BEIJING, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — iQIYI’s original variety show, “The King of Stand-Up Comedy”, recently wrapped its second season, cementing the platform’s role in China’s growing comedy scene. With Jianing ZHAI crowned as the season’s champion, the show continued its successful run, generating over 5,100 trending topics and scoring an 8,121 on iQIYI’s peak content popularity index, a key metric for a show’s influence and reach.

The show’s appeal lies in its sharp take on modern life. Bringing together 48 comedians from China and abroad, the series finds humor in the everyday – from workplace challenges and family dynamics to broader social topics. This blend of relatability and humor sparks conversations beyond the screen.

For instance, one comedian’s routine on airline uniform policies helped trigger actual policy reviews at several airlines, showing how comedy can lead to tangible social progress. Other contestants brought fresh takes on trending topics like technology and education, offering diverse perspectives on the details of daily life.

Beyond its social impact, “The King of Stand-Up Comedy” is helping to grow China’s comedy industry. Initiated by the esteemed Hong Kong film star and director Stephen Chow, the show gives up-and-coming comedians a stage to find their voices and share their unique perspectives. This season continues the core spirit of season one with the theme “Life needs comedy, and comedy belongs to everyone,” while introducing innovative competition formats such as team battles and call-out duels, pushing comedians to explore new creative ground.

The show’s influence was felt beyond the stage. It topped major variety show charts across multiple third-party data platforms, including Enlightent, Guduo, Endata, and Dengta. Notably, “The King of Stand-Up Comedy” Season 2 was the No. 1 variety show in Enlightent’s August “Dominating Screen Chart of Variety Shows,” and the only comedy program to earn the spot in 2025.

As Season 2 closes, the appetite for stand-up comedy in China continues to grow. iQIYI is committed to supporting this ecosystem by giving new talent the stage to launch their careers. Through shows like “The King of Stand-Up Comedy,” comedians are turning their dreams into reality – rising from everyday individuals to celebrated stars and helping to shape the future of Chinese comedy.

Contact:
iQIYI Press, press@qiyi.com

The foundation uses gastronomy and cultural design to call upon Asian enterprises to drive the next chapter of knowledge-service industries

SINGAPORE, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The iSee Taiwan Foundation made its international debut today at the opening ceremony of the World Design Business Forum, hosted by the Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS), with a keynote address by the Foundation’s Chief Executive Don Chen.

Mr. Chen shared the Foundation’s vision of showcasing Taiwan’s cultural identity by blending gastronomy with global design expertise. This approach, he emphasized, not only highlights Taiwan’s unique character but also creates extraordinary value and new opportunities for enterprises across Asia.

“With AI and robotics reshaping industries, businesses must move beyond past models and adopt strategies rooted in local values and design,” said Mr. Chen. “Taiwan’s experience shows that when manufacturing is integrated with design thinking, it strengthens brand equity and transitions into knowledge-based services and the experience economy. This transformation unlocks new value chains and offers a blueprint for Singaporean enterprises to embed design into services and innovation, fueling the next wave of growth.”

The iSee Taiwan Foundation is a core member of the ProFederal platform, which is committed to enhancing the value of the knowledge service industry and promoting high-quality services. The Foundation has long championed Taiwan’s unique cultural and geographic identity.

Singapore and Taiwan Region: Co-Creating a Design-Driven Future

Singapore’s role as a hub for business, design, and cross-cultural exchange has made it the natural first stage for the Foundation’s international debut. Last year, mutual trade between Taiwan Region and Singapore reached SGD 116.8 billion (US$85.9 billion), with Taiwan Region ranked as Singapore’s fourth-largest trading partner and Singapore as Taiwan Region’s sixth.

The Foundation’s iSee Taiwan Signature initiative illustrates the potential for Taiwan Region and Singapore to co-create a design-driven innovation ecosystem. By combining Taiwan’s strengths in design, technology, and culture with Singapore’s global platforms and investment capacity, the collaboration demonstrates how Asian economies can align their strengths to build future-ready industries.

From Gastronomy to the Knowledge Economy

The use of food and lifestyle items as demonstration pieces highlights how design bridges cultures and drives market opportunities.

