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Culture and tourism sectors thrive in Xiamen

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Advertorial Desk
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BEIJING, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from China Daily:

China Daily publishes an eight-page spread on Wednesday to showcase Xiamen’s high-quality development during 2021-25.
China Daily publishes an eight-page spread on Wednesday to showcase Xiamen’s high-quality development during 2021-25.

Driven by its commitment to high-level opening-up, Xiamen, Fujian province, has made significant strides in the integrated development of commerce, trade, culture and tourism during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

“Currently, China’s culture and tourism market is experiencing robust recovery and vigorous development, making it an opportune time with great potential to foster the high-quality development of the tourism sector.

“We will adhere to the deep integration of culture and tourism, drive the upgrading of the city’s tourism business model from sightseeing to experiencing, and build Xiamen into a world-class tourism and leisure city,” Cui Yonghui, Party secretary of the city, said at the Xiamen Tourism Development Conference in early November.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan, both the scale and quality of Xiamen’s culture and tourism industries have greatly improved.

In 2024, Xiamen received 128 million tourist visits, generating revenue of 191.1 billion yuan ($27.02 billion), an increase of 15.4 percent compared to 2019.

There are 784 cultural enterprises above the designated size — those with an annual revenue of more than 20 million yuan—in the city that have recorded total revenue of about 260 billion yuan over the past five years.

The city now has 21 scenic areas rated A-level and above, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gulangyu Island, the Xiamen Botanical Garden, and the theme park Xiamen Fantawild Dreamland.

Popular destination

Due to its stunning urban landscape and natural beauty, Xiamen has long been a popular spot for filmmaking, attracting lots of fans and film enthusiasts.

City authorities have launched more than 10 tour routes connecting the city’s famous tourist attractions and spots appearing in hit TV series and movies.

The city has hosted the China Film Golden Rooster Awards ceremony every year since 2019, one of the country’s three major film awards, injecting impetus into its culture, film and music industries.

During this year’s event in mid-November, 177 cultural, film and television programs were signed to be launched in Xiamen, demonstrating vitality in the sector.

Xiamen has seen robust growth in inbound tourism in recent years. In 2024, the number of overnight inbound tourists stood at approximately 2.31 million, nearly triple the figure from 2023.

During this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival in September, Xiamen ranked among the top five popular destinations for overseas tourists visiting China, according to data from the country’s leading online travel agency Ctrip.

Industry analysts said that Xiamen has won favor among foreign tourists with its diverse products and high-quality experiences. Tourists can not only explore the city’s coastal scenery and cuisine, but participate in different traditional cultural activities.

“Focusing on quality and experience, we have made efforts to optimize inbound tourism services, releasing a batch of favorable measures in entry procedures, payment systems and sightseeing,” said Su Ke, deputy director of the Xiamen culture and tourism bureau.

Bustling trade

“Amid uncertainties in the external environment, we have consolidated and enhanced the international circulation and boosted the driving force of domestic circulation, advancing their connectivity in Xiamen,” said Lin Zhicheng, vice-mayor of the city.

Official data showed that the city’s imports and exports of goods surged from 691.58 billion yuan in 2020 to 932.61 billion yuan in 2024, marking an average annual growth rate of 7.8 percent.

“We have been expanding our ‘friend circle’, and now we have trade partners in 239 countries and regions as well as more than 6,000 kinds of foreign trade commodities,” Lin said.

The China International Fair for Investment and Trade, held annually on Sept 8-11 in Xiamen, is becoming a global public service platform for two-way investment.

During the past five years, the event has attracted entrepreneurs from 172 countries and regions. Nearly 3,500 projects were clinched at the fair, with a total investment of 2.35 trillion yuan, up 1.35 times in comparison with the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).

Lin emphasized that foreign trade has become a powerful engine for Xiamen’s high-quality economic growth, while domestic trade serves as the stabilizer.

The city is ramping up efforts to promote consumption upgrading and cultivate new consumption drivers to develop into a regional international consumption center.

Xiamen has established an urban commercial zoning system, comprising three city-level business zones, 12 district-level business zones and numerous characteristic commercial functional zones. Zhongshan Street has been recognized as a national demonstration pedestrian street.

Between 2020-24, the city’s total retail sales of consumer goods climbed from 245.78 billion yuan to 332.98 billion yuan, representing an average annual growth rate of 7.9 percent.

