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Focus Graphite Achieves 99.9996 wt.% Ultra-High Purity and 2.03 ppm EBC in Follow-On Testing

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5N+ Purity and On-Spec EBC Confirm Lac Knife’s Potential as a North American Source of Ultra-High-Performance Graphite Applications


Ottawa, Ontario – Newsfile Corp. – December 11, 2025 – Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0) (“Focus” or the “Company“) a Canadian developer of high-grade flake graphite deposits and innovator of next-generation battery technology, is pleased to announce that follow-on purification and elemental analysis of material from its Lac Knife deposit (concentrate Lot ID: GN25073005) achieved 99.9996 wt.% (“5N+“) and an Equivalent Boron Concentration (“EBC“) of 2.03 ppm, confirming the material is within nuclear-grade specification and meets the technical thresholds required for several high-value advanced materials markets.

The test work, conducted using electrothermal purification with no halogen gases (e.g. chlorine) or acids, produced this ultra-pure result in two (2) hours, further validating a chemical-free, environmentally advantageous pathway compared to conventional purification methods. These results directly support Focus’s ongoing engineering and scale-up programs funded under Natural Resources Canada’s (“NRCan“) Global Partnerships Initiative (“GPI“), under which the Company was awarded a non-repayable contribution of up to $14.1 million to accelerate North American capacity for clean, advanced material processing.

Subsequent elemental analysis calculated in accordance with ASTM C1233-15: Standard Practice for Determining Equivalent Boron Contents of Nuclear Materials yielded an Equivalent Boron Concentration (“EBC“) of 2.03 ppm (Table 1), which falls below the critical 3 ppm threshold often cited for nuclear-grade graphite applications. The calculated EBC value is the most critical test of purity for nuclear industry use.

These results suggest that Lac Knife graphite has the potential to serve markets requiring ultra-high-purity large and jumbo flake natural graphite. Achieving both 5N+ purity and a high proportion of large-flake concentrate is uncommon in the natural graphite industry and may provide Focus with opportunities in markets historically reliant on synthetic graphite or otherwise inaccessible to peers. These findings are consistent with peer-reviewed research published in ACS Omega (“Ultrahigh Temperature Purification of Graphite for the Development of a Continuous Process,” ACS Omega, 2025), conducted by American Energy Technologies Company (“AETC“) and NRCan, which demonstrated that ultrahigh-temperature purification of natural Canadian graphite can produce materials exhibiting purity and crystallinity suitable for advanced applications. Focus’s ongoing testwork indicates that residual impurities appear primarily on the surface of the graphite flake—as evidenced by ultra-fine features observed through scanning electron microscopy—suggesting that purification efficiency is strongly influenced by surface cleaning dynamics rather than structural defects within the carbon lattice.

Dean Hanisch, Chief Executive Officer of Focus commented, “These results validate Lac Knife as one of the rare unique natural graphite deposits capable of competing in high margin advanced technological markets and as a potential alternative to synthetic materials that are more expensive and have a larger environmental impact. With support from Canada’s Federal Government, through Natural Resources Canada’s Global Partnerships Initiative, we are now positioned to accelerate our scale-up work and unlock commercial pathways across nuclear energy, defense systems, graphene production, and next-generation electronics.”

Lac Knife graphite’s combination of ultra-high purity and large flake distribution positions it for a range of advanced industrial, clean energy, and high-technology applications.

Unlocking Advanced Markets Beyond Nuclear

Beyond nuclear applications, the ultra-high purity and medium-grain morphology of Lac Knife graphite position the material as a strategic feedstock for several advanced technology markets facing supply shortages, performance bottlenecks, and increasing scrutiny over material purity.

Graphene & Few-Layer Graphene (FLG) Production

In the graphene sector, precursor quality is the primary determinant of performance. Impurities commonly found in natural graphite—typically 0.5-1 microns in size, or roughly one thousand (1000) times thicker than a graphene layer—are known to disrupt electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties unless fully removed. Lac Knife’s 5N+ purity eliminates these defects at the source, allowing the flake to exfoliate cleanly into high-value graphene structures.

Peer-reviewed research published in Carbon (“Influence of graphite geography on the yield of mechanically exfoliated few-layer graphene,” Carbon, 2023) demonstrates the significance of geological origin in FLG production. In follow-on AETC—Yale University testing based on the methodologies outlined in that study, Lac Knife graphite achieved a record-high few-layer graphene yield of 22% ± 3%, outperforming all other natural samples evaluated and showing exfoliation behavior that synthetic graphite could not replicate.

Taken together, these results position Lac Knife as one of the few North American natural flake sources capable of supplying advanced graphene markets, including conductive coatings, EMI-shielding materials, flexible electronics, sensors, and next-generation energy storage systems.

Defence: IR Obscuration & Countermeasure Systems

The defence sector presents another major opportunity. Modern warfare increasingly requires materials capable of obscuring both visible and infrared signatures. Traditional obscurants—such as bronze flakes, titanium dioxide, and red phosphorus—pose toxicity, safety, and performance challenges. High-purity graphite and graphene derived from Lac Knife offer a lightweight, non-toxic, and thermally stable alternative capable of generating rapid-dispersion and longer-lasting obscurant clouds.

