Chinese authorities inspecting Laos banana export to China. (Photo by I-Chongqing)
Laos has completed its first banana export to Chongqing, China using sealed rail-to-rail transport, as part of efforts to expand agricultural exports through the China–Laos Railway.
The shipment, weighing 85.5 tonnes across five containers, departed from Vientiane, crossed into China at the Mohan Railway Port in Yunnan, and continued by rail to Chongqing.
Authorities said sealed rail transport was selected to improve efficiency and reduce losses during transit. The system allows cargo to remain sealed in temperature-controlled containers and tracked throughout the journey, helping protect perishable goods.
According to Chinese officials, the transport model has reduced logistics costs by about 16 percent compared with previous routes.
Rail Cargo Growth Supports Export Expansion
Between January and May of 2025, the railway transported more than 2.48 million tonnes of goods valued at over CNY 10 billion (approximately USD 1.4 billion), according to figures released by Chinese customs and reported by Xinhua.
Officials said both freight volume and value increased compared with the same period of 2024, reflecting growing use of the railway for cross-border trade. In May alone, the line carried 512,000 tonnes of cargo, the highest monthly total since operations began in December 2021.
Since opening, the railway has handled a growing range of products, including fresh fruit, cassava, rubber, and minerals from Laos. Authorities said the continued expansion of rail-based logistics was expected to support further growth in agricultural exports by improving reliability, reducing transport costs, and opening access to inland Chinese markets.
Officials said the first banana shipment highlights how Laos is using the China–Laos Railway to strengthen its agricultural exports, reduce transport costs, and reach new markets in China.
Global energy storage leader continues to drive innovation and reliability across residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale applications
SUZHOU, China, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PotisEdge, a globally recognized innovator in safe and scalable energy storage solutions, today announced it has again been ranked as a Tier 1 Energy Storage Manufacturer in BloombergNEF’s Q1 2026 report—marking the seventh consecutive quarter the company has secured this distinction. This sustained recognition reflects PotisEdge’s consistent performance, bankable technology, and trusted execution across global markets.
As a vertically integrated BESS manufacturer with an annual production capacity exceeding 31 GWh across facilities in China and the United States, PotisEdge designs and deploys energy storage systems that serve the full spectrum of energy needs—from household storage to grid-scale projects.
PotisEdge consistently delivers reliable and high-performance storage solutions that meet high-standard safety requirements. These solutions are widely deployed in utility-scale plants, hybrid solar-storage installations and other energy storage scenarios, enhancing grid flexibility and enable higher renewable penetration. Committed to advancing storage technologies with superior performance, safety, reliability and efficiency, PotisEdge plays a key role in accelerating the global adoption of renewable energy.
Consecutive inclusion in BloombergNEF’s Tier 1 list not only reflects the advanced technical level of the company’s products, but also demonstrates the lasting trust of partners and investors. Its project footprint now spans across Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia.
Looking to the future, PotisEdge is expanding its localized manufacturing and R&D capabilities. Recent joint projects and partnerships have strengthened its supply and after-sales capabilities in strategic regions such as North America and Europe. The company remains focused on advancing the safety and intelligence of energy storage, with a core emphasis on driving innovation for integrated solar-storage solutions – key drivers of the global transition toward a low-carbon, resilient, and democratic energy system.
PotisEdge BNEF Tier 1 Q1 2026
About PotisEdge PotisEdge, powered by LONGi, is a globally recognized leader in energy storage system (ESS) integration. As the dedicated ESS product line of LONGi, we specialize in making solar energy dispatchable and grid-friendly. With over 10 years expertise in the ESS industry, PotisEdge combines patented 5S technologies (BMS, ICCS, EMS, TMS, PCS) and automotive-grade manufacturing standards to deliver high-performance, sustainable energy solutions worldwide.
