HAIKOU, China, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Hainan Free Trade Port launched an international services portal on Dec. 15, three days before the launch of its landmark island-wide special customs operations. The portal, en.hainan.gov.cn, centralizes information and streamlines services for expatriates and foreign-invested enterprises.
Expats share their expectations for the Hainan Free Trade Port International Services portal, highlighting the need for comprehensive, reliable information, and convenient services
The timing coincides with the island province’s push to increase accessibility as it reaches a key juncture in its development. The island-wide special customs operations, set to begin on Dec 18, mark a significant phase in China’s wider opening-up policy.
For the international community in Hainan, the portal addresses a long-standing need for consolidated, reliable information.
“I believe it represents the culmination of the many efforts to make Hainan more accessible for foreign nationals,” said David Adrian Janke, an entrepreneur and translator from the United Kingdom. “I am glad that there is now a reliable platform that puts the breadth and depth of various aspects of living, working and doing business in Hainan at users’ fingertips.”
The multilingual portal features seven primary sections, including Dynamic Hainan, an introduction to the island province; Do Business, serving the FTP’s goal of building a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment; and Online Services. It offers 44 high-demand service categories and 95 specific international service items, each with bilingual Chinese-English guides. The portal was initially launched in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic.
Jan Kerekes, a Slovak-Canadian working in international trade, noted a dramatic improvement in convenience. “Now, all procedures are centralized on the portal, and frequently used services such as enterprise registration and consular authentication can be completed through the portal,” he said.
Other international users pointed to its potential for deepening business engagement. South African entrepreneur Lara Netherlands, founder of an economic consulting firm, said she hopes to use the portal to gain detailed policy insights and “facilitate clients with tailored business plans and a soft landing in the Hainan FTP”.
We sincerely invite friends from around the world to follow our website (en.hainan.gov.cn) as well as our social media accounts of Facebook (@HainanIntlServices), X (@HainanFTPChina), Instagram (@hainanintlservices), TikTok (@hainanintlservices) and our WeChat official account (Hainan International Services).
Ringing in the New Year, the extended collection promotes moderation and conscious drinking throughout the festive season and beyond
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – Carlsberg Hong Kong is championing moderation and mindful drinking with the launch of its extended No & Low-Alcohol Range and Beyond Beer product collection to ring in the New Year. Available from January 2026, the perfectly timed launch coincides with the season of gathering and the upcoming Dry January. The collection offers a refreshing, flavourful alternative for those looking to drink more consciously without compromising on taste or experience.
Carlsberg Hong Kong rings in the New Year with extended collection No & Low-Alcohol Range and Beyond Beer collection for conscious celebrations beyond the festive season
At the heart of this collection is Carlsberg 0.0, the flagship product that sets the standard for mindful drinking. With No Alcohol, No Sugar, and Low Calories, Carlsberg 0.0 delivers all the taste without the compromise – perfect for those who want to celebrate responsibly while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. True to its tagline, “Alcohol Free; Not Flavor Free,” Carlsberg No & Low-Alcohol Range together with its Beyond Beer collection proves that great beer experiences don’t need alcohol to shine.
Carlsberg Hong Kong Toasts to Mindful Drinking Choices
Driven by increasing consumer demand for healthier and more inclusive drinking options, especially among younger generations, Carlsberg Hong Kong’s latest beverage series embraces the shift toward moderation. Whether it’s over a festive meal, after a workout, or out with friends, the No & Low-Alcohol Range and Beyond Beer products is designed to support all types of occasions.
At the heart of the No & Low-Alcohol Range is Carlsberg 0.0, the flagship product that sets the standard for mindful drinking
The lineup features new additions to Carlsberg’s expanding No & Low-Alcohol product portfolio, including:
Poretti Zero, recognised as the winner of Italy’s “Elected Product of the Year 2025” in the Non-Alcoholic Beer Category, known for its delicate and velvety body crafted from four varieties of hops.
Erdinger Alkoholfrei, is a full-bodied alcohol-free beer (ABV <0.5%) filled with notes of spicy malt, caramel sweetness and a touch of fruity acidity.
