Home Blog Page 1216

LG SHOWCASES FUTURE OF MOBILITY WITH AI-POWERED IN-VEHICLE SOLUTIONS AT CES 2026

CES Best of Innovation Award Winner Redefines In-Vehicle Experience Powered by Affectionate Intelligence

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an immersive experiential space at CES 2026 that brings the company’s future mobility vision to life through Affectionate Intelligence. The exhibit invites visitors to experience firsthand how AI can reshape the driver, front-passenger and rear seating areas, reimagining the whole cabin as a more intuitive and human-centered space designed to enhance every ride.

LG showcases future of mobility with LG AI-Powered In-Vehicle Solutions at CES 2026
LG showcases future of mobility with LG AI-Powered In-Vehicle Solutions at CES 2026

This new series of solutions has earned the CES 2026 Best of Innovation Award in In-Vehicle Entertainment, marking the first time the LG Vehicle Solution Company has won the category’s top honor. The system brings together cutting-edge display technology, advanced in-cabin sensing, and on-device AI under a comprehensive AI-Defined Vehicle architecture.

The showcase features three core experiential solutions: the Mobility Display Solution, which transforms the windshield into an intelligent interface; the Automotive Vision Solution, which enhances safety and delivers context-aware information to the driver and front passenger via Vision AI; and the In-Vehicle Entertainment Solution, which provides personalized content recommendations, memory-based media and real-time translation.

In the Mobility Display Solution zone, visitors can experience how AI intuitively presents essential information through a transparent OLED-equipped windshield. For example, when approaching a traffic signal, AI displays the remaining wait time above the signal, selectively providing only the most relevant information at that moment. In autonomous driving mode, the system analyzes the surrounding environment and generates corresponding visual scenes: cherry blossom petals flutter across the display on tree-lined roads, while a monotonous tunnel transforms into an enchanting forest, creating an immersive, near-virtual-reality experience.

The Automotive Vision Solution is an advanced in-cabin sensing solution powered by LG’s Automotive Vision System, designed to enhance safety while enabling context-aware, empathetic interactions and personalized content delivery. The solution tracks driver movement, gaze direction, attention, clothing color and gestures in real time, allowing the system to understand and respond to the occupant’s state. Through eye tracking and gesture control, the system expands the range of interest-based information, while anamorphic display graphics heighten immersion and realism. For instance, in autonomous driving mode, if a front-seat passenger looks at an advertisement displayed on a building, gaze recognition can trigger related information on the passenger display, providing seamless product discovery and purchasing.

The In-Vehicle Entertainment Solution delivers personalized entertainment and interactive communication. By recognizing scenery outside the vehicle, AI can display photos linked to past memories associated with that location on the window display. Passengers can share these moments in real time through video calls with family members. During long journeys, AI recommends content tailored to individual tastes, providing entertainment that turns miles into moments. In another scenario, if a restaurant staff member communicates using sign language, AI interprets the gestures into on-screen text to support smooth, two-way communication.

“We are bringing our future mobility vision to life by embedding AI across our solutions — many of which, including in-cabin sensing, are already in production with global OEMs,” said Eun Seok-hyun, president of the LG Vehicle Solution Company. “By accelerating these innovations to market, we aim to pioneer the era of AI-driven vehicles in the years ahead.”

LG AI-Powered In-Vehicle Solutions will be on display at the company’s booth during CES 2026 from January 6-9 (#15004, Las Vegas Convention Center).

About LG Electronics Vehicle Solution Company

The LG Vehicle Solution Company (VS) is bringing LG’s unique human-centered innovations to the automotive industry. As a trusted and innovative partner, the company provides intelligent solutions including head units, displays, connectivity, ADAS vision systems, and software solutions for software-defined vehicles. Committed to “Driving Better Future Mobility,” the company has diversified its portfolio to further strengthen its capabilities, including automotive lighting systems, e-powertrain, and cybersecurity. For more information, visit www.LG.com/global/mobility. To stay updated with the latest news, subscribe to the LG mobility newsletter, LG Loop at www.LG.com/global/mobility/newsletter and follow the LG VS Company LinkedIn channel at www.linkedin.com/company/lgvehiclesolution.

