TAIPEI, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) recently celebrated Taiwan’s visionary leaders and pioneering enterprises that are reshaping industries and championing sustainable growth. Organized by leading regional NGO Enterprise Asia, the prestigious Taiwan Chapter was staged on 25 September 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Taipei.

The awards ceremony was graced by the presence of Dr. Eugene Chien, Advisor to Enterprise Asia and Ambassador-at large for Climate Change and Sustainability, Republic of China (Taiwan); Ms. Aznifah Ghani, President of the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre in Taipei; Mr. Eko Wijanarko, Director of Investment Department of the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office to Taipei; and Dr. Niven Huang, Managing Director of KPMG Sustainability Consulting Company Limited, KPMG in Taiwan, the event’s Official Assurance Partner.

Embracing the theme ‘Showcasing Future-Ready Enterprises’, the APEA 2025 honored exceptional businesses and leaders in Taiwan who exemplify resilience, innovation, and strategic foresight, successfully future-proofing their organizations in the face of rapid technological and economic transformation.

A distinguished panel of judges meticulously assessed over 100 nominees, evaluating each entrepreneur and organization for their overall operational excellence, leadership, and business performance. Through this rigorous evaluation process, the most outstanding recipients were selected across four categories: Master Entrepreneur, Inspirational Brand, Fast Enterprise, and Corporate Excellence.

Since 2007, the Awards has been organized all over the region with past recipients comprising Taiwan’s Douglas Hsu of Far Eastern Group, Thailand’s Supaluck Umpujh of The Mall Group, Mainland China’s Xu RongMao of Shimao Group, Hong Kong’s Francis Lui of Galaxy Entertainment Group, TTC Vietnam’s Dang Van Thanh, Indonesia’s Hary Tanoesoedibjo of MNC Group, India’s Adi Godrej of Godrej Group, the Philippines’ Manuel Villar of Vista Land, and Cuckoo Malaysia’s Hoe Kian Choon.

“In an era of constant disruption, the enterprises that will thrive are those that challenge conventions, embrace transformative technologies, and create value beyond profits. These organizations recognize the interconnectedness of economies, societies, and the environment, and take bold steps to shape a sustainable and inclusive future.” stated Tan Sri Dr. Fong Chan Onn, Chairman of Enterprise Asia, in his inspiring welcome address.

Among the distinguished honorees in the Master Entrepreneur category were Ms. Huang, Fang-Yue, President of Excellence Optoelectronics Inc.; Ms. Nancy Hsu, President of Far Eastern Department Stores Ltd.; and Mr. Young Liu, Chairman of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) who exemplify remarkable vision, resilience, and leadership in guiding their organizations to greater success.

The Inspirational Brand Award recognized renowned names such as Far Eastern Big City Shopping Malls Co., Ltd. and Watsons Personal Care Stores (Taiwan). Forestar Brokerage Co., Ltd and Wei Zheng Construction Co., Ltd were recognized in the Fast Enterprise Category, while leading achievers in the Corporate Excellence Category included Global Mall Co., Ltd., Standard Foods Corporation, Unimicron Technology Corp., and Taiwan Shin Kong Security Co., Ltd.

The APEA 2025 Taiwan Chapter is supported by the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE), with KPMG Taiwan as the Official Assurance Partner. PR Newswire is the Official News Release Distribution Partner, and Commercial Times, Dailywire.asia, and SME Magazine are the Media Partners.

AWARD RECIPIENT LIST OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ENTERPRISE AWARDS 2025 TAIWAN 

About Enterprise Asia
Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine towards sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are an investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplift the economic status of people across Asia, and ensure a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit www.enterpriseasia.org for more information.

About Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards
Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards is the region’s most prestigious award for outstanding entrepreneurship, continuous innovation, and sustainable leadership. The Award provides a platform for companies and governments to recognize entrepreneurial excellence, hence spurring greater innovation, fair business practices, and growth in entrepreneurship. As a regional award, it groups together leading entrepreneurs as a powerful voice for entrepreneurship and serves as a by-invitation-only networking powerhouse. The program has grown to encompass 16 countries/ regions and markets all over Asia. For further information, please visit www.apea.asia.

SYDNEY, Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sungrow, the global leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, has officially launched a large-scale inverter trade-in program in Australia’s residential market. Through this initiative, eligible users can return their old Sungrow inverters via the company’s certified installer network and receive rebates to upgrade to Sungrow’s fifth-generation hybrid inverter and battery system.

Standardised Process via Certified Installers

Given the complexity of residential system installations, the trade-in process is not directly managed by end users but must be submitted through Sungrow’s certified distribution network. Installers are responsible for verifying device eligibility and submitting required documents, such as serial numbers, on-site photos, and upgrade proposals through Sungrow’s dedicated online platform. This trade-in program can also be combined with newly launched federal and state battery rebate schemes, further enhancing its appeal.

The list of eligible devices includes widely adopted PV inverter models, with the SG5K-D and SG8K-D alone exceeding 100,000 units each installed in Australia. Rebate amounts vary depending on the model and device condition. Replacement systems must include at least one Sungrow hybrid inverter and a compliant Sungrow battery, installed at the same address as the original system.

