A picture of thousands of migrant workers from Myanmar return home from Thailand. (Photo by he International Organization for Migration)
Thailand has warned employers against hiring migrant workers without valid permits or assigning them to jobs outside their legal rights as economic pressures in Laos and growing concerns over exploitation and human trafficking.
Thailand’s Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn issued the warning on 4 September, urging employers to verify workers’ documents and comply with restrictions on occupations reserved for Thai nationals.
Authorities said that employers hiring foreign workers illegally face fines up to THB 100,000 (USD 3,040) per worker, imprisonment, and a three-year hiring ban. Workers may be fined from THB 5,000 to 50,000 (USD 152 to 1,520), deported, and banned from applying for work permits for two years.
According to Thailand’s Foreign Workers Administration Office, 4.24 million foreign workers held valid work permits in July. Of these, at least 306,806 Lao workers recorded across three major permit groups.
The figures do not include Lao nationals who may be registered under other categories and working illegally.
Illegal Work and Trafficking Risks
Thai employment inspectors reported that the number of Lao workers prosecuted for working without permits or in reserved occupations increased from 178 in 2022 to 746 in 2025. Cases have included street selling, shop sales, beauty services, and massage and spa work.
The risks can be particularly serious for Lao children.
Thai media, Prachatai, documented in a January 2026 investigation that Lao children traveled to Thailand after leaving school because of poverty and low incomes at home. Some reported working 14 to 15 hours a day, unpaid wages, threats, sexual assault, and forced sexual exploitation.
Recruiters, often relatives or brokers, cover worker’s passports and travel costs upfront before recovering the money from wages; some families mistakenly believe a passport alone permits legal work.
Economic Pressure Pushes Workers Across the Border
Teachers and labor officials interviewed by Prachatai said some children leave school because families cannot afford education or believe further schooling will not lead to better jobs. One southern Lao teacher reported that 40 to 50 students out of more than 800 dropped out annually, some later travelling to Thailand for work.
The investigation also cited Lao wages of roughly LAK 900,000 (USD 40) to LAK 1.6 million (USD 71) per month, compared with reported Thai earnings of around THB 7,000 (USD 212) to THB 13,000 (USD 395), making cross-border employment financially attractive despite the risks.
Laos reported over 73,000 undocumented workers abroad illegally in early 2025, and recorded 46 human trafficking cases involving 85 victims , including 40 underage women, and authorities arrested 95 people. Still, Lao migrant workers sent home an estimated USD 366 million in the first half of 2025, as authorities push safer legal migration pathways amid persistent exploitation risks.
MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nutromics, a Melbourne-based startup leading the frontier of DNA-based sensing, has announced the appointment of Professor Kevin W. Plaxco as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). The company is preparing for the launch of its first product in 2027, while simultaneously extending its wearable platform to other targets. This extension is where Professor Plaxco’s strategic focus will lie.
Professor Plaxco invented Nutromics’ DNA-based sensing technology and has enjoyed a long association with the company. He first started collaborating with the co-founders, Peter Vranes and Hitesh Mehta, when they licensed his technology. Since then, he has served as an advisor, leading the company’s Biosensor Advisory Board. His guidance has been key to several major milestones, including the company’s world-first published clinical trial in Nature Biotechnology demonstrating the technology in humans.
Commenting on the appointment, CEO and co-founder Peter Vranes said “The field of Electrochemical Aptamer-Based (EAB) sensing or DNA-based sensing, as we refer to it, exists largely due to Kevin’s breakthrough research. Kevin has had a role in enabling almost every major breakthrough in the field, starting 1997. His work has brought continuous molecular monitoring out of the realm of science fiction and into reality. We believe that with his hands-on guidance, we can extend our platform faster into drugs beyond vancomycin and also biomarkers such as creatinine and lactate.”
Professor Plaxco has co-authored nearly 300 papers and a dozen patents on molecular biophysics and biomolecule-based technologies. For these advances, he has been elected a member of the National Academy of Inventors and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Society for Electrochemistry, and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.