Wacom Enhances MovinkPad Series with ibisPaint X Integration and 180-Day Prime Membership

The latest Android update for the Wacom MovinkPad series enhances creative workflows by connecting ibisPaint X, Wacom Canvas, and Wacom Shelf, while introducing a complimentary 180-day ibisPaint Prime Membership.

TOKYO, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Wacom today released a new Android update for the Wacom MovinkPad series that introduces ibisPaint X as a pre-installed app and deepens the integration between Wacom Canvas, Wacom Shelf, and ibisPaint X — one of the world’s most popular illustration platforms — enabling creators to move seamlessly between sketching, editing, and managing their artwork.

Wacom’s MovinkPad series continues the company’s vision of portable, all-in-one creative pads for drawing anywhere. The series includes the Wacom MovinkPad 11, introduced in mid-2025, and the Wacom MovinkPad Pro 14, launched in October. These standalone pen displays combine Wacom’s signature pen technology with a built-in Android environment to deliver a complete, PC-free drawing experience.

On both devices, users will be able to open sketches created in Wacom Canvas directly in ibisPaint X or view ibisPaint X project files within Wacom Shelf. Wacom Shelf now supports IPV, the native ibisPaint X format, in addition to JPG, HEIC, PNG, CLIP, BMP, WEBP, and TIFF, allowing users to browse and organize their creations more intuitively. These improvements reflect Wacom Canvas and Wacom Shelf optimization for ibisPaint X, designed to make creative workflows even smoother.

With over 500 million downloads worldwide, ibisPaint X stands as one of the most recognized digital art apps globally.

ibisPaint X will be added with the latest Android update on the Wacom MovinkPad 11, while MovinkPad Pro 14 users can update ibisPaint X, Wacom Canvas, and Wacom Shelf through Google Play.

“With the integration of ibisPaint X, the Wacom MovinkPad series will expand to enable even more diverse creative experiences,” said Koji Yano, Senior Vice President, Creative Experience Unit at Wacom. “By connecting Wacom’s creative ecosystem with vibrant art communities around the world, we believe we can offer new opportunities and possibilities for creative expression to even more people.”

The update also introduces a complimentary 180-day ibisPaint Prime Membership for all Wacom MovinkPad users — both new and existing — giving them access to the full range of Prime features available through ibisPaint X. The Prime Membership removes ads, expands cloud storage to 20 GB, and adds access to vector tools, exclusive Prime Materials, apply Canvas Papers, Prim Fonts, and advanced filters such as Tone Curve and Gradation Map — letting users explore every detail of ibisPaint X right away.

“With ibisPaint now available on the Wacom MovinkPad series, users can enjoy a more intuitive and liberating creative experience than ever before,” said Yuka Inoue, Section Manager at ibis inc. “We believe this freedom—to draw whenever and wherever inspiration strikes—will further expand the possibilities of artistic expression. We’re also truly delighted to support creators on their creative journeys.”

This update reflects Wacom’s ongoing commitment to supporting everyone who loves to draw — from beginners exploring digital art to experienced illustrators seeking a portable, all-in-one device that adapts to their style and workflow.

To learn more about the Wacom MovinkPad series, visit: https://www.wacom.com/products/portable-pads

About Wacom

Wacom is a global leader in digital pen solutions, offering intuitive tools for writing and drawing. Our products are trusted across creative fields — from studios and classrooms to healthcare — supporting students and professionals alike. Wacom pen technologies also power many pen-enabled PCs, tablets, and phones through partnerships with top tech brands.

 

Antengene Expands XPOVIO® Indications in Malaysia with Approval in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

SHANGHAI and HONG KONG, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Antengene Corporation Limited (“Antengene”, SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative, commercial-stage global biotech company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class medicines for autoimmune disease, solid tumors and hematological malignancies indications, today announced that the Malaysian National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency has approved a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for XPOVIO® (selinexor) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after at least 2 lines of systemic therapy, who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant.

With this recent approval, XPOVIO® has further expanded its portfolio of approved indications in Malaysia, bringing the total to three indications across multiple myeloma (MM) and DLBCL, two major therapeutic areas in hematology. Prior to this, XPOVIO® was approved in Malaysia for two indications, including in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with MM who have received at least one prior therapy; and in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with MM who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least two proteasome inhibitors, two immunomodulatory agents and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, and who have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy. The latest indication expansion into DLBCL will allow XPOVIO® to benefit a broader population of patients, offering new hope and a meaningful treatment option for patients and families who have been urgently seeking effective therapies.