Rebates are only issued after the new system is installed, old devices are returned and received, and all documents have been reviewed and approved by Sungrow. To ensure process integrity and traceability, Sungrow sets strict requirements for equipment condition, installation quality, and documentation accuracy.

Lifecycle Energy Solutions: A Model for Innovation

Compared with traditional promotional campaigns, industry observers note that Sungrow’s trade-in program is more structured and future-oriented, supporting the development of a circular clean energy ecosystem. As one of the first company-led trade-in initiatives in Australia’s residential energy sector, the program helps establish a closed-loop model covering energy consumption, product use, recycling, and regeneration.

With over 12 years of deep engagement in Australia, Sungrow has deployed more than 400,000 residential systems. Its nationwide distribution network ensures efficient rollout and consistent service quality. This pilot builds on Sungrow’s large installed base and the trust established with users and installers over the years.

Since its launch in July, the first trade-in installations have been completed across several states. Participating installers report strong consumer interest, with many homeowners accelerating their upgrade decisions. In response, Sungrow has optimised the application process, streamlined logistics, and tested recycling standards to ensure compliance with Australia’s evolving environmental regulations.

At a national level, Australia’s electronic waste management framework is gradually taking shape, with specific storage system recycling regulations expected by 2030. Sungrow’s proactive initiative is seen as setting a benchmark for corporate environmental responsibility.

Preparing for the Future of Smart Home Energy

In addition, Sungrow’s latest-generation inverters support remote firmware updates and, with compatible hardware, can gradually enable advanced functions such as solar-storage-charging integration, AI-driven energy management, residential DC fast charging, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) interaction. These technology upgrades are expected to significantly improve the flexibility, intelligence, and value density of residential energy systems, making the trade-in program strategically important beyond its environmental benefits.

Currently, the program is in a pilot phase, with nationwide rollout timelines still under evaluation. Depending on results, Sungrow may convert it into a long-term initiative. For more details or enquiries, please visit: activityDetail | SUNGROW AUSTRALIA

About Sungrow

Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of June 2025, Sungrow has installed 870 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world’s most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we’re committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com.

BEIJING, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The smoky aroma of sizzling barbecue fills the evening air in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, mingling with the sweet scent from fruit stalls and the pulsating energy of the crowds at the city’s International Grand Bazaar. As daylight fades, building facades transform into colossal canvases for a spectacular light show, weaving a luminous tapestry celebrating the 70th founding anniversary of the autonomous region.

This vast land, accounting for one sixth of China’s territory, stands as a vibrant tapestry of diverse ethnic cultures and a major hub along the Belt and Road Initiative, a China-proposed framework that boosts connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. Its 70-year journey of development is now being celebrated across the region.

A grand gathering was held on September 25 in Urumqi in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the autonomous region, which was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with other participants. A themed exhibition in Urumqi offers a panoramic view of these achievements, showcasing the unity, diligence and perseverance of Xinjiang’s people over the past seven decades. On display are historical footage, industrial products, restored scenes of a department store, poverty alleviation achievements, ethnic unity exhibitions and maps illustrating the region’s increasing openness.

During a September 24 visit to the exhibition, Xi emphasized that the profound changes in Xinjiang over the past 70 years are a vivid reflection of the historic process of national rejuvenation, noting that the Communist Party of China (CPC)’s policy for the governance of Xinjiang in the new era is both scientific and effective, and must be adhered to for the long term. 

On the same day, after listening to work reports from the CPC Xinjiang regional committee and the regional government in Urumqi, Xi urged the autonomous region to build a socialist modern Xinjiang that is characterized by unity, harmony, prosperity, affluence, cultural progress and a sound eco-environment, where people live and work in peace and contentment.

Lived experiences

The region’s progress is detailed in a white paper titled Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements, released by the State Council Information Office on September 19. According to the document, Xinjiang’s GDP grew from approximately 749.95 billion yuan ($105 billion) in 2012, the year when Xi was elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to over 2.05 trillion yuan ($287 billion) in 2024, exceeding the 2 trillion yuan threshold for the first time with an average annual growth rate of 7 percent. Per-capita GDP increased from 33,495 yuan ($4,700) to 78,660 yuan ($11,000) during the same period, while general public budget revenue jumped from nearly 90.9 billion yuan ($13 billion) to approximately 240.97 billion yuan ($33 billion)—an average annual increase of over 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion).

These macro-level achievements are mirrored in the daily local life. Gu Xiangfeng, who has been a bus driver in Urumqi for three decades, shared his observations at the grand gathering in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary. 

“When I started working, Urumqi’s roads were mostly gravel, turning muddy with rain or snow. The old gasoline buses were like steamers in summer and iceboxes in winter.” Today, bumpy dirt roads have been replaced by flat asphalt avenues, and green new energy vehicles have superseded the old buses. “It’s common now to see visitors from across the country capturing the city with their phones,” he added.