Transport infrastructure

The high-quality development of Xiamen’s trade and tourism industries is underpinned by a modern transport network that integrates sea, land, air, rail and postal services.

During the past five years, Xiamen Port has built 16 new berths, including six 10,000-metric-ton-class berths, and nearly 60 kilometers of 10,000-ton-class shipping lanes.

The port now operates 187 container shipping routes, connecting 150 ports across 54 countries.

Li Zongze, director of the Xiamen transportation bureau, said they have focused on the construction of cross-regional highways to enhance Xiamen’s influence and capacity as a transport hub and create the “Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou one-hour commute circle”.

In the rail sector, Xiamen has built a rail hub in the southeastern coastal region. Departing from Xiamen, travelers can reach major cities in the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by rail in just five hours.

The Fuzhou–Xiamen high-speed railway, which began operations in September 2023, is China’s first cross-sea high-speed rail line with a design speed of 350 km per hour.

Xiamen has two international airports, including one under construction. Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport offers flights to 134 destinations in 129 cities around the world. Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport, which is expected to open in 2026, is set to handle 45 million passengers and 750,000 tons of cargo and mail annually, stepping up the capacity and connectivity of Xiamen’s international aviation.

Changes in Federal Workforce Policy and Their Implications for Women and Minority Employees

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NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report by Asian Women Development Plan International: 

A new research report titled “Changes in Federal Workforce Policy and Their Implications for Women and Minority Employees” has been released examining how recent federal workforce changes are affecting women and minority groups across the United States. The report analyzes employment challenges following the January 2025 issuance of Executive Order 14173, which dismantled federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs.

According to the report, while recent federal employee surveys showed improving engagement and job satisfaction through mid 2024, workforce experts and employee advocates have warned that the 2025 rollback of DEI initiatives and proposed workforce reductions could increase turnover risks for minority employees. Similar to private corporations that reported being worse off after abandoning diversity programs, Surveys and federal workforce reports indicate increased concerns about discrimination among federal employees in recent years, alongside a nationwide rise in EEOC discrimination charges, which grew by more than nine percent in 2024. Recent national surveys show that a clear majority of Asian American and Pacific Islander adults oppose eliminating federal agencies and cutting federal DEI programs, recognizing that minority communities rely heavily on government services and civil rights protections.

The report traces U.S. diversity policy back to Kennedy’s 1961 Affirmative Action directive and Biden’s 2021 DEIA initiative, noting that President Trump’s 2025 executive order has been widely viewed as a significant shift from prior federal diversity efforts. While recent federal data indicate rising minority and female participation, analysis of Office of Personnel Management FedScope data shows that, as of 2024, people of color make up about 41 percent of the federal workforce and women about 46 percent, yet deep inequalities persist. White males still comprise nearly half of Senior Executive Service (SES) members, and women account for only about one third of the most senior roles. Gender based pay gaps are also significantly larger among older federal employees, with EEOC research showing that age related differences alone can contribute more than 10,000 dollars annually to the gap for workers age forty and over, and women facing substantially wider disparities than men in similar roles. At the intersection of race and gender, disparities appear more pronounced. Black and Hispanic women face systemic barriers to promotion and significantly lower pay than both white men and women, despite comparable qualifications. Hispanic women experience the steepest decline in representation at higher grades. While institutional reforms have improved representation, existing disparities in advancement opportunities remain evident across demographic groups.

The report also highlights that frequent institutional disruptions, reclassifications, and administrative variability have contributed to uncertainty among employees, particularly within minority groups. Although the U.S. federal government has made notable progress over the past decades in advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), the politicization of the civil service and the cyclical reversal of policy that results from changes in administration continuously impose challenges on minority groups. Research demonstrates that frequent institutional disruptions and job reclassifications correlate with reduced trust and lower willingness to remain in service among minority employees, who often connect career development concerns to systemic instability. The discontinuity further amplifies the structural disadvantages faced by minority civil servants in career advancement.

Citing findings from the MissionSquare Research Institute, the report notes that more than half of state and local government workers have considered leaving their jobs, with younger and Black employees especially likely to look elsewhere. In workplaces where employees do not experience inclusive or multicultural support, minority and female staff report lower trust and higher turnover intentions. One survey of prospective state government workers described a deep sense of uncertainty during lengthy recruitment and funding approval processes.

