BEIJING, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — China’s flagship event in the financial sector, the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum (FSF) 2025, officially kicked off in Beijing on Monday. The FSF 2025, running from Monday to Thursday, will showcase a wave of important developments in the financial sector, including the introduction of key policies, the launch of major institutions, the signing of international cooperation agreements, and the presentation of flagship projects and reports in financial technology, green development, and industrial finance, the Global Times learned from the organizer.
Themed “Global Financial Development in an Era of Innovation, Transformation and Restructuring,” this year’s forum focuses on promoting high-quality global finance. It calls for greater consensus on innovation, the stimulation of transformative momentum, and the advancement of restructuring efforts, aiming to build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global financial system, according to the organizer.
Over 400 guests from more than 30 countries and regions around the world gather at this year’s event. The forum, as an important window into China’s financial cooperation and opening-up to the world, helps inject stability, draws greater attention from international capital, and enhances the country’s overall appeal, Chinese experts said.
Major policies rollout
The FSF was established in 2012, and since 2020 its annual conference has been upgraded to a national-level, international professional forum, where government officials announce key financial policy and regulation reforms, with this year’s forum being no exception.
At Monday’s opening ceremony, Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the central bank, said that at present the bond market is operating well overall, and the PBOC will resume open market operations involving government bonds.
Last year, in line with the directives of the central financial work conference, the central bank began conducting government bond transactions in the secondary market, said Pan. Earlier this year, considering the significant supply-demand imbalances in the bond market and the accumulation of market risks, the PBOC temporarily suspended these transactions.
However, Pan said, currently, with the bond market running smoothly overall, the central bank will resume open market government bond operations.
Also in his speech, Pan said that to help individuals expedite the repair of their credit records while maintaining the deterrent effect of default information, the PBOC is studying the implementation of a one-time personal credit relief policy.
Under the policy, personal default information related to loans below a certain amount that occurred during the pandemic and has since been repaid will not be displayed in the credit reporting system, according to Pan. The official noted that after completing the relevant procedures, the central bank, together with financial institutions, will carry out the necessary technical preparations, with the measure planned for implementation early next year.
Also at the opening ceremony, the launch of a work plan for optimizing the qualified foreign institutional investor (GFII) system was officially announced. The work plan includes measures to streamline access management, improve investment efficiency, and expand the investment scope, aiming to provide various foreign investors with a more transparent, convenient, and efficient regulatory environment, Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, said at the opening ceremony.
Among these, measures such as establishing a green channel for quota-based foreign investment access will be implemented immediately, according to Wu.
Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, said China will unswervingly deepen reform and expand opening-up, continuously enhancing the momentum and vitality of the financial sector.
Specifically, Li Yunze said the administration aims to create a new phase of high-level opening-up in finance by extending institutional opening-up to wider and deeper areas, and by fully implementing a system that combines pre-establishment national treatment with a negative list for market access.
Injecting new momentum
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), China’s total economic output has passed several milestones and is expected to reach 140 trillion yuan this year, according to Xinhua News Agency. The country’s contribution to global economic growth has remained around 30 percent, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5 percent, the report said.
The annual meeting is expected to inject new momentum into China’s financial reform and opening-up, while contributing greater stability to the global economy, some Chinese experts told the Global Times on the sidelines of the forum.
The forum, serving as an important window into China’s financial cooperation and opening-up to the world, helps attract more international capital, enhance the country’s overall appeal, and contribute to world economic stability, especially amid global headwinds from rising protectionism and unilateralism, Li Changan, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies under the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Monday.
Li Changan said that by bringing together government officials, business leaders, and scholars, the forum also provides a valuable platform for the global community to better understand China’s policy decisions in the financial field.
At the critical moment of the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the financial officials’ remarks send a fresh signal of the country’s financial sector continuously promoting reform and expanding high-level opening-up during the next five years, Xi Junyang, a professor at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, told the Global Times on Monday.
By further enhancing the coordination of the macro-economy and the financial sector, it will better promote the sustained and healthy development of the economy and society, Xi Junyang said. Along with the enhancement of China’s economic capacity, the country’s financial sector is expected to open wider to the rest of the world, according to the expert.
“I’m confident in the prospects of China’s economy. The economy is expected to maintain stable and upward trajectory during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30),” Xi Junyang said.
Two-Day Event to be Held on 6-7 November Bringing Together Global Investors and Entrepreneurs to Explore New Frontiers in AI, Digital Assets, and Hong Kong’s Role as an International Innovation and Technology Hub
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2025 – As the global venture capital market evolves amid economic shifts, investment flows are increasingly concentrated, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), which continues to drive significant momentum. The annual flagship event, Cyberport Venture Capital Forum (CVCF), will take place on 6-7 November 2025at Cyberport. Themed “The Innovation-Venture Nexus: Igniting Transformative Success”, this year’s CVCF will unite influential global investors and entrepreneurs to explore the transformative impact of AI on the global venture capital landscape and Hong Kong’s unique strengths in blockchain and digital assets. The forum aims to empower start-ups and investors to break through financing and market expansion barriers, seizing new market opportunities.
