SINGAPORE, Sept. 2, 2025  /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda invites thrill-seekers and families alike to buckle up for a roller coaster ride through some of Asia’s most captivating yet lesser-known theme parks. These parks offer a whirlwind of unique attractions, cultural heritage, and immersive experiences, ensuring an adventure that will have travelers spinning with excitement.

Agoda’s 2025 Travel Trend survey reveals that over one in eight travelers (13%) plan to travel specifically to visit a theme park this year. For those seeking fun with a side of cultural exploration, our curated list also highlights theme parks that offer more than just thrilling rides. These destinations provide a perfect blend of excitement and cultural immersion, allowing visitors to savor unique local cuisines, enjoy captivating performances, and learn about local heritage.

Agoda presents six destinations that promise a day filled with joy and discovery:

1. Suoi Tien, Vietnam
   Suoi Tien is a cultural wonderland that combines Vietnamese folklore with exhilarating rides. Visitors can explore the mystical dragon and phoenix sculptures, enjoy fun rides, and cool off at the water park. The park’s unique blend of culture and excitement makes it a must-visit for families and history lovers.
2. Ocean Park, Hong Kong
   Ocean Park invites visitors to embark on a marine-themed adventure with breathtaking views of the South China Sea. From the spine-tingling Hair Raiser roller coaster to the mesmerizing aquarium exhibits, this park provides a perfect mix of education and entertainment. Travelers of all ages will love meeting adorable pandas and catching the park’s colorful performances.
3. Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Taiwan
   Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is a spectacular cultural gem, showcasing Taiwan’s indigenous heritage through interactive exhibits and performances. Visitors can enjoy the unique rides, explore traditional villages, and participate in cultural workshops. It’s a unique opportunity to learn about Taiwan’s rich history while enjoying the thrills of a world-class theme park.
4. Everland, South Korea
   Everland is South Korea’s largest theme park, offering a diverse range of attractions from the electrifying T-Express roller coaster to the enchanting Lost Valley safari. With its seasonal festivals and vibrant parades, Everland promises a magical experience for visitors of all ages.
5. Enchanted Kingdom, Philippines
   Enchanted Kingdom is a magical destination for families, offering a variety of themed zones and exciting rides. From the heart-pounding Anchors Away drop tower to the whimsical attractions in the park’s fairy tale-inspired areas, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this enchanting park.
6. Fuji-Q Highland, Japan
   Nestled at the foot of Mount Fuji, Fuji-Q Highland is renowned for its record-breaking roller coasters and stunning views. From the adrenaline-pumping Fujiyama coaster to the spooky haunted attractions, this park offers thrills and chills for the brave-hearted.

Jun Dong, Associate Vice President at Agoda shared, “Theme parks remain a popular choice for travelers, where they can enjoy thrilling rides, embrace unique cultural experiences, and create lasting memories with their loved ones. As more travelers seek out theme park adventures, Agoda’s wide offerings and fantastic prices make planning your next adventure a breeze.”

Agoda offers over 6 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities available, making it easy for travelers to plan their next theme park adventure. Visit Agoda.com/deals or download the Agoda mobile app for the best deals.

Driving Digital Innovation Across the Greater Bay Area

HONG KONG, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global technology company Tencent, today announced its support in the optimization and upgrade of “iAM Smart”, Hong Kong’s one-stop personalized digital services platform, through Tencent Cloud Super App as a Service (TCSAS) solution. This upgrade accelerates the digitalization of public services, offering citizens with a more efficient and convenient mobile services experience.

“iAM Smart” is a one-stop digital services platform launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR). It integrates services from various government departments, public and private organizations, including eTAX, SmartPLAY, eMPF, and application for the International Driving Permit. As of August 2025, the platform has accumulated over 3.6 million registered users, with services covering taxation, healthcare, education, and transportation.

TCSAS integrates Tencent’s expertise in mini program development, testing, deployment, operation, and container technology. Through TCSAS, “iAM Smart” can build a mini-program matrix within the app, reducing the need to switch between multiple interfaces. Citizens can access services from various government departments, public and private organizations through a single, unified interface, improving overall service efficiency and achieving the goal of “single portal for online government services”.