These materials are applicable to 40 mm muzzle-blast cartridges, airburst obscuration rounds for UAVs and rotorcraft, countermeasure dispenser systems, and naval surface-ship defence platforms. The U.S. Department of War currently procures graphene-based obscurants at approximately US$30,000 per ton, reflecting both strategic importance and limited supply. Lac Knife’s purity is essential here, as impurities directly interfere with graphene formation and degrade obscurant performance.

Stealth Coatings & Electromagnetic Protection Systems

Ultra-high purity graphite also plays a critical role in stealth coatings and electromagnetic protection systems. Engineered systems operating across the 400 MHz to 30 GHz spectrum require materials that deliver highly reproducible electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and particle uniformity.

These coatings and composites are used in radar-absorbing structures for stealth UAVs, thermal-vision targeting systems, and a range of low-observable technologies. Because deviations in graphite purity can compromise system reliability or operator safety, defence and shielding markets pay substantial premiums—often up to US$50,000 per ton—for 5N-grade material. Lac Knife’s combination of purity, consistency, and grain structure aligns closely with these stringent requirements and allows for further refinement into fine, superfine, ultrafine, or microfine grades without compromising integrity.

Critical Infrastructure Hardening (HEMP, IEMI and Geomagnetic Storms)

The same purity advantages extend into critical infrastructure protection. As governments and utilities work to harden electrical grids, substations, and 5G networks against high-altitude electromagnetic pulses (HEMP), intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI), and severe geomagnetic storms, materials must perform reliably across high-frequency ranges and under extreme operating conditions.

Graphite-based shielding and coatings designed for these systems rely on predictable, reproducible material behavior—standards that only ultra-high purity graphite can meet. Lac Knife’s 5N+ output offers the reliability required for these mission-critical applications.

Additional High-Value Markets Enabled by 5N+ Purity

In addition to these strategic sectors, Lac Knife’s purity profile and particle characteristics also unlock potential in several high-value industries, including thermal management components for semiconductors and LEDs, high-pressure synthetic diamond production, PEM and SOFC fuel-cell bipolar plates, and laboratory-grade graphite consumables where contamination must be tightly controlled. In each of these markets, ultra-high purity reduces defects, increases stability, and improves overall system performance, enabling natural graphite to compete directly with synthetic alternatives.

Next Steps in Technical Validation

Focus is advancing a comprehensive technical qualification program to further define Lac Knife’s suitability for nuclear and advanced material markets. Ongoing nuclear graphite testing includes detailed characterization of particle size distribution, compressibility, electrical resistivity, and coefficient of friction—parameters that determine whether a graphite material can perform reliably under the thermal, mechanical, and irradiation stresses present in high-temperature reactor environments. The Company expects to fabricate and evaluate near-net-shape graphite bricks, an essential step toward assessing Lac Knife material in full-scale core component geometries and within ASME Division 5 design criteria.

In parallel, Focus is extending its validation program—supported through NRCan’s Global Partnerships Initiative (“GPI”)—advanced materials markets. Current work programs under consideration include assessing Lac Knife graphite as a precursor for high-yield graphene, nano-wafer substrates, thin-film semiconductors, next-generation electronic components, and aerospace composites, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS). These sectors demand highly reproducible, ultra-high-purity carbon materials traditionally sourced from synthetic graphite. Early results indicate that Lac Knife’s 5N+ natural graphite may offer a technically competitive—and potentially more sustainable—North American alternative to synthetic feedstocks across multiple high-value applications.

Element Impurity Limit
(mg/kg) 		EBC Factor EBC Calculation
Ag 0.05 0.0083 0.000415
Al 1 0.0001 0.0001
B 0.12 1 0.12
Ca 0.36 0.0002 0.000072
Cd 5 0.3172 1.586
Cl 1.5 0.0134 0.0201
Co 0.05 0.0089 0.00445
Cr 0.12 0.0008 0.000096
Cu 0.25 0.0008 0.0002
Dy 0.05 0.0818 0.00409
Eu 0.1 0.425 0.0425
Fe 0.21 0.0006 0.000126
Gd 0.05 4.3991 0.219955
K 0.6 0.0008 0.00048
Li 0.03 0.1439 0.004317
Mn 0.12 0.0034 0.000408
Mo 0.15 0.0004 0.00006
Na 0.085 0.0003 0.0000255
Ni 0.18 0.0011 0.00198
S 1.4 0.0002 0.00028
Si 1.46 0.0001 0.000146
Sm 0.05 0.5336 0.02668
Th 0.01 0.0005 0.000005
Ti 0.53 0.0018 0.000954
U 0.05 0.0005 0.000025
V 0.08 0.0014 0.000112
Total 2.0277895

Table 1: EBC Calculation, Thermally Purified Lac Knife Lot ID: GN250730005

Figure 1: Particle Size Distribution, Thermally Purified Lac Knife Lot ID: GN250730005

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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Tap Density Scott Volume Surface Area LOI
g/cc g/cc m2 /g Wt. % C
0.6 0.4 1.4 99.9996

Table 2: Data, Thermally Purified Lac Knife Lot ID: GN250730005

% Tile Size (um)
D10 105.2
D50 337.3
D90 673.8
MV 368.5

Table 3: Data (2), Thermally Purified Lac Knife Lot ID: GN250730005

Qualified Person

Dr. Joseph Doninger, Director of Technology and Manufacturing for Focus Graphite, is the Qualified Person (“QP”) as defined under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Dr. Doninger has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Dr. Doninger is a chemical engineer and the developer or co-developer of multiple U.S., European, and Canadian patents relating to carbon processing technologies and purification equipment. He has authored or co-authored more than two dozen technical papers and studies on graphite composite anodes, carbon-based materials for electrochemical energy storage systems, and advanced graphite for lithium-ion batteries.