The annual flagship event, Cyberport Venture Capital Forum (CVCF) 2025, will take place on 6-7 November 2025 at Cyberport. Themed “The Innovation-Venture Nexus: Igniting Transformative Success”, this year’s CVCF will unite influential global investors and entrepreneurs to explore the transformative impact of AI on the global venture capital landscape and Hong Kong’s unique strengths in blockchain and digital assets. The forum aims to empower start-ups and investors to break through financing and market expansion barriers, seizing new market opportunities.
Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport (second left), Hendrick Sin, Chairman of Cyberport Investors Network (CIN) Steering Group; Co-Founder of CMGE Technology Group Limited; Chairman of China Prosperity Capital (second right), Eric Chan, Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport (first left) and Fred Ngan, Co-Founder of Bowtie Life Insurance, Cyberport Incubation Programme Alumnus, and a leading virtual insurer in Hong Kong (first right) attended the media briefing.
Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport, said, “Cyberport actively serves as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder’, enhancing the fundraising capabilities of start-ups and connecting them with domestic and international capital and markets. To date, Cyberport start-ups have collectively raised HK$46 billion, with nine new listed companies and two unicorns joining our community this year, underscoring the growing fundraising strength of Cyberport’s enterprises. The venture capital market is increasingly focused on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, and digital assets, with AI-driven innovation leading global capital flow. This year’s CVCF aligns with these trends, providing a vital platform to connect high-potential AI, blockchain, and digital assets companies in Cyberport with this substantial capital flow, helping start-ups transcend boundaries, secure financing, and ignite their path to success, while enabling investors to identify and match with high-potential start-ups for superior returns.”
Cyberport Community Raised HK$46 Billion in funding, with AI and Web3.0 as Market Focus
Despite a challenging venture capital environment, Cyberport’s start-ups have demonstrated robust fundraising performance over the past year. From October 2024 to September 2025, Cyberport companies raised nearly HK$3.4 billion in total, bringing the cumulative total to HK$46 billion. During the year, nine Cyberport companies successfully listed, including Yunji Technology and Xunfei Healthcare, which achieved listing within six months after landing at Cyberport, alongside Cyberport incubatees Diginex and Real Messenger. Additionally, Cyberport welcomed two unicorns, Qiangnao Technology, valued at US$1.3 billion, and Inspur Cloud, valued at US$2.5 billion, injecting powerful momentum into the I&T ecosystem. Recent high-value fundraising rounds include Bowtie, DigiFT, Klook, KPay, KUN, Hashkey Group, LeapXpert, Animoca Brands, and more, many of which leverage AI, blockchain, and digital assets, reflecting the market’s focus on AI and Web3.0, underscoring Cyberport’s success in fostering the development of these industries.
Hendrick Sin, Chairman of Cyberport Investors Network (CIN) Steering Group; Co-Founder of CMGE Technology Group Limited; Chairman of China Prosperity Capital,said, “The global market presents both challenges and opportunities, with AI continuing to dominate high value transactions. Building on last year’s establishment of the ‘Web3.0 Investment Circle’, which successfully gathered over 40 investors focused on blockchain and digital assets, we have now launched the ‘AI Investment Circle’ to connect AI companies showing strong fundraising potentials. Through various financing channels, Cyberport continues to link global investors with start-ups. Cyberport Investors Network (CIN) has facilitated nearly HK$4.26 billion in investments, while Cyberport Macro Fund (CMF), alongside co-investments, has contributed close to HK$1.99 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence in Cyberport companies. The CVCF further connects international investors, industry leaders and start-ups, fostering deep collaboration across government, industry, academia, research, investment, and users, while gathering innovative pioneers and ideas from home and abroad to propel Hong Kong’s development as an international I&T hub.”
As Hong Kong’s digital tech hub, AI accelerator and key incubator, Cyberport leverages the Cyberport Investors Network (CIN) to attract influential investment units from around the world to connect with high-potential Cyberport enterprises to accelerate their development. Since its inception in 2017, the total investments facilitated by CIN have reached over HK$4.258 billion, a year-on-year increase of over HK$1.66 billion, representing a threefold growth. CIN has facilitated a cumulative total of 109 projects, up by 13 from last year. CIN’s investment units have also grown by over 20, now exceeding 220, with 15% from the Greater Bay Area and 14% from the Asia-Pacific region, successfully aggregating global venture capital. Following the success of the establishment of “Web3.0 Investment Circle” last year, which successfully brought together more than 40 investors, Cyberport has launched the “AI Investment Circle” this year to match investors with high-potential and high-growth AI start-ups, further strengthening the AI ecosystem.
Another key financing channel, Cyberport Macro Fund (CMF), continues to invest in high-potential start-ups while enhancing their fundraising capabilities. As of October 2025, CMF has invested in 29 start-up projects, with the total investment, including co-investments, exceeding HK$1.989 billion, with a co-investment ratio of 1:9.3 — meaning every HK$1 invested by Cyberport attracts an additional HK$9.3 in co-investment. This demonstrates Cyberport’s sustained ability to attract capital in a challenging environment.