Reference: Changes in Federal Workforce Policy and Their Implications for Women and Minority Employees 

Culture and tourism sectors thrive in Xiamen

By
Advertorial Desk
-

BEIJING, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from China Daily:

China Daily publishes an eight-page spread on Wednesday to showcase Xiamen’s high-quality development during 2021-25.
China Daily publishes an eight-page spread on Wednesday to showcase Xiamen’s high-quality development during 2021-25.

Driven by its commitment to high-level opening-up, Xiamen, Fujian province, has made significant strides in the integrated development of commerce, trade, culture and tourism during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

“Currently, China’s culture and tourism market is experiencing robust recovery and vigorous development, making it an opportune time with great potential to foster the high-quality development of the tourism sector.

“We will adhere to the deep integration of culture and tourism, drive the upgrading of the city’s tourism business model from sightseeing to experiencing, and build Xiamen into a world-class tourism and leisure city,” Cui Yonghui, Party secretary of the city, said at the Xiamen Tourism Development Conference in early November.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan, both the scale and quality of Xiamen’s culture and tourism industries have greatly improved.

In 2024, Xiamen received 128 million tourist visits, generating revenue of 191.1 billion yuan ($27.02 billion), an increase of 15.4 percent compared to 2019.

There are 784 cultural enterprises above the designated size — those with an annual revenue of more than 20 million yuan—in the city that have recorded total revenue of about 260 billion yuan over the past five years.

The city now has 21 scenic areas rated A-level and above, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gulangyu Island, the Xiamen Botanical Garden, and the theme park Xiamen Fantawild Dreamland.

Popular destination

Due to its stunning urban landscape and natural beauty, Xiamen has long been a popular spot for filmmaking, attracting lots of fans and film enthusiasts.

City authorities have launched more than 10 tour routes connecting the city’s famous tourist attractions and spots appearing in hit TV series and movies.

The city has hosted the China Film Golden Rooster Awards ceremony every year since 2019, one of the country’s three major film awards, injecting impetus into its culture, film and music industries.

During this year’s event in mid-November, 177 cultural, film and television programs were signed to be launched in Xiamen, demonstrating vitality in the sector.

Xiamen has seen robust growth in inbound tourism in recent years. In 2024, the number of overnight inbound tourists stood at approximately 2.31 million, nearly triple the figure from 2023.

During this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival in September, Xiamen ranked among the top five popular destinations for overseas tourists visiting China, according to data from the country’s leading online travel agency Ctrip.

Industry analysts said that Xiamen has won favor among foreign tourists with its diverse products and high-quality experiences. Tourists can not only explore the city’s coastal scenery and cuisine, but participate in different traditional cultural activities.

“Focusing on quality and experience, we have made efforts to optimize inbound tourism services, releasing a batch of favorable measures in entry procedures, payment systems and sightseeing,” said Su Ke, deputy director of the Xiamen culture and tourism bureau.

Bustling trade

“Amid uncertainties in the external environment, we have consolidated and enhanced the international circulation and boosted the driving force of domestic circulation, advancing their connectivity in Xiamen,” said Lin Zhicheng, vice-mayor of the city.

Official data showed that the city’s imports and exports of goods surged from 691.58 billion yuan in 2020 to 932.61 billion yuan in 2024, marking an average annual growth rate of 7.8 percent.

“We have been expanding our ‘friend circle’, and now we have trade partners in 239 countries and regions as well as more than 6,000 kinds of foreign trade commodities,” Lin said.

The China International Fair for Investment and Trade, held annually on Sept 8-11 in Xiamen, is becoming a global public service platform for two-way investment.

During the past five years, the event has attracted entrepreneurs from 172 countries and regions. Nearly 3,500 projects were clinched at the fair, with a total investment of 2.35 trillion yuan, up 1.35 times in comparison with the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).

Lin emphasized that foreign trade has become a powerful engine for Xiamen’s high-quality economic growth, while domestic trade serves as the stabilizer.

The city is ramping up efforts to promote consumption upgrading and cultivate new consumption drivers to develop into a regional international consumption center.

Xiamen has established an urban commercial zoning system, comprising three city-level business zones, 12 district-level business zones and numerous characteristic commercial functional zones. Zhongshan Street has been recognized as a national demonstration pedestrian street.