With a novel mechanism of action, XPOVIO® is the world’s first approved orally-available, selective XPO1 inhibitor, which has already been approved in ten countries and regions in APAC, and has been included in the national insurance schemes in five of these markets (the mainland of China, Taiwan market, Australia, Singapore and South Korea). Moving forward, XPOVIO® is expected to receive public insurance coverage in more APAC markets.

About Antengene

Antengene Corporation Limited (“Antengene”, SEHK: 6996.HK) is a global, R&D-driven, commercial-stage biotech company focused on developing first-in-class/best-in-class therapeutics for diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Its pipeline spans from preclinical to commercial stages and includes several in-house discovered programs, including ATG-022 (CLDN18.2 ADC), ATG-037 (oral CD73 inhibitor), ATG-101 (PD-L1 × 4-1BB bispecific antibody), ATG-031 (CD24-targeting macrophage activator), and ATG-042 (oral PRMT5-MTA inhibitor).

Antengene has also developed AnTenGager™, a proprietary T cell engager 2.0 platform featuring “2+1” bivalent binding for low-expressing targets, steric hindrance masking, and proprietary CD3 sequences with fast on/off kinetics to minimize cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and enhance efficacy. These characteristics support the platform’s broad applicability across autoimmune disease, solid tumors and hematological malignancies indications.

To date, Antengene has obtained 32 investigational new drug (IND) approvals in the U.S. and Asia, and submitted new drug applications (NDAs) in 11 Asia Pacific markets. Its lead commercial asset, XPOVIO® (selinexor), is approved in Mainland of China, Taiwan China, Hong Kong China, Macau China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia, and has been included in the national insurance schemes in five of these markets (Mainland of China, Taiwan China, Australia, South Korea and Singapore).

Forward-looking statements

The forward-looking statements made in this article relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this article, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this article. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, please see the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the documents subsequently submitted to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

For more information, please contact:

Investor Contacts: 
Donald Lung
E-mail: donald.lung@antengene.com  

BD Contacts:
Ariel Guo
E-mail: ariel.guo@antengene.com 

Korean Water-Tech Innovator ECOPEACE Establishes Singapore JV to Tackle Regional Water Pollution with AI Robotics

SINGAPORE, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ECOPEACE, a South Korean leader in AI- and robotics-based water-quality management, today announced the formation of a new joint venture in Singapore as the cornerstone of its expansion across Southeast Asia and beyond. This strategic move aims to introduce ECOPEACE’s flagship autonomous water purification robot, ECO-BOT, and related smart-water solutions to the region’s most critical water environments.

“We see enormous opportunity in Southeast Asia, where many communities face growing water-quality challenges,” said Chae In-won, CEO of ECOPEACE. “Our mission is to deploy cutting-edge robotics and AI to monitor, analyze, and remediate water pollution — starting here in Singapore, then expanding across the region.”

ECOPEACE: Smart Water Management Through AI, Robotics and Clean Energy

Founded in 2012, ECOPEACE has pioneered a holistic approach to water-resource management, combining AI, Big Data, robotics, and renewable energy to deliver sustainable, scalable solutions. Its flagship marine robot, ECO-BOT, is designed for autonomous operation on lakes, reservoirs, and other freshwater bodies — collecting real-time water-quality data, identifying pollutants such as algae bloom, oil, or debris, and executing targeted clean-up operations.

Equipped with solar-power modules and a durable, low-maintenance filtration system, ECO-BOT enables long-duration, unmanned operation while minimizing carbon emissions and operational costs.

Beyond its technical capabilities, ECOPEACE’s solutions embody a broader vision: leveraging advanced technology to restore aquatic ecosystems, safeguarding water resources, and enabling sustainable urban water management.

Strategic JV in Singapore: Entry Point for Regional Expansion

Recognizing Singapore’s position as a regional hub for smart-city innovation and environmental sustainability, ECOPEACE has partnered with a local business-development firm to set up a dedicated Singapore JV. This structure will support tailored deployment of ECO-BOT and associated systems, including project development, regulatory compliance, client engagement, and maintenance services — ensuring smooth adoption within Singapore’s institutions and public agencies.