Theme: Leading with Purpose — Fair and Sustainable Insurance
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 February 2026 – 10Life held its annual 5-Star Insurance Awards on Jan. 29, 2026, at Rosewood Hong Kong, reaffirming its commitment to helping consumers identify quality insurance through independent ratings. The event drew a record-breaking turnout of more than 70 senior executives from 11 insurers — a testament to the Awards’ growing influence in driving higher standards across the industry.
Award-winning insurers in attendance included AXA, BOC Group Insurance, BOC Life, Blue Cross, FWD, Generali, Hang Seng Insurance, Manulife, MSIG, Sun Life and YF Life.
This year’s theme, “Leading with Purpose: Fair and Sustainable Insurance,” brought together industry leaders to address a critical question: with increasingly complex risks and diverse consumer needs, how can insurers keep protection both adequate and affordable for the long term? The answer, 10Life believes, lies in building a fairer, more customer-centric insurance ecosystem.
Independent Selection of Top 10% 5-Star Insurance Products
10Life was founded with a singular mission — to make insurance fair. Each year, 10Life raises its 5-Star rating standards to ensure only the best products earn recognition. Its actuaries and data scientists analyse coverage scope, policy terms and fine-print details across thousands of data points. Only the top 10% of products earn 5-Star certification, helping consumers cut through marketing noise to find genuine quality protection.
“The 10Life 5-Star Awards has upheld one principle above all: independence,” said Dennis Lun, Co-founder and CEO of 10Life. “We rate every product on its merits, and our results are never influenced by commercial partnerships. More than 2.3 million users rely on 10Life annually, and independent research shows that 87% trust our ratings when making insurance decisions.”
Mr. Lun added: “The insurance landscape is evolving rapidly. People are living longer and need sustained wealth and health protection. Medical inflation is testing affordability. Advances in diagnostic technology mean pre-existing conditions are detected earlier — challenging traditional underwriting norms. As Hong Kong integrates more deeply with the Greater Bay Area, cross-border protection needs are surging. 10Life’s role is to hold insurers accountable and help Hong Kong consumers access fair, sustainable protection.”
10 Life Co-founder and CEO Dennis Lun delivers a keynote address.
Why Fairness and Sustainability Go Hand in Hand
Mark Saunders, President of the Actuarial Society of Hong Kong, delivered the keynote address on building a fair and sustainable insurance ecosystem.
“The insurance industry must evolve from passive claims payer to proactive risk prevention partner,” said Mr. Saunders. “Traditionally, insurers compensate after misfortune strikes. But the future lies in prevention — delaying or mitigating adverse events benefits society, individuals and the sustainability of insurance itself.”
He added: “Fairness is the bedrock of trust. Only when consumers believe the system is fair will they confidently participate in risk-sharing. Sustainability ensures insurers can honour their promises across generations — so policyholders and their families can rely on their coverage when it matters most.”
Trust, Mr. Saunders noted, is not built when premiums are collected — it is built when claims are honoured.
Mr. Mark Saunders, President of the Actuarial Society of Hong Kong, delivers a speech at the event.
Recognising Excellence Across Products and Insurers
5-Star Awards were presented across seven product categories: Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Savings Insurance, QDAP (Tax-Deductible Annuity), Immediate Annuity, Whole Life Insurance and Travel Insurance. The 5-Star Innovative Product Award was newly introduced this year to spotlight products offering industry breakthroughs in customer-centric features, coverage and value.
In recognition of overall excellence, 10Life also presented four insurer-level awards. FWD was honoured with the Health Insurer of the Year Award for excellence in medical and critical illness protection. BOC Life received the Wealth Insurer of the Year Award for outstanding savings and retirement solutions. Manulife was honoured with the GBA Insurer of the Year Award, newly introduced to recognise insurers best equipped to serve cross-border protection needs between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. Sun Life was named Insurer of the Year for achieving 5-Star ratings across six product categories, demonstrating the strongest all-round performance.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About 10Life
10Life is Hong Kong’s leading independent insurance comparison platform, founded by insurance professionals with a single purpose: to make insurance fair. Powered by technology and guided by consumer interest, 10Life delivers fair products, fair advice and fair claims support. Its pioneering product rating system empowers more than 2.3 million users annually to compare insurance with confidence. A team of in-house advisors provides recommendations based solely on customer needs with no hard sell. Independent claims specialists advocate for policyholders, navigating the claims process and challenging insurers when necessary to secure fair outcomes. To learn more or compare insurance products, visit 10Life.com
HONG KONG, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tam Jai International Co. Limited (“TJI“, “Tam Jai” or the “Company“, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group“), one of the leading and renowned restaurant groups in Hong Kong, is pleased to announce its inaugural entry into the Philippines with the opening of the first TamJai Mixian store through a franchise partnership with Suyen Corporation, representing a further advancement in the Group’s expansion in the Asia Pacific region.
