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Mount Taishan Tea “Fry” New Experience of Rural Revitalization

TAI’AN, China, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from the Shandong Office of Hong Kong Business Daily:

Mount Taishan is the hometown of tea customs in the north, and the Mount Taishan tea at the foot of Mount Taishan has long been famous. In recent years, Tai’an City, has expanded Mount Taishan’s tea industry, promoted the integrated development of tea tourism, continuously extended the tea industry chain, and promoted the ecological tea mountain to become a “golden mountain and silver mountain” for farmers to increase income and become rich.

Tai’an lists Mount Taishan tea as one of the “three dominant characteristic industries”. The tea planting area involves more than 20 townships and more than 50 villages, and the total area of tea gardens exceeds 3000 hectares. Taking Xiaojinkou Village in Tai’an City as an example, it is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces a lake to the south. It has sufficient sunlight, humid air, fertile soil, and a large temperature difference between day and night, making it suitable for tea planting. Standing at the top of the mountain, looking around, there are tea houses of all sizes scattered throughout the fields. The tea grown in these beautiful mountains and waters has thick, firm and clean leaves, a green color, and broad market prospects. At the Daiqing Daughter Tea Processing Factory not far from the tea greenhouse, the person in charge, Wu Maosheng, said, “The spring tea market has broad prospects, and this year’s spring tea sales are expected to break through historical highs.

At present, the daughter tea planting professional cooperative in Xiaojinkou Village has 700 members and a tea plantation area of 2800 acres. Based on the advantages of location and resource endowment, relying on the traditional tea industry foundation of Xiaojinkou Village, we provide intensive services from planting to sales for tea farmers through technological empowerment, drive the upgrading of tea farmers’ production and planting technology, and embark on a large-scale development path of “production, supply, and sales” one-stop services. Tourists can also experience tea picking and brewing, learn tea art and frying techniques, and experience the charm of tea culture here.

At present, Mount Taishan tea is taking deep processing technology as the fulcrum to promote the transformation and upgrading of the traditional tea industry. Mount Taishan tea industry has become an important pillar industry for farmers around Mount Taishan.

Children at the Center: World Creativity & Innovation Day Statement by Education Cannot Wait Director Yasmine Sherif

NEW YORK, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Creativity and innovation are essential to finding extraordinary solutions to abnormal problems. Now more than ever we must continue finding creative solutions to protect the world’s most vulnerable children from the excruciating pain of war, dispossession and destruction of their last hope: a quality education. The current humanitarian and development funding levels are falling. However, with creativity we can prevent further deterioration and instead turn towards an upward direction.

Together with our strategic donor partners, ECW is reimagining the way we deliver life-saving education supports on the frontlines of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
Together with our strategic donor partners, ECW is reimagining the way we deliver life-saving education supports on the frontlines of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

With bold, innovative action and connected problem-solving in a world of abundance we can better connect the dots between donors, governments, the private sector, UN agencies, civil society and other key partners to unleash our wealth of humanity towards those in unwanted scarcity: the world’s most vulnerable children whose only wealth is their hope for a quality education.

In 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus published his groundbreaking theory, “On the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres.” His new ideas sparked a revolution by placing the Sun – rather than the Earth – at the centre of our solar system.

We need a Copernican Revolution of our own today – one guided by data, evidence, creativity and innovation, and the highest of all values: empathy. We can then deliver on the reforms envisioned in the UN80 Initiative, Pact for the Future and other initiatives designed to reimagine the delivery of humanitarian aid. In short, we must place children at the center of our universe and use education as our single most powerful instrument to tap their vast potential. Only then can their hope turn into reality.

Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations, is embracing evidence-driven reforms to streamline our operations and ensure every donor dollar creates a positive impact on the lives of children caught on the frontlines of conflict, climate change and forced displacement. With the lowest overhead costs, we are lean, agile and fast-acting, and we place children and adolescents in emergencies and protracted crises at the center of everything we do.

Our work – and our value proposition – is driven by data and evidence to achieve optimal results and impact. Let’s start with the growing needs. When ECW became operational in 2017, it was estimated that approximately 75 million crisis-affected children needed education support. Today, with violent conflicts in places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, horrific shocks from climate change-related natural disasters, and a unprecedented rise in human displacement and migration, that number has skyrocketed to nearly a quarter of a billion – 234 million to be precise.  