This JV model allows ECOPEACE to combine its technological expertise with local market know-how, facilitating faster deployment and better alignment with regional needs.

Next Steps: Demonstrations, Scaling and Further Innovations

ECOPEACE plans to initiate pilot projects at strategic freshwater sites across Singapore, using ECO-BOT to demonstrate water-quality monitoring and remediation. Following successful pilots, the company expects to expand deployments across the region and adapt its solutions to local ecosystems and regulatory environments.

In parallel, ECOPEACE continues to develop complementary technologies — including floating purification stations and integrated water-management platforms — to offer a full suite of smart, renewable-energy-powered water solutions.

“With rising environmental pressures and increasing demand for clean water, Southeast Asia represents both a need and an opportunity,” Chae concluded. “Through our Singapore JV, ECOPEACE is committed to bringing sustainable, effective, and data-driven water-management technologies to cities that need them most.”

Robotware.ai Advances AI Poultry Disease Detection PoC in Malaysia with SDEC

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Robotware.ai , a Korea-based artificial intelligence company specializing in livestock intelligence solutions, is advancing its proof-of-concept (PoC) deployment in Malaysia in collaboration with Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) , following the successful implementation of its system at local poultry farms.

The ongoing PoC is focused on validating the real-world performance of Robotware.ai’s AI-powered poultry disease detection technology under live farm operating conditions. The initiative aligns with Malaysia’s efforts to modernize its poultry industry through data-driven operations, enhanced biosecurity, and digitally enabled agriculture.

Robotware.ai’s technology was developed to address a long-standing challenge in livestock AI adoption: the gap between algorithm-centric development and the realities of farm operations. The company is led by Yongjun Cho, Founder and CEO, a second-generation poultry farmer who currently operates two commercial farms managing approximately 120,000 laying and breeding hens. His hands-on experience has directly informed the design of AI models optimized for daily farm workflows rather than laboratory environments.

As part of the Malaysian PoC, Robotware.ai’s system is currently operating at two poultry farms, where it continuously analyzes flock behavior and acoustic signals to detect early signs of disease. The AI tracks abnormal inactivity and clustering patterns—widely recognized indicators of illness—while simultaneously applying proprietary cough-sound analysis to identify respiratory distress. By isolating relevant sounds from complex barn noise and converting them into visualized data, the system enables early detection of disease risk and identification of potential outbreak zones within the farm.

Robotware.ai is also piloting autonomous robots as part of its long-term vision for a fully unmanned farm. The robots function as mobile sensor platforms, enhancing monitoring coverage and supporting hygiene management through automated litter aeration and select on-farm tasks.

“This PoC demonstrates that AI can operate reliably in real farming environments and deliver practical, actionable insights that farmers can trust,” said Yongjun Cho.

Malaysia has emerged as a strong validation market due to its enterprise-scale poultry industry, where large agribusiness operators often manage dozens—or even hundreds—of farms. In such settings, objective AI-based monitoring plays a critical role in improving operational transparency, strengthening biosecurity, and reducing dependence on manual oversight. Based on progress from the initial PoC phase, Robotware.ai is currently in discussions with local agribusiness groups regarding a potential scale-up to approximately 50 additional farms, subject to continued performance validation.

The Malaysian PoC is being conducted under an overseas demonstration program supported by Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, the National IT Industry Promotion Agency, and the Global Digital Innovation Network, enabling close collaboration between Korean technology providers and Malaysian public-sector partners.

Building on its progress in Malaysia, Robotware.ai is also exploring similar PoC initiatives with large-scale poultry operators in India, one of the world’s largest poultry markets.

Malaysia is serving as an important reference site for our global expansion strategy,” Cho added. “The insights gained here will allow us to refine our technology and scale responsibly across Southeast Asia and beyond.”

