Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongphane Savanphet, participated in the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission meeting and the ASEAN Senior Officials meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia to strengthen cooperation between Laos and ASEAN member countries.
Johnson Electric reports Business and Unaudited Financial Information for the First Quarter of Financial Year 2023/24
The Group’s sales for the quarter ended 30 June 2023 were US$954 million compared to US$840 million for the same quarter in 2022, an increase of 14%. Exchange rate movements had a US$12 million unfavourable impact on the Group’s sales for the quarter. This was mainly due to the impact of weaker average exchange rates especially for the Renminbi and the Canadian Dollar against the US Dollar, partially offset by favourable movements in the Euro, compared to the same quarter in 2022. Without the effect of currency movements and excluding the effect of the acquisition of an 80% interest in Pendix GmbH in October 2022, sales growth would have been approximately 15%.
Sales of Automotive Products Group (“APG”)
APG’s sales for the quarter ended 30 June 2023 increased by US$139 million or 21% compared to the same quarter in 2022. Excluding currency effects, APG’s sales increased by US$151 million or 23% in the quarter. This compared to a 14% increase in global light vehicle industry production volumes in the quarter.
APG’s sales outperformed automotive industry production volumes, in all regions, during the quarter. The sales changes by region, excluding currency effects, were as follows:
· Asia increased 27%
· Europe increased 27%
· Americas increased 16%
In Asia, sales growth was led by the thermal management, closure and braking segments. Europe benefited from growth in sales in the thermal management, engine and fuel management and steering segments. In the Americas, the most significant growth areas were powder metal parts, engine and transmission oil pumps and braking.
Sales of Industry Products Group (“IPG”)
IPG’s sales for the quarter ended 30 June 2023 decreased by US$26 million or 14% compared to the same quarter in 2022. Currency effects had only a negligible impact as Euro gains against the US Dollar were offset by the depreciation of the Renminbi against the US Dollar. Excluding currency effects and the acquisition of Pendix, IPG’s sales decreased by US$29 million or 15% in the quarter, with the following changes by regions:
· Asia decreased 16%
· Europe decreased 19%
· Americas decreased 10%
Sales decreased in all three regions due to weak end-market demand for home-centric products as inflation and rising interest rates subdued consumer sentiment. The pace of customer orders decreased because of reduced consumer spending and an excess of inventory in retail and manufacturing channels.
This was partially offset by growth in sales of flexible printed products, which had been adversely impacted by the COVID-related lockdown in Shanghai, China, in the same period last year. IPG also experienced strong demand for piezo-electric motors for use in the semiconductor equipment industry, and growth in the circuit-breaker and heating segments.
Chairman’s Comments on First Quarter’s Sales Performance and Outlook
Commenting the first quarter’s sales performance and outlook for the current financial year, Dr. Patrick Shui-Chung Wang, Chairman and Chief Executive, said, “Johnson Electric has made an encouraging start to the first quarter of FY23/24. The Automotive Products Group is performing soundly, with very strong end market demand in all major regions. This partly reflects the delayed response to pent up consumer demand for new replacement vehicles as the supplies of semiconductors, which had been severely constrained during the pandemic, have gradually recovered. It also reflects the rapid growth in the new energy vehicle sector, where the Group is well positioned to benefit from increased demand for our extensive range of innovative subsystems and components that support the auto industry’s electrification transition.”
“On the other hand, the Industry Products Group, which contributes approximately 20% of total sales, continued to experience a weakening in sales as heightened consumer concerns over inflation and rising interest rates have depressed demand for discretionary products and reduced activity in the housing sector. This has caused a number of IPG’s customers and contract manufacturers to delay orders and reduce existing inventory levels. As a result, the division is exercising stringent cost control measures and focusing on optimising cash flow. Additionally, IPG is broadening its market reach by venturing into other business segments such as motion systems for e-bikes, robotics and warehouse automation, which present the division with exciting long-term growth prospects.”
“Notwithstanding the Group’s strong overall start to the financial year, the sales outlook for the full year remains difficult to predict given the considerable uncertainty on the prospects for the global economy and, more specifically, whether the major economies in Europe and North America can avoid a recession. In addition, as automotive industry production volumes gradually return to their longer-term low single-digit percentage rates of growth, it is reasonable to expect that the rate of sales growth experienced by Johnson Electric in the first quarter will moderate as the year progresses. Accordingly, the Group plans to update its guidance on sales growth for the full year when it reports its half-year results in November 2023.”
Cautionary Statement
Shareholders and potential investors in the Company are reminded that the information provided in this news release, including information related to the expected outlook for the full year, is based on the Group’s unaudited internal records and management accounts and estimates. This information has not been reviewed or audited by the Company’s auditors. Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this document may not add up precisely to the totals provided.
Shareholders and potential investors should exercise caution when dealing or investing in the shares of the Company.
