has always received unwavering support from her parents and teachers. With this, a passion for learning and storytelling, and a fierce determination, Urielle is taking charge of her own future.

Since joining a UNICEF-supported Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments in her hometown of Bangui, Urielle and other children and youth with vision impairments are learning to read braille and accessing education – in many cases, for the very first time. 

This Centre is one of three funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in the capital city of Bangui – established to provide adapted learning opportunities for girls and boys with vision impairments in the Central African Republic. These centres help students to build braille and literacy skills, good competency levels according to the national educational curriculum, and support them to eventually join mainstream schools.

Every morning, a special school tuk-tuk stops in front of Urielle’s home and takes her to the Training Centre. Courses are taught by teachers with vision impairment, assisted by sighted teachers, using braille teaching aids.

The Centre follows the standard curriculum of the Ministry of National Education. It is also where Urielle learned to read and write in braille. These critical skills have unlocked a newfound passion. “I love sharing stories with people, especially about social issues. My favorite subject is social science – because I like to hear about how people across the world live, interact and face challenges,” says the teen.

While Urielle is thriving in school today, the road to her education hasn’t been easy in a society where stigma still exists around people with disabilities. Urielle recalls, “Some neighbors and even relatives used to tell me I was useless, better suited for chores than school. But thanks to my parents’ unwavering support, I learned to ignore those voices.”

Shutting out the nay-sayers, Urielle understands the power of education in broadening her horizons and building the future that she wants for herself. “The more I learn, the more stories unfold in my mind. That’s why I am determined to become a journalist,” she says.

The Centre also runs vocational training courses to build skills. Past students have used these new skills to gain employment, and some have even gone on to join the civil service.

The Central African Republic is one of the toughest places in the world to be a child. Conflict, violence, displacement and natural disasters continue to weigh heavily on the country. Years of instability have contributed to the breakdown of already limited services, resulting in very limited or nonexistent access to education in many parts. Where schools are open, they often lack qualified and trained teachers, learning materials and sound building structures.

For those with disabilities, like Urielle, the situation is even more challenging. Stigma and prejudice remain all-too-common towards children with ‘special needs’, often resulting in families hiding their children with disabilities away – denying them access to peers and the broader community, including schools. Luckily, Urielle’s parents were able to recognize the endless potential in their daughter.

As the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations, ECW has supported partners like UNICEF in the Central African Republic since 2017 – funding programmes to increase access to a quality education in protective learning environments, strengthen national and local education systems, support teachers, and provide targeted support for girls and children with disabilities.

Today, Urielle isn’t satisfied with just being a stellar student. “I also want to be a Paralympic athlete. I train three times a week in long-distance running!” she says.

Until that day, Urielle plans to continue learning and telling stories to inspire those around her. She says with a wide smile, “Storytelling is my passion. I know the road is long and that I have at least six more years before university. Still, one day, I’ll have my own radio show!”

Her aspirations know no bounds – and her achievements are a testament to the potential of all children when they receive the education, resources and support they need to thrive.

 

Energy for All: SINEXCEL Turns Sustainability Commitments into Action

SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SINEXCEL (300693.SZ) has successfully concluded its two-month global ESG initiative, transforming its sustainability vision Energy for All into meaningful, measurable action following the launch of its sustainability strategy in April this year.

Energy for All: SINEXCEL Turns Sustainability Commitments into Action
Energy for All: SINEXCEL Turns Sustainability Commitments into Action

Small Actions, Measurable Impact

Spanning seven countries and engaging over 80 employees and partners, the initiative united efforts across four key pillars—Education, Environment, Development and Health.

Through low-carbon actions, participants walked over 378,000 steps and removed 60kg of litter, contributing to an estimated 52kg reduction in CO₂ emissions—equivalent to approximately 2.4 years of CO₂ absorption by a tree—demonstrating how individual actions can add up to meaningful change.

Illuminating Growth Through Education

SINEXCEL supported a German youth robotics team of over 80 members in various global events while partnering with leading universities including Tsinghua and Sichuan to advance renewable energy knowledge and research in grid-forming energy storage and power quality technologies.