Between 2020-24, the city’s total retail sales of consumer goods climbed from 245.78 billion yuan to 332.98 billion yuan, representing an average annual growth rate of 7.9 percent.

Transport infrastructure

The high-quality development of Xiamen’s trade and tourism industries is underpinned by a modern transport network that integrates sea, land, air, rail and postal services.

During the past five years, Xiamen Port has built 16 new berths, including six 10,000-metric-ton-class berths, and nearly 60 kilometers of 10,000-ton-class shipping lanes.

The port now operates 187 container shipping routes, connecting 150 ports across 54 countries.

Li Zongze, director of the Xiamen transportation bureau, said they have focused on the construction of cross-regional highways to enhance Xiamen’s influence and capacity as a transport hub and create the “Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou one-hour commute circle”.

In the rail sector, Xiamen has built a rail hub in the southeastern coastal region. Departing from Xiamen, travelers can reach major cities in the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by rail in just five hours.

The Fuzhou–Xiamen high-speed railway, which began operations in September 2023, is China’s first cross-sea high-speed rail line with a design speed of 350 km per hour.

Xiamen has two international airports, including one under construction. Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport offers flights to 134 destinations in 129 cities around the world. Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport, which is expected to open in 2026, is set to handle 45 million passengers and 750,000 tons of cargo and mail annually, stepping up the capacity and connectivity of Xiamen’s international aviation.

Fukui’s Michelin-Recognized Village Retreat Redefines Slow Luxury Travel

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Advertorial Desk
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Auberge Homachi Mikuniminato, a decentralized lodging facility located in the historic Mikuni Port area of Fukui Prefecture, invites intrepid travelers to discover exquisite Fukui cuisine and the art of slow living along the Sea of Japan coastline.

FUKUI, Japan, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Core Global Management Co., Ltd. operates Auberge Homachi Mikuniminato, aiming to create meaningful connections between travelers and the local community through restored merchant homes, local cuisine, and cultural experiences.

Auberge Homachi Mikuniminato, Fukui, JAPAN
Auberge Homachi Mikuniminato, Fukui, JAPAN

Its exceptional hospitality has earned it the Michelin Guide Hotel Selection for two consecutive years.

Official Website: https://en.homachi.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homachi_mikuniminato/

A Serene Escape

The auberge, located just a few hours from Kyoto via the recently extended Hokuriku Shinkansen line, feels worlds away from the crowds. With overtourism reshaping how travelers move through Japan, Fukui Prefecture is drawing renewed attention for its commitment to cultural preservation.

While some regions of Japan now strain under the weight of mass tourism, Fukui Prefecture remains the country’s best-kept secret: a place where tradition is alive, community thrives, and residents consistently rank among the happiest in Japan.

The Village Is Your Hotel

This sense of community is strengthened by the revitalization of the village’s traditional Japanese architecture for Auberge Homachi Mikuniminato. Its 16 Japanese-style suites located in nine independent heritage houses scattered throughout the village, including kagura-tate machiya townhouses and the grand homes of Edo- and Meiji-era merchants.

These historic homes have been lovingly restored to preserve them for generations to come. Each property tells a distinct part of Mikuni Minato’s story, and features architecture and materials from the region: warm Fukui timber, blue-hued Shakudani stone, and handmade furnishings that reflect the town’s traditional crafts. Guests benefit from both the privacy and quiet of a house, and the immersive ‘live like a local’ experience, walking to the restaurant for dinner, wandering its narrow pathways, or strolling along the port, just as the village’s merchants once did.

Discovering Authentic Japan

Guests at Homachi are welcomed to explore the rhythms of local life and interact with the community and its history. Auberge Homachi Mikuniminato provides unprecedented access to local venues, such as Takeyoshi, a shamisen cafe. It offers guests a glimpse into bygone Japan during a 30- to 60-minute experience, held daily from 10 AM to 4:30 PM.

Participants wear traditional kimonos and enjoy matcha tea and wagashi sweets as a local musician with 60 years of experience plays the traditional three-string instrument and teaches guests to play, too. Within this sea-salt-weathered property are nostalgic photographs from the time when the area was a geisha district.

The auberge partners with numerous other skilled locals to offer lantern making and shrine prayers, enabling visitors to engage authentically with the community on a deeper level, and to become temporary residents of Mikuni Minato.

