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ZJLD Group Recorded Revenue of more than RMB7 Billion for FY2023 Annual Results

The Premiumization Strategy Saw Outstanding Results, and Brand Reputation Steadily Escalated


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 March 2024 – ZJLD Group Inc. (“ZJLD” or the “Company”, together with the Company’s subsidiaries, collectively the “Group”) (SEHK stock code: 06979. HK), an outstanding representative in the Chinese baijiu industry and the first baijiu company listed in Hong Kong Stock Exchange, is pleased to announce its annual results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (“FY2023” or the “Year”).

From left to right: Mr. LUO Yonghong, Executive Director and Vice President of ZJLD Group; Mr. NG Kwong Chue Paul, Executive Director and Company Secretary of ZJLD Group; Mr. WU Xiangdong, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of ZJLD Group; Mr. WANG Lianbo, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Ms. ZHU Lin, Executive Director and Vice President of ZJLD Group.
From left to right: Mr. LUO Yonghong, Executive Director and Vice President of ZJLD Group; Mr. NG Kwong Chue Paul, Executive Director and Company Secretary of ZJLD Group; Mr. WU Xiangdong, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of ZJLD Group; Mr. WANG Lianbo, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Ms. ZHU Lin, Executive Director and Vice President of ZJLD Group.

The key financial and business highlights are as follows:

FY 2023

(for the year ended December 31, 2023)

(RMB’000)

FY 2022

(for the year ended December 31, 2022)

(RMB’000)

Increased by
Revenue 7,030,467 5,855,917 20.1%
Revenue of the flagship brand, Zhen Jiu 4,583,208 3,822,696 19.9%
Gross profit 4,079,948 3,238,930 26.0%
Gross profit margin 58.0% 55.3% 2.7 percentage points
Adjusted net profit (non-IFRS measure) 1,622,602 1,197,289 35.5%
Adjusted net profit margin (non-IFRS measure) 23.1% 20.4% 2.7 percentage points
Final dividend per ordinary share (HK$) 0.18 N/A

  • The flagship brand of the Group, Zhen Jiu, in the sauce-aroma baijiu category, ranks as the fourth-largest sauce-aroma baijiu brand in China, with the fastest growth rate in terms of its 2023[1] revenue. Zhen Jiu contributed around 65.2% to the Group’s total revenue during the Year, representing a year-on-year increase of 19.9%. This growth can be attributed to the overall increase in revenue across various product price segments under the Zhenjiu brand. Additionally, the quality of the distribution network has been significantly enhanced, leading to increased contributions from distributor partners and retailers.
  • The increase in gross profit margin was primarily due to the strategic optimization of the Group’s product portfolio. This has effectively boosted the revenue contribution of deluxe baijiu products and products with higher gross profit margins in the same price range. As the production capacity expanded, the Group gradually replaced third-party procurement with self-produced base liquor, significantly reducing unit costs.
  • To express appreciation for the extensive support from our shareholders, the Board of Directors proposes a distribution of a final dividend of HK$0.18 per ordinary share, amounting to approximately HK$610 million in total.

Grasping the Opportunities to Transform and Upgrade in the Sauce-aroma Baijiu Market to Achieve Sustainable High-quality Growth

During the Year, the consolidation further increased in the competitive landscape of the baijiu industry. To cope with the transition from steady growth to high-quality growth in the premium sauce-aroma baijiu industry, the Group has fully embraced the market opportunities brought by the trend of market integration in the premium segment of the baijiu market. The Group formulated a clear strategy focusing on the four critical elements of the baijiu market: brand, production capacity, distribution channels, and talent. It has traversed the cycle and achieved sustainable, high-quality growth. In this regard, the Group has continued to optimize its product structure, expanding its product portfolio from deluxe to premium and above tiers and increasing the revenue contribution from premium baijiu products with higher gross profit margins within the same price range. At the same time, the Group further optimized the development of mid-priced baijiu products to meet the market demand for affordable and quality baijiu products.

The Group’s baijiu research and development team collaborates with professional institutions to develop iconic formulas by implementing strict control measures in the base liquor brewing process and improving brewing techniques to activate the ultimate flavors of its baijiu products. Regarding production capacity, the Group has actively invested in enhancing its base liquor production capacity and further improving its storage capabilities for premium base liquor. During the Year, the Group allocated more resources to promote sell-through and sell-out. This includes utilizing an immersive promotional strategy, advancing a multichannel sales network, maintaining healthy inventory levels at the distributor end, and keeping a close eye on sales performance to ensure optimal distribution and sales efficiency. As a result, the Group recorded an increase of approximately RMB840 million in gross profit from baijiu product sales during the Year, with a gross profit margin improvement of about 2.7 percentage points compared to the corresponding period in 2022.