Harmonizing Technology and Nature

Collaborating with Schneider Electric and Phoenix Contact, SINEXCEL promoted green hiking, litter-pickups, and eco-friendly workshops during this initiative, fostering environmental responsibility beyond the workplace.

Driving Sustainable Development Through Innovation

Working with Infineon, SINEXCEL enhanced its solutions in storage and power quality, advancing technological performance in line with long-term sustainability goals.

Promoting Inclusion and Well-being in Health

Across Europe, North America, APAC, Latin America, and the Middle East, we connected with our global teams to hear their perspectives, fostering a culture of inclusion, care, and engagement.

“At SINEXCEL, ‘Energy for All’ is more than an initiative—it reflects our commitment to sustainability and the values we share as a global community. From empowering young innovators to promoting greener lifestyles inside the office and with our partners, every action counts. We are proud to see how we turn vision into impact, and we will continue to champion solutions and practices that create a more sustainable future for all,” said Celine Li, SINEXCEL Branding & Marketing General Manager.

Through its Energy for All sustainability vision, SINEXCEL turns sustainability philosophy into real-world impact, fostering collaboration, empowering communities, and shaping a more sustainable future for all.

About SINEXCEL

Founded in 2007, SINEXCEL is a pioneer in energy storage, EV charging, and power quality solutions. With 12 GW of installed storage, 140,000 EV chargers, and nearly 20 million amperes of AHF deployed, SINEXCEL partners with industry leaders like EVE Energy and Schneider Electric to empower energy freedom.

Contact: melody_yu@sinexcel.com 

HEYTEA Partners with POP MART’s Twinkle Twinkle for First Global Simultaneous Launch


SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 December 2025 – Starting December 22, HEYTEA and POP MART’s popular IP Twinkle Twinkle officially launched their global co-branded campaign across HEYTEA stores worldwide. Timed to the Christmas and New Year season, the collaboration is built around the theme “Twinkle Twinkle for Winter.” Centered on the warm and comforting Twinkle Twinkle characters, the campaign introduces a multi-dimensional experience featuring custom character designs, co-branded drinks, themed merchandise, themed stores, and the Inspiration Bus pop-up activation.

HEYTEA Partners with POP MART’s Twinkle Twinkle for First Global Simultaneous Launch

This marks HEYTEA’s first globally synchronized co-branded launch. Even before the official rollout, the partnership generated strong attention across social platforms. Spanning Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, as well as more than 100 HEYTEA stores across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other overseas markets, the collaboration creates a shared winter moment for consumers worldwide.

Beyond its festive appeal, the campaign reflects HEYTEA’s broader approach to international markets. While character-led collaborations help create seasonal resonance, the brand’s long-term focus lies in building meaningful, locally grounded experiences that feel relevant across different cultural contexts.

Across overseas markets, HEYTEA has consistently used collaborations and pop-up activations to connect with younger audiences and spark cultural conversation, partnering with creative names across fashion, art, and entertainment. Rather than applying a single formula across regions, the brand selects partners with strong local relevance and designs visually distinctive in-store experiences that translate naturally into social moments.

Product innovation remains central to HEYTEA’s global expression. Internationally, the brand has introduced more than 20 localized drinks designed around regional taste preferences, while maintaining its emphasis on natural ingredients and modern tea aesthetics. This philosophy is reflected in the Twinkle Twinkle collaboration, which introduces two exclusive seasonal drinks—Tiramisu Milk Tea and Tiramisu Rich Chocolate—released simultaneously worldwide to create moments of warmth and shared experience across markets.

The United States continues to play an important role in HEYTEA’s overseas presence. Since opening its first U.S. store at the end of 2023, the brand has expanded into multiple major cities and opened its overseas flagship TEA LAB store in New York’s Times Square, offering a modern reinterpretation of tea culture in a global urban setting.

Hashtag: #HEYTEA

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

About HEYTEA

Founded in 2012 in Jiangmen, Guangdong, China, HEYTEA is widely recognized as the originator of new-style tea beverages. The brand created the world’s first cheese tea using real tea and real milk, setting a new standard for the industry. HEYTEA is committed to using real ingredients, including real tea, real milk, real fruit, and real sugar, while continuously reimagining tea culture through products and experiences that resonate with young consumers. Today, HEYTEA operates around 4,000 stores worldwide, including more than 100 overseas locations across Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania.