Driving Innovation Financing and Supporting Enterprise Growth
Cyberport companies have recently achieved remarkable success in the venture capital market. Among them, virtual insurer Bowtie Life Insurance and DigiFT, a licensed Hong Kong digital asset firm headquartered in Singapore, have successfully secured financing exceeding US$10 million and attracted significant market attention. Bowtie successfully completed its Series C funding round of a US$70 million in July 2025, which was led by Sun Life Hong Kong Limited. Meanwhile, DigiFT, which earlier received approval from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for Type 1 and Type 4 licenses, supporting its regulated activities in the tokenised securities space.
Fred Ngan, Co-Founder of Bowtie Life Insurance, Cyberport Incubation Programme Alumnus, and a leading virtual insurer in Hong Kong, shared their success story and said, “Cyberport’s role as an international springboard helps start-ups accelerate their business growth. The CIN platform has connected us with local large enterprises, government bodies, global investors, leading tech corporations, and international professional services providers, improving our capital strength base. Bowtie successfully completed a US$70 million Series C funding round in mid-2025, marking it the largest funding round for digital health insurers in Asia with a direct-to-consumer model. This not only reflects our confidence and that of our investors in Hong Kong’s healthtech and virtual insurance market, but also demonstrates that, in Hong Kong as an international financial centre, start-ups with strong technological capabilities and clear profitability models can attract diverse capital and become the next success story.”
Kevin Loo, CEO of DigiFT Hong Kong, CyberportIncubatee DigiFT, a licensed digital asset firm headquartered in Singapore and received approval from the regulatory authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong,said, “Cyberport serves as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder,’ actively driving the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and supporting high-potential start-ups in expanding into local and international markets. We are thrilled to be selected for the ‘Blockchain & Digital Asset Pilot Subsidy Scheme’ and to collaborate with UBS and Chainlink on the ‘open architecture for RWA processes automation’ pilot project in Hong Kong. Having recently obtained SFC Type 1 and 4 licences in Hong Kong, DigiFT is among the few financial institutions leveraging smart contract-driven on-chain infrastructure with such regulatory approval, underscoring the growing maturity of Hong Kong’s digital asset market and RWA tokenisation. As a Cyberport incubatee, we are encouraged by the support from Cyberport and the HKSAR Government for the development of digital assets and blockchain technology, as well as the tangible assistance provided in expanding into global markets, fostering collaboration and promoting innovative RWA applications.”
Connecting Investors and Start-ups, Showcasing Cutting-Edge Innovations
Cyberport Venture Capital Forum 2025 will feature an opening remarks by Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and bring together venture capital leaders, including representatives from Longling Capital, Cyber Creation Ventures, Hongshan CBC Cross-border Digital Fund, Cathay Innovation, Rasmal Ventures, Granite-Integral, Sinovation Ventures, Eminence Ventures, Gobi Partners, and more, to discuss the latest technology and market focus:
AI and Web3.0 Nexus: Exploring practical applications and investment prospects of AI, blockchain, and digital assets, with sessions focusing on AI’s role in reshaping industries, digital assets in financial systems, and the decentralised innovations driven by Web3.0.
Regional Market Focus: Analysing growth potential, unique innovations and investment advantages in key markets through dedicated panel discussions.
Web3.0 and Digital Assets: Highlighting Hong Kong’s development as a digital asset hub, covering virtual asset regulatory frameworks, Real-World Assets (RWA) tokenisation, and the commercialisation of Decentralised Finance (DeFi) and Web3.0 gaming.
CVCF 2025 will continue to feature the popular “Investor Matching” session, offering face-to-face and online interactions to pair investors with start-ups based on their technological focus and investment preferences, enhancing collaboration efficiency. Additional highlights include innovator showcase, start-up clinic & workshop, providing attendees with practical insights and strategic advice.
The Web3.0 Innovation Expo, a key highlight of the forum, aims to strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international digital asset hub. The expo will bring together global Web3.0 leaders, regulators, and traditional financial giants, and showcasing cases from Cyberport’s “Blockchain & Digital Asset Pilot Subsidy Scheme”, which accelerates the practical applications in tokenised assets, payments, Regulatory Technology (RegTech), and the creator economy.
As Cyberport’s flagship venture capital event, CVCF connects investors and entrepreneurs in the global digital technology. In 2024, the hybrid event attracted over 2,600 participants, achieved more than 150,000 views and facilitated more than 350 deal flows, fostering partnerships and investment opportunities. For more details, please visit the website: http://cvcf.cyberport.hk/.
Hashtag: #CyberportVentureCapitalForum
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Cyberport
Wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Cyberport is Hong Kong’s digital tech hub and AI accelerator, with a vision to empower industry digitalisation and intelligent transformation, to promote digital economy and AI development, and to foster Hong Kong to be an international AI, innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Cyberport gathers over 2,300 companies, including 12 listed companies and 10 unicorns. One-third of onsite companies’ founders come from 26 countries and regions, while Cyberport companies have expanded to over 35 global markets.