Global Times: ‘Kunlun,’ a common emotional anchor, spiritual refuge, and homeland for the Chinese nation

BEIJING, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Editor’s Note:

Perched on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, a stone has captivated scholars by reshaping the narrative of early Chinese history. The Garitang Keshi, which can be translated as “Garitang Engraved Stone,” has been identified as an authentic relic of the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC). It records an imperial mission by Emperor Qinshihuang, who unified China for the first time, to seek the elixir of life from the mythical Kunlun Mountains. Scholars highlight the stone as a geographic anchor that places the legendary “Kunlun” near the source region of the Yellow River, making it irrefutable proof of the exchanges between the Central Plains and the plateau over 2,200 years ago. This series will illuminate how this stone embodies the interconnected nature of Chinese culture shaped by ethnic exchanges, decode the multidisciplinary science behind the find, and explore the evolving legend of the Kunlun myth. This third part of the trilogy attempts to explain how the cultural concept of Kunlun was born as well as its contribution to Chinese civilization.

It is not difficult to identify the two Chinese characters for Kunlun on the inscribed surface area on the Garitang Engraved Stone. The stone is situated on the northern shore of Gyaring Lake in Maduo county, Northwest China’s Qinghai Province, at an altitude of 4,306 meters, and has been determined by archaeologists to be engraved during the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC).

As the source of many Chinese tales, the Kunlun Mountains have long been seen as the origin of the Chinese civilization. For ancient Chinese people, “Kunlun” transcended geography and became a cultural symbol, even though the geographical coordinates of “Kunlun” consistently moved westward from the early locations like the Qinling Mountains to the later Pamir Plateau.

Kunlun culture in China centers on the mythical and sacred Kunlun Mountains, viewed as the “Ancestor of Ten Thousand Mountains,” a celestial dwelling for gods like the “Queen Mother of the West,” a gateway to immortality, and a source of divine wisdom. It features in ancient texts like the Shan Hai Jing.

The Shan Hai Jing (The Classic of Mountains and Seas), a major source of Chinese mythology that dates back more than 2,000 years, describes the sacred geography before the Qin Dynasty and the many mythical creatures living in the Great Wilderness. Although these creatures are only mentioned in a few lines, they have fascinated artists for centuries, who have depicted them in different forms in art.

For Chinese sculptor Qiu Qijing, Kunlun mythology is not just something that inspires his art installations such as Zhu Long (dragon) or a mountain guardian with no feet and a red body, but an artistic pursuit that he spent years on.

“My creative journey with the Shan Hai Jing began in 2012 with a serendipitous discovery of traditional classical painting albums, which revealed a multitude of mythical creatures that largely trace back to this ancient text,” he told the Global Times. This encounter sparked over a decade of dedicated work on large-scale sculptures based on these divine beasts.

As his research deepened over time, he discovered the traditional text also delved into philology and had profound philosophical connotations, embodying the exceptionally deep wisdom of ancient people – “a wisdom that remains highly relevant as we re-examine present and future possibilities,” Qiu noted.

For over a decade, Wu Xinhua, a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has been traversing the Kunlun Mountains on foot. He said that “Kunlun is by no means just a mountain. Kunlun culture can be considered one of the spiritual symbols of Chinese civilization.”

Cultural symbol

Major civilizations around the world are almost all river valley civilizations, characterized by a prominent reverence for mountains and rivers. China is no different. “The difference lies in the fact that China has developed the unique worship of Kunlun and the culture surrounding it,” Wu added.

Wu, who is also former head of the Xinjiang Archaeological Team of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has long been dedicated to studying Kunlun culture by integrating years of archaeological practice. He has published many articles elaborating on his understanding of Kunlun culture and the philosophy behind it.

Kunlun is a composite cultural concept, with its core meaning being “heaven” and its primary function being to “communicate with heaven.”

The concept of “all under heaven” did not originate from a mountain called Kunlun. Instead, it belongs to “a cultural or civilizational narrative, and the cosmology it represents inherently signifies a civilization’s understanding and construction of the origin and order of the universe, as well as its relationship with human life,” he stated.

Wang Xianhua, dean of the School of Humanities at the ­Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, agreed with this view, saying in an interview with the Global Times on Monday that “the Kunlun symbol can be considered a hallmark of Chinese civilization, representing the concept of ‘all under heaven’ in Chinese cosmology – the center of the world.”

If we regard Heyuan, the origin of the Yellow River, as where Kunlun locates as indicated by the Garitang Engraved Stone, the geographical scope of Chinese civilization would be viewed differently.