The grand opening ceremony of the new restaurant was officiated by Mr Daren Lau, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TJI; The Honourable Lani Cayetano, Mayor of Taguig City; The Honourable Jorge Bocobo, Congressman of the Second District of Taguig City, Metro Manila; Mr Virgilio Lim, President of franchise partner Suyen Corporation; as well as Mr Enrique B. Manuel Jr., Chief Operating Officer, and Ms Lou Reyes, Chief Financial Officer of Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation.
Located at BGC Corporate Tower Two, the new TamJai Mixian store is situated at a prime location in the heart of a thriving business hub in Taguig, a vibrant city in Metro Manila, the Philippines. The high-end commercial tower is conveniently located in the vicinity of key establishments such as The Philippine Stock Exchange, hotels and malls, benefiting from high footfall from a mix of working professionals, shoppers and visitors.
This Philippine store features not only TamJai Mixian’s signature soups and trademarked snacks, but also a range of tailor-designed rice bowls. It also offers a new dining experience with bowl customisation inspired by the “Mala Tang” style, making it the Group’s first overseas restaurant to introduce this concept. Customers can now enjoy a new dining experience, hand-picking from an extensive selection of ingredients and noodle bases at a dedicated food counter, apart from the traditional way of savouring Tam Jai’s mixian (rice noodles). Each bowl is freshly prepared with distinctive soup bases and Tam Jai’s iconic 10-level spice scale according to customers’ preferences, offering the authentic “Tam Jai Taste” in a contemporary style.
Adding to the excitement, the store features a sizzling open kitchen that allows customers to watch their bowl of mixian being freshly prepared to order, bowl by bowl, showcasing the craftsmanship behind each serving. This dynamic setting brings to life TamJai Mixian’s commitment to freshness, transparency and energy, immersing customers in a vibrant Hong Kong food culture experience.
The Group’s expansion into the Philippines is supported by a franchise arrangement with prominent Philippine conglomerate Suyen Corporation. Mr Ben Chan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Suyen Corporation, said, “We are honoured to introduce Hong Kong’s No. 1 noodle brand to the flourishing fast-casual food scene in the Philippines. By leveraging our expertise in the Philippine market together with Tam Jai’s unique brand identity, we are creating a powerful synergy that will drive the growth and long-term success of TamJai Mixian in the country.”
Mr Daren Lau, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TJI, said, “Our debut in the Philippines further enriches our restaurant network of more than 250 stores across the Asia Pacific region, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, Japan, Australia and Malaysia. With robust local partners in place, we will continue to broaden our footprint and grow TJI’s restaurant network in key markets.”
TamJai Mixian BGC Corporate Tower Two Store address: G/F, Unit 1 & 2, BGC Corporate Tower Two, 5th Avenue. Cor 30th St, Taguig City, Philippines
Mr Daren Lau, Chairman and CEO of TJI (right 1); Mayor Lani Cayetano (right 3); Congressman Jorge Bocobo (right 2); franchise partner Suyen Corporation and landlord representatives officiate the debut of TamJai Mixian in the Philippines.