Kishore Mahbubani: Zhuhai reveals vision for future city

GUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — News report from South:

“When I came to Zhuhai, I must say it was a mind-blowing experience.”

That was how Kishore Mahbubani, a prominent scholar and Singapore’s former ambassador to the United Nations, described his recent visit to the southern Chinese city as part of South’s “Inside China” series.

From close-up encounters with low-altitude aviation to first-hand observations of cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Macao, Mahbubani said Zhuhai’s emerging industries — particularly the low-altitude economy — left the strongest impression.

“In many areas, China is now number one in technology,” he said.

At the Tangjia Port Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Logistics Operations Base, Mahbubani saw how drones are already used for island inspections, firefighting, aquaculture, and logistics, along with demonstrations of passenger-carrying electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs.

He was particularly struck by the fact that EHang has become the world’s first company to receive commercial airworthiness certification for civilian, passenger-carrying unmanned eVTOL aircraft, which are now approved for commercial operations and exported to multiple overseas markets.

Zhuhai, one of China’s first special economic zones established in 1980, has seen rapid growth in emerging industries led by the low-altitude economy. The city hosts more than 75 related companies and has launched China’s first cross-border low-altitude airspace management system, version 2.0, covering about 3,600 square kilometers across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Alongside new industries, Mahbubani also examined how traditional manufacturing is being reshaped.

At Gree Electric Appliances (Zhuhai Jinwan) Co., Ltd., automation has significantly improved efficiency, while exports have continued to grow this year despite higher US tariffs.

Chen Huadong, general manager of the Jinwan subsidiary, said more than 70 percent of Gree’s overseas sales are under its own brands, with products customized for different climates — from extreme heat in the Middle East to sub-zero conditions in northern Europe.

“Visiting Gree was a mind-blowing experience,” Mahbubani said.

Another stop on Mahbubani’s journey was Hengqin, where the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone has supported Macao’s economic diversification, with tens of thousands of residents and numerous Macao-funded companies now operating there.

Reflecting on the journey, Mahbubani said the scale of change was striking even for long-time observers of China. “The world has changed,” he said. “People should come and see it for themselves.”

suchang Makes Full-Scale Entry into Japan’s Health Food Market with Jeju Mandarin Chenpi Ingredient

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jeju-based ingredient manufacturer suchang announced that it has begun exporting chenpi—dried mandarin peel made from Jeju citrus—to Japan’s health and functional food ingredient market.

Chenpi has long been used in traditional herbal medicine and food culture across East Asia and is increasingly gaining attention among wellness-oriented consumers for its potential benefits, including digestive support, immune enhancement, and antioxidant properties. In South Korea, recent media coverage highlighting the health benefits of chenpi tea—particularly its role in improving digestive function and supporting immunity—has further increased public interest in the ingredient.

The chenpi supplied by suchang is produced through natural drying methods and rigorous quality control processes, preserving the distinctive characteristics of Jeju mandarins. The ingredient is regarded as highly versatile for use in Japan’s food, beverage, and functional ingredient sectors.

Japanese companies are actively exploring ingredient diversification, ranging from traditional tea products to health beverages and naturally flavored seasoning applications. In this context, chenpi is attracting attention for its refreshing citrus aroma and functional components. Several Japanese food ingredient supply platforms have also introduced dried citrus peel as a material that enhances sweetness and flavor while serving as a health-oriented ingredient.

A representative from suchang stated, “Chenpi is more than just a spice—it is an ingredient that can offer both health benefits and everyday value to Japanese consumers. We plan to maintain the unique quality of Jeju mandarins while establishing long-term supply partnerships with our Japanese counterparts.”

As demand for wellness-focused ingredients continues to grow in Japan—particularly those based on natural and functional components—suchang’s export of chenpi is being recognized as a notable example of the global expansion of traditional Korean food ingredients.