About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc.
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100% owned world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Our flagship Lac Knife project stands as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, with a fully completed feasibility study. Lac Knife is set to become a key supplier for the battery, defense, and advanced materials industries.

Our Lac Tetepisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, we go beyond mining – we are pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including our patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery performance and efficiency.

Our commitment to innovation ensures a chemical-free, eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market. Collaboration is at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As a North American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical minerals – reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable future.

For more information on Focus Graphite Inc. please visit http://www.focusgraphite.com.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-graphite/
X: https://x.com/focusgraphite

Investors Contact:
Dean Hanisch
CEO, Focus Graphite Inc.
dhanisch@focusgraphite.com
+1 (613) 612-6060

Jason Latkowcer
VP Corporate Development
jlatkowcer@focusgraphite.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “projected,” “estimated,” and similar expressions, as well as statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things, the anticipated performance and downstream applicability of ultra-high-purity graphite derived from the Lac Knife project; the potential for 5N+ purification results and nuclear-grade Equivalent Boron Concentration (“EBC”) values to be replicated at larger scale; the implications of testwork conducted under Natural Resources Canada’s Global Partnerships Initiative (“GPI”) and the expected outcomes of related engineering, scale-up, and validation programs; the ability of Lac Knife graphite to meet nuclear, graphene, defense, electromagnetic shielding, thermal management, semiconductor, and other advanced material specifications; the potential commercial pathways associated with supplying high-purity natural graphite as an alternative to synthetic graphite; and the Company’s strategy to position itself within North American supply chains for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and critical infrastructure markets.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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

About Focus Graphite Inc.

Audi Group and UST form Strategic partnership: UST Acquires Majority Stake in Italdesign

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  • Audi CTO Geoffrey Bouquot: “UST ideal partner to strengthen Italdesign’s solid foundation while opening new market opportunities”
  • Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. to retain a stake in Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A.
  • UST and Italdesign will work together to combine their complementary expertise for long-term, sustainable growth

BERLIN, INGOLSTADT, Germany, and MONCALIERI, Italy, Dec. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Audi Group is entering into a strategic partnership with UST, a global transformation company specializing in AI-powered technology, design, and engineering. UST, headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California (USA), has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Italdesign. Italdesign’s current parent company Lamborghini is part of the Audi Group and will retain a significant stake. As a result, Audi will remain a strategic partner of Italdesign in the long term, as well as an important client of the company.

The majority takeover of Italdesign by UST creates a strong partnership that combines UST’s expertise in automotive engineering, artificial intelligence, software-defined vehicle development, and digital ecosystem design with Italdesign’s deep knowledge in vehicle and product design, engineering, prototyping, small series production, and automotive electronics. Together, the companies will be able to offer a comprehensive and integrated range of services – from early concept and design to hardware and software development through to production systems. This combined capability is designed to support the development of fully modern, digitally enabled vehicles.

In addition, UST and Italdesign intend to extend this integrated approach to a global scale. UST will enable Italdesign to expand their international presence across UST’s global footprint in over 30 countries. As the new majority owner, UST will assume operational responsibility while honoring and building on Italdesign’s Italian heritage, design culture, and the talent of its employees.

Audi remains an important long-term partner of Italdesign, ensuring continuity and ongoing collaboration in the areas that have shaped Italdesign’s reputation for more than five decades. Italdesign has been part of the Volkswagen Group since 2010. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. UST and Audi Group have not disclosed the investment value or other contract details.

Geoffrey Bouquot, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG: “For many years Italdesign has been a valued partner in our development network, contributing expertise from design to prototype and series development. We are confident our collaboration will continue to drive success and deliver strong results under the new ownership structure. UST is the ideal partner to strengthen Italdesign’s solid foundation while opening new market opportunities. Together, we aim to ensure that Italdesign remains an innovator in automotive design and engineering.”

Krishna Sudheendra, Chief Executive Officer, UST: “Italdesign has shaped the way the world experiences mobility, and its legacy of design excellence is respected globally. We are grateful for the trust placed in us as we begin this next chapter together. Our role is to support Italdesign’s vision, honor its heritage, and bring new capabilities that help the team continue to grow. We look forward to working side by side with Italdesign and our partners across the Audi Group to help build what comes next.”

Antonio Casu, Chief Executive Officer at Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A.: “This partnership will bring benefits to all parties involved. It will allow Italdesign to accelerate the expansion of its service portfolio in new markets and achieve deeper penetration in various international markets. Italdesign is aiming to become the first full integrator of hardware and software worldwide, both in the automotive sector and across other high–technology industrial sectors.”