Kunlun is rooted in the concepts of the Mandate of Heaven and “all under heaven,” encompassing multidimensional connotations of Chinese history, culture, mythology, natural geography, and more.

The ancient Chinese consciously established geography and measured time based on astronomical observations. In ancient Chinese mythology, the story of Kuafu, a giant who indefatigably chased the Sun, is undoubtedly a vivid reflection of early civilized societies’ observations of celestial phenomena and measuring shadows. Meanwhile, Nüwa’s mending of the sky hints at the scientific progress of the ancients in refining the calendar. In fact, this astronomical foundation is what allowed Kunlun culture to take shape.

During the formative period of Kunlun culture, the exploration of “heaven” was a central element of spiritual life, reflecting the ancient Chinese people’s relentless pursuit of understanding the unknown and the natural world, according to results of studies which have become common sense among researchers.

The Shan Hai Jing serves as a quintessential representation of the mythical Kunlun, featuring figures such as Pangu, Gonggong, Nüwa, Fuxi, and the Yellow Emperor. Subsequent texts further recorded myths associated with Kunlun, gradually forming a comprehensive mythological system, said Qiu. Myths like “Houyi shooting the suns,” and “Nüwa mending the sky,” are all set around Kunlun, embodying the Chinese nation’s spirit of perseverance, tenacity, and courage in the face of adversity.

Kunlun also frequently appears in ancient literary and artistic works, serving as a common emotional anchor, spiritual refuge, and homeland for the Chinese nation. This is evidenced in verses such as Li Bai’s “The Yellow River, rushing from Kunlun, breaches its gates and roars for ten thousand miles,” and Su Shi’s “Who has seen the primal murk? The Yellow River’s pulse from Kunlun springs.”

Finding Kunlun

In the vast land of China, “Kunlun” is everywhere. It is not merely a geographical concept but also a key to interpreting the enduring vitality of Chinese civilization.

“Where are the geographical coordinates of Kunlun?” Wu pointed out that the concept of Kunlun existed before the discovery of the physical Kunlun Mountains, and its perceived location has not been fixed throughout history. In the early tribal era, any lofty mountain significant to a particular clan could be regarded as their own “Kunlun.”

From early locations like the Qinling Mountains to the later Pamir Plateau, the geographical coordinates of “Kunlun” moved westward. This shift reflected the continuous expansion of the Chinese civilization’s concept of “all under heaven.”

During the pre-Qin period, Kunlun served as a symbol of the “center of the world” and was closely associated with the core territories of the dynasty. Throughout the Xia (c.2070BC-c.1600BC), Shang (c.1600BC-1046BC), and Zhou (1046BC-256BC) dynasties, the Qinling Mountains, located at the heart of the dynastic domain, were regarded as “Kunlun.”

The Garitang Engraved Stone, dating from the reign of Emperor Qinshihuang, provides material evidence of practices aimed at tracing the source of the Yellow River and exploring Kunlun.

Approximately 2,100 years ago, during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220), as the state intensified its management of the Western Regions, the Southern Mountains of the Western Regions (with the Yutian Jade River identified as the river source) were officially designated as Kunlun. This act can be seen as a state-level interpretation of “Kunlun as the center of the world,” establishing the Kunlun Mountains as a marker for the western frontiers of the empire.

“Why did the geographical coordinates of Kunlun continue to shift westward? The key lies in Kunlun’s ‘all-under-heaven’ nature. It was not merely a geographical marker, but also a symbol of national sovereignty and cultural influence,” said Wu.

Kunlun, symbolizing “the place that possesses all things” and representing a source of ancient civilizational achievements and wealth, naturally oriented the core direction of the Silk Road toward the East, toward China.

With the strengthening of the nation’s governance over the Western Regions, Kunlun gradually shifted westward to the area of today’s Kunlun Mountains. During the Han Dynasty, the establishment of the Yangguan Pass and Yumen Pass, which controlled the Hexi Corridor and the routes to the Western Regions, solidified Kunlun’s role as a cultural symbol marking the incorporation of the Western Regions into Chinese territory.