Furthermore, this upgrade incorporates several security and quality assurance capabilities from Tencent Cloud TianYu, Tencent WeTest, and other products. It enables functions such as business risk control and data protection to ensure data security and transaction reliability throughout the service process, at the same time relying on Tencent Cloud’s powerful cloud infrastructure to support the system’s smooth deployment and operation.

Poshu Yeung, Senior Vice President, Tencent Cloud International, said, “Tencent Cloud is honored to be part of the upgrade and optimization project of ‘iAM Smart.’ We are committed to leveraging our technological capabilities to support public services and accelerate Hong Kong’s digital development.”

As a technology company based in the Greater Bay Area, Tencent Cloud has a long-standing commitment to regional digitalization, serving over 220,000 customers within the region. Tencent Cloud has helped digitize various social services, including the Yueshengshi app — enabling local Weixin users to access more than 1,000 public service procedures online — and the Tencent Transit QR Code, which facilitates seamless mobile payments for public transportation, metros, ferries, and more in over 130 mainland Chinese cities.

Tencent Cloud also powers the Yueshangtong app, Guangdong’s mobile investment platform, simplifying business operations for over 10 million enterprises in the province. The platform offers a “one-stop, license-free, business-friendly” experience, delivering personalized and efficient services to businesses.

As a trusted digital partner, Tencent Cloud will continue to leverage its technological expertise, ecosystem connectivity, and user service capabilities to support the Greater Bay Area’s transformation into a global hub for industrial innovation.

Currently, Tencent Cloud operates 55 availability zones across 21 regions worldwide, with over 3,200 global acceleration nodes deployed. Over the past three years, its international business has sustained high double-digit growth, serving more than 10,000 overseas clients across over 80 countries and regions. This year, Tencent plans to further increase its overseas investments, including a US$150 million investment in the Middle East to establish its first data center in Saudi Arabia, as well as launching its third availability zone and a new office in Osaka, Japan, to expand its global infrastructure and channel ecosystem.

About Tencent Cloud:

Tencent Cloud, one of the world’s leading cloud companies, is committed to creating innovative solutions to resolve real-world issues and enabling digital transformation for smart industries. Through our extensive global infrastructure, Tencent Cloud provides businesses across the globe with stable and secure industry-leading cloud products and services, leveraging technological advancements such as cloud computing, Big Data analytics, AI, IoT, and network security. It is our constant mission to meet the needs of industries across the board, including the fields of gaming, media and entertainment, finance, healthcare, property, retail, travel, and transportation.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As Labor Day approaches, Americans nationwide prepare to honor the hard work and dedication that define our nation’s spirit. This year, CleaDeep invites homeowners to celebrate the holiday with a kitchen upgrade. The revolutionary P1 Range Hood is designed for those who value cleanliness, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology.

The Legacy of Labor Day and the Modern Kitchen

Labor Day has always been more than just a long weekend—it’s a celebration of hard work, community, and the enduring spirit of American innovation. For many, the holiday marks the unofficial end of summer, a time for backyard barbecues, family reunions, and gatherings centered around food. From sizzling grills to simmering stovetops, the kitchen becomes the heart of these cherished moments.

Yet, behind these joyful occasions often lies a less glamorous reality: smoky air, stubborn grease, and lingering odors that can dampen the experience. As families come together to share meals and stories, no one should be overwhelmed by noisy ventilation or poor air quality.

CleaDeep’s P1 Range Hood honors the true meaning of Labor Day—elevating the place where memories are made by combining thoughtful engineering with everyday practicality. Just as Labor Day celebrates progress and perseverance, the P1 embodies these values, delivering a kitchen upgrade designed to make cooking cleaner, quieter, and more enjoyable.

What Makes CleaDeep P1 the Ultimate Kitchen Upgrade?

Engineered for modern lifestyles, the CleaDeep P1 Range Hood is more than just an appliance—it’s a transformation for your kitchen. Here’s how it stands out:

1. Iconic IQV Technology

P1 uses powerful 13 m/s ultra-high airspeed to intercept smoke and grease before they spread. Whether you are grilling steak or cooking curry, the kitchen air remains fresh and pleasant throughout the cooking process.

2. Easy-to-clean Design

By utilizing the centrifugal force generated by high-speed airflow, P1 can efficiently separate smoke and oil stains. With its filterless design and powerful suction, maintenance is simple and stress-free.