Guided by the developmental directions of discovery, integration, marketing, and service, the iSee Taiwan Signature collection begins with fruit jam — a familiar item in daily life worldwide. Premium guava and lemon from smallholder farms are blended with roses and jasmine grown through natural farming methods, creating a jam that preserves the characteristic flavours of Taiwan’s fruits while highlighting the features of local agriculture. Through integrated design and packaging, the jam enhances both quality and value, showing how cultural richness can be reinterpreted into resilient supply chains with global resonance.

“Culture is part of everyday life, which is why the Foundation chose food as the entry point,” Mr. Chen noted. “By combining gastronomy with innovative design, Taiwan can showcase the quality and value of its gastronomy, while opening the door to deeper collaboration with global enterprises.”

Looking Ahead

Design-driven value creation lies at the core of the Foundation’s strategy. Mr. Chen outlined the organisation’s history of promoting knowledge-intensive service innovation, including:

• Supporting the establishment of the Service Science Society of Taiwan (2011)
• Hosting Taiwan’s first stage-based experiential showcase
• Hosting cross-cultural gastronomy forums, invited 50 Best and Madrid Fusion
• Launching the iSee Design platform (2015), collaborating with international organizations such as the World Design Organization (WDO) and DBCS, building a global network of 40 design associations across five continents

With Singapore as its first international stop, the iSee Taiwan Foundation aims to expand into a broader platform for dialogue and collaboration across Asia and beyond. Amid rapid technological transformation, the Foundation continues to champion human-centered creativity as a defining competitive advantage for the knowledge-service era.

About iSee Taiwan Foundation

Founded in 2003 by Sayling Wen and continued under Chairman Ted Wen since 2008, the iSee Taiwan Foundation (www.iseetaiwan.org) is guided by the vision of “becoming an essential portal for the world to see Taiwan.” Its mission is to bring Taiwan’s unique character and heritage to global audiences, making the world Taiwan’s service market. The Foundation pursues this goal through four strategic directions: discovery, integration, marketing, and service.

About ProFederal Platform

ProFederal (https://www.profederal.com/en/) is a business consulting platform with a vision to enhance the knowledge services industry by supporting member companies in delivering higher-quality services and products, thereby creating greater value. With ‘Meet Success’ as our guiding principle, ProFederal provides member companies with global resources—including talent, expertise, information, networks, and capital — and empowers business owners to achieve success. Together with an ever-growing number of successful member companies, we advance toward our vision.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global crypto platform built on trust, today announced that its payment arm, KuCoin Pay, has partnered with DFX.swiss, a leading Swiss-based cryptocurrency services provider, to launch innovative crypto-to-fiat integrations in Switzerland. Through this collaboration, KuCoin Pay is now integrated with DFX.swiss’s OpenCryptoQR system, allowing users to pay with stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies at more than 100 SPAR stores for everyday purchases.

This partnership combines KuCoin Pay’s technology with DFX.swiss’s user-focused infrastructure, bridging digital assets with daily retail spending. It transforms cryptocurrencies from investment tools into practical means of payment, enabling seamless integration into activities such as grocery shopping while ensuring full user control through secure, non-custodial mechanisms.

Key benefits include zero gas fees for users, instant fiat settlements for merchants without conversion hassles, and lower commission fees compared with traditional payment methods. Payments are completed quickly and securely by scanning the OpenCryptoQR code through the KuCoin app.

Raymond Ngai, KuCoin Pay Lead, stated:
“We are thrilled to partner with DFX.swiss, whose innovative gateway supports popular payment methods while ensuring compliance with Swiss financial regulations. At KuCoin Pay, we are committed to making crypto part of daily life, enhancing its real-world utility, and creating seamless shopping experiences for our 41 million global users by bridging traditional retail and digital asset payments.”

Cyrill Thommen, Founder and CEO of DFX.swiss, added:

“The collaboration with KuCoin Pay is another step towards advancing crypto payments internationally. Our mission at DFX.swiss is to make digital assets accessible and usable in everyday life. With KuCoin Pay, we are creating an easy way for that. This is an important step towards a future in which digital payments are common and widespread.”

