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2025 Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize Now Accepting Submissions

BEIJING, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On April 15, 2025, the eighth Blancpain – Imaginist Literary Prize was officially launched. From now until May 15, the organizing committee will accept submissions from publishers, publishing companies or authors themselves. The final winners will be announced at the award ceremony in October. The young writer who wins the first prize will receive a bonus of 300,000 yuan. The finalists will receive the Young Friend of Blancpain award, a certificate for the finalist’s work, and a bonus of 20,000 yuan to support their creative efforts and to encourage young writers to continue their work.

The Literary Prize is an impartial, authoritative and professional award in the field of Chinese literature that aims to discover and encourage outstanding young writers under the age of 45. The co-sponsors, Blancpain and the Imaginist, continue on their quest to convey a simple but meaningful message to the public: “Reading makes time more valuable.”

As every year, the 2025 Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize has brought together a new team to serve as the members of jury. By doing so, the prize maintains the diversity and high caliber of the judging team by assembling many important and iconic figures in the field of Chinese literature and culture. This year’s jury lineup brings together Huang Ziping, Li Zishu, Lu Qingyi, Shi Zhanjun and Sun Ganlu (in alphabetical order).

This Year’s Theme: Time’s Eternal Forking Paths

This year’s theme draws inspiration from Jorge Luis Borges’ seminal short story The Garden of Forking Paths, in which the character Dr. Albert reflects:

“He believed in an infinite series of times, in a dizzily growing, ever spreading network of diverging, converging and parallel times. This web of time – the strands of which approach one another, bifurcate, intersect or ignore each other through the centuries – embraces every possibility. We do not exist in most of them. In some you exist and not I, while in others I do, and you do not, and in yet others both of us exist.”

Beyond the facade of linear history, the textured layers of marginalized narratives endure. For centuries, writers have captured these alternate timelines—chronicling humanity’s resistance to monolithic historical arcs. This remains literature’s vital mission: to preserve what dominant structures seek to erase.

This mission highlights a troubling paradox in our present age. The internet, celebrated as a network of infinite connections, often traps us in echo chambers. In this era of curated realities, we must ask: Can we still hear dissenting voices? Embrace human contradictions? Distinguish sincerity from noise? Amid the din of history, can we discern time’s subtle threads—those obscured truths found in overlooked voices—and regain our bearings?

In a world overwhelmed by noise, you are what you choose — that is time’s hard truth.

Let this serve as a reminder to young writers: In a world demanding constant vigilance, the safest refuge from fear lies in the literary worlds you build. Through your craft, you disrupt the illusion of time as a single line, inviting us to unravel the knots of our constrained existence and confront truths too essential to evade. Within these pages we turn together, “You and I both exist”.

Panelists of the Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize 2025

Huang Ziping, Professor Emeritus at Hong Kong Baptist University and former Professor at Peking University Department of Chinese Language and Literature. In 1985, in concert with Chen Pingyuan and Qian Liqun, he helped define the theoretical framework of ‘Twentieth-Century Chinese Literature’. He has taught at Hong Kong Baptist University Department of Chinese Language and Literature for many years. His major publications include The Elf of the Pensive Old Tree, Narratives in the Chalked Circle, and Text and Its Discontents.

Li Zishu, Malaysian-Chinese writer. Her works include the novels The Age of Goodbyes and Worldly Land, the collection of short stories Ye Pusa, flash fiction collection Yu Sheng (The Rest of Life), and the essay collection Zan Ting Jian (Pause Button).

Lu Qingyi, director, photographer, and editor. His representative work Four Springs won Best Documentary at the 12th FIRST International Film Festival in 2018 and was nominated for Best Documentary and Best Editing at the 55th Golden Horse Awards. He published a book of the same name in 2019.

Shi Zhanjun, professor, editor, and critic. Former editor-in-chief of People’s Literature magazine. He has edited multilingual foreign editions of People’s Literature, New Voices from China Series, Compilation of Research Materials on Contemporary Chinese Literature, This Generation: Cross-Strait Young Writers Series, and Criticism Volume of the New Century Chinese Literature Series. His works include Handwritten Notes on the Eve of the Century, Love and Regret, and The Charm of Living Literature.

Sun Ganlu, writer. His publications include the novels A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains, Breathing, and Time Doll: Chronology of Sun Ganlu’s Short Stories, essay collections I Heard the Voice of the Suburbs Again and Two Sides of Time Coin, the interview collection Folded Time, and documentary This Place is That Place.

About the Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize

The Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize, co-founded by the prestigious Swiss watchmaker Blancpain and China’s foremost publishing brand Imaginist, is the first accolade to be jointly established by a commercial brand and a publishing house, with the goal of identifying and supporting talented young writers under 45. Since its inception, the Literary Prize has upheld the principles of impartiality, authority, and professionalism, steadfastly maintaining these standards as its cornerstone.