Data also tell us that a lack of quality education – especially across the Global South – is costing us trillions of dollars in lost opportunities every year. “Limited educational opportunities and barriers for girls cost the world economy between US$15 trillion and US$30 trillion. In nine countries, the cost of out-of-school children was estimated to be greater than the value of an entire year of GDP growth,” according to the World Bank.

Additionally, investing US$1 in early childhood education can generate returns as high as US$17 for the most disadvantaged children worldwide. Imagine the impact every dollar could have in creating a million more opportunities for the world’s most vulnerable children.

Given the current funding environment, we must embrace our creative problem-solving and solutions orientation. Besides revisiting budgets and finding human-centred solutions to those left furthest behind, another creative approach toward resource mobilization comes from impact investments. Through partnerships with visionary businesses like Swiss Cantonal Banks and Tribe Impact Capital LLP, Education Cannot Wait is able to connect private capital with public goods as a driving force toward long-term economic growth, resilience and security. With the ability to crowd-in resources and expertise, pool funds and broker partnerships, ECW is igniting global reform to deliver on a development sector, such as education, in humanitarian crises with coordination, speed and impact.

Together with our strategic donor partners, ECW is reimagining the way we deliver life-saving education supports on the frontlines of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. One thing is certain, by following Copernicus’ evidence-based vision – and placing children at the center of our collective efforts – we can make the seemingly impossible possible – provided that we all do our part keeping our eyes on what really matters: those left furthest behind and every child’s right to a quality education – especially when this is their very last hope. By transforming their lives through a quality education, we empower them to arise from their suffering and become creative and innovative contributors to their society and, indeed, all of humanity.

DFFPM and POSCO E&C Sign Business Agreement for ESG-focused Upcycling+ and Eco-friendly Building Material Collaboration

Technology Convergence for Sustainable Architectural Design… Advancing the Eco-friendly Design Model

SEOUL, South Korea, April 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On April 9, 2025, DFFPM (CEO Cho Shin-hyung), a leading architectural design firm, signed a business agreement (MOU) with POSCO E&C to collaborate on ESG-focused Upcycling+ eco-friendly building material technology, urban planning, and SOC structure design. The signing ceremony took place at POSCO E&C’s Incheon headquarters (241 Incheon Tower-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon).

CEO Cho Shin-hyung of DFFPM
CEO Cho Shin-hyung of DFFPM

This partnership aims to develop integrated solutions that achieve carbon neutrality right from the design stage, by combining DFFPM’s expertise in urban and architectural design with POSCO E&C’s innovative eco-friendly building material technologies.

Through this agreement, the two parties have committed to:

  • Applying eco-friendly Upcycling+ building materials during the design stage.
  • Designing low-carbon structures that align with Scope 3 standards.
  • Integrating building materials and urban planning into SOC infrastructure designs.
  • Promoting quarterly technology exchanges and joint R&D initiatives.

Significantly, this collaboration is expected to revolutionize DFFPM’s design processes, fostering an environment where designers consider both environmental and technical material properties from the earliest stages of a project.

DFFPM has long adhered to the philosophy that design should transcend mere aesthetics, evolving into spatial interpretations that reflect material properties and technologies. This agreement represents a practical stepping stone toward realizing DFFPM’s core design principles.

CEO Cho Shin-hyung stated, “This agreement is an opportunity to establish a new benchmark for sustainable urban and structural design through the convergence of eco-friendly building materials and spatial design.”

A POSCO E&C representative added, “We aim to jointly develop an advanced design technology system that incorporates ESG-focused Upcycling+ building materials from the early design stages, contributing to carbon neutrality efforts.”

Since its inception, DFFPM has redefined design boundaries, extending its expertise beyond architecture to include interior design, material experimentation, and spatial philosophy. Building on this agreement, DFFPM plans to introduce sustainable design models across various fields, such as public architecture, urban regeneration, and smart cities. Additionally, it intends to intensify its architectural innovations to align with the carbon-neutral era through collaborations with domestic and international partners.

US Defense Chief Shares Sensitive Information in Second Signal Chat, Local Media Says

(FILES) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looks on before a luncheon with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Cabinet Room of the White House, in Washington, DC, on April 17, 2025. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared information on forthcoming US air strikes on Yemen in a private Signal chat group that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer, the New York Times reported on April 20. AFP was not able to independently verify the Times' report, which detailed what would be the second time Hegseth has been accused of sharing sensitive military information on the commercial messaging app with unauthorized personnel. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

AFP – US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared information on forthcoming US air strikes on Yemen in a private Signal chat group that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer, the New York Times and CNN reported on 20 April.