Commenting on his decision to shift his focus to Nutromics, Professor Plaxco said “When you start your career as a researcher you hope for two things. The first is to discover or invent something that impacts the field. The second is to discover or invent something that impacts humanity. I believe that EAB sensors fulfil both of those criteria, with the team at Nutromics playing a key role in the latter. They have done a simply phenomenal job of translating my academic team’s research into a technology ready for real-world use. Moving forward, I look forward to working with Nutromics, where my role will be to broaden the applications our now-joint technology. Given its potential, I truly believe we can make it ubiquitous in the hospital and at home.”
Alongside his appointment at Nutromics, Professor Plaxco has commenced at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, as a Distinguished Professor. In the interim, he remains on leave from his position as Distinguished Professor at UC Santa Barbara. Kevin also serves on the scientific advisory boards of several companies.
Professor Plaxco succeeds Scientia Prof Justin Gooding as CSO. Professor Gooding continues to serve on Nutromics’ Biosensor Advisory Board.
About Nutromics
Nutromics is an Australian-founded advanced monitoring company that has built a wearable, DNA-based platform for continuous molecular monitoring. Its electrochemical aptamer-based sensors, integrated with minimally invasive microneedles, are designed to sense multiple proteins, drugs, metabolites, and hormones in real time. Nutromics is advancing towards regulatory clearance and commercial launch of its first product, with operations in Australia and the United States. This product is currently in development and has not yet been approved by the FDA, or any regulatory body. The company’s vision is a world with zero preventable deaths due to a lack of continuous molecular monitoring.
With 30 Years of Industry Dedication, A-Share Listed Enterprise Huali Shares Achieves Over 50% Growth Against Market Trends
HUAFULI Makes Its First Foray into Hong Kong with the Grand Opening of the 2,800 sq. ft. “HUAFULI Hong Kong Home Art Gallery”
Executive President Xie Zhikun Reveals Deep Ties with Hong Kong; Hong Kong Regional Manager Ken So Addresses Industry Pain Points and Sets HK$100 Million Sales Target
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 September 2026 – HUAFULI, a high-end decorative panel brand under the Shanghai Stock Exchange main board listed company “Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.” (Stock Code: 603038.SH), has leveraged its 30 years of brand heritage and formidable R&D and supply chain strength to achieve a rapid growth of over 50% against recent market downturns! Backed by a robust brand history, HUAFULI served as a supporting furniture materials supplier for top-tier international events, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, and the 2011 Shenzhen Summer Universiade, earning national-level recognition for its quality.
(From left) Mr. Wang Tangxin, Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; Mr. Xie Zhikun, CEO and Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; Mr. Wayne Lai Yiu Cheung, Brand Spokesperson of HUAFULI; Mr. Jacky Tan Xujie, Vice Chairman of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; Mr. Ji Juntao, Vice President of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; and Mr. Lu Xuqiu, Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd. jointly officiate the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the new showroom.
HUAFULI today officially announced its full-scale entry into the Hong Kong market, establishing its presence in the heart of Lockhart Road, Wan Chai—renowned as “Hong Kong’s Building Materials Street.” A grand opening ceremony was held for its brand-new 2,800 sq. ft. flagship exhibition hall, the “HUAFULI Hong Kong Home Art Gallery”. The brand offers an Integrated Door-Wall-Cabinet solution and localized services, using Hong Kong as a strategic pivot to expand into the global market!
The ceremony, themed “Huafuli: A New Chapter in Hong Kong”, was officiated by management representatives, including Mr. Jacky Tan Xujie, Vice Chairman of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., Mr. Xie Zhikun, CEO and Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., Mr. Lu Xuqiu, Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., Mr. Wang Tangxin, Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., Mr. Ji Juntao, Vice President of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., and Mr. Ken So, Sales Manager of the Hong Kong Region, Huafuli. The event also featured a heavyweight guest, three-time TV King, renowned artist, and Brand Spokesperson Mr. Wayne Lai, who attended the ribbon-cutting and conducted a live contract signing ceremony, witnessing this significant milestone in HUAFULI’s development in Hong Kong.
30 Years of Dedication: From Single-Product Champion to System Service Provider; Executive President Xie Zhikun Reveals Deep “Hong Kong Ties”
Founded in 1995, Huali Shares was listed on the SSE main board in 2017. In its early years, the brand took the lead in breaking foreign technological monopolies, spearheading the formulation of China’s furniture edge banding industry standards, and achieving the highest national sales for ten consecutive years. Over 30 years of development, the brand has successfully upgraded from an edge banding sales champion to a whole-house system service provider encompassing decorative panels, edge banding, and home hardware. Amid the transformative challenges faced by the home building materials industry in recent years, HUAFULI has defied market trends with a robust growth of over 50%, demonstrating remarkable business resilience and market leadership.