Engagement of the members of the latest generation just entering adulthood is always a key indicator that determines the future of the world of literature. In the field of literary creation, talented young authors are always seeking an opportunity, while publishing platforms are looking for potential authors, and, at the same time, aim to attract more attention and garner more engagement. Many contemporary classical authors were discovered and recognized in their youth, as literary awards specifically designated for up-and-coming authors were available to them. For example, Naipaul, Coetzee and Kazuo Ishiguro all won the Man Booker Prize in their youth and went on to earn the Nobel Prize in Literature at a later stage in their writing careers. Renowned Japanese authors, among them, Shusaku Endo, Kenzaburo Oe and Ryu Murakami, were each recipient of the Akutagawa Prize in their youth. In today’s world, literary creation is a lonely and long road for young authors. The literary prize is designed to create a future that gives authors the space to focus on the creation of their works just as calligraphers are given the space and time to practice their craft.

Imaginist, the most influential publisher in China, has been dedicated to discovering the best authors who write in Chinese, offering an opportunity for thoughtful words to be published, while imagining another possibility for books. Works by Mu Xin, Kenneth Pai Hsien-yung, among others, have become even more valuable with the passage of time, nourishing the emotional life for generations of readers. Imaginist has, for a long time, been focused on publishing both the literary classics alongside the works of some of the most dynamic and thoughtful young authors who care about the human condition through the diverse collection of works that they have created with their open-minded insights. There’s always great literature out there to be discovered, and the best of it always pushes the boundaries and explores new horizons. That’s the core idea behind what Imaginist strives for in literature.

Bearing the identity mark of Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie (MDHH), Blancpain is a truly luxury watchmaking brand. For Blancpain, a creator of classic timepieces, watchmaking is as much a result of enduring love as writing. Since its establishment in 1735, Blancpain has ushered in the age of branded watchmaking. Over the past 290 years, navigating the ever-changing tides of time and numerous historical junctures, Blancpain has steadfastly upheld its brand philosophy of solely crafting mechanical watches and maintaining unwavering quality standards, considering MDHH as its eternal passion. This devotion resonates deeply with authors’ dedication to literature and their pursuit of creating classic works, with a shared purpose. Moving forward, Blancpain sees literature as an extension of time – this is Blancpain’s take on literature.

Call for Entries

Requirements:

Entries must be in Simplified Chinese, published as a standalone volume between 1 May 2024 and 30 April 2025, exclusively in mainland China. All novels or collections written in Chinese are eligible for submission. Collections comprising multiple works by different authors or anthologies will not be considered. Short story collections must be first-time publications and should not include stories that have appeared in other published novels by the same author.

The entry age limit is set at 45 years old or younger, calculated as of the author’s age at the time of his or her work’s initial publication. The publication date refers to the first-print date indicated on the copyright page, and reprinted editions are ineligible for this award.

How to Register

Entries can be submitted either by publishing entities (publishers or publishing houses) or directly by individual authors.

For publisher recommendation:

If the submission is made by a publishing entity (publisher or publishing company), the recommending unit must compile a list of the recommended works in an official letter, fill out the “Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize Recommendation Form,” affix the official seal (download the recommendation form here), and submit it along with five copies of the work’s sample to the Jury Office. Each unit is limited to nominating two works, and explicit consent from the author must be obtained prior to submission.

For author submission:
For self-nominations, authors must fill out the “Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize Recommendation Form,” sign it and attach a copy of their personal ID (download the recommendation form here), along with five copies of the work’s sample to the Jury Office. Each author is limited to submitting one work for consideration.

Please note that the submission deadline for this year’s Prize is 15 May 2025, based on the delivery date stamped by the courier or postmark.

In addition to the paper materials mentioned earlier, kindly submit the electronic version of your work in PDF format, along with the front cover and a three-dimensional book cover (excluding the waistband, JPEG file not exceeding 5MB), and the electronic “Recommendation Form” as a WORD document to the designated email address. Upon receipt, the Jury Office will confirm your submission for evaluation via email. Please note that sample books will not be returned.

The Jury Office reserves the right to disqualify any organization or person who is found to be ineligible to participate in the competition.

Receiving Address

Address: Blancpain – Imaginist Literary Prize Jury Office, Building 26, Xinghua Dongli, Hepingli, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Postcode: 100013

Tel: 010-84255532 (ext. 8096)

Email for Submission: BLANCPAIN-IMAGINIST@imaginist.com.cn

Rules

The judging panel for this edition consists of Huang Ziping, Li Zishu, Lu Qingyi, Shi Zhanjun, and Sun Ganlu (in alphabetical order).

Submitted works will be received, organized, and numbered by the Jury Office before being forwarded to the five judges.