Gilroy Mathew, Chief Operating Officer, UST: “This acquisition reflects our bold vision to transform the mobility sector by combining Italdesign’s renowned heritage in vehicle design and manufacturing with UST’s expertise in vehicle electronics, embedded systems, and AI. This fusion of iconic design excellence and advanced digital engineering positions us at the forefront of automotive innovation – panning next-generation product design, simulations, vehicle electronics, connectivity, ADAS and hyper-personalization. We’re positioned to drive the future of automotive innovation. Together, we’ll collaborate with global OEMs to accelerate their evolution in the Software-Defined Vehicle era.”

About Audi Group

The Audi Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the premium and luxury segment. The brands Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Ducati produce at 22 locations in 13 countries. Audi and its partners are present in more than 100 markets worldwide. As of December 31, 2024, more than 88,000 people worked for the Audi Group, more than 55,000 of them at AUDI AG in Germany. With its attractive brands and numerous new models, the group is systematically pursuing its path toward becoming a provider of sustainable, fully networked premium mobility. For more information, visit www.audi.com/en.

About ITALDESIGN

Italdesign is a global player in design, engineering, and production, renowned for its customer-centric and method-driven approach to innovation in the automotive sector. It acts as a true system integrator and is one of the few one-stop shops in the automotive world. Headquartered in Moncalieri, Turin, Italy, in the heart of Vehicle Valley Piemonte, and with over 1,300 professionals across 10 international sites, Italdesign has been shaping the future of mobility, product, and transportation design for more than 57 years. The company offers end-to-end, vertical, and integrated solutions spanning from concept to series production. Focused in automotive, Italdesign’s multidisciplinary teams deliver projects for established brands and emerging players, supporting the industrialization of new products with state-of-the-art methods and tools.

Alongside its automotive legacy, with over 100 show cars and research prototypes and more than 300 production models realized over the years, the company’s industrial design division has developed over 1,000 industrial and transportation design products, ranging from consumer goods to professional equipment and public transport solutions. For more information, visit www.italdesign.it.

Media contact: 
Franco Bay
+393337897749
franco.bay@italdesign.it
pr@italdesign.it

About UST

Since 1999, UST has worked side by side with the world’s best companies and leading OEMs in the automotive industry to make a powerful impact through transformation. Powered by technology, driven by AI, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Our AI-driven digital solutions, proprietary platforms, engineering, R&D, products, and innovation ecosystem turn core challenges into impactful, disruptive solutions. With deep industry knowledge and a future-ready mindset, we infuse expertise, innovation, and agility into our clients’ organizations—delivering measurable value and positive lasting change for them, their customers, and communities around the world. Together, with 30,000+ employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact—touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com.

Media Contacts, UST:

Tinu Cherian Abraham
+1 (949) 415-9857

Merrick Laravea
+1 (949) 416-6212

Neha Misri
+44-7341787926

Roshni Das K
+91 7736795557
media.relations@ust.com

Media Contacts, U.S.
S&C PR
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Media Contacts, India:
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Media Contacts, U.K.:
FTI Consulting
UST@fticonsulting.com

Media Contacts, Spain:
Noizze Media
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ctapia@noizzemedia.com / ricardo.schell@noizzemedia.com

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Quanzhou: Starting Point of the Maritime Silk Road and UNESCO World Heritage Site Extends a Cultural Tourism Invitation to the World

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QUANZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 December 2025 – As the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road and a millennia-old city boasting the honors of “UNESCO World Heritage Site” and “UNESCO City of Gastronomy,” Quanzhou will host the 2025 Maritime Silk Road International Cultural Tourism Festival under the theme “Silk Road Symphony · Global Bonding Harmony” on December 11, welcoming guests from around the globe with open arms.

Quanzhou: Starting Point of the Maritime Silk Road and UNESCO World Heritage Site Extends a Cultural Tourism Invitation to the World

In July 2021, “Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China” was inscribed on the World Heritage List, with 22 heritage sites bearing witness to the bustling scene of “merchants from all over the world gathering in the port city” a thousand years ago. In October 2025, Quanzhou was further honored as a “UNESCO City of Gastronomy.” The blend of the past and the present has infused profound cultural heritage into this year’s Maritime Silk Road International Cultural Tourism Festival.

A City of Blended Mountain, Sea, and Urban Landscapes

Quanzhou enjoys a unique geographical setting that blends mountains, sea, and urban landscapes, allowing visitors to enjoy a diverse range of views in a single trip. In the old town area, the West Street preserves its millennium-old street pattern. Zhongshan Road is home to typical southern Fujian architecture, lined with many time-honored brands. Laojun Rock on Mount Qingyuan is a masterwork of stone carving from the Song Dynasty. The scenic Chongwu coastline is adjacent to a well-preserved Ming Dynasty ancient town. Luoyang Bridge, with its boat-shaped piers, demonstrates ancient architectural wisdom and remains in use today.

A Melting Pot of Diverse Cultures

Quanzhou’s culture stems from the collision between maritime and agricultural civilizations. Known as “a museum of the world’s religions,” it harmoniously houses Qingjing Mosque (Islam), Kaiyuan Temple (Buddhism), and Guanyue Temple (Taoism), showcasing its diversity and inclusiveness. The Wind-Praying Inscriptions on Jiuri Hill are important relics along the Maritime Silk Road. The “Five Nans” (Nanyin music, Nanxi opera, Nanquan martial arts, Minnan architecture, and Minnan crafts) carry forward the cultural heritage of Southern Fujian.