During his opening speech, Mr. Xie Zhikun, CEO and Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., shared emotionally: “Thirty years ago, we started with a single edge banding strip, proactively formulating the industry standards for furniture edge banding in China and maintaining the number one sales position nationwide for thirty consecutive years. With this dedication, we successfully upgraded from a ‘single-product champion’ to a complete system covering decorative panels, edge banding, and home hardware. Even when the industry faced challenges recently, HUAFULI still achieved a 50% growth against the trend. In fact, our connection with Hong Kong began back in 2008 when we established a subsidiary here. Hong Kong people are extremely particular about home quality, placing special emphasis on eco-friendliness, moisture resistance, and health, which are precisely HUAFULI’s strengths. The ‘HUAFULI Hong Kong Home Art Gallery’ unveiled today is not just an ordinary showroom, but a home art gallery that offers peace of mind and lifestyle aesthetics. In the future, we will collaborate with all sectors in Hong Kong using solid products, a professional team, and localized services, opening a new chapter where quality and craftsmanship parallel each other—basing ourselves in Hong Kong, connecting with the Mainland, and radiating globally!”
Mr. Ken So, Sales Manager of the Hong Kong Region, Huafuli, Addresses Three Industry Pain Points, Eliminates Northbound Travel Hassles, and Sets a HK$100 Million Sales Target
In an exclusive media interview, Mr. Ken So, Sales Manager of the Hong Kong Region, Huafuli, deeply analyzed the business logic and localized strategy behind the brand’s entry into Hong Kong:
Eliminating Cross-border Travel Fatigue to Significantly Boost Deal Success Rates: Mr. So pointed out that local interior designers and homeowners were often limited to brochure samples or had to endure tiring trips to Mainland factories to view actual materials. “We established ourselves directly in the core area of Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, building a 2,800 sq. ft. high-spec exhibition hall. Designers can now bring clients at any time to view 1:1 physical large panels and finished door-wall-cabinet displays. The art gallery does not retail directly to homeowners but serves as a shared design base for Hong Kong designers and contractors, addressing eco-concerns on the spot and significantly improving local designers’ deal success rates.”
Insisting on a 100% Direct-Sale Model with Unified National Pricing—”Not a Cent Added”: Differentiating from traditional building material brands that rely on multi-tiered agents, Mr. So emphasized HUAFULI’s commitment to a direct-sale system: “Whether in the Mainland or Hong Kong, HUAFULI is directly operated by the group, ensuring high consistency in product quality, after-sales service, and pricing. Although we have set up a top-tier showroom in the prime location of Wan Chai and hired a star spokesperson, the panel prices remain unified nationally with the Mainland—’not a cent added’—truly yielding benefits to local partners with sincerity.”
Eco-friendly Panels Replacing Traditional Laminates; Setting a HK$100 Million Sales Target: Mr. So analyzed that eco-friendly decorative panels are in a golden growth period in Hong Kong, gradually replacing traditional fireproof laminates and veneers. “We see massive market potential, and HUAFULI has set a target of achieving HK$100 million in sales in Hong Kong within 3 to 5 years! The Hong Kong market is strict and aligned with international standards. We are using Hong Kong as a touchstone and strategic hub for adapting to global standards, and will further expand into more overseas markets in the future.”
Strong Supply Chain Backing to Achieve “Zero Minimum Order, Next-Day Delivery” Express Fulfillment: Relying on six major production bases in the Mainland (totaling 600,000 square meters) and a network of 14 branch warehouses, HUAFULI breaks the traditional months-long waiting period for imported building materials. It provides the local industry with a localized, one-stop delivery service characterized by “zero minimum order, zero inventory requirements, same-day response, and next-day delivery,” greatly alleviating the financial and warehousing pressures on local partners.