AFP was not able to independently verify the reports, which detailed what would be the second time Hegseth has been accused of sharing sensitive military information on the commercial messaging app with unauthorized personnel.

Last month, The Atlantic magazine revealed that its editor-in-chief was inadvertently included in a Signal chat in which officials including Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz discussed the strikes, which took place on 15 March.

The revelation sparked an uproar, with US President Donald Trump’s administration facing a scandal over the accidental leak. A Pentagon Inspector-General’s probe into that leak is ongoing.

Hegseth is facing increasing criticism from within his own camp, with three former staffers penning a statement decrying their dismissals and his own former Pentagon spokesman all but calling for him to be fired on Sunday.

The Times reported that Hegseth had shared information in the second Signal group chat on the same 15 March strikes that were discussed in the accidental leak.

The information shared “included the flight schedules for the F/A-18 Hornets targeting the Houthis in Yemen,” the newspaper reported.

The outlet said that unlike the accidental leak where journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly included in the group, this group chat was created by Hegseth. The other chat was initiated by Waltz.

“It included his wife and about a dozen other people from his personal and professional inner circle in January, before his confirmation as defense secretary,” the Times’ reported, citing unnamed sources.

Hegseth’s wife Jennifer is a journalist and former Fox News producer. The group also included his brother Phil and Tim Parlatore, both of whom serve in roles at the Pentagon.

Parlatore also continues to serve as Hegseth’s personal lawyer, the Times reported.

Responding to the report, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell accused the New York Times of being “Trump-hating media.”

“There was no classified information in any Signal chat, no matter how many ways they try to write the story,” he said, without providing further specifics.

The Pentagon did not respond to AFP requests for specific details on what was shared in the defense secretary’s Signal group chat.

 ‘Unconscionable’

Trump largely pinned the blame for the earlier leak on Waltz, but has dismissed calls to fire top officials and insisted instead on what he called the success of the raids on the Yemeni rebels.

This week, three top Pentagon officials were put on leave pending investigations into unspecified leaks in the Defense Department.

Deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, senior advisor Dan Caldwell and Colin Carroll hit back on Sunday, releasing a statement saying Pentagon officials had “slandered our character with baseless attacks.”

“At this time, we still have not been told what exactly we were investigated for, if there is still an active investigation, or if there was even a real investigation of ‘leaks’ to begin with,” they said in a joint statement posted on social media.

“While this experience has been unconscionable, we remain supportive of the Trump-Vance Administration’s mission to make the Pentagon great again and achieve peace through strength.”

Hours after the latest reported leak, Hegseth’s former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot published a scathing opinion piece describing “a month of total chaos at the Pentagon.”

“President Donald Trump has a strong record of holding his top officials to account. Given that, it’s hard to see Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remaining in his role for much longer,” wrote Ullyot.

Democrats were quick to pounce on the latest allegations, with Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed calling for the Pentagon Inspector-General to include the latest allegations in its probe.

“If true, this incident is another troubling example of Secretary Hegseth’s reckless disregard for the laws and protocols that every other military servicemember is required to follow,” he said in a statement.


© Agence France-Presse

VinFast delivered 400 VF 3 to Indonesian dealers and customers within two months of launch


JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 April 2025 – VinFast announces the milestone of delivering 400 VF 3 electric vehicles to Indonesian dealers and customers in just two months after its launch. This milestone not only affirms VinFast’s superior production capacity and process optimization capabilities but also demonstrates the strong appeal of the VinFast VF 3 to consumers in Indonesia and the wider region.

Just two months after its launch, VinFast has handed over 400 VF 3 electric vehicles to dealers and customers across the Indonesian market.
Just two months after its launch, VinFast has handed over 400 VF 3 electric vehicles to dealers and customers across the Indonesian market.

As the latest addition to VinFast’s diverse portfolio of all-electric vehicles in Indonesia, the VF 3 mini e-SUV is strategically positioned as a pivotal catalyst in the company’s drive towards a sustainable, green mobility transformation. Since its launch, the VF 3 has become a trend in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia, thanks to its unique and robust design language, which not only inspires creativity but also empowers users to express their individuality and personal style with a sense of bold distinction.