Cyberport, with Hong Kong’s largest AI Supercomputing Centre and AI Lab as the engine, has been building the AI ecosystem with industry-leading AI companies and over 400 AI and data science start-ups. Through development of tech clusters, namely AI, data science, blockchain and cybersecurity, Cyberport empowers industries across smart city and government, banking and finance, digital entertainment, culture and tourism, healthcare, education and training, property management, construction, transportation and logistics, green environment and more, while hosting Hong Kong’s largest FinTech community. Commissioned by the HKSAR Government, Cyberport has implemented proof-of-concept and sandbox schemes, subsidisation for digital tech adoption, industry tech training and start-up incubation, to drive technology R&D, translation and commercialisation, thus propelling digital transformation and intelligent upgrade across industry and society.
Also as “State-level Scientific and Technological Enterprise Incubator” and Hong Kong’s key incubator, Cyberport supports entrepreneurs with funding and office space, extensive networks of enterprises, investors, technology corporations and professional services for business growth and expansion to Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, all-round facilitation for landing in Hong Kong, talent attraction and cultivation, ready as a launchpad to take start-ups in any stages of development to the next level.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2025 – Lens Technology, a global leader in full-value-chain precision manufacturing for intelligent terminals, reported strong results for the first nine months of 2025. Revenue reached RMB 53.663 billion, a 16.08% year-on-year increase and a new record high for the period. Net profit attributable to shareholders rose 19.91% to RMB 2.843 billion. The asset-liability ratio improved to 35.47%, underscoring ongoing financial discipline. Growth was fueled by the sustained recovery in consumer electronics and strategic expansion into AI hardware and intelligent robotics. Despite a high comparison base from the prior year and delayed new-product launches, accelerated fourth-quarter momentum from rush orders positions the company to exceed full-year targets with confidence.
Consumer Electronics: Sustained Leadership in a Recovering Market The global smartphone market sustained its recovery in 2025. IDC reports Q3 shipments of 322.7 million units (+2.6% YoY), fueled by premium-segment innovation and the strong value proposition of AI-enabled smartphones. As a Tier-1 supplier of exterior and structural components to flagship clients, Lens Technology captured above-expectation demand following a key client’s late-Q3 product release. This translated into expanded market share, additional orders, and premium pricing supported by proprietary technologies such as ultra-hard coatings and 3D glass cover plates.
In foldable devices, Lens Technology maintains first-mover advantage through R&D in UTG (ultra-thin glass) and VTG (vacuum-coated glass), backed by proven rapid mass-production of structural modules. TrendForce forecasts 19.8 million global foldable shipments in 2025 (~1.6% penetration), positioning this segment as a key growth driver.
AI Hardware: Pioneering Edge-Side Solutions Long-standing partnerships with premier global AI platforms have solidified Lens Technology’s role as a foundational co-developer, supplying critical modules and precision manufacturing for next-generation edge AI devices.
Smart Glasses: WellsennXR projects 12.26 million units of VR/AR/AI eyewear shipped globally in 2025. Strategic alliances with North American leaders and domestic innovators (e.g., Rokid) secure supply of precision structures, optics, acoustics, and assemblies for best-selling models. Ongoing expansion into flexible PCB SMT, wireless charging, case assembly, and full-unit integration is expected to deliver substantial revenue uplift.
Optical Leadership: Within two years, Lens targets primary supplier status for key clients and global leadership in optical waveguides, mastering nanoimprint, etching, and silicon-carbide processes. The newly formed Lens Optoelectronics Technology (Changsha) Co., Ltd. integrates in-house waveguide lenses, functional modules, and ultralight materials to power next-generation AI eyewear.
Intelligent Robotics: Vertical Integration Enabling Scalable Capacity Lens Technology has established a fully integrated robotics platform spanning advanced materials (liquid metal), six-axis force sensors, core modules (head, joint, dexterous hand), software, scenario deployment, and full-machine assembly.
Infrastructure: The Lens Intelligent Robotics Headquarters opens November 18, scaling integrated production of materials, structures, modules, and complete systems. The simultaneously launched Hunan Embodied Intelligence Innovation Center will leverage millions of real-world datasets to accelerate iteration in partnership with global robotics leaders across industrial, commercial, and consumer applications.
Client Progress: Volume shipments of head/joint modules and dexterous hands to North American humanoid programs are underway, with body-structure co-development fully aligned for production qualification and bidding. Domestic partners (AgiBot, Lingbao) receive joint modules, dexterous hands, torso shells, and full-assembly services. Full-year shipments are forecast to exceed 3,000 humanoid units and 10,000 quadruped units, placing Lens among industry frontrunners. Embodied intelligence revenue is poised for exponential growth, reinforcing the company’s position as a cornerstone hardware platform.
AI Servers: Capitalizing on Surging Compute Demand Through close collaboration with North American AI infrastructure leaders, Lens Technology has advanced from chassis components (rails, trays) to high-margin liquid-cooling modules and SSD assembly.