Judges will participate in the entire review process. Based on reading and discussing the entries, each judge will nominate works for consideration. Through discussion and voting, a shortlist will be selected. After three rounds of voting, a finalist list will be determined, ultimately leading to the selection of the winner through final voting.

  1. Throughout the evaluation process, the organizing committee respects the autonomy of the jury and entrusts them with the sole discretion to determine the shortlist and final award recipients.
  2. All jury members are required to read all the entries for the year.
  3. All judges will thoroughly examine the nominated works multiple times. At the shortlist evaluation meeting, they will collectively score, discuss, and vote, ultimately selecting the top five works for the shortlist.
  4. The jury will deliberate during the morning session of the award ceremony to determine the recipient of the year’s first prize.

Stay tuned

On 1 August, the Jury Office will unveil the longlist, compiled from the initial candidates proposed by jury members.

On 15 September, the Jury Office will announce the shortlist, determined by the five nominations made by a majority vote of the jury.

The final winner (1) will be announced at the Award Ceremony scheduled in October.

For further details on the selection criteria and the progress of the prize, you can keep track by visiting the official website of the Prize at http://www.ilixiangguo.com/literary.html.

 

Nota AI Signs Generative AI Solution Contract with Dubai RTA, Accelerating Middle East Expansion

  • First Korean company to commercialize on-device generative AI solutions in the Middle East
  • Accelerating global expansion with proprietary AI optimization technology, fueling IPO momentum

SEOUL, South Korea, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nota AI, a leading AI optimization technology company, has signed a contract with Dubai‘s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) in the UAE to provide a generative AI-based Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) solution. The official signing took place at the ‘AI Assembly’ event held in Dubai on April 22.

Myungsu Chae (left), CEO of Nota Inc., and Mohammed Al Mudharreb (right), CEO of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), at the signing ceremony during Dubai AI Week 2025.
Myungsu Chae (left), CEO of Nota Inc., and Mohammed Al Mudharreb (right), CEO of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), at the signing ceremony during Dubai AI Week 2025.

Nota AI’s ITS solution is a core product of Nota Vision Agent (NVA), a cutting-edge traffic management solution powered by Vision-Language Models (VLM). It runs directly on NVIDIA data center and edge GPUs and leverages the NVIDIA AI Blueprint for  Video Search and Summarization (VSS) to process and summarize huge volumes of video data from traffic cameras. Leveraging real-time analysis capabilities, Nota AI’s platform effectively identifies hazards within complex road environments and the visual AI agents immediately alerts operations teams, which can greatly accelerate on-site response times. Additionally, the automated generation of analytical reports markedly improves administrative efficiency—factors highlighted by Nota AI as decisive in securing this recent contract.

Nota AI will present the project’s results at GITEX 2025, the largest technology exhibition in the Middle East, aiming to actively pursue further smart city initiatives throughout the region.

Following its successful Series C funding round last year, Nota AI has secured cumulative investments totaling $42.6 million USD. With a robust 136% revenue growth in 2024 and anticipated growth of 67% in 2025, the company has built a solid financial foundation ahead of its upcoming IPO. Significantly, Nota AI became the first AI optimization company to achieve a double-A rating in the KOSDAQ technology-based IPO evaluation in December 2024.

“This agreement with Dubai RTA marks an important milestone that clearly demonstrates Nota AI’s global technological competitiveness,” stated Myungsu Chae, CEO of Nota AI. “We look forward to successfully completing our IPO and spearheading AI-driven innovations across smart cities and diverse industries throughout the Middle East and beyond.”

A Leap Toward Smarter, More Efficient Workflows – MEGA 70W CO2 Laser Takes Efficiency to New Heights

Revolutionizing engraving, the MEGA 70W CO2 Laser combines AI-powered automation with advanced features to streamline operations for every maker and manufacturer. With a working area 35–40% larger than other CO2 laser machines, 25% more processing power, and cutting capabilities up to 25% thicker materials, it’s engineered to outperform the competition.

NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Built for the modern creator, the MEGA 70W CO2 Laser is more than just a tool—it’s a game-changer. With a host of intelligent features like Batch Fill, Automatic Layout, and AI Creation, it’s designed to optimize every engraving task, cut dimming speed by 80%, and reduce equipment maintenance by up to 80%. Developed by Monport Laser, a trusted innovator in the engraving industry, the MEGA 70W CO2 Laser seamlessly combines smart automation and precise engineering to meet the needs of businesses, artists, and professionals across all industries.

Shop Monport MEGA 70W CO2 Laser Here. Use code BESTMP10 at checkout for 10% Discount.

The Brand Story: Where Innovation Meets Purpose

The Monport MEGA 70W CO2 Laser wasn’t born from a boardroom—it began with a conversation. As Monport’s team engaged with users and partners worldwide, a pattern emerged: growing demand for efficient solutions in curved surface engraving and high-volume batch production. From personalized thermoses to mass-customized drinkware, users were seeking a better way to engrave complex, non-flat surfaces at scale.