ESG Achievement Recognized by the Industry and Committed to Pioneering in the Baijiu Industry

There has been growing attention to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues in recent years across various sectors. As one of the earliest adopters of ESG initiatives, the Group has internally established its governance frameworks and guidance and formulated a standardized ESG management and assessment system. Since 2022, the Group has identified four primary strategic objectives and over 300 ESG enhancement plans, covering energy and water conservation, green packaging, quality and safety, employee care, and rural revitalization. The Group had completed over 150 ESG management and enhancement initiatives by the end of 2023, surpassing its strategic objectives in environmental governance ahead of schedule and gaining recognition from all walks of the community.

In December 2023, the Group received an “AA” ESG rating from Wind, a leading financial information data provider in mainland China. The Group was also recognized as one of the “Top 100 Best ESG Practices” among all listed companies in Greater China for 2023, being the only baijiu company in the Greater China region to make the list. In addition, the Group’s brand, Zhenjiu, was rated as a national-level Green Factory and was selected as one of the five baijiu companies in the “Outstanding Cases of Corporate Social Responsibility of Chinese Private Enterprises (2023)” and featured by People’s Daily for its ESG-related practices on several occasions. The Group’s significant achievements in various ESG initiatives will be further strengthened by enhancing its ESG-related risk monitoring and control capabilities, aiming to solidify its position as a pioneer in ESG practices within the Baijiu industry.

Create a New Brand Image to Consolidate Development Potential and Enrich Visibility

The baijiu industry is shifting its growth model from extensive and explosive expansion to a focused and high-quality development, with market segmentation concentrating around top-tier brands. Branding is the core of distinguishing and standing out from the rest in this competitive landscape. Throughout the Year, the Group has made significant investments in brand promotion. The Group’s brand, Zhenjiu, has combined the visualization of baijiu products with the intangible cultural heritage of “Tian-tsui” (點翠 or “dotting with kingfishers”) and launched a new brand image promotion strategy. The brand has been prominently showcased in major airports, high-speed railway stations, and city LED screens through an all-rounded, three-dimensional communication approach. Furthermore, the brand advertisements have been broadcast during the prime time slot on China Central Television (“CCTV”), creating a brand-specific symbol with unique characteristics of “Zhen.” During the Year, Zhenjiu was selected as one of the “2023 China Brand Innovation Cases”, becoming a model for brand development. Leveraging its vigorous brand strength, Zhenjiu has consecutively ranked higher in the “Hurun Most Valuable China Brands” for two consecutive years, climbing 31 spots with a 20% increase in brand value.

Mr. Wu Xiangdong, Founder and Chairman of ZJLD Group, stated, “In 2023, despite the challenging macroeconomic and capital market conditions, ZJLD Group successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 27 April and completed Hong Kong’s largest IPO of the year. It is also the first baijiu company to have listed in nearly eight years. Over the years, the Group has always adhered to seven principles: wholeheartedly brewing fine baijiu; meticulously perfecting products; entrenching in culture to build brands; developing channels with sincerity; elaborately orchestrating immersive experiences; genuinely and thoroughly operating the business; and courageously shouldering responsibilities to prosper. It is through these principles that we have been able to gain a solid foothold and steadily progress in the fiercely competitive baijiu industry. Looking ahead to 2024, we will continue to put in sufficient efforts to brand building, product competency, channel management, regional expansion, and organizational structure to be well-prepared to encounter various challenges, fully engage in our work, and strive to repay the trust and support of our investors.”


[1] According to Frost & Sullivan, the Company was the third-largest private baijiu company in China in terms of revenue in 2023, while Zhenjiu was the fourth-largest sauce-aroma baijiu brand in China achieving the highest year-on-year growth rate among the top five sauce-aroma baijiu brands.

Hashtag: #ZJLDGroup

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

About ZJLD Group Inc.