Milestones: Chassis components are in volume production; SSD assembly nears final validation, with scaled output planned for 2026. Parallel engagement with leading domestic and international server OEMs broadens the growth pipeline.
Market Tailwinds: TrendForce estimates USD 298 billion in global AI server output value for 2025 (Over 70% of the total server market). Rising power density intensifies demand for advanced thermal solutions—especially liquid cooling—aligning directly with Lens’ vertical integration capabilities and enabling market share expansion.
Strategic Outlook Leveraging its comprehensive one-stop, full-industry-chain ecosystem, Lens Technology has achieved breakthroughs across consumer electronics, edge AI, embodied robotics, and AI infrastructure. The company remains committed to innovation-led expansion, harnessing the AI megatrend to sustain profitable growth and maximize shareholder value.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
BEIJING, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Beijing Tsingke Biotech Co., Ltd., a pioneer in molecular manufacturing, showcased its next-generation integrated platforms at the 2025 Festival of Biologics in Basel. Over 2,000 biotech experts from 50 countries attended, witnessing Tsingke’s AI-driven solutions for gene and RNA design, antibody discovery, and scalable GMP-grade biologics production, highlighting the company’s role in bridging laboratory research with industrial-scale manufacturing.
Industry Trends Highlighted:
Early-stage developability: process validation begins during discovery
Data-driven design: AI and NGS redefine antibody and protein engineering
Multimolecular integration: ADCs, PROTACs, and AOCs reshape biologics
“The boundary between research and manufacturing is fading — scientists are validating manufacturability in the lab, while industry adopts results faster than ever,” said Nan Zhang, Marketing Manager of Tsingke Biotech.
Tsingke’s Perspective: From Gene Synthesis to Scalable Manufacturing
As a full-stack Gene Factory, Tsingke Biotech demonstrated capabilities spanning DNA/RNA synthesis, antibody expression, and nucleic acid process development. Its integrated platform connects discovery with scalable production, enabling a smooth transition from innovation to industrial manufacturing.
Tsingke’s Capabilities:
High-throughput gene synthesis and modified primers for epitope mapping
Chemically modified oligos and conjugation modules for ADC/PROTAC/AOC R&D
Optimized nucleic acid purification and LNP encapsulation for process translation
Together, these capabilities position Tsingke to respond to emerging trends and advance next-generation biologics.
Guided by its vision, “The Great Tsingke Gene Factory,” the company advances biomanufacturing through automation, digital design, and precision synthesis. “The Festival of Biologics bridges scientific breakthroughs and industrial application,” added Nan Zhang.
About Tsingke
Beijing Tsingke Biotech Co., Ltd. is a leading biotechnology company providing comprehensive solutions for research and therapeutic development. With expertise in molecular biology, genetics, and protein science, Tsingke offers custom DNA/RNA synthesis, gene cloning, protein expression, antibody discovery, and viral vector packaging (AAV, LV, AdV). Its ISO 13485–certified facilities and Class 100,000 cleanroom ensure consistent quality and reliability. Backed by advanced automation and a global scientific team, Tsingke accelerates innovation in drug discovery, functional genomics, and genetic engineering—empowering researchers worldwide with cutting-edge biomanufacturing solutions.
For news and updates, follow Tsingke Biotech on LinkedIn.
Tsingke Biotech booth at the Festival of Biologics 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, showcasing their full-stack molecular manufacturing solutions from DNA/RNA synthesis to antibody expression.
BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2025 – CGTN published an article about Chinese Premier Li Qiang attending a series of leaders’ meetings on East Asian cooperation. Highlighting the successful partnership between China and ASEAN and the planned upgrade of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, the article emphasized that the China-ASEAN relationship has become the most successful and vibrant cooperation model in the Asia-Pacific and a prime example of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
As Chinese and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders gather in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a planned upgrade of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area comes into the spotlight. This year, the two sides will formally sign the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol to advance regional economic integration and global trade.
Since its launch in 2010, CAFTA has promoted the deep integration of the China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation, injecting strong momentum into regional economic stability and growth and bringing tangible benefits to the people.
The China-ASEAN relationship has grown into the most successful and vibrant model for cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and an exemplary effort in building a community with a shared future for humanity, Chinese President Xi Jinping once stressed.
As each other’s largest trading partners for the fifth consecutive year, China and ASEAN have achieved numerous milestones amid rising external uncertainties.
Addressing the fifth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said China will continue to support ASEAN centrality and, together with all parties, safeguard the stability of the regional multilateral trading system, calling for achieving more practical outcomes in RCEP cooperation and creating a bright future of shared prosperity.
Expanded cooperation
In recent years, under the strategic guidance of leaders from both sides, China and ASEAN countries have deepened practical cooperation across various fields. Economic and trade exchanges have maintained strong momentum, with trade volume and investment cooperation continuing to expand.
Bilateral trade value has soared from less than $8 billion in 1991 to nearly one trillion dollars in 2024. In the first three quarters of this year, China’s total imports and exports with ASEAN were valued at 5.57 trillion yuan (about $785 billion), an increase of 9.6 percent year on year.