To commemorate this impressive milestone, VinFast held a mass delivery event of 100 VF 3 vehicles at the Motomobi News Karnaval, which took place from April 19th to April 20th, 2025. Featuring some of the most modern and distinctive car models, the Motomobi News Karnaval garnered significant attention from the automotive community.

At the main area of the event, the original VF 3 model, alongside unique iterations crafted by customers themselves, became the focal point of attention. The presence of this “tiny titan” not only captivated a large number of visitors but also underscored its exceptional appeal, actively encouraging users to showcase their own distinct individuality.

During the event, the Motomobi News Karnaval organizers celebrated the most innovative customer-designed VF 3, igniting boundless inspiration within the automotive enthusiast community.

Customers receiving their vehicles praised the car’s distinctive design, standard features, and good performance within its price range, making it accessible to a broad segment of the population. These early adopters also benefited from a range of attractive incentives, including cash back programs and complimentary charging at VinFast charging stations operated by V-GREEN until March 1, 2028.

At this year’s Motomobi News Karnaval, Indonesian consumers could directly experience the VF 3, along with a range of engaging customer interaction programs and promotions.

Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, stated: “The fact that VF 3 vehicles are now on Indonesian roads just two months after its launch is a powerful testament to VinFast’s implementation capabilities, commitment, and determination to provide Indonesian consumers with green, intelligent, and affordable mobility solutions. The VF 3’s presence in Indonesia not only marks a significant step in VinFast’s journey to conquer the market but also inspires the creation of a sustainable future and ignites a spirit of innovation among Indonesia’s modern and dynamic youth.

The VF 3 is designed to be well-balanced, fully meeting the urban mobility needs of consumers with a range of 215 km on a single full charge. Regarding the exterior, in addition to the four standard exterior colors: black, white, red, and gray, the VinFast VF 3 also offers four premium options: yellow with a white roof, green with a white roof, blue with a white roof, and pink with a white roof. Regarding the interior, the VinFast VF 3 features a large 10-inch touchscreen entertainment display, along with a gear selector behind the steering wheel similar to those found in luxury cars, providing a convenient and impressive experience for users.

With a price of IDR 230,130,000 (On-The-Road price in Jakarta), the VF 3 comes with an attractive warranty policy of up to 7 years or 160,000 km for the vehicle (whichever comes first) and 8 years unlimited mileage for the battery. VinFast is also offering an appealing promotion for the first 1,000 customers who purchase VinFast VF 3, with the opportunity to receive a cashback of up to IDR 37,850,000 and other valuable benefits.

With a commitment to rapidly deliver high-quality vehicles at inclusive prices, complemented by exceptional after-sales policy, VinFast is actively expanding its dealership and service center network across Indonesia. Customers can explore, experience, and purchase VinFast cars at 21 authorized dealerships, and 11 partner stores operated by Amarta, which are expected to commence operations in 2025. VinFast aims to establish 500 authorized service workshops throughout Indonesia this year.

VinFast is also building a comprehensive green mobility ecosystem through collaborations with strategic partners such as the all-electric taxi company GSM and the global charging station development company V-GREEN. VinFast car owners can currently charge for free at charging stations operated by V-GREEN. The company aims to develop 30,000 VinFast charging ports in Indonesia by the end of 2025, thereby enhancing the consumer experience and driving the green transportation revolution.

Hashtag: #VinFast

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

About VinFast

VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone.

VinFast’s product lineup today includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, and e-buses. VinFast is currently embarking on its next growth phase through rapid expansion of its distribution and dealership network globally and increasing its manufacturing capacities with a focus on key markets across North America, Europe and Asia. Learn more at

Wildberries launches sales in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 April 2025 – Wildberries, a leading e-commerce platform in Eurasia, has launched sales and deliveries in Tajikistan via its online marketplace. This marks the fourth country where Wildberries operates in Central Asia and the ninth country in its overall footprint.

Customers in Tajikistan, which has a population of over 10 million, can now access the full assortment available on the Wildberries marketplace and place orders via the website Wildberries.tj or through the mobile app. Wildberries’ wide product assortment spans more than 8 million SKUs across various categories, including clothing, health and beauty products, household goods and items for children.