Zhenjiu was established in 1975 in Zunyi, Guizhou, China’s primary production area of sauce-aroma baijiu. In 1988, it was honored with the Silver Award of the National Quality Award at the 5th National Wine Appreciation Conference. It is one of the “Three Great Sauce Flavor Brands in Guizhou”, along with Moutai and Xijiu. In the same year, it was approved by the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Communication Department of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, and the Great Hall of the People Management Bureau to become one of the four baijiu brands served at state banquets.

ZJLD Group Inc. is a leading baijiu group in China that is devoted to offering baijiu products, including sauce-aroma, mixed-aroma, and strong-aroma, with sauce-aroma being its core. In terms of revenue in 2023, the Company was deemed the third-largest private baijiu company in China, according to Frost & Sullivan statistics. The Company operates four baijiu brands in China, including Zhenjiu, Lidu, and two leading regional names, Xiangjiao and Kaikouxiao. ZJLD prides itself on inheriting the time-honored baijiu-brewing techniques and reinvigorating them to develop iconic recipes and classical flavours. It strives to create a wide variety of aromatic and mellow baijiu products to meet the diverse preferences of consumers, seize broader market opportunities, and promote traditional Chinese baijiu culture.

Kerry Logistics Network Announces 2023 Annual Results


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 March 2024 – Kerry Logistics Network Limited (‘Kerry Logistics Network’ or together with its subsidiaries, the ‘Group’ or ‘KLN Group’; Stock Code 0636.HK) today announced the Group’s annual results for 2023.

Group’s Financial Highlights

  • Revenue* decreased by 42% to HK$47,408 million (2022: HK$82,330 million)
  • Core operating profit* dropped by 61% to HK$2,207 million (2022: HK$5,645 million)
  • Core net profit* decreased by 69% to HK$1,214 million (2022: HK$3,952 million)
  • Profit attributable to the Shareholders was HK$791 million, which represents a drop of 78% (2022: HK$3,579 million)
  • Integrated Logistics (‘IL’) business recorded a segment profit* of HK$1,295 million (2022: HK$1,385 million), which represents a decrease of 7%
  • International Freight Forwarding (‘IFF’) business recorded a segment profit* of HK$1,394 million (2022: HK$4,721 million), which represents a drop of 70%
  • Proposed final dividend of 13 HK cents per Share to be payable on or around Thursday, 6 June 2024

* For continuing operations only

Vic Cheung, Group Managing Director of Kerry Logistics Network, said, “2023 was undoubtedly a challenging year globally. Nevertheless, the global economy was in a better shape than it was in 2022. For the global logistics industry, while growth stalled, both freight rates and volume saw a slight rebound as the market continued to normalise gradually. Despite a tough market, new opportunities emerged amid changing consumer demands and the reshuffle of global supply chains. KLN Group was able to turn challenges into opportunities and provided customers with viable and cost-effective alternatives to keep their cargoes moving and delivered. KLN Group’s overall performance in 2023 was in line with expectations and on par with global peers.”

Segmental Reporting

During the period, KLN Group took out the E-commerce and Express business from its segmental reporting following the transfer of companies engaging in express delivery services in the Asia Pacific and Europe to S.F. Holding in 2023 Q3 and the subsequent announcement in December 2023 to deconsolidate Kerry Express Thailand through dividend distribution.

The purpose of the restructuring was to reinforce KLN Group’s strategy of focusing on its core business of integrated logistics and international freight forwarding, with an aim to enhancing its overall performance and prospects.

Integrated Logistics

The IL division overall reported a 7% decrease in segment profit, dragged down by the drop in the Hong Kong business as a result of the shrunken demand for pandemic-related services and a slower recovery of the retail market than anticipated. Nevertheless, despite the performance of the Hong Kong business, the IL division in other markets recorded growth.

In the Mainland of China, despite a delay in market recovery, the IL business recorded a 17% increase following the successful execution of a series of cost management measures. The IL business in other parts of Asia recorded an 11% increase mainly supported by the stable performance of Kerry Siam Seaport in Thailand.

International Freight Forwarding

The IFF division reported a 70% decline in segment profit in 2023 due to excess inventories, subdued purchasing power and stagnant export growth, in particular in Asia. The drop in air and ocean freight rates since 2022 Q3 from the all-time highs in 2021 as the global logistics market normalised has caused further contraction in profit margin in 2023, compared to that of 2022.

Nonetheless, riding on stabilised freight rates and a pick-up in consumer demand, KLN Group delivered sustainable results on the Asia-US trade routes and remained the leading player in the world’s busiest trade lane in 2023.