Essence of Kunlun culture

Studying Kunlun means understanding China’s unique cosmology and view of all under heaven, and the ethical values of Chinese civilization. It is also about deciphering the cultural code that explains its enduring vitality through centuries of challenges, added Wu.

The formation, development, and evolution of Kunlun culture represent a lengthy historical narrative spanning millennia, documenting the prolonged interactions, exchanges, and integration among the Chinese nation.

Jidi Majia, director of the Poetry Committee of the China Writers Association, who once worked in Qing­hai for nine years, has spearheaded multiple sessions of the Kunlun Mythology and World Creation Myths International Academic Forum. This initiative aims to foster dialogue and exchanges among different civilizations worldwide, offering a renewed interpretation of Kunlun mythology.

“The discovery of the Garitang Engraved Stone confirms a truth: The source code sought by the ancients remains the direction through which we today unlock and traverse this hidden path,” he told the Global Times, highlighting the importance of research and attention paid to Kunlun culture.

The focus on and research into Kunlun culture have transcended mere academic interest, becoming a subject of our times that connects history with reality, traces cultural roots, fosters national spirit, and contemplates the future of civilization.

It not only centrally embodies the five distinctive features of Chinese civilization – continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness, and peace – but also represents a vital spiritual force for national rejuvenation that can be continually activated in the new era. “This is the fundamental reason why Kunlun culture transcends time and space to evoke such widespread and profound resonance,” Wu told the Global Times.

In artist Qiu Qijing’s mind, Kunlun is “the ultimate destination of the core spiritual beliefs of the Chinese nation. “I am really looking forward to my pilgrimage plan to Mount Kailash,” he said.

ICAC Commissioner attends international anti-graft conference online while staying in Hong Kong to oversee corruption investigation

HONG KONG, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming, in his capacity of President of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), earlier attended the IAACA Annual Conference held in Doha, Qatar and delivered an opening remarks through video conferencing.

ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming delivers an opening remarks via video conferencing at the IAACA Annual Conference.
ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming delivers an opening remarks via video conferencing at the IAACA Annual Conference.

Mr Woo was going to head a delegation to Doha to chair the IAACA Executive Committee meeting, attend the IAACA Annual Conference and host bilateral meetings with heads of anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) between December 12 and 14. In light of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Mr Woo decided to stay in Hong Kong to oversee the related corruption investigation, and chose to attend the Annual Conference through video conferencing.

Since the Commission assumed IAACA presidency in 2022, it was the first time for the ICAC to host the Annual Conference overseas. The event, which attracted over 250 graft fighters, government officials, international organisation representatives and prominent scholars from anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies of 80 jurisdictions worldwide, served as a platform to chart the path for enhancing global anti-corruption capability in the coming year. Mr Woo also took the opportunity to brief the international counterparts the comprehensive rescue and relief measures taken by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government after the Tai Po fire.

“Following the tragedy, the government and the community work hand in hand to support the affected families. Apart from providing financial relief and accommodation, the government is also drawing up measures to enable the society to gradually return to normalcy. The ICAC, being the sole anti-corruption agency in Hong Kong, has launched a full investigation into possible corruption in the incident in order to bring lawbreakers to justice. As ICAC Commissioner, it is my duty to stay in Hong Kong at this critical juncture to oversee the progress and professionalism of the investigation,” Mr Woo shared in the video.

Mr Woo added that despite the challenges brought by the fire incident, the HKSAR Government conducted the Legislative Council General Election last Sunday as scheduled, as it was essential for the Government to work with the new legislature on legislative and systemic reforms as soon as possible to prevent reoccurrence of similar tragedies. “The ICAC also plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity, fairness, justice and order of this public election. It demonstrates that the Government and citizens are working shoulder to shoulder to maintain constitutional order. It also shows our respect for the rule of law and our determination to create a brighter future,” Mr Woo said.

Mr Woo expressed his gratitude to Advocate Andy JL Mothibi, Head of the Special Investigating Unit of South Africa and the Vice President of IAACA, for hosting several important meetings in his stead.