Hashtag: #JohnsonElectric
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Johnson Electric Group
The Johnson Electric Group is a global leader in electric motors, actuators, motion subsystems and related electro-mechanical components. It serves a broad range of industries including Automotive, Smart Metering, Medical Devices, Business Equipment, Home Automation, Ventilation, White Goods, Power Tools, and Lawn & Garden Equipment. The Group is headquartered in Hong Kong and employs over 35,000 individuals in 22 countries worldwide. Johnson Electric Holdings Limited is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Stock Code: 179). For further information, please visit: www.johnsonelectric.com.
HKU Professors Shine in Research.com Best Scientists Rankings by Discipline

(middle row from left) Professor Alec Stone SWEET, Professor Min SUN, Professor Chuyang TANG, Professor Paul S. F. YIP
(lower row from left) Professor Kwok-Yung YUEN, Professor Xiang ZHANG, Professor Guochun ZHAO
Ten distinguished professors from the University have been named among the top 100 best scientists in their respective fields. Notably, three professors have secured positions within the top ten of their disciplines: Professor Kwok Yung YUEN, Henry Fok Professor in Infectious Diseases and Chair of Infectious Diseases, ranks 7th in Microbiology; Professor Tak MAK, Honorary Professor at the Department of Pathology, ranks 9th in Molecular Biology; and Professor Guochun ZHAO, Chair Professor of Earth Sciences, stands 10th in Earth Sciences.
Professor Yuen and Professor Zhao; along with Professor Alec Stone SWEET, Chair of Comparative and International Law; Professor Xiang ZHANG, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU; and Professor Paul S. F. YIP, Chair of Population Health, have also earned the distinction of being the highest-ranked professors in China within their respective disciplines. Professor Sweet leads in Law, Professor Zhang in Physics and Professor Yip in Social Sciences and Humanities.
Professor Guan Yi, Daniel CK Yu Professor in Virology, and Chair of Emerging Viral Diseases is also the first in Immunology in China, and ranks 122th among his peers in the world.
Professor Tak Mak, who is also Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics and Immunology at the University of Toronto, is the first in Molecular Biology in Canada.
The rankings are determined by a scientist’s D-index (Discipline H-index), which solely considers publication and citation data within a specific discipline.
The recognition of these professors as the best scientists highlights their significant contributions to their fields and the substantial impact their work has had on society. This achievement also exemplifies HKU’s unwavering commitment to research excellence and innovation. It serves as motivation for the University to continue pushing the boundaries of knowledge and making a lasting, positive impact on the world through our research.
The HKU professors listed among the best scientists in their fields are:
Chemistry
Professor Chi-Ming CHE (65th globally, 5th in China)
Zhou Guangzhao Professor in Natural Sciences, Chair of Chemistry and Head, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science
(Professor Che’s bio)
Earth Science
Professor Guochun ZHAO (10th globally, 1st in China)
Chair Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science
(Professor Zhao’s bio)
Professor Min SUN (18th globally, 4th in China)
Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science
(Professor Sun’s bio)
Engineering and Technology
Professor Chuyang TANG (79th globally, 7th in China)
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
(Professor Tang’s bio)
Environmental Sciences
Professor Peng GONG (70th globally, 2nd in China)
Chair Professor of Global Sustainability; Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development)
(Professor Gong’s bio)
Immunology
Professor Guan Yi (122th globally, 1st in China)
Daniel CK Yu Professor in Virology and Chair of Emerging Viral Diseases, School of Public Health, HKUMed
(Prof Guan’s bio)
Law
Professor Alec Stone SWEET (93rd globally, 1st in China)
Chair of Comparative and International Law, Faculty of Law
(Professor Sweet’s bio)
Microbiology
Professor Kwok-Yung YUEN (7th globally, 1st in China)
Henry Fok Professor in Infectious Diseases and Chair of Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed
(Professor Yuen’s bio)
Molecular Biology
Professor Tak MAK (9th globally, 1st in Canada)
Honorary Professor, Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed
Professor, Department of Medical Biophysics and Immunology, University of Toronto
(Professor Mak’s bio)
Physics
Professor Xiang ZHANG (87th globally, 1st in China)
President and Vice-Chancellor, the University of Hong Kong; Chair of Physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science
(Professor Zhang’s bio)
Social Sciences and Humanities
Professor Paul S. F. YIP (59th globally, 1st in China)
Chair of Population Health, Associate Dean (Knowledge Exchange and Development), Faculty of Social Sciences
(Professor Yip’s bio)
For the detailed results, please visit: https://research.com/.