KuCoin Pay continues to expand into retail, e-commerce, global travel bookings, gaming, coupons, gift cards, and more. Its recently launched on-chain solution complements its off-chain services, providing a decentralized framework for direct cryptocurrency payments. These advancements underscore KuCoin Pay’s commitment to compliance, security, and global growth, as it works to broaden crypto adoption and strengthen crypto-fiat bridges worldwide.

About KuCoin Pay

KuCoin Pay is a pioneering merchant payment solution that enables businesses to integrate cryptocurrency transactions for both online and offline sales. Supporting over 50 cryptocurrencies including KCS, USDT, USDC, and BTC, KuCoin Pay delivers fast, secure, and borderless payments to its audience.

Learn more about KuCoin Pay: https://www.kucoin.com/pay

About DFX.swiss

DFX AG, based in Zug, Switzerland, is a provider of cryptocurrency services. The company sees itself as a bridge between the traditional banking system and the crypto ecosystem, enabling private and business customers to buy and sell digital assets directly. DFX operates an open-source-based fiat on- and off-ramp platform that enables transactions to and from self-hosted wallets. Among others, MetaMask, Rabby Wallet, WalletConnect, and hardware wallets from Ledger, Trezor, and BitBox are supported. Payments and withdrawals are made in multiple currencies via common interfaces such as SEPA, SWIFT, Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Learn more about DFX: https://dfx.swiss

TAIPEI and TOKYO, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) and Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) marked a milestone in regional financial integration today with the debut of their first cross-border exchange-traded funds (ETFs), reinforcing Taiwan’s ambition to become an Asian Asset Management Center.

Nomura Asset Management Taiwan Ltd. launched the Nomura TOPIX Feeder ETF (Ticker: 009812) on the TWSE, offering investors exposure to Japan’s equity market via the NEXT FUNDS TOPIX ETF (Ticker: 1306)— the largest ETF in Japan by assets under management. This fund is also included in Japan’s NISA tax-free investment program, making it one of the most widely held ETFs among Japanese retail investors.

Simultaneously, the NEXT FUNDS TIP FactSet Taiwan Innovative Technology 50 Index Exchange Traded Fund (Ticker: 412A) debuted on the TSE. The fund tracks the NEXT FUNDS – Nomura Taiwan Innovative Technology 50 ETF (Ticker: 00935), reflecting the strength and dynamism of Taiwan’s technology-driven economy. Notably, companies in the AI and semiconductor sectors account for 72% of the Index’s total market capitalization. Taiwan’s benchmark index has more than doubled since 2020, reaching an all-time high this month, with foreign ownership approaching 46%.

TWSE Chairman and CEO Sherman Lin said the cross-listings mark a new chapter in financial cooperation between Taiwan and Japan. “This achievement reflects growing market confidence and Taiwan’s commitment to innovation and global integration,” he noted. Chairman Lin also remarked that both TSE President Iwanaga and he wore golden ties today, symbolizing that the collaboration between the Taiwanese and Japanese capital markets is entering a brilliant new chapter.

The listings were marked by a joint ceremony attended by senior officials from both exchanges and financial regulators. Notable attendees at the TWSE included Dr. Yen-liang Chen, Vice Chairperson of the Financial Supervisory Commission; Kao Ching-ping, Deputy Director-General of the Financial Supervisory Commission Securities and Futures Bureau; Moriyuki Iwanaga, President and CEO of the Tokyo Stock Exchange; Nobuo Suzuki, Senior Corporate Managing Director of Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.; Gen Kawai, Deputy Representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association; Masaaki Fukuzawa, Director at Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association.

“This initiative underscores Taiwan’s strategic role in regional finance,” said Dr. Yen-liang Chen, Vice Chairperson of the Financial Supervisory Commission. “It reinforces our position within Asia’s asset management landscape and highlights the importance of cross-border innovation in driving sustainable growth.”

“The cross-listings provide investors in both markets with seamless access to diversified portfolios,” said Nobuo Suzuki, Senior Corporate Managing Director of Nomura Asset Management. “Our goal is to deliver globally relevant financial products that promote deeper market connectivity and investor engagement.”