Driven by our user-centered development philosophy, Monport embarked on a mission to innovate. Our engineers explored how visual recognition, computer vision, and automation could be harmonized into a streamlined solution. The result? The Monport MEGA 70W CO2 Laser—an engraving system that automatically detects shapes, adjusts in real-time, and delivers flawless precision, even on irregular or cylindrical objects. It’s a solution built not only to meet the needs of today’s creators but to future-proof the workflows of tomorrow.

Recognizing that small businesses and large-scale manufacturers alike require scalability, the MEGA CO2 Laser is designed for adaptability. Whether handling a limited product line or thousands of units per day, MEGA’s biggest conveyor belt support and smart Batch Fill support allow users to adjust batch sizes and configurations with ease. The intuitive 5-minute alignment feature also simplifies setup, getting users from design to production faster than ever.

Maximizing Efficiency with Intelligent Automation

The MEGA 70W CO2 Laser takes engraving efficiency to new heights with its Batch Fill feature. Utilizing proprietary vision algorithms, this technology identifies identical shapes, colors, and material specifications, allowing for one-click batch engraving. This intelligent automation eliminates manual adjustments, saving users both time and effort while ensuring consistent results across multiple pieces.

Working seamlessly with the M-Design Hub, the MEGA 70W Laser optimizes each job by automatically adjusting material parameters based on the selected material type, whether you’re working with wood, acrylic, leather, or other substrates. This integration of smart design software streamlines the entire engraving process, making it faster and more accurate.

Automatic Layout: Streamlining Production and Reducing Waste

Further enhancing workflow, the Automatic Layout feature optimizes material usage by arranging scattered design elements into the most efficient layout. This AI-driven solution minimizes material waste, ensuring that every inch of material is used effectively. This feature is especially valuable for businesses working with high-volume custom jobs where maximizing material efficiency is key to reducing costs.

AI Creation: Powering Creativity

The AI Creation tool in the MEGA 70W Laser offers Text to Image and Image to Image functionality, powered by advanced AI models and Monport’s proprietary algorithms. This feature enables users to generate unique designs and modify images quickly and efficiently, making it easier than ever to create custom engravings without needing graphic design expertise. Whether you’re creating intricate artwork or product designs, the AI Creation feature enhances creative freedom and productivity.

Variable Text and Image for Batch Personalization

For those who specialize in personalized items, the Variable Text and Image feature takes customization to the next level. By allowing for the batch creation of products with custom text, serial numbers, and images, users can produce high-quality, personalized engravings quickly and efficiently. This feature is ideal for businesses that require mass customization, such as engraving awards, promotional materials, and gifts.

Pipelining Engraving: Continuous Production for Maximum Efficiency

Monport’s Pipelining Engraving feature adds an extra layer of efficiency, especially for high-volume production environments. By supporting conveyor belt accessories, the MEGA 70W Laser can automatically transport materials for continuous engraving, minimizing downtime and maximizing throughput. With its “1-Min Stay Fresh” smoke exhaust system, the machine maintains a clean and clear work environment even during extended production runs.

Enhanced Precision with M-Design Hub and Smart Controls

The MEGA 70W CO2 Laser is powered by Monport’s M-Design Hub, an intuitive design software that empowers users with a range of AI tools, material libraries, and real-time design previews. Combined with the machine’s Intelligent Touch Screen, users can access detailed visual previews, adjust laser parameters, and manage engraving operations with ease. The system’s smart interface allows for on-the-fly adjustments, including automatic material thickness detection, ensuring precise results every time.

For users who prefer using familiar platforms, the MEGA 70W Laser is fully compatible with LightBurn, providing a flexible and versatile experience that meets the needs of all engraving professionals.

Optimized for Real-World Workflows: Major Software Update Now Live

To support the evolving needs of MEGA users, the Monport Design Hub has just released a significant software upgrade focused on stability, precision, and user control. This update enhances overall network connectivity for smoother device communication, while a new manual USB port confirmation feature allows for more flexible network configuration. Additionally, eleven newly integrated image preprocessing algorithms now deliver sharper, cleaner engraving output—especially on high-detail or curved designs. Minor but important bug fixes have also been implemented, resolving previous inconsistencies in detail rendering. Altogether, this update is designed to help users achieve a higher level of performance, whether working on intricate single pieces or large-volume production runs.

Built for High-Volume Workflows

With batch processing capabilities, smart auto-layout, and advanced safety systems, the MEGA 70W CO2 Laser is designed for demanding environments. Its fully enclosed guide rails, intelligent airflow, and environmental sensors ensure smooth operations in both small workshops and large industrial settings. The system’s quiet, low-maintenance design—with 80% reduce maintenance requirements—makes it ideal for businesses looking for long-term productivity.