Hashtag: #HKU #TheUniversityofHongKong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The 12th Canon x McDull Inter-school Ink Cartridge Recycling Award Presentation Ceremony

Over the past two years, the pandemic has disrupted school schedules and posed challenges to recycling efforts. To address this issue, Canon Hong Kong combined the ink cartridge recycling quantities of the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years and identified the ten winning schools. As of December 2022, over 252,000 ink cartridges had been collected, and the dismantled metals and plastics were being recycled into raw materials for other products. During the ceremony, Mr. Kazuhiro Ozawa, President & CEO of Canon Hong Kong, appreciated the winning schools for their dedication to promoting environmental recycling efforts, leading by example, and actively encouraging students to participate. They were recognized for collecting the most inks cartridges and achieving the highest per capita recycling rate. In his speech, he reiterated the importance of environmental protection for the younger generation and encouraged all students to make recycling a daily habit to give new life to all used materials.
After the ceremony, students and teachers also enjoyed the green recycling booth and workshops. These activities included a Banner Upcycling Workshop hosted by Canon Hong Kong’s green partner “The Green Earth”, which turned old banners into functional handicrafts such as Octopus cardholders or name card holders. Green Earth volunteers also shared landfill issues facing Hong Kong and hoped to raise students’ concerns and awareness about the importance of material recycling. The Canon Creative Park Workshop allowed students to experience making 3D paper crafts, while Baguio iRecycle Limited set up an educational game booth teaching students how to identify the seven types of plastic classification and the correct methods of recycling. Additionally, there was an instant photo shoot and print service co-located with the program ambassador, McDull Mascot, which brought up the highlight of the event.
In line with Canon’s corporate philosophy “Kyosei,” Canon Hong Kong advocates for a green product lifecycle in all operational processes, which has been the foundation of the “Ink Cartridge Recycling Program” since its launch in 2009. In 2011, Canon Hong Kong extended the program to the local education sector and launched the “Canon x McDull Inter-school Ink Cartridge Recycling Competition” for primary and secondary schools. Over the years, Canon Hong Kong has organized more than 200 sessions of “Environmental Seminar” for participating schools, reaching over 66,000 students to promote the importance of green recycling.Hashtag: #Canon #CanonHK #CanonHongKong #McDull #Ink #InkRecycle #Recycle #InkCollection #Green #Environmental #Conservation #Protection
https://www.linkedin.com/company/canonhongkong
https://www.facebook.com/canon.hk
https://www.instagram.com/canonhongkong/
https://www.facebook.com/CanonHongkongBUSINESS
https://www.youtube.com/CanonHongKong
https://www.youtube.com/CanonHKBUSINESS
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Canon Hongkong Company Limited
Canon Inc. (TSE:7751 / NYSE:CAJ) was founded in 1937 in Japan. Its predecessor, Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory, produced Japan’s first 35 mm focal-plane-shutter camera “Kwanon” in 1934. From there, Canon Inc. expanded into the photocopying and printing industries, launching Japan’s first plain-paper copier NP-1100 in 1970 and the world’s first inkjet printer BJ-80 in 1985. Through the years, Canon Inc. has acquired in-depth experience in digital imaging product manufacturing, research and development. Pioneering in innovative products development, Canon Inc. hold the most technology patents in the imaging industry. Canon Inc. also makes significant contribution to promote photography. Today, Canon Inc. has a strong global presence, representing one of the most important market players in the imaging, office and industrial product categories. As of 31 December 2022, Canon’s global revenue was US$30.31 billion.
In 1971, Canon Hongkong Co., Ltd. (Canon Hong Kong) was established as one of the first Canon offices in Asia. Canon Hong Kong is a Total Imaging Solution provider, providing professional pre-sales, marketing and after-sales services for all Canon products and solutions in Hong Kong and Macau. With the solely owned subsidiary Canon Business Solutions (Guangdong) Co., Ltd. established in 2018, the company continues to deliver intelligent total business solutions and professional services to Greater Bay Area. Canon Hong Kong adheres to Canon’s corporate philosophy of “Kyosei”, encouraging the company and staff to engage social, charitable and environmental activities for the community. Implementing internationally-recognized management system, Canon Hong Kong has achieved ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001 (Canon Digital Production Center) certifications.
For more information about Canon Hong Kong, please visit our website: https://hk.canon.
Lao Health Minister Presents New Draft Law on Public Health at National Assembly
The Minister of Health put forward a new draft law on public health to the National Assembly on Tuesday which is aimed at improving the management and monitoring of healthcare services.
Thai Election Commission Says Top PM Candidate May Have Violated Election Laws
Thailand’s Election Commission sought a ruling from the Constitutional Court on Wednesday to determine whether Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, should be disqualified from running for the PM’s office.
Vietnam Frees Australian Pro-democracy Campaigner Sentenced in 2019 to 12 Years in Prison

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Vietnam allowed 73-year-old pro-democracy campaigner Chau Van Kham to return home to Sydney on Tuesday after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged that the retired baker be released from prison during a visit to Hanoi last month.
Lao Deputy PM Meets Senior Chinese Diplomat to Discuss Future Cooperation

Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith met with Wang Yi, director of the Office of Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee, in Beijing on Monday to promote cooperation between Laos and China.