This cultural diversity is also reflected in its cuisine: street-side rice dumplings stuffed with meat, and fine rice noodle soup, as well as dishes like ginger duck and oyster omelet served at banquets, blend flavors from both mountains and seas; beef soup is infused with Arabic culinary influence, while Yuanxiao (glutinous rice balls) retain traditions from the Central Plains. Each dish is a testament to cultural exchange.

World Heritage Site and Fashion Capital

Building on its textile, footwear, and apparel industries with annual output valued at hundreds of billions of yuan and its status as a hub for “China-chic brands,” Quanzhou actively promotes the integration of world heritage with fashion. It is not only the birthplace of leading China-chic brands such as Anta, Septwolves, and Lilanz but also transforms world heritage sites into fashion stages through events like “Quanzhou Fashion Week”: century-old arcade buildings become runways, ancient docks serve as a stage for avant-garde menswear, and West Street and the Confucius Temple host flash mobs featuring floral headdress; historical districts like Zhongshan Road and Wudianshi have been revitalized as hot spots for China-chic brands, turning the entire city into an “immersive venue for fashion shows.”

Silk Road Grand Event Welcomes Guests to Zayton City

From December 9 to 15, the festival will launch ten activities under three sections: “Intangible Cultural Heritage Revitalization” includes the opening ceremony, intangible cultural heritage fashion shows, the Fujian Minnan Culture Intangible Cultural Heritage Week, and performances of intangible cultural heritage along the Maritime Silk Road; “Global Harmony ” consists of an international Nanyin music gala and an international puppet show; and “China-Chic Consumption” features the first Quanzhou Cup World Heritage Cultural and Creative Design Competition.

This year’s event emphasizes international exchange and the participation of overseas Chinese. It brings together dozens of representatives from foreign diplomatic missions in China, nearly a hundred international travel agents, and performance troupes and intangible cultural heritage practitioners from over forty countries and regions. Additionally, more than fifty prominent overseas Chinese leaders and outstanding young overseas Chinese are invited to participate.

With Zayton trees in bloom, guests arrive in this ancient city with a long history, which is now joining hands with friends from around the world to create a cultural extravaganza that connects the past and the present, and blends tradition with fashion.

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

Life-Space Fiber Jelly: The Fiber Fix Modern Guts Have Been Waiting For

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The smarter, tastier way to meet your daily fiber needs, powered by Litesse for smooth digestion and real gut results.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a world where convenience often outweighs nutrition, Life-Space Fiber Jelly steps in the jelly way to gut health and lightness. The interactive showcase held in Kuala Lumpur, invited attendees to craft their own wholesome oat bowls, pick up mindful nutrition tips, and discover how Life-Space Fiber Jelly, a delicious, jelly-based supplement gives fiber a modern makeover — transforming daily nutrition into a moment of enjoyment. Bursting with tropical passion fruit flavor, fat-free, low in calories, and made with no added sugar, Fiber Jelly delivers function without compromise.

Featuring the hero ingredient Litesse®, a unique soluble dietary fiber and prebiotic, Life-Space Fiber Jelly redefines what it means to care for your gut. With its gentle, full fermentation process, it supports a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria throughout the entire colon while minimizing common digestive discomforts like gas and bloating. It’s fiber made smarter — effective, gentle, and formulated to work harmoniously with your body.

Fiber Jelly helps to promote regular bowel movements naturally, supports enhanced satiety to keep you feeling full for longer, and reduces overall calorie intake which is a combination that encourages better eating habits and a healthier metabolism. By integrating fiber into a tasty, convenient format, Fiber Jelly transforms everyday nutrition into something to look forward to.

“With Fiber Jelly, taking care of my gut isn’t a chore, it’s something I actually look forward to. Convenient, tasty, and effortless, it fits into my life whether I’m training, travelling, or competing. Fiber isn’t just good for digestion, it powers energy, focus, and performance. Fiber Jelly turns a small daily habit into a big win for your body,” says Goh Sze Fei, Life-Space Brand Ambassador, Malaysian Badminton Player.

Formulated for every age and lifestyle, Fiber Jelly makes it easy to stay on top of your gut health. Whether for those managing weight, improving digestion, or addressing age-related gut concerns like constipation and bloating, it fits seamlessly into everyday life. With its thoughtfully balanced, sugar-free formulation, Fiber Jelly supports heart and digestive wellness in a way that’s simple, effective, and enjoyable.

Hullo Announces Major Upgrade to Its AI Matchmaking System, Backed by Participation in Nvidia Inception, AWS Activate, and Google for Startups

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The upgraded platform delivers a smarter AI Matchmaking system that reduces swipe fatigue and improves meaningful connections worldwide.

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Dec. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hullo Dating Co., Ltd today announced a major upgrade to its AI-powered matchmaking system. Originally launched in 2024, Hullo now introduces a smarter and more precise AI Matchmaking engine designed to help users find more compatible partners with less effort. Through its participation in Nvidia Inception, AWS Activate, and Google for Startups, Hullo continues to enhance the modern dating experience through predictive intelligence, behavioral insights, and voice-first interactions.

Hullo’s 2025 AI Matchmaking upgrade, developed with resources from Nvidia Inception, AWS Activate, and Google for Startups.
Hullo’s 2025 AI Matchmaking upgrade, developed with resources from Nvidia Inception, AWS Activate, and Google for Startups.