The transformation is equally palpable in pastoral areas. Martinbek Muratkhan, a 63-year-old retired Kazak tax official from Fuyun County, Altay Prefecture, noted, “As a nomadic people, we used to move frequently with our herds, without a permanent home. Now, the government has built settled housing for us.” Recalling his childhood, he said, “The school was very far away, and sometimes we had to ride a bull to get there. Now, school buses pick up children at their doorsteps.” This transition from nomadism to settled communities sparked a fundamental shift for many families.

Improvements also extend to daily life here. “In the past, we often didn’t have enough food. Now, we have such abundance and quality that we actually need to watch our diets,” Martinbek said. These advances are reflected in health outcomes: Average life expectancy in Xinjiang has risen from around 30 years in the early days to over 70 years today.

“Now it is very convenient for us to get medical care,” he said. The white paper shows that by 2024, the region’s public health system comprised more than 19,000 medical institutions and 314,600 healthcare professionals. A total of 86.05 percent of counties had established closely integrated medical consortia, with all township health centers and village clinics meeting operational standards. This tiered system ensures that local residents can access care for minor issues within their communities, common diseases at county-level facilities, and serious conditions within the autonomous region.

Progress in public infrastructure, too, has been unmistakable. Martinbek recalled that traveling from his village to Altay once took over 10 hours; now, it takes just two. Not only is travel within Xinjiang more convenient, but connections beyond the region have also vastly improved.

Rediscovering Xinjiang

“Even as someone who grew up in Xinjiang, I feel I have to rediscover it each time I return for inspiration,” Huang Jianxin, a local painter, told Beijing Review. Born in 1949, he moved to Hotan as an infant and has lived there ever since. Specializing in Xinjiang’s landscapes, with two works displayed at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Huang remarked, “In recent years, while sketching here, I’ve been struck by how tremendously the region has changed.”

During a recent trip to Tashkurgan in south Xinjiang, he observed that the number of decent hotels had surged from two a decade ago to over 140—a 70-fold increase. He also fulfilled a long-held dream by visiting Waqia Township, previously inaccessible due to poor roads. “I’d wanted to go since the 1980s or 1990s, when it took two days to get there. Last year, a concrete mountain road reduced the journey to three hours by car, with paved roads leading to every household. Finally seeing Waqia’s scenery was like discovering a hidden paradise,” he said.

The white paper notes substantial transportation upgrades: The highway network expanded from 165,900 km in 2012 to 230,000 km in 2024, reaching all prefectures and over 90 percent of counties. Railway mileage grew from 4,914 km to 9,202 km, connecting all prefectures and more than 80 percent of counties. The region is now served by 595 civil air routes, including 25 international routes to 17 countries and regions, forming an aviation network that links east and west. Xinjiang has also mapped out plans for 10 types of infrastructure networks covering railways, highways, aviation, energy, logistics and computing.

The upgraded transportation network has largely boosted tourism in the region. Huang believes tourists are increasingly drawn not only to Xinjiang’s natural beauty but also to its cultural richness. The region’s multi-ethnic character has become a tourism highlight, with growing interest in local handicrafts.

Ayiguli Maimaiti, a 48-year-old Uygur woman, moved from Kashgar to Urumqi with her husband Ainijiang Younusi 30 years ago to pursue their craft. Both hail from artisan families—Ayiguli’s father made Yingjisha knives. Reflecting on her childhood in a mud-brick home in Kashgar’s Ancient City, she recalled her father’s struggle to support the family through knife-making. Today, she told Beijing Review, artisans find it easier to earn a living thanks to tourists’ growing appreciation for Xinjiang’s handicrafts.

The couple now runs a shop at the Grand Bazaar specializing in painted drums and handmade instruments, a trade their two sons have continued by opening their own shops in Urumqi. To them, the bazaar is a wall-less stage for ethnic interaction, where Uygur instruments, Kazak songs and tourist laughter intermingle. Their dozen or so instruments offer visitors a window into Xinjiang.

The white paper highlights efforts to integrate culture and tourism, enabling visitors to experience both Xinjiang’s landscapes and its profound culture. A development plan aims to build cultural and tourist industry clusters worth over $1 trillion ($141 billion). Initiatives like the Taklimakan Rally, Tour of Sayram Lake Road Cycling Race and Freeride World Tour promote sports tourism, with the industrial cluster effect becoming increasingly apparent. Tourist visits to Xinjiang surged from 48.6 million in 2012 to 302 million in 2024—a 6.21-fold increase—while tourism revenue reached 359.5 billion yuan ($50 billion) in 2024.

President Xi urged for the further promotion of cultural tourism on September 24, enhanced ecosystem preservation, and the accelerated development of Xinjiang as a core area along the Silk Road Economic Belt.

Huang emphasized Xinjiang’s growing role within the Belt and Road Initiative. “With visa-free access to five Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan—more international tourists will come, strengthening ties between Xinjiang and Central Asia,” he said. Noting an upcoming oil painting exhibition in Kazakhstan, he added, “More artists from Central Asia will likely visit Xinjiang. The Belt and Road is not only an economic corridor, but a cultural one as well.”