Global Debut of German-Japanese Nano-Microcrystalline EBH Technology; Dual Ultimate Eco-certifications Lead New Trends in HK Building Materials
With Hong Kong’s increasingly stringent requirements for green buildings, indoor air quality, and ESG standards, HUAFULI brings a high-specification product system suitable for the Hong Kong environment:
Hong Kong Debut of the German-Japanese EBH Series: Combining German plasma spraying and Japanese precision light-curing technologies, this series boasts top-tier performance across six dimensions: anti-fingerprint (90% reduction), scratch resistance (2H+ hardness), anti-mildew and antibacterial (99.5%+), and yellowing resistance. Its surface presents an advanced, luxurious 5° matte gloss, perfectly adapting to Hong Kong’s humid climate.
Dual Highest Eco-certifications: “ENF Grade + JIS JAS F4-star”: Showcasing top-tier eco-friendly panels (including Particle Board, Multi-layer Plywood, and Oriented Strand Board, etc.) that have comprehensively passed the dual certifications of the national highest environmental standard “ENF Grade” (formaldehyde emission ≤0.025 mg/m³) and Japan’s highest environmental standard “F☆☆☆☆ (F4-Star).”
Recognized by the “Hong Kong ECO Mark”: The products have obtained the Hong Kong Green Label Scheme certification, achieving extremely low TVOC and formaldehyde emissions from the source. This directly addresses the pain points of Hong Kong’s indoor air quality and aligns with the high standards for ESG inspection by developers.
Patented Laser Edge Banding 2.0 and colour matched door-wall-cabinet system: The entire series comes standard with the original factory’s seamless laser edge banding technology, achieving panel edge banding in-one. HUAFULI particularly advocates the “Integrated Door-Wall-Cabinet” concept, where interior doors, wall panels, and custom cabinets are all made from the same original factory batch of substrates with identical colors and textures. This achieves zero color difference and a highly unified whole-house aesthetics with perfectly extended textures, providing unparalleled one-stop quality solutions when paired with original factory moldings and hardware components.
Star Spokesperson Mr. Wayne Lai Yiu Cheung Attends the Event, Heavily Endorses Dual Ultimate Eco-friendliness at Contract Signing
The atmosphere at the grand opening ceremony was vibrant, with traditional auspicious lion eye-dotting and lion dance performances kicking off the splendid prologue for the “HUAFULI Hong Kong Home Art Gallery.” Brand Spokesperson Mr. Wayne Lai Yiu Cheung conducted a grand contract signing ceremony on site and joined management guests for a celebratory group toast and photo.
Hashtag: #HUAFULI
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About HUAFULI
Founded in 1995, Huali Shares was listed on the main board of the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2017 (Stock Code: 603038.SH). Starting from the field of decorative composite materials, the company has adhered to integrity and innovation, inherited the spirit of craftsmanship, and over the past 30 years, has developed into a comprehensive holding enterprise encompassing home building materials, smart water affairs, membrane filtration materials, and industrial digital intelligence businesses. It is committed to leading industry progress through high-level R&D, satisfying people’s aspirations for a better life through technological innovation, and empowering industrial upgrades through digital and intelligent technologies. Its home building materials business primarily focuses on edge banding, decorative panels, and home hardware, mainly used in panel furniture, interior decoration, and commercial space construction. It is the first domestic home materials manufacturing enterprise to break the German technological monopoly and possess independent intellectual property rights, and is the leading formulator of important industry standards for edge banding in China.
Hyundai Motor Company becomes Official Automotive Partner of the UEFA Champions League in a multi-year partnership, beginning with the 2026/27 season
The competition sets the benchmark for European club football by bringing together the best in the game, a standard Hyundai measures itself against in its own field
Designed in Europe for European customers, IONIQ 3 is the first of five major models Hyundai will launch in Europe during the 2026/27 season and the first to represent the brand in the partnership
OFFENBACH, Germany, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Company today announced a multi-year agreement as the Official Automotive Partner of the UEFA Champions League. The partnership marks the company’s commitment to European club football at its highest level. It begins with the 2026/27 season, running to the end of the 2030/31 season.
Hyundai Motor Company Becomes Official Automotive Partner of the UEFA Champions League
Football is familiar ground. For almost 30 years Hyundai has supported the game at its highest levels, from the largest international tournaments to clubs and associations around the world. The UEFA Champions League extends that commitment to the pinnacle of European club football.