“We see enormous potential for the development of e-commerce in Tajikistan,” said Tatyana Kim, Founder and CEO of Wildberries. “The country and its economy are growing rapidly, and e-commerce plays a vital role in this progress. Importantly, our nations have long shared warm and friendly relations, and Wildberries is already a familiar name to many people in Tajikistan.”

“Today, together with our local partner, DC Market, we are pleased to officially announce our entry into the Tajik market,” she added. “Our primary objective is to ensure a high standard of service and provide customers with access to a wide range of products at affordable prices.”

In the first phase, Wildberries will offer delivery services at two partner-operated pick-up points in the capital city of Dushanbe and one pick-up point in Khujand, Tajikistan’s second-largest city. The average delivery time will be 10-14 days.

Wildberries’ pick-up point model boosts customer convenience by giving them the flexibility to pick up deliveries at a time of their choosing, try on clothing and review other ordered items, and return items on the spot.Hashtag: #Wildberries #Ecommerce #Tech

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

About Wildberries

Established in 2004 in Russia, Wildberries is a leading e-commerce platform operating in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, while also partnering with sellers in China. Wildberries provides a state-of-the-art IT infrastructure to support customers and sellers, along with a developed logistics network spanning more than 130 facilities and 70,000 pick-up points across its markets. As of 2025, Wildberries serves over 79 million customers and processes more than 20 million orders per day.

Nexteer Debuts Driveline Innovations, Expands Portfolio

Optimizes Premium Ride via Lightweighting, NVH, Durability, Efficiency

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nexteer Automotive debuts three Driveline technologies engineered to meet the unique demands of EVs, as well as premium driving experiences across all propulsion types. These next-generation Driveline solutions emphasize long-term durability, optimized NVH performance and efficient, lightweight designs — helping automakers deliver quiet, responsive and premium driving experiences. Technologies include optimized Face Spline Axle, 8-Ball Joint and Premium Double Offset Joint. Additionally, Nexteer expands its Cross-Glide Joint portfolio of size variants.

  • Face Spline Axle Technology Delivers Quiet Refinement & Easy Vehicle Integration: Nexteer’s patented Face Spline Axle integrates seamlessly with Face Spline Hubs in the market, eliminates start-click noise and, in some cases, supports overall mass reduction — contributing to a premium driving experience
  • 8-Ball Joint Achieves Over 10 Percent Mass Reduction Via Design and Structural Optimization: Compared to 6-Ball Joints with same strength
  • Premium Double Offset (DO) Joint Enhances Smooth Acceleration and Quiet Comfort: DO Joint with new manufacturing process for the outer race ball track and sphere diameter improves dimensional accuracy and consistency, enabling smoother acceleration and enhanced NVH under high-torque and large-angle conditions
  • Expanded Cross-Glide Joint Sizes: A premium solution for rear applications; provides the highest power-density solution, including low mass, more compact, low lash, enhanced load-to-stroke efficiency and better NVH performance — ultimately delivering a smoother, quieter and more responsive driving experience

Delivering Real-World Value

Nexteer’s latest Driveline solutions are compatible with all propulsion types — including internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles. While effective across the board, these innovations are especially impactful in EVs, which demand higher torque handling, more refined NVH performance and lightweighting strategies to extend range and efficiency. The quiet nature of EVs also amplifies the importance of precision engineering to reduce perceptible vibration and sound.

Nexteer’s Driveline technologies are validated globally and bring measurable benefits for both OEMs and drivers/passengers.

  • High Durability: Engineered to handle elevated torque and regenerative braking loads with robust materials and designs built for long-term reliability
  • NVH Optimization: Smooth, quiet operation enhances the driving experience — particularly in quiet EV cabins
  • Efficient, Lightweight Design: Reduced mass supports better energy efficiency, improved handling and simplified integration across vehicle platforms
  • Packaging Versatility: Suitable for front-, rear- and all-wheel drive applications in a wide variety of vehicle segments and across all propulsion types, including mixed-propulsion platforms

“EVs introduce new challenges for driveline systems including higher torque loads, packaging constraints, and customer expectations for quiet and refined driving,” said Robin Milavec, President, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Board Director, Nexteer Automotive. “Our latest Driveline innovations are engineered to meet these demands with precision, durability and versatility, drawing from our decades of global Driveline experience. The end result is a premium driving experience that can apply to all vehicle propulsion systems from ICE to Hybrid to EV.” 