Shop Now and Save

The Monport MEGA 70W CO2 Laser is now available at www.monportlaser.com. For a limited time, use promo code BESTMP10 at checkout to receive exclusive savings on your purchase.

With the MEGA 70W CO2 Laser, Monport has raised the bar for engraving technology—delivering power, precision, and smart automation to help you achieve the best results in less time.

Shop Monport MEGA 70W CO2 Laser Here. Use code BESTMP10 at checkout for 10% Discount.

About Monport Laser

Monport Laser is a global leader in advanced engraving systems, trusted for its high-quality, precision-driven tools. Known for its commitment to innovation, Monport designs laser engraving and cutting machines that combine power, ease of use, and intuitive interfaces to meet the diverse needs of professionals and makers across industries.

Media Contact
Company: MonportLaser
Email: official@monportlaser.com
Website: https://www.monportlaser.com/ 

HCLSoftware Launches HCL AppScan API Security

A comprehensive API Security solution designed to help organizations effectively manage their API assets while minimizing risk.

NOIDA, India, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HCLSoftware, a global leader in enterprise software solutions, announced today the launch of HCL AppScan API Security, in partnership with Salt Security. This comprehensive API security program enables organizations to effectively manage all their API assets and ensure they continue to deliver business value without introducing increased levels of risk.

HCL AppScan API Security is designed to reduce security blind spots with an expert-trained, AI-infused discovery platform that finds and inventories all API assets, ensures corporate API standards in runtime and development, and integrates seamlessly with dynamic analysis to pinpoint and fix vulnerabilities. 

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are rapidly transforming the digital landscape, with APIs now accounting for well over 50 percent of all web traffic. APIs facilitate seamless communication between applications and are now being relied upon to drive cloud services, mobile apps, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. But all this traffic has, at the same time, made APIs a leading attack vector that can be exploited by bad actors, and organizations are now facing a whole new set of security challenges.

“The growing dependence on APIs has made robust API security a boardroom-level concern for our customers, all of whom are looking to improve their security posture and safeguard their digital ecosystems,” said Rajesh Iyer, Executive Vice President, HCLSoftware.

2023 saw a significant increase over previous years in both the total number of API attacks, as well as the percentage of data breaches associated with API vulnerabilities. And the trend is continuing. In the recent 2024 State of API Security report from Salt Security, 37% of the organizations surveyed reported having experienced an API-related security incident – twice that of the previous year. Just in the first six months of 2024, various news agencies have reported large-scale API-related attacks across numerous industries including social media and file sharing platforms, technology companies, and e-commerce sites, to name a few, leading to compromised data for millions of users.

APIs have become so ubiquitous that many companies don’t even know how many they are using. The number for medium and larger organizations can easily be in the hundreds. APIs now play multiple roles in every industry, most evidently in functionality such as online shopping, media delivery, payment gateways, workflow automation, microservices, software development – the list goes on. This means that the first step to securing APIs is gathering a full and accurate inventory of what is being used.

“One of the key capabilities of HCL AppScan API Security is its ability to continuously discover and record an organization’s entire API inventory.” said Colin Bell, CTO for HCL AppScan. “This allows security teams to gain insights into their overall security posture.”

The rising trend in API attacks led the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) to create The OWASP API Security Top 10 – a list of the most critical security risks specifically related to APIs. The list was compiled to help organizations understand and mitigate the risks associated with API vulnerabilities. These include key areas that organizations should focus on when securing their APIs such as Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA), Excessive Data Exposure, and Security Misconfiguration, just to name a few. According to the 2024 State of API Security report from Salt Security, 80% of attack attempts leverage one or more of OWASP API Top 10 methods, but only about 58% of respondents surveyed focus their security efforts around this list.

“With the rise in API security incidents and regulatory oversight, organizations need to maintain continuous compliance across their API ecosystems,” stated Michael Nicosia, COO and Co-founder at Salt Security. “By combining HCL AppScan’s powerful scanning features with Salt Security’s real-time governance and visibility of attack surfaces, including our discovery of undocumented and shadow APIs, we deliver unified insights and deeper visibility across their entire API landscape. This enables organizations to proactively identify risks and uphold compliance with essential standards such as PCI DSS, GDPR, and HIPAA throughout the API lifecycle.”