The parallels between the UEFA Champions League and Hyundai run deeper than scale: squads in this competition draw talent from every corner of the globe and compete at the highest level in Europe. Hyundai leverages the strengths of its global scale while designing, engineering and building vehicles in Europe, selling across the continent. Two organisations, unambiguously European in operation and international in influence.
“Football has been part of Hyundai for almost 30 years. It brings people together like almost nothing else, across languages and borders and generations,” said José Muñoz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hyundai Motor Company. “The UEFA Champions League is the best club football in the world, played every week in front of the most passionate fans in Europe. Following Hyundai’s engagement at the World Cup this summer, the UEFA Champions League is an ideal platform to show our beautifully designed vehicles with features fans love. I am from Madrid, so I have watched this competition my whole life. I’m personally excited about engaging with fans across Europe. It’s a great time to celebrate the beautiful game with Hyundai.”
Under its brand vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’, Hyundai is committed to expanding opportunities and contributing towards a more inclusive future for society. Through this partnership with UC3, UEFA’s joint venture with European Football Clubs, engagement with the UEFA Champions League and Hyundai’s mobility offerings, the company aims to bring people together across cultures and communities throughout Europe, uniting millions of football fans while delivering a positive impact for society.
“The UEFA Champions League and Hyundai are both driven by progress, performance, and the ambition to bring people together,” said Xavier Martinet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Motor Europe. “We are entering this partnership with our strongest line-up yet. IONIQ 3 is the first of five new models we are launching in Europe this season, designed and developed for our customers here in the region, and it is the car that leads our lineup for the future.”
The UEFA Champions League is the world’s most-watched annual club football competition with around one in three people being interested in the Champions League worldwide. The 36-club tournament provides a perfect platform to engage with a huge audience of passionate football fans and highlight Hyundai’s future direction, from robotics and physical AI, to software and smart mobility solutions tailored for European customers.
Hyundai is a global brand with a strong footprint in Europe, built over more than 30 years. Its European Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, develops and engineers its vehicles, while its European Design Centre at the same site shapes their visual look and identity. Production takes place at plants in the Czech Republic and Türkiye, with Hyundai vehicles reaching customers across 42 European markets through more than 2,000 sales and aftersales outlets. Hyundai’s design, engineering, manufacturing and partner network supports customers and fans every day.
The IONIQ 3: Hyundai’s entry on the pitch
The all-electric IONIQ 3, designed in Europe for European customers, is Hyundai’s opening statement in the partnership. The compact hatchback made its debut at Milan Design Week earlier this year and became the first battery-electric vehicle to enter production at Hyundai’s İzmit plant when manufacturing commenced in August. It is the first of five major new models Hyundai brings to Europe in the 2026/27 season.
With the IONIQ 3, Hyundai enters the compact class, Europe’s most contested segment, with class-leading capability to deliver on European customers’ needs. IONIQ 3’s Aero Hatch typology has been created to deliver class-leading efficiency and range, with a drag coefficient of 0.263 Cd and up to 497 km of range (WLTP). With 441 liters of trunk volume, best-in-class interior space, a segment-leading 14.6-inch display featuring Hyundai’s latest PLEOS Connect infotainment system, and strong value, IONIQ 3 represents Hyundai’s commitment to making electrified mobility accessible to its European customers.
The IONIQ 3 sits within a line-up that offers customers a genuine choice across the full powertrain spectrum, thanks to Hyundai’s flexible strategy: battery-electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen fuel-cell electric and internal combustion. The range is structured around how people own and use their vehicles, delivering flexibility.
IONIQ 3 builds on Hyundai’s EV recognition in Europe, following significant awards that reflect the breadth of the company’s commitment to electrified mobility. The Hyundai INSTER was named 2025 World Electric Vehicle, while the IONIQ 9 was named Germany’s 2026 Premium Car of the Year. This customer-centric focus frames Hyundai’s newly announced partnership as the UEFA Champions League’s Official Automotive Partner.
Guy-Laurent Epstein, Co-Managing Director, UC3: “We are delighted to welcome Hyundai as an official partner of the UEFA Champions League. Hyundai has a proud history of supporting football at the highest level and a clear belief in its power to bring people together. We look forward to building a partnership that brings that shared ambition to life for fans around the world over the coming years.”