Activities: https://en.homachi.jp/activity/

Michelin-Recognized Dining by Chef Tateru Yoshino

This sleepy port village has caught the Michelin Guide Hotel Selection’s attention, which noted that the auberge’s chef, Tateru Yoshino, is “a veteran of some of Japan’s finest French kitchens, and applies French techniques to Fukui seafood, with impressive results.”

Chef Yoshino, who trained under chef Joël Robuchon at Paris’ Jamin restaurant, has received Michelin stars for his restaurants in both France and Japan.

His neoclassical French cuisine celebrates Fukui’s natural abundance, including Echizen crab, a winter delicacy considered the “king of crabs,” which is presented annually to Japan’s Imperial Household, and melt-in-the-mouth sweet shrimp freshly caught from the port. The menu reflects the village’s history as a stop for Kitamaebune trading ships that once carried kelp and spices along the Sea of Japan. In Yoshino’s hands, these ingredients are transformed into dishes that marry French flair with the precision of Japanese culinary arts.

“Cooking is about dialogue,” says Chef Yoshino. “Between land and sea, between history and today, and between Japan and France.”

Meaningful Travel

The name “Homachi,” meaning “waiting to sail,” refers to the time when sailors paused and waited here for favorable winds. During this time, sailors would sell cargo brought aboard or handle other cargo work to earn compensation. This evolved in Mikuni to mean pocket money or rewards for children. Fittingly, a stay at Homachi offers modern travelers a rare gift, the chance to pause and reflect before moving forward in their journey.

After pausing at Homachi, travelers can easily continue their journey to some of Japan’s most well-preserved destinations. Within a one- to two-hour train ride lie the historic castle town of Maruoka, one of Japan’s oldest surviving wooden castles; the serene Eiheiji Temple, a centuries-old Zen monastery surrounded by dense cedar forests; and Kanazawa, often referred to as “Little Kyoto” for its beautifully preserved samurai and geisha districts, contemporary art museums, and elegant gardens.

Access

Located in Fukui’s Sakai area, the hotel is accessible from Awara Onsen Station (JR) via the hotel’s free 20-minute pickup service (by reservation only).

From March 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen is due to extend to Awara Onsen Station. With speeds of up to 260 km/h, the trip takes around three hours (2hr 59 min.) from Tokyo Station.

Approximately 2 hours from Nagoya

Approximately 2.5 hours from Osaka

Link to images

Top:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SD8mg7QKziZ4A0mTvRI2U-eCK0GYt_5w/view?usp=drive_link
Shamisen experience:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O37yWPKxTywVdjKCVwjk8oRBtZOPhG4J/view?usp=drive_link
Others:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1avcJdGdL8ZS6sGHWE6rYSLS_eXMKWe6C?usp=drive_link

News Release (PDF):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gmen1-4bMe7eRjL4Fx8-qRMpDL8EojEF/view?usp=drive_link

Fact Book:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cWCQ_hzw5A36Wjza4kh45Oj6Qk9HoGaw/view?usp=drive_link

About CORE GLOBAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LIMITED
Core Global Management Co., Ltd. was established in 2007. Its goal is to create memorable stays for the guests by connecting them with the local culture. The company works with each hotel to design a unique story to fit the location, optimizing the locale’s atmosphere, cuisine, and potential for activities.

Official Website：https://en.homachi.jp/

 

Wondershare Filmora V15 Integrates Nano Banana Pro, Sora 2, and Veo 3.1 to Advance Professional-Grade Visual Generation

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Advertorial Desk
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VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Wondershare, a global leader in creative and productivity products and solutions, announced that its flagship video creation software, Wondershare Filmora, now integrates Google’s Nano Banana Pro for image generation and editing, as well as Sora 2 and Veo 3.1 for text-to-video and image-to-video creation. By incorporating these advanced models, Filmora empowers creators worldwide to work more intelligently and efficiently, making professional-level visual creation accessible to everyone.

With the addition of Nano Banana Pro, Filmora’s AI Image gains higher fidelity and more precise control. Built on the Gemini 3 Pro architecture, Nano Banana Pro delivers stronger reasoning, richer world knowledge, and improved semantic understanding, enabling the creation of “studio-grade” images with lifelike detail, refined composition, and superior text rendering. Creators can now generate lossless-quality images at faster speeds while achieving pixel-level control over objects and stylistic elements through natural language prompts. These upgrades also make it easier to produce visually coherent assets for storyboarding, short-form content, AI comics, marketing visuals, and other creative workflows—supporting both early-stage ideation and more complex production needs.