With platforms such as the China-ASEAN Expo and the China International Import Expo, specialty products from ASEAN countries, including Cambodian rice, Thai latex pillows and Lao beer, have continued to enter the Chinese market. Meanwhile, Chinese products such as new energy vehicles, machinery equipment and electronic appliances have also made their way into ASEAN countries.
Numerous infrastructure projects, such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and the China-Laos Railway, are having a positive impact across the region, enhancing connectivity and reducing logistics costs.
Openness and cooperation are valuable experiences explored and accumulated through practice and should be cherished and carried forward at all times, Li said during the 28th ASEAN Plus Three Summit in Malaysia.
Deeper regional integration
Standing at a new starting point, the region is broadening collaboration on infrastructure, digital and green transition, trade facilitation and people-to-people exchanges, paving the way for deeper regional integration. Notably, emerging fields such as digital economy, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and clean energy are adding to the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and ASEAN.
In Vietnam, Chinese-made agricultural drones are helping farmers spray pesticide, making their work easier and safer. Meanwhile, at Laem Chabang port in Thailand, China’s electric and self-driving trucks have become reliable partners for the port workers. In Indonesia, the Cirata floating solar power plant, built by a Chinese company, has boosted the country’s renewable energy supply.
According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, CAFTA 3.0 will introduce nine new chapters, covering areas such as the digital economy, the green economy and supply chain connectivity. These new chapters are expected to help China and ASEAN promote broader and deeper regional economic integration under new circumstances and facilitate the integration of their industrial and supply chains.
Li urged continued commitment to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, upholding free trade and the multilateral trading system, opposing all forms of protectionism, and steadily advancing regional economic integration.
For more information, please click: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-10-27/China-ASEAN-join-hands-to-write-new-chapter-in-regional-integration-1HOH4LtABXi/p.html
Hashtag: #CGTN
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Through holistic AI adoption, Choco Up now reduces funding timelines from days to hours, giving SMEs rapid access to capital.
SINGAPORE, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Choco Up, Asia’s leading growth financing platform, has unveiled a new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Credit Assessment Engine designed to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access growth capital faster and more efficiently. Rolled out this month, the enhanced process shortens the end-to-end process, from when the request for financing is received to when funds are deployed, from days to hours to minutes.
Choco Up’s new AI-powered credit assessment engine accelerates funding from days to hours, empowering SME growth through holistic AI adoption.
Designed to support SMEs at scale, the AI-embedded system can efficiently process funding amounts of up to USD 200,000, which accounts for the majority of SMEs’ financing requests. This enables businesses to access capital more quickly, which is especially helpful during crucial trading periods, including the festive and year-end e-commerce seasons.
Across Asia, SMEs account for 98% of all businesses yet face a staggering USD 2 trillion funding gap in meeting their growth and expansion needs. Many of these businesses are asset-light, making it challenging for them to secure funding from traditional financial institutions that typically require collateral. Meanwhile, equity-based investors often seek ownership stakes. These structural barriers have made access to fast, flexible, and non-dilutive financing one of the most persistent challenges for entrepreneurs today.
Percy Hung, Founder and CEO of Choco Up, said, “As a growth financing platform built for SMES, we understand how important rapid access to capital is for business continuity and growth. Our new AI-powered Credit Assessment Engine is a key step toward that—helping clients move faster, fund smarter, and, in many cases, unlock revenue growth through AI-driven insights and operations. The team has worked tirelessly to design, test, and roll out this service ahead of the end-of-year festive season, when speed matters most. Looking ahead, we will continue advancing our use of AI to enhance the client journey and deepen our embedded financing and partner solutions to deliver even greater value to SMEs across Asia.”
The new AI-powered Credit Assessment Engine further automates many of these steps using AI coding agents, which are specialised models built for focused, task-specific automation, to extract, interpret, and verify financial data quickly and accurately. This includes tasks such as reviewing key data in bank statements, historical sales, and growth projections to determine an SME’s financial health. The use of AI streamlines decision-making, improves accuracy, and reduces review time without compromising control or compliance.
Expanding beyond credit assessment, Choco Up will advance its use of AI across every stage of the client lifecycle, from client acquisition, client onboarding, to post-funding support, leveraging AI to dynamically identify and customise suitable financing solutions to targeted clients. This creates a seamless, data‑driven experience that empowers entrepreneurs with faster and smarter access to growth capital across Asia.
About Choco Up Choco Up is a global technology and financial services platform that offers alternative financing and growth solutions for SMEs. With data analytics and machine learning at its core, Choco Up employs vast integrations to automate fund deployment, providing fast-growing companies with zero-equity funding in a quick and seamless manner. Choco Up has offices in Singapore and Hong KongSAR and serves businesses with smart-growth analytics and global payment solutions to fuel their growth.
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Open Innovation Day (OID) 2025 marksVietnam’s most comprehensive annual program series for open innovation and technology collaboration, continuing its mission to connect public and private stakeholders and advance the country’s transition toward a green and digital economy. Over the past three years, OID has brought together more than 1,500 strategic partners, 300 international speakers, and hundreds of innovative enterprises, reaffirming its position as one of Southeast Asia’s leading platforms for innovation-driven development.