HCL AppScan API Security ensures 100 percent coverage of the OWASP API Security Top 10 list and provides organizations with numerous capabilities for more robust API security including:

  • Reduce security blind spots with an expert-trained, AI-infused API discovery platform
  • Discover and inventory all APIs, including Shadow and Zombie APIs
  • Pinpoint sensitive data in transit and ensure compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS)
  • Link APIs to owners and functions
  • Gain insights into the security posture of your entire API landscape
  • Ensure corporate API standards in runtime and development with the help of AI-based insights that assess and prioritize the riskiest API assets
  • Adopt industry best practices using pre-built policy templates and an expansive API policy library
  • Integrate API-specific DAST vulnerability testing and improve accuracy with up-to-date specs, business logic, and API configuration data

For more information about HCL AppScan API Security, please visit: https://www.hcl-software.com/appscan

About HCLSoftware

HCLSoftware is a global leader in software innovation and the software division of HCLTech. We develop, market, sell, and support transformative solutions across various industries, including business and industry, intelligent operations, total experience, data and analytics, and cybersecurity. Our commitment to customer success and our core values of integrity, inclusion, value creation, people-centricity, and social responsibility drive us to deliver best-in-class software products that empower organizations to achieve their goals. With a rich heritage of pioneering spirit, HCLSoftware serves more than 20,000 organizations, including a majority of the Fortune 100 and almost half of the Fortune 500. Learn more about how we can help you achieve your goals at www.hcl-software.com.

 

SANY Impresses at bauma 2025 with Sustainable Lineup and Digital Intelligence

MUNICH, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 34th bauma, the world’s leading trade fair for construction machinery, recently successfully concluded in Munich, Germany. With the theme “The World of Efficiency, Your Partner to Create the Best”, SANY Group, together with Putzmeister, presented a spectacular showcase of innovation and technology in the 5256m3 booth, attracting widespread attention. On opening day, SANY harvested more than 200 intended customers, securing intended orders of nearly 3 billion yuan (approx. 360.3 million euros).

 

SANY at bauma 2025- the World of Efficiency

This year, SANY showcased 35 flagship products, including excavators, telehandlers, wheel loaders, cranes, forklifts, and road machinery. Among them, 31 are CE certified, 15 debuted globally, and 11 are electric, highlighting SANY’s focus on sustainability and innovation.

Cutting-Edge Product Lineup with Global Debuts

SCC2000A-EV: SANY’s largest pure electric lattice boom crawler crane, featuring a 422kWh high-capacity CATL battery for up to 9 hours of operation. The 234kW Danfoss motor delivers strong power for demanding tasks. With a 200t lifting capacity, it features an 86m main boom, a 30m fixed jib, and a 63m luffing jib. It complies with CE certification and European transport regulations.

STR50E: The industry’s first 5-ton e-roller, equipped with a 60kWh battery, enabling over 7 hours of continuous operation with fast charging in just 60 minutes via shared EV charging piles. Powered by a CATL battery system with liquid-cooled thermal management, it operates reliably from -20°C to 50°C, with over 2,000 tested working hours and more than 2,000 charge cycles—equivalent to 30 years of service life.

SY215E: The flagship electric excavator, powered by a 422kWh CATL battery and 150kW high-power motor, ensuring 6–8 hours of continuous operation under European working conditions. With dual CCS2 charging (100% in 1.5 hours) and 360-degree AI cameras for human-zone detection, it enhances both safety and efficiency.

STH625E: SANY’s first compact telehandler designed for Europe, designed for tight spaces. At 1.85 meters wide and 1.92 meters high, it combines compact with powerful. A 34 kWh battery enables for 8 hours of operation in a travel speed of 20 km/h.

Digital Intelligence Takes Center Stage

SANY’s Digital Intelligence Exhibition Zone also drew large crowds, with the MySANY platform, and the Mechlink Intelligent Excavation System sparking great interest and inquiries.

Developed by Yaowu Technology and SANY Heavy Machinery’s Large Excavator R&D Institute, the Mechlink Intelligent Excavation System is designed for large excavators in harsh and hazardous scenarios. Utilizing ultra-low latency 5G, it enables L2-level one-click intelligent excavation, ensuring safety, efficiency, and advanced intelligence.

Another highlight was a live demonstration of remote excavator control from Munich, Germany to Huzhou, China—a distance of over 8,500 kilometers—which drew more than 200 participants and was met with enthusiastic acclaim.

SANY’s European journey began in 2009 with its entry into Bedburg, Germany. Since then, it has built a robust ecosystem across Europe, including R&D, manufacturing, marketing, and after-sales service. With 150 dealers, 120 sales experts, 70 service vehicles, and €20 million in spare parts inventory, SANY consistently exceeds customer expectations, and meets the market requirements for clean, green, and sustainable products.

International Forum on Northeast China Impressions: The Local-Cosmopolitan Dimensions of Northeast China’s Culture Held at Jilin University

BEIJING, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from China Daily: On April 18th, the International Forum on Northeast China Impressions: The Local-Cosmopolitan Dimensions of Northeast China’s Culture, jointly organized by the Publicity Office of the CPC Jilin University Committee, the Institute of International Communication Studies of Jilin University, and the College of Journalism and Communication of Jilin University, commenced in Changchun.