In 2023, the Group continued to leverage the strengthened resources with S.F. Holding to capitalise on the cross-selling and collaborations in various verticals and businesses. A joint venture was formed to manage the international cargo terminal of the Ezhou Airport in Central China.

Various mega industrial projects were completed and records were broken by project logistics teams in the Mainland of China, Central Asia and Europe in 2023. The segment delivered satisfactory results and is expected to become one of the development drivers of the IFF division soon.

Vic Cheung concluded, “Global growth is likely to remain weak in 2024. The Red Sea crisis is bringing new variables to the Group’s IFF business. Nevertheless, we are determined to provide customers with alternative solutions in the near-term and are optimistic that our IL business in Asia is likely to benefit from the shifts in the supply chain in the mid-term. KLN Group’s agility, resilience and innovation in providing solutions powered by its global network, solid presence in Asia and the most diversified service offerings will again enable the Group to come out on top. Looking ahead, the Group will continue to create synergies with S.F. Holding through extensive collaborations, actively identify new opportunities to grow its business sustainably and deliver greater value for its shareholders.”
Hashtag: #KerryLogisticsNetwork

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

Kerry Logistics Network Limited (Stock Code 0636.HK)

Kerry Logistics Network is an Asia-based, global 3PL with a highly diversified business portfolio and extensive coverage in Asia. It offers a broad range of supply chain solutions from integrated logistics, international freight forwarding (air, ocean, road, rail and multimodal) and e-commerce to industrial project logistics and infrastructure investment.

With a global presence across 60 countries and territories, Kerry Logistics Network has established a solid foothold in half of the world’s emerging markets. Its diverse infrastructure, extensive coverage in international gateways and local expertise span across the Mainland of China, India, Southeast Asia, the CIS, Middle East, LATAM and other locations.

Kerry Logistics Network generated a revenue of over HK$47.4 billion in 2023. It is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index.

Indian Youths Duped into Scams in Laos After Promised High-Paying Jobs in Thailand

Representational image (Photo: RNZ)

Approximately 25 to 30 young Indians fell prey to a scam promising high-paying jobs in Thailand, only to find themselves coerced into illegal work in Laos. They were ensnared by a criminal syndicate and compelled to operate a call center, scamming individuals across Europe, the United States, and Canada.

Government Holds Job Fair Amidst Labor Shortage Crisis

Government Holds Job Fair Amidst Labor Shortage Crisis
A shot taken from the job fair (photo: Lao National Radio)

Desperate situations call for desperate measures. Laos held a job festival on 22 March in Vientiane Capital in a move to seek recruitment for over 50 companies amidst the country’s labor shortage crisis. 

US Special Adviser on Disability Rights Visits Laos to Promote Inclusion, Policy Integration

Sara Minkara, the Special Adviser on International Disability Rights at the United States (US) Department of State.

Sara Minkara, the Special Adviser on International Disability Rights at the United States (US) Department of State, led a delegation on a visit to Laos from 20 to 23 March. The purpose of their trip was to advocate the importance of inclusion for people with disabilities in Lao society, including their participation in various sectors such as tourism, especially in light of Laos’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2024.

In an interview with local media at the US Embassy in Vientiane, Minkara highlighted the significance of developing disability rights within the ASEAN region, emphasizing that Laos, as an ASEAN member and the current chair, plays a pivotal role. Laos will have to create new opportunities to further integrate disability rights across the ASEAN pillars in accordance with the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan.

With an estimated 16 percent of the population living with disabilities in Laos, Minkara stressed the critical need for their involvement in policy-making and platforms.

However, since the 2022 review of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Laos has been taking steps towards the implementation of international disability rights standards, she explained.

During her visit to Laos, Minkara also met with a member of the Asian Development Bank to discuss the benefits of accessible tourism, and with the MAG Visitor Center to learn about the legacy of Unexploded Ordinances (OXOs) in the country.

Since her appointment in 2021, the disability rights expert has traveled to over 25 countries, engaging with government officials, industry leaders, and civil society to support their efforts toward greater disability inclusion.

Her work emphasizes the importance of “disability diplomacy” in navigating nuanced relationships with the US’s international partners, as well as raising global awareness to the economic, social, and political benefits of including persons with disabilities.

As she spoke about the challenges and opportunities for greater disability inclusion, Minkara said, “There is a need to enhance technical capacity and allocate sufficient resources for the implementation of these policies. Another way to effectively tackle the challenges is to learn from the best practices from across ASEAN.”