These are accompanied by trusted favourites like Carlsberg 0.0 – crafted using a unique brewing process that gently removes alcohol through evaporation, preserving the full flavour and refreshing character of traditional beer – Young Master Zero, Young Master Another One, Tetley’s Original Bitter, and the newly rebranded Jolly Shandy Lemon.
This launch also marks the first Dry January since Carlsberg Hong Kong began its strategic partnership with Young Master Brewery, holding exclusive distribution rights for its full portfolio of beers and Ready-to-Drink (“RTD”) products in Hong Kong and Macau since September. With this collaboration, Carlsberg is bringing Young Master’s award-winning products to more consumers than ever before through its extensive distribution network.
Nathaniel Moxom, Managing Director of Carlsberg Hong Kong and Taiwan, said “We are proud to lead the way in promoting mindful drinking and expanding the choices available to our consumers. Through our No & Low-Alcohol Range and Beyond Beer portfolio, we aim to make moderation both accessible and enjoyable, perfectly in tune with today’s evolving lifestyle habits.”
Discover What’s Brewing Beyond Beer
Carlsberg Hong Kong is also introducing a new product category under Beyond Beer, all with purest flavours derived from quality ingredients. This includes a curated range of premium mixers and non-alcoholic beverages designed to elevate the drinking experience, whether enjoyed on their own or as part of creative mocktails. Highlights include:
Sophisticated mixers from The London Essence Company ranging from Indian tonic water, soda water and a delicate ginger ale.
HIGHERTHAN 0% Salted Lime Soda with Electrolytes from HIGHERTHAN by Young Master, a first-in-market beverage featuring classic Hong Kong salted lime flavour, with added electrolytes – reimagined for modern hydration and boost.
Exclusive Deals to Sip, Shop and Savour
Carlsberg Hong Kong is rolling out a series of consumer promotions both in retail and on-premises throughout January. Shoppers at major supermarkets like Wellcome, ParknShop, city’super, and HKTVmall can enjoy special pricing and gifts with purchase. Customers who purchase designated amount of Carlsberg 0.0 in selected stores or ECOM platforms will receive a complimentary branded shoe bag. A tasting booth at designated city’super will also offer samples of Carlsberg 0.0, Poretti 0.0 and Erdinger 0.0 for curious shoppers.
On foodpanda, the full No & Low-Alcohol Beer and Beyond Beer range will be featured from January lasting for 6 weeks, with alcohol-free selections featured prominently for easy discovery. Participating restaurant brands will offer special promotions and in-app pick-up discounts to make conscious drinking even more accessible.
Around 70 participating outlets will run a Loyalty Stamp Card Programme throughout January. Guests who collect four stamps – one for each purchase of a Carlsberg 0.0 bottle – can redeem an exclusive Carlsberg 0.0 shoe bag, available while supplies last.
Hashtag: #CarlsbergHongKong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Carlsberg Hong Kong
Carlsberg has grown into one of the world’s leading brewery groups, boasting an extensive portfolio of beer and beverage brands across 150 markets and employing 37,000 staff globally. Carlsberg Brewery Hong Kong Limited offers a diverse range of beers, including Carlsberg, 1664, Somersby, and SKOL.
With a rich tradition spanning 178 years, Carlsberg is driven by a spirit of innovation, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to progress. The company is dedicated to brewing for a better today and tomorrow, continuously striving to enhance its offerings and foster a sustainable future.
EMEISHAN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – On the evening of December 14, as the 218-meter-high Twin Towers lit up with a spectacular giant-screen light show, the launch ceremony of the 2025 Leshan Winter Tour and the 27th Mount Emei Ice, Snow & Hot Spring Season was held at Jiaozi Music Square in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Organized by the People’s Government of Emeishan City and the Mount Emei Scenic Area Management Committee, the event invited global travelers to “have fun in the snow”.
On December 14, the launch ceremony of the 2025 Leshan Winter Tour and the 27th Mount Emei Ice, Snow & Hot Spring Season was held in Chengdu.