About Tam Jai International Co. Limited
As one of the leading restaurant groups in Hong Kong, TJI has rapidly expanded its network to over 250 stores across various markets, including Mainland China, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Apart from self-operating restaurants, the Group also adopts alternative models such as joint venture, franchise or strategic partnership for overseas markets. The Group’s portfolio of distinguished brands includes TamJai Yunnan Mixian (譚仔雲南米線), TamJai SamGor Mixian (譚仔三哥米線), and international brand TamJai Mixian, as well as Japanese dining brands, Marugame Seimen and Yakiniku Yamagyu, through franchise and licensing in Hong Kong.
With highly standardised operations, an innovative spirit and an efficient management model, TJI is committed to providing customers with a quality yet affordable dining experience while ambitiously expanding its footprint across the globe.
HONG KONG, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tam Jai International Co. Limited (“TJI“, “Tam Jai” or the “Company“, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group“), one of the leading and renowned restaurant groups in Hong Kong, is pleased to announce its inaugural entry into the Philippines with the opening of the first TamJai Mixian store through a franchise partnership with Suyen Corporation, representing a further advancement in the Group’s expansion in the Asia Pacific region.
Located at BGC Corporate Tower Two, the new TamJai Mixian store is situated at a prime location in the heart of a thriving business hub in Taguig city. This Philippine store features not only TamJai Mixian’s signature soups and trademarked snacks, but also a range of tailor-designed rice bowls. It also offers a new dining experience with bowl customisation inspired by the “Mala Tang” style, making it the Group’s first overseas restaurant to introduce this concept. Each bowl is freshly prepared with distinctive soup bases and Tam Jai’s iconic 10-level spice scale according to customers’ preferences, offering the authentic “Tam Jai Taste” in a contemporary style.
Mr Ben Chan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Suyen Corporation, said, “We are honoured to introduce Hong Kong’s No. 1 noodle brand to the flourishing fast-casual food scene in the Philippines. By leveraging our expertise in the Philippine market together with Tam Jai’s unique brand identity, we are creating a powerful synergy that will drive the growth and long-term success of TamJai Mixian in the country.”
Mr Daren Lau, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TJI, said, “Our debut in the Philippines further enriches our restaurant network of more than 250 stores across the Asia Pacific region, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, Japan, Australia and Malaysia. With robust local partners in place, we will continue to broaden our footprint and grow TJI’s restaurant network in key markets.”
Store address: G/F, Unit 1 & 2, BGC Corporate Tower Two, 5th Avenue. Cor 30th St, Taguig City, Philippines
Mr Daren Lau, Chairman and CEO of TJI (right 1); Mayor Lani Cayetano (right 3); Congressman Jorge Bocobo (right 2); franchise partner Suyen Corporation officiate the debut in the Philippines.
About Tam Jai International Co. Limited As one of the leading restaurant groups in Hong Kong, TJI has rapidly expanded its network to over 250 stores across various markets, including Mainland China, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Apart from self-operating restaurants, the Group also adopts alternative models such as joint venture, franchise or strategic partnership for overseas markets. The Group’s portfolio of distinguished brands includes TamJai Yunnan Mixian (譚仔雲南米線), TamJai SamGor Mixian (譚仔三哥米線), and international brand TamJai Mixian, as well as Japanese dining brands, Marugame Seimen and Yakiniku Yamagyu, through franchise and licensing in Hong Kong.
Building on Strong Performance Momentum From the Past Decade
SYDNEY, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — VT Markets, a leading global online trading platform, today shares its performance highlights in 2025, marking a milestone year of record-breaking trading activity, client base growth, and global expansion.
VT Markets Advances Growth in 2026, Building on Strong Performance From the Past Decade
Throughout 2025, VT Markets set new benchmarks for monthly trading activity. In April, transaction volumes reached USD 720 billion, before surpassing that figure in October 2025 with USD 1.2 trillion trading volume, underscoring sustained client engagement and increased market participation across global markets.
Client growth surged significantly toward the end of the year, with daily active users doubling in December 2025. This underscores the platform’s increasing relevance among active traders globally. Additionally, VT Markets continued to deliver high-quality service and a steadfast experience to its customer base, as reflected in its 4.3-star Trustpilot rating, supported by over 1,500 5-star reviews.