Ganzin Launches Ultra-Low-Power ASIC Eye-Tracking Platform AURORA IIE, Enabling Always-On AI Glasses and VR/MR Devices

Editor’s Summary

  • Ganzin will introduce AURORA IIE, its latest ASIC-based eye-tracking solution designed for next-generation AR/AI glasses and VR/MR headset.
  • AURORA IIE moves eye-tracking computation from an NPU to a proprietary Eye Processing Unit 2 (EPU2), reducing power consumption to 1/4 of NPU-based solutions, enabling true always-on eye-tracking.
  • Always-on eye-tracking allows gaze interaction and continuous capture of eye-based physiological indicators.
  • AURORA IIE supports up to 120 Hz throughput, empowering advanced VR/MR devices, medical applications, and academic research.
  • Ideal architecture: one ASIC processor (EPU2), two eye sensors, and two IR LEDs — maintaining the same ultra-compact design philosophy of Ganzin’s previous AURORA IIS platform.
  • With the introduction of AURORA IIE, Ganzin now delivers a complete, scalable eye-tracking product line — from software IP to turnkey NPU solutions and finally an ultra-low-power ASIC platform ready for mass production.

NEW TAIPEI CITY, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ganzin, a pioneer in glint-free wearable eye-tracking technology, is excited to announce the global debut of its next-generation AURORA IIE eye-tracking solution at CES 2026. Building on the success of last year’s AURORA IIS NPU solution, AURORA IIE introduces a custom-designed ASIC processor–Eye Processing Unit 2 (EPU2)–dedicated solely to eye-tracking computation.

For years, the high computational power required for eye-tracking has prevented AR/AI glasses from integrating this feature in a truly power-efficient manner. While AURORA IIS successfully offloaded processing from the host platform to a compact NPU, enabling substantial power savings, the move to ASIC marks another breakthrough.

EPU2: The Future of the Edge AI Computing for Wearable Eye Tracking

AURORA IIE is powered by Ganzin’s in-house developed ASIC, EPU2, engineered specifically for low-power, high-performance eye-tracking on wearable platforms. Compared to last year’s NPU-based architecture, the new ASIC achieves:

  • 1/4 the power consumption of an NPU
  • Always-on operation for gaze interaction and biometric sensing
  • Ultra-compact form factor optimized for AR/AI smartglasses
  • 120 Hz processing throughput, meeting the demands of VR/MR devices, medical institutions, and research labs

Ganzin AURORA IIE
Ganzin AURORA IIE

A Seamless, Minimalist Hardware Architecture

The AURORA IIE solution maintains the simplicity of Ganzin’s signature design:

  • One dedicated ASIC processor, 3.6 x 3.6mm
  • Two miniature eye sensors
  • Two ultra-small IR LEDs

Flexible Product Portfolio and Business Models for Seamless Integration

With the launch of AURORA IIE, Ganzin now offers a fully scalable eye-tracking product portfolio tailored to different development stages and integration needs:

AURORA-II — Software IP Licensing

A proven, highly flexible eye-tracking software stack that delivers robust performance across diverse hardware platforms. Ideal for partners seeking maximum design freedom and customization capability.

AURORA-IIS — NPU-Based Turnkey Solution

A production-ready reference design leveraging partner NPUs to accelerate system integration and shorten time-to-market, while maintaining excellent flexibility, power efficiency, and performance.

AURORA-IIE — ASIC-Based EPU2 Platform

Ganzin’s next-generation ASIC solution featuring the EPU2 processor, delivering ultra-low-power, always-on eye-tracking in a compact, procurement-ready hardware form factor for mass-production devices.

Together, the AURORA family enables customers to adopt the right solution at every stage — from early prototyping to large-scale commercial deployment.

Leadership Statement

“AURORA IIE represents the next evolutionary stage of wearable eye-tracking,” said Dr. Shao-Yi Chien, CEO of Ganzin. “Our custom ASIC, EPU2, enables unprecedented power efficiency and allows always-on operation, opening the door to new applications in interaction, wellness, and research.”

Experience AURORA IIE at CES 2026

Ganzin will host private demonstrations of the AURORA IIE solution at its executive suite in the Westgate Hotel during CES 2026.

About Ganzin

Ganzin is a global leader in lightweight, compact, and energy-efficient eye-tracking technology for next-generation wearable and immersive devices. With a mission to create the most practical, easy-to-use eye-tracking solution for everyone, Ganzin provides hardware and software total solution that enable seamless integration into AR/AI glasses, VR/MR headsets.