As night fell, the dazzling light show on the Jiaozhi Twin Towers brought the iconic cultural and tourism elements of Mount Emei to life through dynamic visuals, from towering peaks and misty hot springs to auspicious, adorable elephants, playful monkeys, and flurrying snowscapes. At the event, the Leshan Cultural Tourism Ambassador unveiled a winter travel guide packed with exciting new experiences beyond the classic “snow sightseeing, hot spring baths, and culinary delights”. Visitors can explore the region aboard double-decker sightseeing buses, stop at unique spots such as the Diechuan Malt Whisky Experience Center on the southern slopes of Mount Emei, or discover cultural landmarks like the Palace Museum Relics Southward Migration Exhibition Hall. This journey offers a profound blend of natural experiences and cultural discovery.
Mount Emei’s Snow-clad Peaks
The event also featured an innovative skit that presented novel ways to enjoy Mount Emei in winter. Malaysian tourists joined actors in immersive scenes, from admiring snow-capped vistas at the Golden Summit, skiing at the Leidongping Ski Resort, soaking in the therapeutic Lingxiu Hot Springs, to exploring the intangible cultural heritage of Emei Wushu. The immersive performance allowed them to fully experience the captivating winter charm of Mount Emei.
Additionally, the Mount Emei Scenic Area introduced three highly anticipated winter travel incentives that evening.
From January 1 to April 30, 2026 (excluding the Spring Festival Golden Week), full-price ticket holders who visit only either the Qingyin Area or the Wannian Area, or hike to the Golden Summit Area from these two spots, will automatically receive scenic area exclusive currency equivalent to 50% of their ticket price. This credit will be deposited into their digital wallets on the official tourism platform of Mount Emei and is redeemable for expenses at both online and offline partner merchants, covering dining, accommodation, cultural and creative products, and other eligible purchases.
From December 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026 (excluding national statutory holidays), individual shareholders holding 500 or more shares of Emeishan A stock as well as representatives of corporate shareholders are entitled to four exclusive complimentary privileges: free entry to the scenic area, free access to the Wannian Cableway, free snowboarding at the Leidongping Ski Resort, and free admission to the three major hot springs. Accompanying family members are also entitled to seven exclusive discount privileges for scenic area tickets, cableway rides, and hot spring access.
Tailored preferential policies are available for various tour groups, including full-mountain tour groups, large-scale tour groups, inbound tour groups, and study tour groups. Guides and leaders of inbound tour groups (including those from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions) are eligible for a 50% discount on sightseeing bus tickets, with the groups being eligible for half-price admission to the Mount Emei Scenic Area.
This year’s Ice, Snow & Hot Spring Season will last through March 2026, transforming Mount Emei into a winter-long paradise of snow and joy. Beyond the classic experiences like snow fun and hot spring baths, a series of innovative interactive events will be launched, including the “Global Search for Emei’s Kindred Spirits” campaign, the Ice and Snow Kung Fu Challenge, and the “Snowy Little Macaque” Photography Contest.
Awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for New Technology Commercialization at the Industrial Technology Merit Awards, validating its technological excellence and reliability
Proprietary 3D-structured lens technology reduces light pollution and cuts power consumption by more than 30%
New product to debut at CES and ISE next year, targeting North American and European smart city and infrastructure markets
SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LED display specialist L&D Tech has been recognized for its exceptional technological capabilities, securing consecutive government commendations.
The company announced that its energy-saving LED display has been selected as a “World-Class Product” by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and has also received the Prime Minister’s Award in the New Technology Commercialization Promotion category at the 2025 Industrial Technology Merit Awards.
This prestigious recognition underscores not only the technological innovation behind L&D Tech’s energy-saving LED display but also its practical impact and proven reliability across real industrial environments. The product’s core lies in L&D Tech’s proprietary 3D-structured LED PKG and Half-Dome lens–based directional beam control technology.