3. Real-Time PM2.5 Monitoring

With its built-in PM2.5 sensor, the P1 actively monitors your kitchen’s air quality, ensuring a healthier environment for you and your family.

A Kitchen Transformation for the Modern Home

Labor Day is the perfect time to invest in your home—and your well-being. With the P1, CleaDeep redefines what it means to have a clean, functional, and advanced kitchen.

“We believe everyone deserves a kitchen that works as hard as they do,” says Justin Zhang, CMO at CleaDeep. “With the P1, we’ve combined intelligent design with powerful performance to give homeowners one less thing to worry about.”

Don’t Miss Out the Labor Day Offer

In honor of Labor Day, CleaDeep is offering an exclusive $451 off the powerful CleaDeep 36″ P1 IQV Range Hood for just $1,099. As a bonus, we’re including limited-time free installation around the US, a service that typically costs between $199 and $299. This promotion will be end by 7^th September, 2025.

Celebrate with a Cleaner, Healthier Kitchen

This Labor Day, give your kitchen the upgrade it deserves. With CleaDeep, you can host gatherings, experiment with new recipes, and enjoy time with loved ones—all in a cleaner, healthier space.

Discover the difference today by visiting https://us.cleadeep.com/ or register as an Early Bird storyteller.   

BEIJING, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In his book Forgotten Ally: China’s World War II, 1937-1945, Rana Mitter, British historian and professor of U.S.-Asia relations at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, offers a deeply researched account of China’s war against Japanese aggression in the 1930s and 1940s and the country’s long-overlooked role in the global fight against fascism. 

In an exclusive interview with Beijing Review reporters Peng Jiawei and Tao Xing, Mitter discusses China’s place among the Allies, how the war reshaped the country’s international standing, and why this chapter of history remains underrepresented and why it matters now more than ever. Edited excerpts from their conversation follow:  

Beijing Review: What made you want to write about China’s role in World War II (WWII)? And why did you choose Forgotten Ally as the title of your book? 

Rana Mitter: I use Forgotten Ally as the title–technically, it is the American title–for the book quite deliberately. Because if you ask most Westerners who the major Allied powers were, they would probably say the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. 

But they might not remember that China was not only one of the Allied powers, but actually the first–if you count the beginning of the war in Asia, before it started in Europe. 

In what ways was China’s wartime experience transformative for the world?

To better understand the relevance of China, I would point people to the year 1938. Why 1938? First of all, for most people who consider the war to have begun in Europe in 1939, it’s important to remember that after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, which occurred just outside Beijing on July 7, 1937, China and Japan quickly escalated into an all-out war. 

What was the country’s situation at that point? It had no foreign allies, and most people, including many foreign diplomats from Western countries, believed its case was hopeless and China stood little chance of defeating the Japanese. 

Remember, most of China’s great heartland cities, including Beijing, known in those days as Beiping, Shanghai, Nanjing and Guangzhou, were essentially under Japanese occupation, and it seemed only a matter of time before Japan would conquer the rest of China. 

In hindsight, continuing the fight appears to have been the right decision, as China ultimately became one of the Allied powers, and the Allies did go on to win the war. But in 1938, choosing to fight rather than striking a deal with Japan was a high-stakes decision. 

That is why it is worth remembering that had China not continued to hold on at that moment, the course of the war in Asia could have unfolded very differently. And with it, the trajectory of WWII–including the fight against Hitler in Europe–might have looked very different. 

How did China’s wartime experience reshape its role on the global stage?  

I would say that WWII was the time when China shifted from being a semi-colonized victim of imperialism to being an independent state and one of the makers of global orders. 

A clear example of this transformation came in 1945, when China sent a delegation to San Francisco to sign the UN Charter. This essentially paved the way for China to secure one of the five permanent seats on the UN Security Council, alongside the UK, the Soviet Union, the U.S. and France. 

My research is now moving into what I call the post-war period, where China began actively participating in the work of the UN. During this time, a new global economic order was also taking shape with the creation of institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other key bodies, where China also began to assume a more important role. 

Why is it important to revisit and bring this chapter of history back into focus?  