TAIPEI, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global automotive industry is entering a new phase in which semiconductors are becoming as strategically important as batteries, motors and manufacturing scale. As vehicles evolve into software-defined, AI-enabled platforms, chips increasingly determine everything from power management and cockpit functions to advanced driver-assistance systems. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and technology restrictions are pushing automakers to rethink where those chips come from — turning semiconductor supply into a strategic issue for the global auto industry.
China sits at the center of that shift. U.S. and allied export controls introduced since 2022 were designed primarily to restrict China’s access to advanced semiconductor technologies and manufacturing equipment. Yet the restrictions have also added urgency to Beijing’s long-running localization strategy. A March 2026 analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that the controls have accelerated the adoption of domestic chips and equipment, while strengthening coordinated efforts across government and industry to localize semiconductor design and manufacturing.
The automotive sector is becoming one of the clearest testing grounds for that strategy. Chinese automakers are accelerating efforts to increase domestic chip sourcing as Beijing pushes for greater semiconductor self-reliance across strategic industries. The shift is especially significant because modern electric and intelligent vehicles depend on a broad range of semiconductors — from mature-node power devices and microcontrollers to increasingly sophisticated computing chips for smart-driving systems.
Against this backdrop, a new DIGITIMES Intelligence report identifies BYD as a particularly revealing case of what happens when policy-driven localization meets years of prior corporate investment. Unlike automakers that are only now accelerating their semiconductor strategies, BYD began building in-house chip capabilities more than two decades ago, initially focusing on power-control semiconductors needed for electric vehicles.
That strategy has steadily moved up the semiconductor value chain. BYD’s early work in IGBT and silicon carbide (SiC) power devices helped secure critical electronic-control components for its EV business. Its semiconductor roadmap has since expanded toward higher-compute smart-driving SoCs, culminating in the Xuanji A3, which the DIGITIMES Intelligence report identifies as entering scaled production on a 4nm automotive-grade process.
The difference is not simply chip design. DIGITIMES Intelligence finds that BYD has spent more than two decades building an integrated device manufacturer (IDM) model spanning chip design, wafer fabrication and mass-production deployment, supported by multiple in-house fabs and a dedicated semiconductor engineering organization. That vertical integration gives BYD a different starting point from automakers now entering custom silicon primarily in response to supply-chain pressure.
The strategic value of that investment may ultimately extend beyond cars. DIGITIMES senior analyst Jessie Lin notes that intelligent vehicles and humanoid robots share many of the same foundational technologies, including AI processors, sensors, motors, batteries and control systems. BYD’s accumulated expertise in smart-driving silicon and algorithms could therefore provide a foundation for expansion into robotics and other physical AI applications.
That possibility is becoming more relevant as China accelerates its push into embodied and physical AI. At the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing, more than 300 companies showcased over 2,000 robotics exhibits, with humanoid robots increasingly demonstrated in manufacturing, logistics and household applications rather than simply as prototypes. The growing overlap between China’s EV and robotics ecosystems could make capabilities in batteries, motors, sensors, manufacturing and AI increasingly transferable across the two industries.
BYD’s trajectory also illustrates why the long-term impact of semiconductor export controls is difficult to assess in simple terms. Restrictions can constrain access to frontier technology in the short term, while simultaneously strengthening incentives for domestic substitution and investment. CSIS has argued that although export controls have limited China’s access to some leading-edge technologies, they have also added momentum to domestic semiconductor innovation and localization.
The implications extend beyond BYD or even China’s auto industry. As cars become more dependent on advanced computing, semiconductor capability is increasingly becoming part of automakers’ competitive strategy — alongside software, batteries, manufacturing and supply-chain resilience. The rise of vertically integrated players such as BYD could therefore reshape not only automotive semiconductor sourcing, but also the boundaries between automakers, chipmakers and emerging physical AI companies.
The new DIGITIMES Intelligence report examines BYD’s semiconductor evolution from power devices and SiC to smart-driving SoCs, the structural advantages created by its IDM model, and how those capabilities could position the company as China’s automotive semiconductor localization accelerates and physical AI emerges as a new growth frontier.
DIGITIMES is a Decision Intelligence platform rooted at the core of the industry, dedicated to helping global decision–makers navigate change and formulate strategies through first–hand insights and AI–driven analysis. We integrate intelligence services, forward–looking research, and influence marketing to provide comprehensive support from insights to execution—continuously defining the future with clarity and serving as a long–term strategic partner for businesses moving forward.