Online dating continues to evolve, yet many users remain overwhelmed by endless choices and discouraged by low-quality matches. Hullo was built to address these challenges by offering an experience that is more intentional, more efficient, and psychologically informed. By leveraging advanced AI models that analyze communication patterns, lifestyle indicators, personal preferences, and engagement signals, Hullo delivers curated match suggestions rooted in deeper compatibility rather than surface-level traits.

“Today’s dating apps provide access but not necessarily alignment,” said Sam Tran, Founder of Hullo. “Many people spend hours browsing profiles only to receive outcomes that feel random or inconsistent. With Hullo, we wanted to build a system that understands real human compatibility — not just shared hobbies or attractive photos. Our AI engine continuously learns from user behavior to deliver match suggestions that improve over time, making online dating feel more natural and less exhausting.”

A New Approach to Modern Dating 

Hullo’s platform is built around an AI-driven compatibility system that evaluates far more than basic profile attributes. The app analyzes micro-interactions, communication styles, voice prompts, and behavioral patterns to identify which users are more likely to form meaningful connections. By focusing on emotional resonance and communication compatibility, Hullo moves beyond traditional filters that rely on swipe behavior or simple questionnaires.

The company believes this method more accurately reflects how people connect in real life. Instead of asking users to sort through hundreds of profiles, Hullo presents a smaller, highly curated set of matches that improve over time. This approach is especially valuable for people seeking serious or intentional dating, where compatibility matters more than volume.

Key Features and Innovations

Hullo introduces several features aimed at improving authenticity, reducing friction, and prioritizing user comfort:

AI Matchmaking Engine
The core of the platform is an intelligent compatibility model that interprets patterns across user behavior, interests, and communication style. It updates and adapts with each interaction, generating increasingly accurate match recommendations.

Voice-First Profiles
Users can add short voice introductions to showcase personality in a more expressive format. This feature supports the growing trend toward audio-based interactions and allows users to connect beyond text and images.

AI-Assisted Profile Creation
For those who struggle with writing bios, Hullo includes an integrated AI Bio generator that helps users describe themselves clearly and naturally, leading to more genuine engagement.

Safety and Verification Tools
Supported by secure infrastructure from AWS and Google Cloud, Hullo offers layers of verification and privacy safeguards to help users feel more confident while connecting online.

Industry Support and Technological Advantage

Participation in Nvidia Inception provides Hullo with access to GPU resources, technical guidance, and a community of AI-focused startups. These capabilities allow the team to train more complex models that interpret compatibility with greater nuance.

Through AWS Activate and Google for Startups, the company receives cloud infrastructure credits, technical guidance, and scaling support. This ensures the platform operates with high stability and can adapt smoothly to rapid growth in user activity.

“Our goal is long-term global scalability,” Sam Tran added. “With support from leading technology programs, we can continue to push the boundaries of AI-driven dating while maintaining reliability and performance at every step.”

Market Outlook and Future Expansion

The rise of AI-driven products signals a broader shift in how digital platforms personalize user experiences. Hullo Dating Co., Ltd believes matchmaking is one of the most meaningful applications of AI, as the technology can help reduce decision fatigue and improve relationship outcomes by guiding people toward more aligned partners.

Looking ahead, the company plans to introduce additional features such as context-aware conversation tools, personalized date suggestions, and deeper emotional compatibility mapping. These enhancements are designed to support users from the very first interaction to the beginning of a potential relationship.

The app is currently expanding to English-speaking and Southeast Asian markets, with plans for U.S. growth in 2025. Users can learn more or access the platform at https://hullo.dating Or Download the app at https://hullo.dating/download

About Hullo Dating Co., Ltd

Hullo Dating Co., Ltd is a technology company focused on creating AI-powered products for modern relationship building. The company is the developer of Hullo, an AI matchmaking dating app designed to help people form meaningful connections through advanced compatibility modeling and human-centered design. For more information, visit https://hullo.dating/about.

ATFX Accelerates Real-Time Trading Innovation with KX’s AI-Driven Data Platform for Smarter Trading

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Advertorial Desk
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HONG KONG, Dec. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ATFX, a globally regulated fintech broker specialising in FX and CFDs, is proud to announce a strategic data infrastructure collaboration with KX, a leading software company specialising in time-series data management and analytics. This collaboration aims to enhance ATFX’s technology platform with faster analytics, smarter automation, and greater operational efficiency, delivering more timely insights and better decision-making across its trading operations. These operations involve managing complex data flows from numerous liquidity providers and prime brokers, supporting hundreds of tradable instruments, and servicing a large, active global client base.

Harnessing Advanced KX technologies to Enhance ATFX’s Next-Level Trading

With the integration of KX’s technologies, ATFX will unlock significant advantages including:

  • Real-Time Decision Support: Using kdb+, a high-performance, vector-based, time-series database optimized for ultra-low latency, real-time, streaming and historical market data, ATFX can instantly process market data streams to provide trading, risk, and operations teams with timely, actionable insights.
  • Democratized Data Access: The KX MCP Server offers an AI-powered interface combining natural-language queries with tools to access complex structured and unstructured financial data, letting ATFX teams, including non-technical business users get accurate, real-time insights without needing to code.
  • Enhanced Client Reporting: Powered by the KDB-X platform, a unified, high-performance data engine that integrates time-series, vector, and AI analytics, ATFX can deliver faster, more accurate reports to institutional and retail clients, boosting transparency.
  • Scalability & Cost Efficiency: With increasing trading volumes, ATFX can scale its operations efficiently, enhancing overall performance while keeping infrastructure costs under control.
  • AI-Powered Insights & Automation: Through integration of advanced AI and large language models, ATFX automates workflows and gets better insights, enhancing operational efficiency.