Beyond image generation, Filmora is also advancing its video creation capabilities through the integration of Sora 2 and Veo 3.1, two of the industry’s leading video generation models. By offering a choice of leading models in one place, Filmora allows creators to choose the generation engine that best fits their style and needs, saving them from switching between multiple platforms. These integrations further enhance Filmora’s AI workflow, supporting everything from initial asset generation and AI-assisted continuation to detailed editing within a single streamlined environment.

The new capabilities build on the momentum of Filmora V15, which introduced a unified intelligent creation workflow featuring AI Extend, Smart Cutout, AI Object Remover, and AI Video Enhancer, along with professional-grade tools such as Pen Tool, dual-timeline editing, multi-project editing, and multi-preview workflows. With more than 400 million active users worldwide, Filmora remains a leading all-in-one solution for creators of all levels.

As generative AI moves from technical competition to real-world adoption, its influence on visual content creation is rapidly reshaping how creators work. Analysts predict that by 2030, 90% of digital content will be generated by AI, with image and video formats experiencing the fastest growth. Filmora’s latest upgrades position it to better support creators in this shift, enabling global users to work more efficiently in an increasingly AI-driven industry.

About Filmora:

Launched in 2010, Wondershare Filmora is designed with its user in mind, featuring smoother performance and an intuitive user interface. With advanced features boosting content generation and editing, over 2.9 million creative assets, commercially available music, 3D LUTs, effects, and pre-set templates, Filmora stands out as a leader in video editing software. Consistently introducing innovative tools, it enhances video creation and makes the process more efficient and accessible for all skill levels.

About Wondershare:

Wondershare  is a globally recognized software company founded in 2003, known for its innovative solutions in creativity and productivity. Driven by the mission “Creativity Simplified”, Wondershare offers a range of tools, including Filmora, Virbo and SelfyzAI for video editing; PDFelement for document management; and EdrawMax, EdrawMind for diagramming. With over 2 billion cumulative active users across all products and a presence in over 200 countries and regions, Wondershare empowers the next generation of creators with intuitive software and trendy creative resources, continually expanding the possibilities of creativity worldwide.

  

Xinhua Silk Road: Conference to bolster role of talents held in south China FTP

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BEIJING, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A conference leveraging Hainan’s large reservoir of talents to better build its free trade port (FTP) was convened in Haikou, capital of the southern China island province from December 6 to 7.

Photo shows the opening ceremony of the event. (provided by the host)
Photo shows the opening ceremony of the event. (provided by the host)

Seven years ago, Hainan launched its action plan for one million talents to enter Hainan and now, the tropical province has turned words into deeds, pooling in total 1.03 million talents there.

With a complete policy regime for talents across local industrial chains and related one-stop service platforms, a talent clustering effect is taking shape in Hainan, resulting in continuous improvements in local talent structure and ecology.

To unleash more potential of the vibrant local talent reservoir, the province launched another campaign during the conference calling for the one million talents to vigorously develop Hainan.

Under the campaign, Hainan will develop more competitive systems of talent policies and platforms to deepen integration of the local talent, innovation and industrial chains.

During the conference, four thematic sessions focusing on young talent development, talent cooperation between Hainan and other Chinese localities including Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao, industry-talent integration for seed industry and aviation talent cultivation by universities and businesses debuted to better match resources.

Multiple cooperation programs were held during the event, such as seven international agricultural technology cooperation projects, the talent-cultivation partnership between the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province and the University of International Business and Economics, etc.

At the main venue of the conference, a widely-lauded recruitment activity kicked off alongside the opening of the conference. 337 entities provided 10,018 available job positions, of which nearly a half are ones with 100,000-plus yuan of annual salaries. Through a “cloud recruitment” platform, online resume delivery and position-talent matching have been available around the clock, linking effectively talent demand with supply in the province.

Exquisitely decorated exhibition zones were also set for 18 local cities and counties at the main venue, not to mention the 12 functional zones well presenting opportunities, policy dividends and characteristic resources there.