Homegrown biotechnology skincare company partners Xenohelix and UMECO Group to combine micro PDRN innovation with advanced Korean beauty delivery technology
SINGAPORE– Media OutReach Newswire – 7 September 2026 – Singapore biotechnology skincare company Minré is partnering with South Korean innovators Xenohelix Co., Ltd. and UMECO Group to develop next-generation skincare combining biotechnology with advanced beauty delivery technology.
Xenohelix, a biotechnology company spun off from Yonsei University, will support Minré’s development of an upcoming skincare range featuring its patented miPDRN® technology. The collaboration will make Minré the first Singapore skincare brand to work with Xenohelix’s proprietary miPDRN® technology.
PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, is increasingly discussed in regenerative and aesthetic skincare. Minré believes consumers should look beyond whether a product contains PDRN to the quality and science behind the technology.
“Great science happens when different expertise comes together,” said Dr Zach Pang, Co-founder of Minré. “By combining Singapore’s strengths in biotechnology with Korea’s leadership in beauty and aesthetic innovation, we’re bringing together complementary expertise to create better skincare.”
Dr Chee Wai Fhu, Co-founder of Minré, added: “The future of skincare will be shaped by science-backed innovation, not short-lived trends. Better science ultimately allows us to build better skincare.”
Micro PDRN for Next-Generation Skincare Xenohelix’s miPDRN® is designed to support enhanced skin penetration. At approximately 12 kDa and around 20 base pairs, it is described by Xenohelix as the world’s smallest PDRN molecule, with its ultra-small size designed to support more effective absorption and deeper penetration into the skin. (Source: Xenohelix company profile, Vegan & Clean Beauty Fair 2026; COSIN Korea, 2026.)
Minré and Xenohelix will work together on product co-development, formulation optimisation and scientific validation.
Pairing Skincare Science with Korean Delivery Technology Minré is also collaborating with UMECO Group, a South Korean beauty technology company specialising in nanoporation, regenerative phototherapy and professional aesthetic solutions.
The partnership combines Minré’s regenerative skincare expertise with UMECO’s proprietary nanoporation technology, designed to support the delivery of skincare formulations through the skin.
Developed under the clinical advisory of dermatologist Dr Jung Jae-Yuk, who has served as a medical advisor to the President of South Korea, UMECO’s technology will support joint exploration of treatment protocols, scientific evaluation, user studies, practitioner education and future product-technology innovations.
Singapore-Korea Collaboration The two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) mark the first stage of Minré’s strategy to connect Singapore’s biotechnology ecosystem with international expertise in beauty, dermatology and aesthetic technology, beginning with South Korea.
Minré plans to continue working with universities, biotechnology companies, clinicians and technology innovators internationally as it develops its science-driven skincare portfolio.
Hashtag: #Minre #XenohelixCo
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Minré
Minré is a Singapore biotechnology skincare company developing science-driven skincare by bringing together biotechnology, skin science and aesthetic innovation.
Backed by the scientific expertise of sister company AuctuCel Pte Ltd, an A*STAR spin-off specialising in AI-driven bioprocess engineering and cell culture optimisation, Minré works with scientists, clinicians and technology partners to translate biotechnology and aesthetic innovation into skincare solutions for professionals and consumers.
SEONGNAM, South Korea, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rznomics Inc.(KOSDAQ: 476830), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of RNA-based gene therapies, announced a major breakthrough in the high-efficiency production of circular RNA (circRNA) – a rapidly emerging modality in next-generation RNA therapeutics.
The research was published online in Nucleic Acids Research (NAR), a premier international journal in the fields of nucleic acid research and molecular biology, on September 4, 2026. The article is titled “Target Site Selection and P1 Engineering Enable Highly Efficient Circular RNA Production via End-to-End Self-Targeting and Splicing”.
The study highlights a substantial enhancement in the circRNA production efficiency of Rznomics’ proprietary Self-Targeting and Splicing (STS) technology, which enables RNA molecules to spontaneously form a circular structure during in vitro transcription.