Built on Vehicle-Level Expertise

Nexteer’s Driveline technologies are part of a broader motion control portfolio backed by deep vehicle-level engineering knowledge. The company’s global footprint, state-of-the-art manufacturing and focus on application-specific innovation make it a trusted partner to automakers with wide-ranging propulsion strategies. 

Nexteer will showcase its Driveline advancements at its exhibit during the 2025 Auto Shanghai April 23May 2 (1.2H 1BF007), alongside its broader portfolio of motion control systems, including Electro-Mechanical Braking, Rear-Wheel Steering, Steer-by-Wire, Software Solutions and more.

ABOUT NEXTEER AUTOMOTIVE

Nexteer Automotive (HK 1316) is a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our innovative portfolio supports “motion-by-wire” chassis control, including electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering systems, steering columns and intermediate shafts, driveline systems, software solutions and brake-by-wire. The company solves motion control challenges across all megatrends – including electrification, software/connectivity, ADAS/automated driving and shared mobility – for more than 60 customers around the world including BMW, Ford, GM, RNM, Stellantis, Toyota and VW, as well as automakers in India and China including BYD, Xiaomi, ChangAn, Li Auto, Chery, Great Wall, Geely, Xpeng and others. www.nexteer.com 

Link to Nexteer Media Center & Link to DL Press Kit 

2025 Golden Pin Salon Returns to Bangkok on April 26, Highlighting Cross-Cultural Dialogue Between Thai and Taiwanese Designers

TAIPEI, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025 “Design Perspectives x Golden Pin Salon” returns to Bangkok on April 26, co-hosted with Thailand’s leading design magazine art4d and executed by the Taiwan Design Research Institute. This event spotlights cross-cultural dialogue between Thai and Taiwanese designers, exploring how design bridges tradition, innovation, and social change.

The speaker lineup of Bangkok event (from the left to right): Karjvit Rirermvanich, Yossapon Boonsom, Borden Tseng (Taiwan), Doonyapol Srichan, Manita Songserm, and Brian Liu (Taiwan).
The speaker lineup of Bangkok event (from the left to right): Karjvit Rirermvanich, Yossapon Boonsom, Borden Tseng (Taiwan), Doonyapol Srichan, Manita Songserm, and Brian Liu (Taiwan).

The first session of the salon, “Hidden Codes – The Language of Space, Form and Nature,” investigates the invisible systems and underlying logic that shape our environments. Thai architect Karjvit Rirermvanich, founder of Physicalist, will share his “architect-maker” approach, which blends design, construction, and craftsmanship. Yossapon Boonsom, founding director of landscape architecture firm Shma and co-founder of non-profit organizations Friends of the River (FOR) and we!park, will explore how design can spark urban transformation through green infrastructure. Representing Taiwan, Borden Tseng, director of Q-LAB Architects, will present his studio’s projects that integrate cultural narratives into public infrastructure, including the award-winning Chudong Parking Structure inspired by the Hakka paper umbrella.

The second session, “Cultural Codes – The Language of Design in Asia,” focuses on how design reflects and reinterprets cultural heritage and contemporary life. Thai designer Doonyapol Srichan, founder of PDM BRAND, will discuss how his work blends everyday functionality with modern aesthetics and Thai craftsmanship, reimagining household objects through a cultural lens. Thai graphic designer Manita Songserm will reflect on her experimental typography and distinctive visual language, including her poster for the exhibition Crossover II: The Nature of Relationships, which won the Best of the 2024 Golden Pin Design Award. From Taiwan, Brian Liu, co-founder of Local Remote, will share his studio’s interdisciplinary branding and visual design projects. The studio’s portfolio includes key visuals for the 2022 Taiwan Design Expo and visual identity design for the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA).

Established by Taiwan’s Golden Pin Design Award in 2015, the “Design Perspectives x Golden Pin Salon” invites past winners and leading designers to share ideas and experiences. Over the past nine years, it has toured 21 Asian cities—including Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and Macau—featuring more than 100 renowned design experts.

The 2025 “Design Perspectives x Golden Pin Salon” in Bangkok will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 12:00 to 19:00 (GMT+7) at the AUA Language Center. The event is free to attend, with simultaneous Thai interpretation and a livestream available for remote participants. Registration: Session 1 and Session 2