Conventional displays disperse light broadly, resulting in significant wasted upward light. L&D Tech’s technology minimizes unnecessary upward emission, effectively addressing the growing issue of urban light pollution, while concentrating illumination within the required viewing angle. This approach maintains vivid image quality and simultaneously reduces power consumption by more than 30% at equivalent brightness levels. The solution enables both lower carbon emissions and reduced operating costs, making it highly appealing to corporations and municipalities pursuing ESG-aligned operations.
Building on its strong technological validation in Korea, L&D Tech is accelerating its entrance into global markets. The company will showcase the energy-saving LED display to international buyers at CES 2026 in Las Vegas this January and at ISE 2026, Europe’s leading display exhibition, the following February.
With this global launch, the company plans to target the U.S. and European markets, where carbon neutrality and energy efficiency have become priority agendas. These regions face stringent environmental regulations and rising electricity costs, driving demand for high-efficiency, eco-friendly infrastructure. L&D Tech’s product is expected to significantly reduce OPEX for public information displays and transportation infrastructure, which require continuous 24-hour operation, solidifying its position as a key component for sustainable smart city development.
Furthermore, its light-pollution-reducing characteristics are expected to offer strong competitiveness in outdoor advertising and high-resolution display installations near residential areas.
A company spokesperson stated, “Receiving the Prime Minister’s Award and being named a World-Class Product affirms that our energy-saving LED display meets global standards in technological completeness. Beginning with our participation in CES and ISE, we will actively build global partnerships, strengthen brand recognition, and position ourselves as a leading K-display innovator driving global energy-saving trends.”
L&D Tech has been preparing for full-scale overseas expansion based on its solid domestic presence. Moving beyond hardware manufacturing, the company aims to become a global innovation leader by developing integrated solutions optimized for smart city infrastructure and outdoor advertising, consistently advancing next-generation visual display technologies.
LONDON, UK – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – Desert diamonds graced the red-carpet at this year’s Fashion Awards, held at the Royal Albert Hall on 1st December. Attendees including singer-songwriter Lily Allen, musician and actor Little Simz and racing driver Bianca Bustamante attended this evening’s Fashion Awards wearing natural diamond jewellery set with Desert diamonds.
Lily Allen, Little Simz and Bianca Bustamante Light Up The Red-Carpet In Desert Diamonds, At The Fashion Awards 2025
Lily Allen chose to wear Desert diamonds by Moussaieff, styled by Leith Clark.
High Jewellery choker with 28.72 carats of brown, rough diamonds and 55.72cts of white diamonds, set in white gold along with High Jewellery earrings with 35.82 carats and 35.66 carats of deep orange-brown diamonds and 6.43 carats of white diamonds, set in platinum.
Little Simz, winner of the Cultural Innovator of the Year, wore Desert diamonds by Ara Vartanian, styled by Luci Ellis.
Bianca Bustamante wore Desert diamonds by Ara Vartanian, styled by Holly White.
Desert diamonds capture a rare interplay of light and earthy tones, creating an intimate connection between the wild landscape from which they are born and the individual who wears them. Inspired by the breathtaking hues of vast desert landscapes, these diamonds reveal a spectrum of natural colours. Starting in warm whites and sunlit yellows through to champagne and honey tones. As the colours deepen, the palette unfolds into shades of ochre, whiskey, and sunset brown, echoing golden dunes, amber skies, and the fiery glow of the horizon.
At its heart, every desert diamond is a celebration of individuality, an invitation to choose a natural diamond that resonates with one’s own story, personal style, and sense of beauty.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
Vientiane Capital, Laos. This image is used for representational purpose only. (Photo credit: Business Information Center)
On 15 December, Vientiane Capital authorities reported that the capital generated state revenue above plan for five consecutive years, while the local economy recorded average growth of 5.34 percent per year over the past five-year period.
Vientiane Governor Atsaphangthong Siphandone, speaking at the 10th ordinary session of the Vientiane Capital People’s Council, reported on the city’s progress in addressing economic and financial challenges over the past years.