As a high-end event, the Second China (Hainan) International Talent Exchange Conference drew many professionals such as Chan Un Tong, director of Labour Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region government to share insights on embracing high-quality development of Hainan FTP with better talent policies and services.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348699.html

MALAYSIA UNVEILS FIRST FLAGSHIP MEDICAL TOURISM HOSPITAL AWARD WINNER TO DRIVE GLOBAL ECONOMY COMPETITIVENESS

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) marked a major milestone in its medical tourism journey today with the announcement of the Winner of the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) Programme, an initiative initiated and led by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) to elevate Malaysia’s position as the preferred medical tourism destination in the world.

The announcement was made during the FMTH 2025 Award Ceremony, held at M Resort & Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The event was officiated by YB Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly bin Ahmad, Health Minister of Malaysia, who served as the Guest of Honour and presented the awards to the winners, as well as Yang Berusaha En. Suriaghandi Suppiah, CEO of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and YBhg. Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 Brand Ambassador.

In his Opening Speech, the Health Minister emphasised the importance of MHTC’s role in medical tourism as a strategic driver of national competitiveness. “The medical tourism sector remains a vital pillar of Malaysia’s long-term economic resilience and a key contributor to our nation’s global reputation for quality and care. Through the FMTH initiative, we are strengthening the country’s position as a preferred destination for world-class medical treatment, wellness, and recovery. This sector not only attracts quality investments and creates high-value job opportunities but also supports the growth of related industries such as pharmaceuticals, hospitality, and technology.”

The event was also attended by the CEO of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), Yang Berusaha En. Suriaghandi Suppiah. In his address, he reflected on the nation’s momentum in advancing medical tourism. “The Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital initiative represents a bold step by MHTC towards positioning Malaysia as a trusted and competitive destination for world-class healthcare. Today, we recognise one winner and four hospitals receiving special accolades for excellence in specific domains. This is not merely about recognising achievement; this initiative drives a national aspiration, one that aligns with our long-term vision for a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive economy.”

The prestigious title of Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital 2025 was awarded to Island Hospital, Penang, in recognition of its exemplary performance in medical and service excellence, and international branding. The other three Flagship Finalists were Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), Mahkota Medical Centre, Melaka, and Subang Jaya Medical Centre. In addition, five distinguished accolades were conferred to recognise the finalists for setting new national benchmarks in their respective domains:

I. Excellence in Healthcare Tourism Revenue Growth:
Awarded to Island Hospital, Penang

II. Medical Excellence and Medical Technology Distinction:
Awarded to Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)

III. Strategic Industry Partnership Leader:
Awarded to Mahkota Medical Centre, Melaka

IV. Digital Innovation in Patient Service Delivery:
Awarded to Island Hospital, Penang

V. Brand Distinction Excellence:
Awarded to Subang Jaya Medical Centre

Malaysia’s FMTH Programme represents a multi-year national transformation effort, executed through a disciplined, multi-phase structure from 2021 to 2025 to uplift the country’s global healthcare competitiveness. By the end of 2022, these four hospitals underwent bi-annual progress reviews, strategic mentorship, tailored capability-building programmes, joint marketing efforts with government partners, and independent evaluations by global authorities Joint Commission International (JCI) and IQVIA Consulting Group APAC (IQVIA).

These finalists demonstrated outstanding commitment to continuous improvement, capability-building, infrastructure development, and global competitiveness in delivering patient-centred care. The FMTH Winner will serve as a national ambassador hospital that upholds Malaysia’s identity as a destination where medical excellence, trusted care, and authentic hospitality converge.

MHTC underscored JCI’s strategic role in strengthening the nation’s global healthcare reputation, recognising it as a cornerstone of international quality assurance. As the world’s leading accreditation authority, JCI establishes the standards that shape patient safety, clinical governance, and operational excellence in Malaysian hospitals.

The FMTH Programme lays the foundation for Malaysia’s preparations for the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 (MYMT 2026). CEO of MHTC, Suriaghandi Suppiah mentioned “With a strong global brand, sustained programme enablers, and internationally benchmarked hospitals,
We are strategically positioned to welcome greater numbers of healthcare travellers seeking trusted, high-quality, patient-centred care. Central to this effort is the introduction of holistic and integrative healthcare packages that expand beyond treatment-based travel to include wellness, preventive care, and Traditional & Complementary Medicine, offering international patients fully curated medical-and-wellness journeys”. He further added “Complementing this is a drive to deliver a seamless end-to-end patient experience, integrating pre-arrival coordination, concierge support, recovery-friendly hospitality, and curated tourism offerings to ensure a smooth and reassuring travel-to-treatment pathway.”