“The second layer of challenges revolves around stigma and attitudes, which are pervasive worldwide, not just in Laos,” she explained. “When asked about perceptions of individuals with disabilities in any society, the common response tends to be negative, viewing them as struggling and in need of assistance.”

According to Minkara, it’s imperative to shift this narrative towards one that recognizes people with disabilities as individuals with potential, capable of contributing meaningfully, and possessing inherent value. 

“Improving accessibility for them benefits society as a whole,” she said.

Regarding reaching remote areas, Minkara suggested leveraging various media platforms and conducting local leader training. She emphasized the importance of identifying key stakeholders in Laos and directly engaging with them to ensure optimal outcomes in rural areas.

Minkara’s visit to Laos revolved around enhancing regional policies on disability rights, particularly important this year as Laos is set to chair the upcoming ASEAN Summit. This summit presents a key platform to advocate for policies promoting the rights of disabled individuals through cooperation not only between Laos and the United States but also with regional and global partners.

Hydroball Technics Pledges Support for Singapore’s Zero Net Emission Target by 2050 with HydroBall Automatic Tube Cleaning (ATC) System


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 March 2024 – Hydroball Technics Singapore, a pioneer in Green Energy & Water Conservation since 2003, is making significant strides in promoting environmental sustainability. With a commitment to assist Singapore in achieving its zero net emission target by 2050, the company is dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and optimising energy and water consumption in the power sector with its proprietary HydroBall System, an automatic tube cleaning solution. This system utilises continual hydro-mechanical cleaning operation by circulating spongeballs through the condenser tubing at pre-determined time intervals, keeping the inner surface free from scaling and fouling.

ACMV

Hydroball Technics Targets 1% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Power generation is a significant contributor to Singapore’s carbon emissions, constituting approximately 40% of its total emissions. In line with the country’s goal of zero net emission by 2050, Hydroball Technics has been aiming to make a substantial impact by targeting a 1% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This effort is set to translate to a remarkable 258,800 metric tons reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the national objective of fighting climate change.

To put this reduction into perspective, consider that in the United States, 1,402,438 kWh of electricity generation produces 576 metric tons of CO2 emissions. Therefore, Hydroball Technics’ goal of reducing emissions would result in energy savings equivalent to 630,123,185 kWh, contributing significantly to a greener and more sustainable future.

Leading the Charge Towards Sustainable Solutions With HydroBall ATC System

The company’s greatest achievement lies in the HydroBall System, a “Non-Powered” automatic tube cleaning (ATC) system launched in 2005. This innovative system addresses the challenges faced by water-cooled condenser systems within chiller plant rooms of various commercial and industrial buildings. Specialising in energy and water consumption reduction and cost efficiency, the HydroBall System has become a key component in businesses’ efforts to contribute to Singapore’s overarching goal of becoming a sustainable and environmentally responsible nation.

Three key features contributing to the success of this innovative system are:

  1. “Non-Powered” system which eliminates the need for prime movers like pumps, compressors, or diverters, thereby reducing maintenance requirements;
  2. “Water Resilience” mechanism which promotes water recycling, reuse, and circularity during regular operations, thus minimising water wastage;
  3. “Dual-Loop” design which prevents the re-entry of mixed hot and cold water into the condenser, thereby preserving chiller efficiency, unlike other tube cleaning systems.

They underscore the system’s commitment not only to operational efficiency but also to environmental sustainability. By preserving chemically treated cooling water, the HydroBall System actively contributes to the support of biodiversity. This approach aligns with the broader goal of mitigating the impacts of climate change, as responsible water management plays a crucial role in addressing environmental challenges.

This sustainable ACMV equipment has received the prestigious 4-tick score which is the maximum rating, under the Green Building Product Certification Scheme by the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) with certification numbers SGBP 4114 and 3745. It is a recognition that underscores Hydroball Technics’ commitment to providing environmentally friendly solutions for the HVAC/ACMV industry, further solidifying HydroBall Technic’s position as a leader in the green energy & water conservation space.

With the HydroBall ATC System installed, buildings can enjoy significant optimisation on energy consumption. The chiller-specific electricity consumption can be reduced by 18.4%, as supported by an independent assessment report for the HydroBall ATC System from a field-testing project funded by The Enterprise Challenge Unit (TEC Reference No: L00279/772). This substantial reduction in electricity usage not only addresses critical factors such as cooling system inefficiencies and rising electricity rates but also aligns with the company’s vision of creating a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for businesses across various sectors. Moreover, the HydroBall ATC System can lead to substantial cost savings of up to 35% on energy, water, labour and other expenses for buildings and large processing.