OID 2025 is part of the lead-up activities to the Autumn Economic Forum (HEF) 2025, directed by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and coordinated by the Vietnam Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in HCMC (HCMC C4IR). The program series is initiated by the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC) under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), and organized by the Open Innovation & Technopreneur Institute (OITI), the Technology Incubation Center (TIC) – Ministry of Science and Technology Vietnam, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), SoiHub, Saigontel, WorkFlow with the companionship of Qualcomm, Business Finland,… and media sponsorship by PR Newswire Vietnam.
With the theme “Technology Breakthroughs – Fostering Green & Digital Transitions,” OID 2025 promotes science, technology, and innovation across key sectors such as infrastructure, smart cities, energy transition, new materials, and supply chains. The program aims to strengthen a multidisciplinary platform connecting businesses, localities, startups, academia, and experts to address real-world development challenges and shape technology trends for a sustainable future.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Pham Hong Quat, General Director of NATEC, affirmed that the Ministry of Science and Technology is committed to accompanying enterprises and localities in fostering the national innovation ecosystem. He emphasized the importance of effective and sustainable resource utilization, while highlighting the pivotal role of young generations and emerging talents in unlocking innovation potential.
OID 2025 also announced a series of strategic partnerships and collaborations across its innovation network. These include alliances among cooperation among HCMC C4IR, SoiHub, G-Group, and Innopolis; between TIC and OITI; SoiHub and QTSC; SoiHub and CNU; OITI and Beanstalk; SoiHub and WorkFlow. It also marked the official introduction of the SoiHub Network Members, comprising CNU, NUOA, BytePilot, and BuyO..
These partnerships signify a major milestone in expanding Vietnam’s open innovation ecosystem, focusing on technology development, human capital enhancement, startup incubation, and technology commercialization.
NATEC honors pioneering partners in investment in innovation and talents
Following the announcement, OID 2025 highlighted the contribution of international partners to Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem. Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thao, Business Development & Representative, Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge (QVIC), noted that the Vietnamese startups continue to face challenges such as a shortage of skilled talent and the difficulties in scaling products to global markets. She emphasized that connecting with the global innovation ecosystem is key to overcoming these obstacles, with QVIC has emerged as a powerful launchpad for Vietnam’s promising hi-tech startups, offering comprehensive support from technical guidance, business coaching, mentorship, intellectual property training, and patent filing incentives accompanied with valuable cash prize. Through QVIC, Qualcomm provides technical mentorship, business coaching, and intellectual property training, enabling Vietnamese innovators to transform ideas into impactful global solutions and bring “Make in Vietnam” technologies to the world stage.
OID 2025 moves beyond the conventional conference format to deliver eight focused panel discussions organized around three key pillars: policy foundation, cross-sector linkage, and market application. These sessions convene policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to discuss investment trends, emerging markets, breakthrough business models, and the application of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, digital infrastructure, energy transition, new materials, manufacturing supply chains, e-commerce and digital services exports.
OID 2025 brings together an impressive lineup of high-level speakers from across sectors and countries. On the Vietnamese side, participants include senior leaders from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC), the Vietnam Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in HCMC (HCMC C4IR), the National Data Association (NDA), the Open Innovation & Techpreneur Institute (OITI), and Saigontel. Representatives from leading corporations such as Qualcomm, PR Newswire Vietnam, and Shopee Vietnam are also among the key contributors.
Internationally, OID 2025 is honored to welcome the Ambassador of Finland to Vietnam, representatives from the Embassy of Singapore, and senior experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Global industry leaders including Qualcomm, Samsung, , and other pioneers in AI, green energy, and digital transformation are also joining the discussions.
Their participation – spanning policymakers, investors, and technology implementers – underscores a shared commitment to advancing practical ideas into real impact. Mr. Juhern Kim, GGGI Country Representative to Vietnam emphasized that: “Vietnam is entering a new phase, evolving from a manufacturing hub into a technology-powered economy driven by science, innovation, and the rise of AI and digitalization. This national push must be firmly aligned with global climate ambition and the country’s net-zero transition, unlocking new opportunities for green growth. Global investors are increasingly rewarding those who build climate-smart supply chains and credible pathways to net zero.”
Moving beyond discussion, OID 2025 focuses on creating real-world collaboration “touchpoints.” The Tech Showcase 2025 offers participants direct access to pioneering technology solutions developed by startups from the Next Wave of Startups (NWOS) program and members of SoiHub. These innovations span multiple industries, reflecting the growing depth of Vietnam’s R&D and commercialization capacity.
Complementing the exhibition, the Business Matching program creates structured opportunities for startups, corporations, and investors to connect, address real market needs, and co-develop practical solutions. For strategic partners, the VIP and Executive Matchmaking sessions provide exclusive networking spaces linking government agencies, large enterprises, and international organizations.