Apart from organising the IAACA conferences and coordinating related tasks, the ICAC team also attended other international anti-corruption conferences in Doha from December 14 to 19, including the Steering Committee Meeting of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) under the United Nations to discuss its future development goals and work strategies. Joining the Chinese Mainland delegation, the ICAC team also participated in the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption to discuss the implementations and executions of the Convention with over a thousand members of the state parties. The ICAC team will also share the Commission’s latest anti-corruption initiatives at various side events, covering diverse topics including the Corruption Risk Management Guide for Prison Systems, “Coding4Integrity Hackathon”, technology-driven anti-corruption strategies, financial investigation techniques, methodologies on measuring the effectiveness of ACAs, etc.

ICAC officers attend the GlobE Network’s Steering Committee Meeting.
ICAC officers attend the GlobE Network’s Steering Committee Meeting.

Aussie medtech Ferronova raises another $6 million to advance image-guided cancer surgery

ADELAIDE, Australia, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Australian company Ferronova has raised a further $6 million to progress the commercialisation of a novel nanoparticle image-guided surgery solution seeking to improve identification of cancer cells and reduce the risk of undetected recurrence following surgery.

Ferronova’s super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles bind to cells found in lymph nodes which aim to enable identification of tissue that could contain cancerous cells. The technology aims to support more informed surgical decision-making and address the problem that cancer cells are often not identified by current imaging and rogue cells may remain undetected in surgery.

Ferronova’s latest $6 million round was led by existing investors Uniseed/UniSuper, South Australian Venture Capital Fund, Artesian Venture Partners and Renew Pharmaceuticals (a subsidiary of Singapore-based Ultragreen.ai). The latest capital raising brings the total generated in Series A rounds to $17.5 million.

Ferronova is currently undertaking a 60 patient, two-year trial of the technology in stomach and oesophageal cancers – with 54 patients enrolled to date and completion expected in early 2026. The trial involves leading national research centres including the Olivia Newton John Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Adelaide Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre. Plans are underway to continue research in the US over the next two years.

Ferronova CEO Stewart Bartlett said that while surgery remains the only curative treatment for most patients, surgical research only attracts 0.1% of global cancer research funding[1]

“We all know someone who had surgery to remove lesions only for the cancer to return and how devastating that can be.

“The challenge is particularly evident in stomach and oesophageal cancer, where recurrence after surgery occurs in over 60% of patients[2].  Three-year survival can be as low as 41% in stomach cancer and 27% in oesophageal cancer.

“We are pioneering a novel, image guided surgery tracer that is being developed to help pre-operatively identify areas where cancer may have metastasised. The aim is for surgeons to perform more precise surgery by better locating lymph nodes at risk of cancer. If successful, that’s a game changer.

“Approximately 1.8 million people are diagnosed with stomach and oesophageal cancer globally each year. Our ambition is to support an increase in curative outcomes through improved surgical guidance.”

Mr Declan Cassells, COO of Ultragreen.ai (parent company of Renew Pharmaceuticals Ltd), noted that interest in fluorescence guided surgery continues to accelerate globally.  UltraGreen.ai earlier this month successfully listed on the Singapore Exchange, further strengthening its ability to advance its fluorescence guided surgery platform globally.

“Ferronova’s novel approach aligns closely with our focus on fluorescence-guided surgery. Their tracer technology may offer particular promise in complex cancers where conventional imaging approaches are limited.

“We see strong potential in this area of research and believe Ferronova’s development programme complements our broader commitment to improving surgical precision and outcomes. We are pleased to support their progress into later-stage clinical studies and ultimately commercialisation.”

ABOUT FERRONOVA

Ferronova is an Australian medical technology company headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia. Its mission is to improve treatment options in early stage, complex cancers and increase survival rates with its unique surgical oncology tracer system. Shareholders include Renew Pharmaceuticals Limited (subsidiary of UltraGreen.ai), Uniseed/UniSuper, the South Australian Venture Capital Fund (SAVCF), Artesian Venture Partners, the University of South Australia, Powerhouse Ventures, the University of Wellington in New Zealand, the University of Sydney, PAN Ventures, STOIC Venture Capital, and Perennial Partners Future of HealthCare Fund. Grant assistance has been provided by the SA Government since 2016 and through the Federal Government’s BioMedTech Horizons Program, operated by MTPConnect and Australian Government CRC-P program. For more information go to: www.ferronova.com.au

[1] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00182-1/fulltext

[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27931221/