“As a company deeply committed to green energy & water conservation, Hydroball Technics is proud to play an important role in assisting Singapore in achieving its zero net emission target by 2050. Our HydroBall Auto Tube Cleaning System stands as a testament to our dedication to environmental sustainability, providing businesses with an effective and certified solution to reduce energy and water consumption and costs,” said Mr Peter Soh, CEO at Hydroball Technics.

Singapore is committed to peaking emissions before 2030, and achieving net zero by 2050. We have taken concrete steps to reduce our carbon footprint. These include gradually increasing our carbon tax rate, facilitating renewable energy imports and promoting energy efficiency. Everyone needs to fight climate change – the Government, businesses, and households.

“In 2019, to optimise energy consumption at the systems-level, we introduced Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for water-cooled chilled water systems to encourage the adoption of energy-efficient chilled water operations by industrial facilities.

Mandatory MEES requirements were introduced for new industrial facilities in 2020. This has helped new facilities each save an average of $300,000 annually in electricity costs, recouping their initial outlay just after 3 years.

We will amend the Energy Conservation Act this year to effect similar requirements for existing industrial facilities from December 2025. Existing industrial facilities can expect average energy savings of about S$1.25 million per year per facility across the system’s 15-year lifespan, and to recover retrofitting and operating costs within 5.5 years.” said Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment.

Hashtag: #AutomaticTubeCleaningSystem

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

About Hydroball Technics

Established in 2003, Hydroball Technics is a key player in the fast-growing sustainable products and services industry. With a mission to deliver the best energy & water-efficient solutions through the HydroBall Automatic Tube Cleaning System, the company focuses on achieving a measurable reduction in resource consumption and enhancing productivity growth. Emerging as the principal manufacturer of the award-winning , Hydroball Technics boasts 42 claims of 2 patents across 21 countries. The company continues to lead the way in providing cutting-edge solutions for businesses aiming to optimise energy efficiency, improve water resilience, integrate IoT for smarter systems and reduce environmental impact.

UN Digital Buddhism Research & Innovation Center Makes A Stunning Debut, NetDragon Digital Religion Department Assist Thailand’s National Buddhist Strategic Deployment

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 March 2024 – On March 20, 2024, at the request and arrangement of Thailand National Center for The Dissemination of Buddhism and National Buddhist Strategic Deployment, the newly created Digital Buddhism Research & Innovation Center, built by NetDragon Digital Religion Department, made a stunning debut. This space is located at National Center for The Dissemination of Buddhism, Sangha Educational Supervisory Center, and the Tipitaka Translation Project, bringing together the department’s latest digital Buddhist products and providing a promising prospect for the continuous upgrading of Thailand’s national digital Buddhism.

The Center is a benchmark project for digital Buddhism successfully launched in Thailand by NetDragon following its display of the United Nations Vesak Day Metaverse last year. It is also Thailand’s first national digital Buddhist research base to be established after the release of the “Summary of the 2023-2037 Buddhist Promotion Master Plan.”

The center is led by Most Ven.Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit, member of the Supreme Sangha Committee of Thailand, Chairman of the International Council of the United Nations Vesak Day, Chairman of the International Association of Buddhist Universities, and former President of Mahachulalongkorn University. After visiting the center, Most Ven. affirmed the effort of NetDragon and supported the following work for the deployment of Thai digital Buddhism. He hoped that the research center could comprehensively promote and present the modernization and future development model of Thai Buddhism.

Mi Xiong, General Manager of NetDragon Digital Religion Department, accompanied Most Ven. and his team throughout the visit, introducing the digital products in the center. Mi Xiong expressed great honor in assisting the Thailand National Center for The Dissemination of Buddhism in constructing the first national-level digital Buddhist research base and pledged to continue exploring the use of digital power to assist in the dissemination of Thai Buddhism and world Buddhist culture.