Driving Innovation with Real-World Impact

This collaboration enhances ATFX’s capabilities by enabling real-time risk modelling and scenario analysis for faster portfolio risk management. Automated, customizable dashboards streamline reporting, while AI-powered workflows boost insight generation and process efficiency. Secure, rapid access to real-time and historical data across teams improves collaboration and agility.

“Our collaboration with KX demonstrates ATFX’s commitment to leveraging state-of-the-art technology to deliver real-time data excellence and superior client service,” said Jeffrey Siu, Chief Operating Officer, ATFX. “In empowering the ATFX team to make smarter, faster decisions in a dynamic market environment, this initiative directly delivers clear benefits to our clients.”

Ashok Reddy, Chief Executive Officer of KX, added, “We are thrilled to collaborate with ATFX, a forward-thinking leader in online trading. Our MCP Server and KDB-X platform will enable ATFX to harness the full power of real-time market intelligence and AI, driving innovation and operational efficiency.”

About ATFX

ATFX is a leading global fintech broker with a local presence in 24 locations and holds 9 licenses from regulatory authorities, including the UK’s FCA, Australia’s ASIC, Cyprus’ CySEC, the UAE’s SCA, Hong Kong’s SFC, South Africa’s FSCA, Mauritius’ FSC, Seychelles’ FSA, and Cambodia’s SERC. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, innovative technology, and strict regulatory compliance, ATFX delivers exceptional trading experiences to clients worldwide.

For further information on ATFX, please visit ATFX website https://www.atfx.com.

About KX

KX Software powers real-time, time-series, and AI-driven analytics across capital markets, aerospace & defence, and high-tech manufacturing. Built for speed, precision, and scale, the KX platform enables organizations to extract actionable insights from streaming, sensor, and historical data to support critical use cases from predictive maintenance and operational automation to real-time simulation and vertical agentic AI. Trusted globally for its proven performance and reliability, KX delivers the data infrastructure enterprises need to thrive in an AI-driven world. www.KX.com

Qudian Inc. Announces Name and Ticker Change

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Advertorial Desk
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XIAMEN, China, Dec. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Qudian Inc. (“Qudian” or “the Company” or “We”) (NYSE: QD), a consumer-oriented technology company in China, today announced the change of its name to “High Templar Tech Limited” and its ticker symbol to “HTT”.

As previously announced by the Company on November 12, 2025, its board of directors (the “Board”) resolved to (i) change the Company’s name to “High Templar Tech Limited” (the “Name Change”), subject to shareholders’ approval to be obtained at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “EGM”), and (ii) change the ticker symbol to “HTT”. At the EGM held on December 10, 2025, the Company’s shareholders approved the Name Change by a special resolution.

The Company’s American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each representing one Class A ordinary shares, par value of US$0.0001 per share, of the Company, are currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “QD”. The Company’s ADSs are expected to begin trading under the Company’s new name, “High Templar Tech Limited”, and its new ticker symbol, “HTT”, effective at the opening of trading on December 22, 2025.

About Qudian Inc.

Qudian Inc. (to be renamed as High Templar Tech Limited) (NYSE: QD) (to be changed to HTT) is a consumer-oriented technology company. Qudian is exploring innovative business opportunities to satisfy consumers’ demand by leveraging its technology capabilities. For more information, please visit http://ir.qudian.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:
Qudian Inc.
Tel: +86-592-596-8208
E-mail: ir@qudian.com

Mysteries of migration

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Advertorial Desk
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BEIJING, Dec. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from China Daily

Visitors to the ongoing exhibition Origin and Expansions: The Austronesians and Maritime Civilization at the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum watch artifacts on display.
Visitors to the ongoing exhibition Origin and Expansions: The Austronesians and Maritime Civilization at the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum watch artifacts on display.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, navigators exploring the Pacific and Indian oceans discovered that the languages spoken on many islands, spanning from Madagascar in the west to Polynesia in the east, were remarkably similar. This discovery launched studies of Austronesians, those who speak Austronesian languages and had sailed across the Pacific several thousand years ago.

Long before the Age of Exploration, these people had embarked on heroic voyages across the sea. The details of their encounters remain largely unknown. Over time, their descendants gradually forgot where they originated from. Migration began 6,000 years ago and lasted until around 1,000 years ago. Today, more than 400 million people speak Austronesian languages, spanning a wide area that covers more than one-third of the Pacific and Indian oceans.

For more than a century, the origins and migrations of Austronesian peoples have been a significant subject of international academic study. Linguists, anthropologists and archaeologists have gradually revealed their voyages across oceans over the past millennia.

Their journeys are featured in the ongoing exhibition Origin and Expansions: The Austronesians and Maritime Civilization at the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum. This exhibition is a cooperation between the Chongqing museum and the Fujian Museum, which displays cultural relics related to the Austronesian peoples.