In support of long-term client development, VT Markets relaunched VT Academy in 2025, offering over 40 educational courses in more than five languages. These courses are designed to enhance trading knowledge, serve a diverse range of clients, from new traders seeking financial knowledge to institutional clients focused on business growth and volume, and support more informed market participation.
Regional markets delivered strong year-on-year growth, driven by targeted expansion strategies and deeper local engagement. In parallel with regional expansion, VT Markets strengthened its industry presence throughout 2025, participating in 54 regional and global industry events and earning more than 32 industry awards, reflecting continued recognition across both retail and professional trading segments.
To support this expansion, VT Markets continued to scale its global organisation. Team size increased by 135% year-on-year, with presence across 10 offices worldwide including new regional hubs in Dubai and Mexico to strengthen operational capacity, technology development, and client support functions.
As VT Markets moves forward in 2026, the company is focused on building on the scale achieved in 2025 through continued investment in platform performance, regional market development, and organisational capability. Supported by record trading activity, accelerating client engagement, and expanded global operations, VT Markets enters the new year positioned to pursue exceptional growth while maintaining the performance standards expected by its global client base.
New one-stop solution: Production-ready holographic windshield displays for OEMs
Smart windshields: Holography turns glass into transparent info- and infotainment interfaces
Industrialization by 2029: Alliance ensures reliable, cost-efficient series production
NORDERSTEDT, Germany, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — tesa, international manufacturer of innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions, ZEISS, Saint-Gobain Sekurit, and Hyundai Mobis announce the formation of a visionary “QuadAlliance”. Together, they are shaping the entire value chain for automotive holographic windshield displays (HWD), offering a fast one-stop solution: from concept design, mastering, and replication of holographic optical elements (HOE) to windshield lamination, PGU technology (picture generation unit), and HMI integration (human-machine interface). Within this alliance, the partners are driving development and meeting the industry’s growing demand for new display and infotainment formats that will define the mobility of tomorrow.
One-stop solution – production-ready holographic windshield displays for OEMs.
Turning windshields into smart, transparent interfaces
Today’s intelligent vehicles face several cockpit challenges: critical driving information is often outside the driver’s direct line of sight, and interior screens compete for space. Additional hardware can increase energy consumption and weight, while also creating visual clutter. Meanwhile, drivers expect intuitive and distinctive in-car experiences, but conventional displays limit image size and design flexibility. Holographic windshield displays solve these challenges and transform the windshield into a transparent, interactive information interface. With combined expertise, tesa, ZEISS, Saint-Gobain Sekurit, and Hyundai Mobis will bring this solution into series production.
It enables:
Ultra-large, high-transparency display: >92% HOE transmittance; more flexible sizing vs. PHUD
Superior brightness & clarity: >10,000 nit luminance (visible in direct sunlight); RGB display
Future-proof performance: Support 4K resolution and even beyond, as PGU technology evolves
Enhanced safety, comfort & privacy: In-line-of-sight display; flexible eyebox design for distraction control & visibility; dual eyebox capability for shared content
Redefined Efficiency: Enhanced light-use efficiency and big weight reduction; reduced CO₂ emissions
A comprehensive supply chain for HWD industrialization
The shared ambition of the partners is to initiate the production of holographic windshield displays by 2029. To this end, the partners are aligning their roadmaps, development resources, and qualification processes to ensure that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can access a validated, industrially proven technology platform.
By closely coordinating their respective strengths — from HOE mastering and replication to high-performance adhesive and lamination solutions and automotive-grade system integration — the four companies are streamlining interfaces along the value chain. This reduces the complexity of development for OEMs, shortens project lead times, and supports a predictable, de-risked path to series production.
“Automotive glass is evolving from a passive surface into a dynamic gateway for immersive experiences. By leveraging the strengths of our global alliance and integrating tesa’s extensive process and material expertise, we offer customers a one-stop solution that integrates seamlessly into their processes. Windshields are being transformed into transparent, holographic interfaces, redefining the connection between drivers, their vehicles, and the world around them. I am excited by the possibilities this partnership unlocks, as together we will set new standards in display design and scale these innovations globally.” Dr. Ingrid Sebald, Chief Technology Officer, tesa SE.