The opening ceremony was attended by officials from the Publicity Department of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee, the Education Department of Jilin Province, the Foreign Affairs Office of Jilin Province, and the Jilin Province Department of Culture and Tourism, as well as leaders from other universities in Jilin province and representatives from the Jilin Branch of Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group Jilin Bureau.

During the ceremony, Jilin University, on behalf of other universities in Jilin Province, proposed the Launch of the Jilin Province Universities International Communication Alliance Initiative. Representatives from 12 universities—including Jilin University, Northeast Normal University, Yanbian University, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Normal University, Jilin University of Finance and Economics, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun University, Jilin Engineering Normal University, Jilin International Studies University, and Jilin Animation Institute—jointly signed the declaration of initiative.

The forum brought together dozens of experts, scholars, and youth representatives from 16 countries, including the United States, Russia, France, South Korea, Canada, Spain, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Cuba, Thailand, Laos, Pakistan, and Vietnam. The event featured discussions on key topics, including “Dialogue on New Paradigms for the International Dissemination of Northeast China’s Culture”, “Local Culture and Global Aesthetics Dialogue in the International Communication of Northeast China’s Literature”, “Dynamic Interpretation and Global Reception of Northeast China’s Industrial Culture”, “The Living Heritage and Global Dialogue of Northeast China’s Folk Culture”, “Contemporary Transformation and Cross-Cultural Integration of Northeast China’s Art and Culture”, and “Sustainable Development and Global Cooperation in Northeast China’s Ecological Industries”. Professor Zhang Fugui from Jilin University emphasized the importance of multidimensional integration in innovating the international communication of Northeast China’s culture, advocating for cross-boundary storytelling to bridge the local value experiences of Northeast China’s culture with global civilizational resonance.  Additionally, the forum hosted art and photography exhibitions showcasing Northeast China’s culture.

The scene of the opening ceremony of the International Forum on
The scene of the opening ceremony of the International Forum on “Northeast China Impressions: The Local-Cosmopolitan Dimensions of Northeast China’s Culture”

 

Baozun Releases 2024 Sustainability Report

SHANGHAI, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Baozun Inc. (Nasdaq: BZUN and HKEX: 9991) (“Baozun”, “we” or the “Company”), a leading brand e-commerce solution provider and digital commerce enabler in China, today announced the release of its 2024 Annual Sustainability Report (the “Sustainability Report”), highlighting the Company’s achievements in environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate governance.

Baozun integrates sustainability into both daily operations and long-term strategic planning, consistently fostering a low-carbon ecosystem, advancing AI-driven innovation, and cultivating a caring and inclusive workplace. Baozun’s Founder, Chairman and CEO, Mr. Vincent Qiu, remarked, “Guided by our mission of ‘Technology Empowers the Future of Commerce,’ Baozun continues to harness its digital capabilities to empower brands in building resilient supply chains and driving green consumption. Amid the wave of the digital economy, we remain committed to leading the industry toward a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable future.”

Key ESG achievements in 2024:

  • In 2024, Baozun’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 35.5% compared to 2021 (excluding Gap China).
  • Following the “3R (Reduction, Replacement, Removal)” carbon reduction concept, Baozun advanced carbon verification initiatives, achieving ISO 14064 carbon verification certification for three of our warehouse and logistics parks — Wujiangnan, Yishang, and Tuopu. Additionally, Yishang and Tuopu parks were certified as PAS 2060 carbon-neutral parks.
  • We strengthened our carbon data management capabilities with the launch of a Carbon Emissions Digital Dashboard. This tool enables real-time visualization of carbon emissions data and trends, providing scientific support for the development of energy-saving and emission-reduction strategies.
  • With our two core technology solutions — OMS 4.0 and DTC 2.0 — Baozun was recognized in the Gartner Market Guide for Technology Providers. This reflects our leading capabilities in global brand e-commerce and technology services, empowering brands in their omnichannel digital transformation and growth.
  • Leveraging our self-developed integrated management platform, S-ANY, the Company launched new features including Public Opinion Monitoring and Smart Assistant (S-Whiz) to enhance customer service operations and consumer insights, continuously improving service efficiency and customer experience.
  • Baozun partnered with the “Her Unlimited Women Development Center” to launch a rural women empowerment program, contributing to women’s entrepreneurship and rural revitalization.
  • Baozun and its subsidiary, Baozun Brand Management Company (Gap China), received wide recognition for their ESG practices. Baozun received the Best ESG Innovation Award at the 9th Zhitong Finance Listed Company Awards and the ESG Model Award at the International Zero Carbon Festival. Gap China was honored with the Best Social Responsibility Award and the Public Welfare Practice Award at the Employer Brand Creativity Competition.