Unlike conventional linear RNA, circRNA features a covalently closed-loop structure, rendering it highly resistant to enzymatic degradation. This superior stability makes circRNA a highly promising platform for a broad spectrum of RNA-based medicines, including vaccines and protein therapeutics.
However, circularization efficiency generally decreases as RNA length increases. This limitation restricts the size of genes that can be practically accommodated and poses a challenge for efficient large-scale manufacturing.
To address this limitation, the Rznomics research team systematically screened target sites for self-circularization and implemented an engineering strategy to optimize the P1 construct involved in the self-circularization reaction.
The study revealed that self-circularization efficiency fluctuates significantly depending on the location of the target site, even within the same RNA sequence, demonstrating that optimal target site selection is a key factor for high-yield circRNA production. The researchers further engineered the P1 construct by sequentially introducing a short polyA10 sequence and an antisense sequence designed to strengthen interaction with the target site, improving self-circularization efficiency by up to approximately seven-fold compared with the original STS design.
Notably, in experiments using Factor VIII RNA approximately 7.8 kilo-nucleotides in length, the optimized STS method achieved approximately a two-fold higher circularization efficiency than the widely used Permuted Intron–Exon (PIE) method.
These findings demonstrate that integrating strategic target-site selection with P1 construct engineering enables efficient circRNA production not only for relatively short RNAs but also for large RNAs approaching 8 kilo-nucleotides. Rznomics anticipates that this technology could serve as a broadly applicable platform for the development of circRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines.
Dr. Kyung Hyun Lee, first and co-corresponding author of the study, stated, “By establishing a foundation for the efficient and robust production of circRNA even from large RNA molecules, we expect this technology to help broaden the potential horizons of circRNA application.”
Dr. Seong-Wook Lee, CEO of Rznomics and co-corresponding author, added, “This milestone further advances our proprietary circRNA platform and strengthens its potential for practical applications. Moving forward, we plan to expand its utility across diverse therapeutic areas, including CAR-T therapies.”
Rznomics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in South Korea focused on developing RNA-based gene therapies. The company’s proprietary trans-splicing ribozyme platform enables precise RNA editing and has broad applicability across multiple indications. Its lead oncology program ‘Taspitimagene advec (RZ-001)’ was designated as a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) by FDA.
The company signed a research collaboration and license agreement with global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company in May 2025 for the development of a novel RNA editing therapeutic, and subsequently listed on the KOSDAQ market in December 2025. (KOSDAQ 476830)
TAINAN, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 September 2026 – The 2026 Kunshen Wangye’s Salt for Peace Festival, one of Taiwan’s major celebrations of Wangye folk religion, will take place on November 7 and 8 at Nankunshen Daitian Temple in Beimen District, Tainan, co-organized by the Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters and local partners.
Under this year’s theme, “Salt Sustains Peace, Happiness Follows,” the festival will introduce the concept of “Peace Without Borders” for the first time, bringing together Wangye religious traditions, salt industry heritage, wetland ecology, and international cultural exchange. Travelers from around the world are invited to visit Tainan and experience Taiwan’s distinctive religious culture and coastal scenery.
The festival will continue the three traditional rituals of “Inviting the Salt,” “Blessing the Salt,” and “Giving Thanks for the Salt,” symbolizing peace, health, and happiness. This year, a Korean traditional blessing group will also participate in a cultural exchange for the first time, sharing wishes for peace through different cultural traditions. A “Wall of Blessings from Around the World” will also be set up at the venue, with bilingual blessing cards available for visitors from around the world to write down their wishes, allowing messages of peace and well-being to transcend languages and borders.
The festival will also feature international arts performances, specialty markets, family activities, bilingual guided tours, and the distribution of blessed salt sachets. In addition to participating in the festivities, visitors can explore the Jingzaijiao Tile-Paved Salt Fields and discover Beimen’s distinctive blend of religious heritage, salt-making culture, and coastal ecology.
More than a celebration of religious culture, the 2026 Kunshen Wangye’s Salt for Peace Festival serves as a platform connecting culture, tourism, and international exchange. Travelers from around the world are warmly invited to visit Beimen, Tainan, on November 7 and 8 to experience the heartfelt wishes embodied in “Peace Without Borders” and discover the unique cultural appeal of Taiwan.
Hashtag: #TaiwanWangyeCulture
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