One of the most anticipated highlights of the program, the Next Wave of Startups (NWOS) 2025 (nextwaveofstartups.com) Final Round, took place on October 26, recognizing the Top 10 outstanding technology solutions from over 200 participating teams. This competition opens new avenues for cooperation, investment, and pilot implementation, serving as a launchpad for Vietnam’s new generation of technology startups.
As part of its broader mission to link innovation with enterprise development, OID 2025 also hosted the Honoring & Strategic Kick-off Ceremony: “From Industrial Infrastructure to Innovation,” marking the official launch of Saigontel 2.0 in partnership with MobiFone and RMS. The initiative reflects a strategic shift from the traditional “Industry – Urban – Service” model toward a smart, innovation-driven industrial ecosystem. Within this framework, SoiHub was introduced as the innovation nucleus of Saigontel 2.0, connecting startups, enterprises, and global partners. The ceremony concluded with the Recognition of Innovative Talents, honoring young Vietnamese innovators contributing to the nation’s digital and green transformation, followed by a Gala Dinner & Networking Program celebrating shared commitments and collaboration.
OID 2025 reaffirms Vietnam’s enduring commitment to green and digital transformation, recognizing innovation as the key driver of sustainable growth. With rising potential in AI, blockchain, renewable energy, and advanced materials, Vietnam is poised not only to keep pace with global trends but to emerge as a regional leader in next-generation technologies.
More than an annual series, OID represents a continuous journey – where ideas evolve into models, policies transform into action, and partnerships create measurable impact.Through open innovation, Vietnam continues to cultivate a resilient, self-sustaining, and globally connected innovation ecosystem, paving the way for inclusive and sustainable growth in the digital era.
About OITI and SoiHub:
The Open Innovation and Technopreneurship Institute (OITI): OITI plays a crucial role in fostering Vietnam’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem focusing on training, incubating and nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, OITI promotes international cooperation, facilitating Vietnam’s deeper participation in the global value chain through innovation and entrepreneurship.
OITI is committed to inspiring and shaping the future through innovative initiatives and programs.
SoiHub – Open Innovation Hub: SoiHub is the public & private terminal for building and developing Vietnam’s open innovation ecosystem. This is the driving force that motivates the ecosystem to constantly strive and develop innovative initiatives.
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Picarro, Inc., a global leader in Network Intelligence and methane emissions reduction solutions, today announced the release of the P-Cubed® Mobile App, a fully native mobile application designed to enhance the leak investigation user experience and transform leak investigations through integration with the Picarro Handheld. Technicians connecting a Picarro Handheld to the app now have live methane and ethane concentration data at their fingertips for real-time source discrimination. The Picarro Handheld readings are automatically transmitted to the Picarro P-Cubed Cloud for survey quality control, auditable Leak Indication Search Area (LISA™) and Gap records, and enhanced analytics capabilities.
By integrating real-time methane and ethane readings with the P-Cubed Mobile app, Picarro is equipping gas utilities with the tools they need to increase survey efficiency, improve investigation quality control, and achieve operational excellence.
Building on Picarro’s proven P-Cubed platform, the new mobile app delivers a seamless, field-ready experience that empowers technicians with a clear view of assigned tasks, streamlined documentation workflows, and the assurance that no investigation detail is missed. Importantly, P-Cubed Mobile works even when the device is offline, storing work locally and syncing automatically to the cloud when service is restored.
“With the P-Cubed Mobile App, we’re extending Network Intelligence to leak investigation, enhancing data-driven decision making for field technicians, as well as management—all from a single mobile app,” said François-Xavier Rongère, Vice President, Natural Gas Industry at Picarro. “By integrating real-time methane and ethane readings with the app, we’re equipping utilities with the tools they need to increase survey efficiency, improve investigation quality control, and achieve operational excellence.”
Key Features of P-Cubed Mobile
Seamless Integration: Pairs with the Picarro Handheld to display live methane and ethane concentration data, transmit readings to the P-Cubed Cloud, and provide fully auditable records.
Reliable Data Capture: Supports offline use—ensuring results are never lost and automatically synced once connectivity is restored.
Data-Driven Operations: Displays breadcrumbs, documented sources, and allows real-time source discrimination to complete investigations and support compliance reporting.
Customizable User Experience: Technicians can filter by investigation status, toggle map elements, and create tailored views to fit their work style.
Simplified Field Workflows: Clear, easy-to-navigate view of assigned work and streamlined submission of investigation results aligned with company policies.
Available today for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play, the P-Cubed Mobile App represents the next evolution in field operations—delivering faster investigations, confident compliance, and actionable insights directly to the hands of utility professionals.
About Picarro
Picarro is a global leader in Network Intelligence and methane emissions reduction solutions, providing natural gas operators with tools to revolutionize risk management. The enterprise solution helps increase safety, lower emissions, optimize asset management, and reduce costs within a unified framework. With Picarro technology and analytics, operators can proactively manage leaks, prioritize critical issues, and assess gas system health and performance continuously. For more information, visit www.picarro.com/gas.
Media Contact: Monica Marmie Senior Marketing Manager Picarro mmarmie@picarro.com
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