I do think Western perceptions have changed–and are continuing to change. If you visit, for example, the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, the U.S., or the Imperial War Museum in London, the UK, you will now find displays that speak in much greater depth about China’s wartime role. I don’t think those displays would have existed 20 or 25 years ago. 

In major global histories of the war, China’s role is now mentioned much more prominently as well. However, there is still a long way to go. China’s wartime experience is just still less well-covered in much of the outside world than other major theaters such as Western Europe, North Africa and the Pacific. 

It is impossible to make sense of today’s rapidly changing global order without understanding the part China played in shaping it–a role that stretches back as far as the 1930s and 1940s. China was not only involved in the formation of key institutions, such as the UN, but also a key wartime ally whose resistance helped keep an Asian front open against Japan at a time when it would be easier to surrender. 

So even in a very different age today, 80 years after the end of WWII, it is important to remember China’s role–and to understand the many complex, and in many ways still under-examined, aspects of that history, which continue to call for further historical study and reflection. 

The All-Electric smart #2 Will Premiere in 2026

• Successful feasibility completion of “project: two” leads to final development of the smart #2 as a new all-electric city car.
• The smart #2 is styled by Mercedes-Benz and will be built on smart’s own all-new proprietary architecture for ultra-compact vehicles.
• The new addition to the product portfolio will be launched in China, Europe, and other selected global markets, with plans to premiere in late 2026.

HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — smart has made a big decision in favor of a small vehicle: The premium intelligent electric automotive brand will create an all-new city two-seater. The smart #2 will extend the product portfolio of the company with an ultra-compact vehicle in the A-segment, marking smart’s return to the segment it defined. The new all-electric model will integrate mindful technology solutions while evolving the unique characteristics that made the original smart fortwo an urban icon. With the smart #2 set to lineup alongside the smart #1, #3, and #5, the inventor of the original city car underlines its commitment to diverse customer needs – proving that smart comes in many forms. 

The smart #2 is styled by Mercedes-Benz Design and will be built on all-new proprietary architecture for ultra-compact vehicles, developed by smart’s in-house R&D team. Featuring new technology solutions for its segment, the model is currently in its final design and development phase and will be produced in China. The all-new smart #2 will be launched in China, Europe, and other selected global markets, with plans to premiere in late 2026.

Mr. Tong Xiangbei, Global CEO of smart, said: “I’m thrilled to confirm a new two-seater smart – the smart #2. Developing an ultra-compact vehicle on an entirely new all-electric architecture is far more complex than creating a larger car. But now, we’re ready. Thanks to the unwavering support of our shareholders, we’ve strengthened our production and development capabilities and successfully renewed our brand and product lineup. It’s the perfect moment to reinvent our iconic city car.”

Ms. Mandy Zhang, Global CMO of smart, said: “27 years ago, the first smart fortwo took the world by storm – becoming an icon for both the brand and the industry. Loved by over two million customers worldwide, our original city car stood as a solution for urban mobility and a symbol of urban culture. With our new smart #2, we are responding to the market’s enthusiasm with an all-electric two-seater that blends smart’s cutting-edge technology and latest design philosophy into our iconic concept. The smart two-seater is reborn.”

Following the successful feasibility check of the smart internal “project: two”, the company is preparing to premiere the new model in late 2026. Building on the successful introductions of the smart #1, #3, and #5, as well as the upcoming launch of the smart #5 EHD (Electric Hybrid Drive) in mainland China, the smart #2 will expand the brand’s portfolio in a segment that has special meaning for smart and and its customers. smart will thus cover all the key requirements of modern mobility, from agile city cars to premium mid-range SUVs.

-End-

Contact

Jack Bailey

jack.bailey@smart.com

About smart

Since the birth of the brand in the 1990s, smart has always maintained the vision of exploring the best solutions for future urban mobility. In late 2019, Mercedes-Benz AG and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group officially established smart global joint venture.

From 2019 to 2024, after the comprehensive renewal of its brand, products, and business model, smart successfully achieved the strategic objectives set for its initial five-year phase. Adhering steadfastly to the “China–Europe, Dual Home” global development strategy, smart has transformed into a leading premium intelligent electric automotive brand. It now boasts an expanding product matrix and a global footprint spanning around 40 countries and regions. In 2025, smart aims to boost its global business operations.