During this debut, the Center showcased several digital Buddhist projects, including AR Vision -Nine Ball Meditation, which is a tool jointly developed by NetDragon and Rokid that combines Rokid’s latest AR glasses to provide users with auditory, visual, and even tactile assistance for meditation. Rokid AR breaks the barriers between the body and space through “AI+AR,” utilizing spatial computing capabilities of “visualization” and “interaction,” allowing participants to enter a space of intelligent creation. This not only brings a new experience to meditation but also provides a new form of experience that is observable, touchable, and experiential for practices, Buddhist education, and the dissemination of Buddhist wisdom and culture. After experiencing it, Most Ven. expressed that this new form of digital practice will have a broader and deeper inspiration for Buddhist education, deserving further exploration and promotion.

The research center also demonstrated the Digital religion standing machine, a product that combines online guided tours, online offering of lights, and pre-booking of Buddhist events using an H5 platform as a carrier for online and offline services. Most Ven. greatly admired this product, stating that it was exactly the digital temple form he had been wanting for years. After receiving affirmation, Mi Xiong proposed vigorously promoting the ecological model of digital temples in Thailand.

Additionally, the center also displayed AR tour guide and interactive experience installations that combine VR technology with Buddhist themes. It also features the ActivPanel 9, a new interactive tablet from Promethean, which has approximately 30% market share globally for smart screens. The Promethean smart screen will provide an integrated, immersive, interactive classroom and various smart teaching software tools for future Buddhist education.

The completion and debut of the Digital Buddhist Research Center will provide a more diverse range of discussion topics for the upcoming United Nations Vesak Day and welcome eminent monks, scholars, and professors from around the world to visit and experience. Mi Xiong stated that the department is prepared to exchange and learn from professionals in the world of Buddhism and will focus on promoting the global dissemination of Buddhist culture and supporting the development of Buddhist education using advanced technology.

In the future, the Digital Buddhism Research & Innovation Center will explore expandable, sustainable, and reconstructable digital Buddhist worlds in the areas of teaching, propagation, experience, and research. NetDragon Digital Religion Department will also utilise the center as a base to assist the United Nations in promoting and deploying digital Buddhism in various Buddhist universities and institutions. By utilizing advanced software and hardware, AI, VR, and AR technologies, as well as gamification, modern technology, and modern healing methods, the department aims to innovate the dissemination of Buddhist culture and help establish a strong and sustainable way of life and values.

Hashtag: #ThaiBuddhism

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

Choice, Availability: Leaders Champion Universal Access to Family Planning in Laos

A Lao couple is listening to family planning options. (Photo supplied by UNFPA Laos.)

Joint Op-Ed by H.E Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Minister of Health, Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA Representative in Laos, and Ms. Sumita Banerjee, FP2030 Managing Director of the Asia and the Pacific Hub

What women, girls, and young people need and want matters. They want to choose their future and enjoy their rights.

A fundamental human right is making personal, informed choices for bodily autonomy.

A fundamental human right is deciding whether to have children, how many, and the spacing between them.

A fundamental human right is receiving care and counseling no matter where women and youth live and regardless of their ethnicity and gender identity.

Safe and voluntary family planning is a fundamental human right. It is central to gender equality and women’s empowerment. To ensure this right becomes a reality in Laos, the country has a vision to accelerate progress now towards the achievement of universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights by 2030.

Rights-based family planning is a best value-for-money investment that delivers a wide range of health, social, and economic benefits for women and girls, their families and communities, and a whole nation.  For instance, an investment case and analysis conducted in Laos estimated that for every dollar invested in family planning, benefits to families and societies are estimated to be around USD 33.6 (“Prioritizing Health Investments for Human Capital Development,” September 2022, UNFPA Laos). The investment case showed that increasing and sustaining budget allocations for family planning information and services and making them available across the country could avert 1,044,888 unintended pregnancies.

This is expected to reduce the cost requirements for other health interventions and lead to economic benefits from increased workforce participation, additional years of education for adolescents, and increased lifetime earnings for women. Thus, family planning helps to keep girls in school, enables women to join the labor force, helps reduce household poverty, improves nutrition, and reduces inequalities.

In 1994, Laos was one of the 179 governments to affirm the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD POA) and to recognize sexual and reproductive health and rights – including rights-based family planning – as prerequisites to sustainable development aspirations. The ICPD POA transformed the way the world views population and related issues, creating a paradigm shift from a focus on reaching specific demographic targets to a focus on the needs, aspirations, and rights of individual women, men, girls, and boys. The ICPD POA  is about empowering women and girls to make choices in their lives and ensuring that parents, brothers, spouses, and communities are supportive, understanding, and act as full partners.