Ding Qinghua, one of the exhibition’s curators at the Fujian Museum, says the exhibition draws on prehistoric archaeological discoveries from southeastern China and traces the historical links between Chinese maritime civilization and Austronesian culture through more than 200 artifacts.

Initially, linguists were the first to research the Austronesian peoples, but archaeologists soon joined the studies, focusing on stone stepped adzes.

One of the stone stepped adzes unearthed from the Huangguashan site in Xiapu county, Fujian province, is on display, indicating the migration of the Austronesian peoples.

Qin Zonglin, a curator at the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, says that although stone adzes have been widely found to be an important tool to obtain food and process wooden tools used by Neolithic people, stone stepped adzes were mostly discovered in coastal areas. Based on multidisciplinary studies, Austronesian peoples were a major group that used the stone stepped adzes.

“By checking its development and expansion, experts can gain clues to the origins and migrations of the peoples,” says Ding, adding that such tools were especially helpful in cutting trees and making boats, which were important for people living in coastal areas who attempted to migrate.

By comparing the development of stone stepped adzes found in different regions, including China’s southeast coast, Southeast Asian islands, and Pacific islands, scholars generally believe China’s southeast coast was the birthplace of such tools, a conclusion reached as early as the 1930s, Ding says.

Some may doubt this conclusion — from China to the South Pacific islands takes more than a dozen hours to fly in modern times. Could Austronesian people sail so far so long ago?

The display shows an experiment conducted by Hiria Ottino, president of the Pacific China Friendship Association, who navigated from French Polynesia across the South Pacific with five other descendants of the Austronesian people in 2010.They made this journey in a self-built canoe, without using any modern devices or materials.

After 116 days out at sea and the numerous challenges of a typhoon and a shark attack alike, they reached a harbor in Fujian, proving a long-distance sea journey was possible without modern tools.

According to Ding, “Ancient people had superb abilities in navigating nature. With an understanding of currents, wind, stars, and bird migration, they could navigate the Pacific. Using these methods, they arrived at more and more islands, and gradually created the Austronesian cultural circle.”

The exhibition also displays a replica of a human skull unearthed from the Qihedong site in Xianghu town, Fujian, estimated to be from 10,000 to 8,400 years ago. It is very precious because it is one of the earliest and most complete ancient human skulls ever discovered in the Fujian area. More importantly, by extracting its DNA, scholars have provided scientific evidence for the origins of the Austronesian peoples.

In 2020, an essay in the journal Science, titled Ancient DNA indicates human population shifts and admixture in northern and southern China, was written by researchers from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Through the genome-wide data of 26 ancient human remains from northern and southern East Asia, spanning 9,500 to 300 years ago, including some extracted from the Qihedong skull, they carried out a series of scientific analyses that “supported a southern China origin for proto-Austronesians”.

The research shows the Austronesian peoples, now widely distributed across the Taiwan Strait, Southeast Asia, and the southwestern Pacific islands, have very close genetic ties to the Neolithic coastal populations of southern China. This suggests that the earliest Austronesian peoples originated in Fujian and its neighboring areas in southern China, with their origins traced back 8,400 years.

Moreover, analyses of pottery vessel morphology and cultural traditions shown in the display also support the view that China’s southeast coast was one of the major origins of Austronesian peoples.

An important section of the exhibition is the Neolithic cultural relics discovered in Fujian, which may have been left by the ancestors of the Austronesian peoples. Many of them are newly unearthed and being presented to the public for the first time.

Qin says the archaeological discoveries in Fujian seem to show a trend that people developed from mountainous areas to coastal areas, as Paleolithic findings are located in the mountainous regions, while Neolithic discoveries extend to coastal areas.

One highlight is an oyster shell tool from the Xiying site on Pingtan Island in Fujian, which was likely used to extract oyster meat. “This is a stone tool from about 7,000 years ago. We judged its function based on its format, the unearthing environment, and the ethnological materials. This shows ancient people adapted to their environment and made the most of local resources,” says Qin.

Communication between present-day Fujian and China’s Central Plains can also be traced. For example, a drum-shaped pottery vessel on display, unearthed from the Huangtulun site in Fuzhou from about 3,500 to 3,000 years ago, has a similar style to the bronze drum-shaped vessels found in the Central Plains, indicating possible cultural interactions at that time.

The origins and migrations of Austronesian peoples have been a significant subject in “Archaeology China”, a major program that studies early Chinese history through well-planned excavations. In the past few years, archaeologists have excavated the Keqiutou group sites on Pingtan Island and gained a better understanding of the Austronesian peoples’ ancestors.

Although scholars have made vital progress in studying the group’s origins and how they migrated, the reasons why they migrated are yet to be revealed.

The exhibition is a side event of the second general assembly of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia, which was held in Chongqing in November.

To gain a better understanding of the Austronesian peoples, the ACHA Austronesian and Maritime Civilization Committee announced its establishment during the event. The committee’s first general conference was then held in Pingtan county, Fujian.

“The Austronesian language family extended from China’s southeast coast, across Southeast Asia, and deep into the Pacific. Our shared heritage is both tangible, as seen in archaeological sites and artifacts, and intangible, reflected in our stories, navigational knowledge, agricultural and fishing traditions, and folk customs that still exist today,” said Ottino, during the conference.

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