TSE President and CEO Moriyuki Iwanaga emphasized the strategic significance of the partnership: “This collaboration bridges our capital markets, positioning Taiwan and Japan as key partners within Asia’s financial ecosystem.”

TWSE President Edith Lee, who attended the ceremony in Tokyo, noted the potential of Japan’s NISA program to enhance retail investor participation and market liquidity. “Taiwan’s capital market has experienced dynamic growth, and this ETF showcases our technological strength to global investors,” she said.

The dual listings represent a milestone in Taiwan–Japan financial collaboration, broadening cross-border investment access and reinforcing Taiwan’s role in Asia’s asset management landscape.

About TWSE
The Taiwan Stock Exchange (the TWSE) started operations on February 9, 1962. The TWSE is responsible for operating and advancing the Taiwan securities market. The TWSE’s primary business operations include listing, trading, settlement, and surveillance. These comprise listing promotion and review, post-listing supervision and corporate governance, maintaining market trading and order, securities firms’ services, investor protection, clearing and settlement operations, safeguarding against market defaults and the monitoring of illegal transactions. The Exchange provides comprehensive services to the securities market.

NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As autumn begins, businesses, makers, and creative professionals are seeing new opportunities to invest in high-performance engraving solutions. Monport Laser has announced its two-week Autumn Flash Sale, running September 12–26, featuring reduced pricing on a wide range of engraving machines and accessories.

The campaign highlights Monport’s commitment to providing professional-grade engraving technology to a broader audience. From fiber laser engravers designed for industrial-scale operations to compact desktop CO2 laser systems built for small workshops, the company continues to strengthen its role in supporting innovation across industries.

“The Autumn Flash Sale is about more than cost savings—it’s about accessibility,” said a Monport CEO. “We want to ensure that entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and creators have reliable access to the right tools, whether they’re scaling up production or starting their first workshop.”

Innovation Across Product Lines

Two of Monport’s core laser engraving solutions this season:

• GM Pro Fiber Laser Engraver Series – Designed for high-precision applications, offering advanced functionality such as one-touch autofocus, high-speed processing, and optional MOPA technology for specialized material handling.
• Reno CO2 Laser Engraver Series – Compact desktop systems that balance affordability and performance, providing entry-level users and small studios with reliable tools for professional engraving results.

Beyond machines, the Autumn Flash Sale also includes discounts on laser engraver accessories, helping customers upgrade their current setups for maximum efficiency. Whether it’s replacement parts, add-on tools, or system enhancements, Monport ensures engravers have everything they need for sustained productivity.

Supporting Business Growth

“Accessibility is a key driver in our product roadmap,” said by Monport CEO. “By making fiber and CO2 laser engraving solutions more approachable in terms of both scale and cost, we enable a broader community of professionals, entrepreneurs, and artists to grow their capabilities.”

By making its technology more accessible, Monport strengthens its role as a partner for entrepreneurs, engineers, and artists who rely on precision engraving solutions to grow their businesses.

Duration and Availability

The Autumn Flash Sale is a limited-time event, running only from September 12 through September 26, 2025. Customers across the United States are encouraged to explore the full range of CO2 laser engraver machines, fiber laser engravers, and laser engraver accessories available during this seasonal promotion.

The Autumn Flash Sale follows a tiered discount model, allowing customers to maximize their savings based on total purchase value:

• Save $100 off orders over $2,000
• Save $200 off orders over $3,000
• Save $300 off orders over $4,000
• Save $400 off orders over $5,000

The two-week event offers one of the year’s best opportunities for professionals, businesses, and creative makers to upgrade their workshops with affordable, high-performance laser engraving solutions.

About Monport Laser

Monport Laser is a global provider of advanced laser engraving and cutting solutions, dedicated to making professional-grade technology accessible to businesses, makers, and industries worldwide. With a portfolio spanning fiber laser engraving machines, CO2 laser machines, and specialized desktop laser engravers, Monport has built a reputation for innovation, affordability, and customer support. The company’s mission is to empower users with reliable tools that transform ideas into reality.

For more information on Monport’s Autumn Flash Sale, visit Monport Laser or contact:

Media:

Company: Monport Laser

Email: official@monportlaser.com

Website: https://www.monportlaser.com/