The FMTH Programme plays a pivotal role in reinforcing Malaysia’s global reputation, with its recognition mechanisms providing powerful trust signals, differentiating Malaysian hospitals through quality, service excellence, and international brand strength. These award-winning hospitals are expected to enhance Malaysia’s visibility across priority markets—including ASEAN, Oceania, Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, Europe, United States of America and Africa—where demand for high-quality, affordable care continues to grow.

Malaysia’s medical tourism sector continues to demonstrate strong upward momentum. In 2024, the nation welcomed 1.6 million healthcare travellers, generating RM2.72 billion in revenue. This performance reflects a robust post-pandemic recovery and reinforces Malaysia’s standing as a trusted and high-value destination for medical treatment across the region and beyond.

At present, Southeast Asian countries remain Malaysia’s largest contributors of medical travellers, driven by geographical proximity, cultural affinity, and longstanding confidence in Malaysian healthcare. Collectively, these initiatives position Malaysia for heightened global attention in 2026, strengthening its competitiveness and driving sector-wide advancement as the nation prepares to welcome a new wave of international patients.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Mohamad Shahizam Fauzi
Head, Communications
+603 8776 6168
shahizam.f@mhtc.org.my

Siti Hamidah Mohd Najib
Senior Executive, Communications
+603 8776 6168
hamidah.m@mhtc.org.my

About Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council

Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), established in 2009 under the purview of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, is entrusted with developing and nurturing the “Malaysia Healthcare” brand. MHTC enhances, coordinates, and promotes Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry by fostering industry collaborations and building valuable public-private partnerships both domestically and internationally. With 80 member hospitals nationwide, MHTC continues to elevate the healthcare travel ecosystem through strong branding, seamless patient experiences, and strategic market initiatives. In line with these efforts, MHTC is spearheading the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, the nation’s first dedicated year to celebrate and advance healthcare travel. MYMT 2026 serves as a milestone initiative to showcase Malaysia’s world-class healthcare offerings, strengthen its position as the premier global healthcare destination, and highlight the industry’s significant contribution to the national economy.

More information can be found at https://www.mhtc.org.my/.

One Heung Kong “Eye of the Future” Unveiled, Crafting a New Global Landmark for Cultural Dialogue

By
Advertorial Desk
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GUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On the morning of December 4, the grand unveiling ceremony of the One Heung Kong “Eye of the Future”, a project by Heungkong Group, unfolded in China’s Greater Bay Area. This global artistic event marked the official establishment of a global landmark for the art of future living. The large-scale stainless steel sculpture “Eye of the Future”, a masterpiece crafted with immense dedication by Mr. Yuan Xikun—the first artist to be honored with the United Nations “Artistic Master for Environment”—made its debut. At an impressive 9.8 meters, it not only adds a bold artistic stroke to the Greater Bay Area’s skyline but also showcases China’s profound cultural heritage and its far-reaching vision for humanity’s future to the world.

The unveiling ceremony was a glittering gathering of distinguished guests. Former President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis, Senior Advisor at UN-Habitat Zhenshan Zhang, and numerous other international dignitaries, cultural leaders, and business elites gathered to witness this historic moment.

In his heartfelt speech, Master Yuan Xikun passionately explained that the “Eye of the Future” is more than just a response to One Heung Kong as a “land artwork”; it’s a wise eye deeply rooted in Chinese culture, gazing far into the shared future of all mankind. The transparent ring at the sculpture’s core resembles a discerning eye that surveys the vast universe and perceives every detail, inviting the world to come together and understand China, as well as the future.

Guests at the event delved deep into the profound meanings behind the “Eye of the Future” from their respective fields. They believed that the sculpture embodies the Eastern philosophical idea of “harmony between humanity and nature” and strikes a chord with the global concept of sustainable development. Through this artistic marvel, One Heung Kong is pioneering a brand-new way of civilizational dialogue that goes beyond traditional diplomacy. It’s transforming China’s sustainable development concept into something one can see, touch, and experience.

The upper part of the “Eye of the Future” soars skyward like the branches of a life-giving tree, while its lower part sinks deep into the earth like the roots of civilization. It stands resilient under the sunlight and sparkles brilliantly in the night, gazing not only at the thriving future panorama of the Greater Bay Area but also at humanity’s common longing for a brighter, more sustainable future.

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