For the full Baozun 2024 annual sustainability report, please visit: https://ir.baozun.com/ESG-Report.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident,” “potential,” “continues,” “ongoing,” “targets,” “guidance,” “going forward,” “looking forward,” “outlook” or other similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Baozun’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to Baozun’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and its announcements, notices or other documents published on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof and is based on assumptions that Baozun believes to be reasonable as of this date, and Baozun undertakes no obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

About Baozun Inc.

Founded in 2007, Baozun Inc. is a leader in brand e-commerce service, brand management, and digital commerce service. It serves more than 490 brands from various industries and sectors around the world, including East and Southeast Asia, Europe and North America as of December 31, 2024.

Baozun Inc. comprises three major business lines — Baozun e-Commerce (BEC), Baozun Brand Management (BBM) and Baozun International (BZI) and is committed to accelerating high-quality and sustainable growth. Driven by the principle that “Technology Empowers the Future Success”, Baozun’s business lines are devoted to empowering their clients’ business and navigating their new phase of development.

For more information, please visit http://ir.baozun.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Baozun Inc.
Ms. Wendy Sun
Email: ir@baozun.com 

EARTH DAY LIGHTS UP THE WORLD AS ICONIC LANDMARKS ILLUMINATE IN GREEN TO SHOW UNITY AND COMMITMENT TO THE PLANET

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — To mark the 55th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd, we are proud to stand with communities around the world in support of our planet. Since 1970, EARTHDAY.ORG has united over one billion people annually to protect the environment.

This year, our “Earth Day 55: Illuminations for the Future,” lights up iconic buildings all over the world in green on April 22nd. This illumination serves as a powerful visual reminder of our shared responsibility to safeguard  the environment and our commitment to building a sustainable future.

LINK TO PHOTOS

From towering skyscrapers in New York City to cultural landmarks in Europe and Asia, these illuminations serve as a timely and visual call to action. They represent a shared commitment to preserving the environment and reflecting a growing awareness of the urgent need to care for the world we all depend on.

“These illuminations are a beacon, reminding us that there is always light, and that we are all in this together, united by our common cause to care for the planet, our own communities, families and our own well being,” says Kathleen Rogers, President of EARTHDAY.ORG.

In New York, buildings participating include One World Trade Center, One Five One West 42, the OneWTC Podium, Sven LIC, One Bryant Park, the Vessel at Hudson Yards, 10 Hudson Yards, Edge, Bronx Terminal Market, and the Con Edison Clock Tower in Manhattan. The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York will also be glowing green in honor of the day.

“We applaud those who have loaned their buildings and landmarks around the world to signal we are one world in this together,” says John Oppermann, Executive Director of Earth Day Initiative.

Beyond New York, LA City Hall in Los Angeles lit up.

“All Angelenos deserve clean air, clean drinking water and access to green infrastructure such as maintained parks and EV chargers,” says Mayor Bass. “We’ve seen the dangers of climate change first hand – and we must do all that we can to continue building climate-resistant, zero-emission and green infrastructure in order to protect our city and all who live here.”

Outside of the U.S other iconic buildings went “green” – The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, Scotland, Christ the King in Lisbon, Portugal, Frere Hall in Karachi, Pakistan, the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China are also all participating in this global gesture. In Mumbai, India several famous buildings are lighting up – the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Indian Merchant Chamber. In Kolhapur, Shivaji University, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus, and Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport. In Gurajat – the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Air. In DelhiSt. James’ Church.

“To mark the 55th anniversary of Earth Day on 22 April and the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement we are proud to stand with communities around the world in support of our planet,” says Kathleen Warden, Director of Conference Sales, Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow, Scotland (host of COP26). “Since 1970, EARTHDAY.ORG has united over one billion people annually to protect the environment, and this year we are honoured to join other iconic buildings worldwide to illuminate the Hydro, serving a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to safeguard our environment and build a sustainable future.”

These illuminations serve as a powerful visual reminder to care for our planet’s health, while also offering a way to educate and inspire everyone. They are a symbolic reminder that the health of our planet is a shared responsibility, and that awareness must be matched with intention and action.

“Education is fundamental to each urban policy. Only last year at the Rydzowa Ecological Education Center we provided training for 34 000 people, mostly children, and adults as well,” says Magdalena Młochowska, Director and Coordinator for Green Warsaw, Poland.

About EARTHDAY.ORG: Founded in 1970 by the organizers of the first Earth Day, EARTHDAY.ORG has grown into the world’s largest environmental movement, mobilizing over one billion people annually to protect the planet and its people. Our mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental community globally. This year Earth Day marks its 55th anniversary and has designated this year’s Earth Day theme as Our Power, Our Planet. Learn more at EARTHDAY.ORG.

For media inquiries, interviews, comment – please feel free to contact:
Terran Fielder, fielder@earthday.org, +1 661 444 4436