Benchmark for quality robustness and flexibility
The “QuadAlliance” will set new standards for quality and reliability in holographic windshield displays. All partners are trusted suppliers with proven automotive expertise. Integrated supply chains ensure security and scalability, while OEMs retain flexibility to choose and integrate partners. The partners combine advanced technology, industrial readiness, and supply chain resilience for a fast, dependable transformation of windshields into smart display surfaces.
Appendix:
Allocation of roles within the cooperation:
ZEISS: With its 40 years of expertise in holography and in-depth know-how from lithography, ZEISS provides optical design and master development of holographic film.
tesa: Renowned for process and material innovation, tesa ensures reliable and precise mass replication of holographic films.
Saint-Gobain Sekurit: Leader in innovative glazing systems, seamlessly integrating holographic films into windshield glass.
Hyundai Mobis: Expert in advanced HMI and system integration, delivering exceptional display performance with cutting-edge PGU technology.
About tesa SE
As a multinational company, tesa develops innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions for various industries, commercial customers, and end consumers. There are already more than 7,000 tesa adhesive solutions that help improve the work, products or lives of our customers. Today, the focus is on sustainability and energy-saving processes. tesa invests in the development of environmentally friendly products and solvent-free manufacture processes as well as in the use of renewable energy sources at its locations.
tesa is active in 100 countries and operates plants in Germany, Italy, China, the USA, and in Vietnam. Around three quarters of the tesa Group’s sales (2024: EUR 1.7 billion euro) are generated by applications for industries. Together with its international clients, tesa develops innovations that are customized at product and process level. tesa counts among the world’s leading manufacturers of adhesive solutions. Since 2001, tesa SE is an independent 100% affiliate of Beiersdorf AG (i.e., NIVEA, Eucerin, la prairie) with approx. 5,400 employees today.
Third edition of VivaTech’s Confidence Barometer conducted by OpinionWay among tech executives in Europe (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Netherlands) and North America (United States)
PARIS, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ –VivaTech unveils the third edition of its Tech Confidence Barometer, conducted by OpinionWay. Covering sovereignty issues, AI adoption, and investments, executives from seven countries express their strong confidence in new technologies and share their insights.
2026 VivaTech Confidence Barometer
Technological sovereignty: The emergence of an Atlantic divide
When adopting a new technological tool, 92% of executives would favor a future partner who shares their nationality, and nearly half of them (47%) would make this commonality a decisive factor.
This essential aspect is particularly emphasized by the English-speaking countries surveyed (57% in the United States and the United Kingdom), while the majority of EU members consider it a “plus”.
63% of executives say they are concerned about the loss of sovereignty that may accompany technological progress.
The geography of trust: New blocs are Forming
The geographical origin of tech solutions has a significant influence on the level of trust placed in them (86%). Nearly one in two executives (47%) cite their own country as one of the regions they trust the most, but the boundaries of trust extend far beyond that:
The United States: Confident in their own country (51%), Americans value the North American continent as a whole even more (62%).
Continental Europe stands united: 43% of European executives favor solutions from their own continent. In France, 63% place the most trust in European solutions.
The United Kingdom, between two worlds: Particularly confident (56%) in the capabilities of the UK, those surveyed place Europe on an equal footing (53%)
The AI paradox: Maximum confidence, risky practices
89% of executives trust AI to guide their company’s decisions.
83% of executives are confident in the sustainable and controlled development of financial investments in artificial intelligence. Only 17% fear a speculative bubble.
92% are confident in their ability to maintain employment levels over the next 12 months.
However, four out of ten executives have already shared information about their company with an AI tool they did not fully trust.
Investments: Record levels driven by AI and cybersecurity
Over the next 12 months, 87% of executives plan to increase their investments in artificial intelligence, and 77% in cybersecurity.
10Life.com