Since the adoption of the ICPD POA in 1994, Laos, in partnership with UNFPA, has been working to  advance the people’s health and wellbeing by improving the quality of sexual and reproductive health and family planning services, enhancing women’s and girls’ leadership and agency, empowering adolescents and youth, and investing in data for development to ensure rights and choices and leave no one behind.

Since then, Laos has made significant progress in achieving a decline in the proportion of the population living below the national poverty line from 48 percent in 1990 to 18.3 percent in 2018–2019 and a decline in the maternal mortality ratio from 530 per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 126 per 100,000 live births in 2020. Antenatal care and skilled birth attendance coverage have improved, with 79.8 percent of births attended by skilled personnel in 2023.

It is worth noting that Laos was among the countries that made renewed commitments at the ICPD25 Nairobi Summit in 2019. Through the country’s delegation, progressive and bold commitments were made to accelerate the national sexual reproductive health and rights, family planning, and youth empowerment agendas, promote data for development, and address gender-based violence and harmful practices, including child marriage.

A woman is receiving contraceptive pills. (Photo supplied by UNFPA)

Laos is currently in a rapid demographic transition in which the share of the working-age population is increasing, and the share of the dependent population is decreasing, with 60 percent of the total population under the age of 30. This demographic transition provides a one-time window of opportunity for the country to benefit from higher economic growth over the next two decades. As this demographic dividend is just potential but not a guarantee, sustained investments are required for women’s and girls’ empowerment, education, and health, especially sexual and reproductive health and family planning, as well as adolescents and youth empowerment programs, as part and parcel of human capital development.

Realizing this demographic dividend is possible if we educate, empower, and support adolescents and youth from all backgrounds and ensure that they access equal and equitable education, health, and empowerment opportunities. This involves supporting adolescent girls and boys to delay pregnancy and marriage until adulthood, helping them acquire skills and competencies, and expanding access to comprehensive sexuality education and youth-friendly reproductive health services. These are essential preconditions for adolescent girls and boys and youth to stay in school, combat misconceptions and social norms, say no to dependency and abuse, access decent work, and ultimately realize their full potential in support of the country’s socio-economic development and prosperity.

Accelerating progress towards ending the unmet need for family planning can both contribute to and result from women’s empowerment and gender equality, a valuable result in itself and a critical element of economic development. When women and men, girls and boys, enjoy the dignity and human rights to expand their capabilities, secure their reproductive health, choice, and rights to achieve their potential, Laos will take a significant step towards realizing the benefits of having a solid, young and consequent workforce. 

Addressing the unmet need for family planning involves concerted efforts and focus on improving the quality of family planning care, investing in health workforce skills and data, strengthening the national supply chain system for family planning commodities, enhancing women’s and girls’ leadership and agency, engaging men and boys, family planning integration into universal health care efforts, securing sustained resources,  and reaching adolescents and youth.

Expanding access to sexual and reproductive health, including family planning information and services, is a “quick win,” a cost-effective action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.  A quick win that can produce tangible results in improving the quality of people’s lives in the short and long term.

Laos is reaffirming its commitments to the unfinished ICPD agenda and to the global partnership on Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) to improve access to adolescent and youth-responsive health systems for contraceptive use, ensure the availability of quality and safe youth-friendly services and family planning information and services to reduce the unmet need for family planning among adolescents and young people aged 1524 years to 12 per cent by 2030, increase the availability of contraceptives and reproductive health commodities from 53 to 100 percent, and increase the family planning fund to support the availability of commodities at community and grassroot levels.

The Government of Laos, through the Ministry of Health and with the technical support of FP2030, will focus on reaching the last mile to ensure that remote communities are better served with sexual and reproductive health supplies to reduce the unmet need for family planning among the unmarried group.  Other focus areas include the integration of family planning services into broader maternal, child health, and nutrition activities, including training midwives to provide family planning services, increasing male involvement at the community level, expanding adolescent and youth-friendly services and couples’ counseling, strengthening private sector engagement, and ensuring supplies of reproductive health commodities at all levels, with a focus on health centers. 

We have unfinished business. We must work together with urgency and seize every opportunity to achieve the inclusive, equitable, and sustainable vision of the ICPD, building on the demonstrated benefits of family planning.

Let us work together for every family, every pregnancy to be a result of choice and not chance or coercion, and support women and girls everywhere in Laos to make the right choices for themselves today for a better tomorrow.