He highlighted that the capital’s economy has continued to grow in line with the national development plan, projecting 6.6 percent growth by the end of 2025 and an average growth of 5.34 percent from 2021 to 2025.
The growth, however, has been uneven across sectors. Industry led the expansion, while agriculture and services followed.
This shift also brought subtle changes to the economic structure: agriculture’s share of GDP fell to 13 percent, industry remained around 49 percent, and services rose to 38 percent.
As a result, GDP in 2025 is expected to reach LAK 89.28 trillion (about USD 4 billion), surpassing the planned target, though average GDP per capita is projected at LAK 85.17 million (around USD 3,872), slightly below expectations.
The meeting concluded that the economy is moving in the right direction, and authorities will continue implementing both the 2025 plan and the 2026 work plan for Vientiane Capital.
SINGAPORE, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In under two months, Mantle has entered a phase of unprecedented ecosystem acceleration. Registrations for the Mantle Global Hackathon 2025–2026 have now exceeded 900 registrants, coinciding with a wave of major ecosystem advancements that reinforce Mantle’s position as one of the most promising next-generation leaders in the RWA (Real-World Asset) narrative. Ecosystem “MoMNTum”: Mantle’s Global Liquidity Base is Taking Shape In the past several weeks alone, Mantle has made significant strides in expanding and deepening its on-chain liquidity foundation:
Mantle Ecosystem Accelerates Rapidly as Global Hackathon Surpasses 900+ Developer Registrations
Deep technical and liquidity integration with USDT0, strengthening Mantle’s native stablecoin liquidity layer and foundation as a critical pillar for institutional-grade RWA settlement and global on-chain finance.
Expansion of RWAs and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) partners with Aave, xStocks, Anchorage Digital, Questflow and more on Mantle, bringing verifiable, programmable, scalable, institutional-grade liquidity and tokenized real-world assets on-chain to both institutions and retail users.
Together, these developments through strong partnership with Bybit establish Mantle as the core distribution layer connecting traditional finance (TradFi) and on-chain liquidity required for RWAs, AI-powered applications, and next-generation DeFi to scale sustainably. This forms a durable long-term base for Mantle’s ecosystem growth.
Meanwhile, the utility of MNT continues to rise, driven by integrations across Bybit and other ecosystem partners, evolving from a pure gas asset into a multi-dimensional utility and credit asset powering the full Mantle economy.
Mantle Global Hackathon: A Catalyst for the Next Wave of Builders & Ecosystem Growth
The Mantle Global Hackathon 2025 launched as one of the largest hackathons in the RWA and infrastructure verticals this year, inviting builders worldwide to create the next wave of Mantle-native applications across:
3 months
6 tracks: RWA / RealFi, DeFi & Composability, AI & Oracles, ZK & Privacy, Infrastructure & Tooling, GameFi & Social
17 judges
$150,000 prize pool
In just under two months, over 900+ builders signed up across 50+ countries.
Mantle’s vision and mission is clear:
To identify, support, and accelerate the next generation of Mantle-native builders who will define the next market cycle.
Mantle is committed to a long-term builder-first philosophy:
By backing builders consistently through every market cycle, Mantle is evolving into the premier distribution layer connecting TradFi and on-chain liquidity, where real-world finance flows seamlessly with RWAs and capital.
Mantle positions itself as the premier distribution layer and gateway for institutions and TradFi to connect with onchain liquidity and access real-world assets, powering how real-world finance flows.
With over $4B+ in community-owned assets, Mantle combines credibility, liquidity and scalability with institutional-grade infrastructure to support large-scale adoption. The ecosystem is anchored by $MNT within Bybit, and built out through core ecosystem projects like mETH, fBTC, MI4 and more. This is complemented by Mantle Network’s partnerships with leading issuers and protocols such as Ethena USDe, Ondo USDY, OP-Succinct and EigenLayer.
On 17 December, Tether, a leading company in the digital asset industry, and Bitqik, a licensed cryptocurrency exchange in Laos, announced a strategic partnership aimed at promoting financial literacy around Bitcoin and stablecoins in the country.