Home Blog Page 2655

Alliance Française and Tramplus Join Forces to Celebrate French Culture on Hong Kong’s Iconic Trams


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2025 – In celebration of French creativity and cultural exchange, the Alliance Française de Hong Kong (AFHK) and Tramplus, a sister company of Hong Kong Tramways, have partnered to launch the Tram Design Competition, transforming one of the city’s most iconic modes of transport into a moving canvas of French-inspired imagination.

Alliance Française and Tramplus Join Forces to Celebrate French Culture on Hong Kong’s Iconic Trams

This initiative marks a new chapter in a long-standing partnership between AFHK and Hong Kong Tramways, who have collaborated for years to bring French cultural events to the streets of Hong Kong—most notably the Hong Kong French Film Festival, which has become a beloved annual tradition of many cinephiles. The Tram Design Competition builds on this legacy, inviting secondary school students to engage with French aesthetics through art and design.

The collaboration between AFHK and Tramplus reflects a shared commitment to enriching the learning experience of Hong Kong’s youth through creativity, language, and cultural immersion. By combining AFHK’s 70+ years of expertise in French education and cultural promotion with Tramplus’s innovative approach to community placemaking, the project offers students a unique opportunity to explore French culture in a dynamic and creative format.

The competition, themed “Découverte de la Beauté Française” (Discovering French Beauty), invited secondary school students to design tram exteriors inspired by French art, fashion, innovation, and heritage. The winning design, created by Li Pui Hiu from St. Mark’s School, will be unveiled on September 8 at 10:00 am at the Whitty Street Tram Depot, in the presence of Ms. Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau. The tram will circulate through the city for four weeks, showcasing the student’s creative artwork to the public.

Tramcar Launch Ceremony:
Date: September 8, 2025,
Time: 10:00 am
Venue: Whitty Street Tram Depot
Guest of honour: Mrs. Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau

Forty finalists were selected for their originality and insight, and were invited to participate in AFHK’s French Taster Program on August 14. This initiative complements AFHK’s broader mission to promote French language learning in Hong Kong, especially as the DELF Junior exam becomes the stipulated assessment for French under HKDSE Category C subjects starting in 2025. As the only DELF DALF accredited examination center in Hong Kong, AFHK plays a pivotal role in preparing students for internationally recognized qualifications.

This September, AFHK is introducing an exclusive Yearly Beginner Adults Membership offer designed for beginner learners. Students can now access all four sub-levels of the A1 French curriculum for only HK$7,000—less than half the regular price of HK$14,000. The initiative underscores AFHK’s dedication to making French language education more affordable and inclusive for the broader community. Registration is now open, register to enjoy up to 50% off with the Yearly Beginner Adults Membership!

Website:
https://www.afhongkong.org/en/learn-french/adults-french-classes/regular-group-classes/adults-beginners-a1-enroll/

Hashtag: #AllianceFrançaise

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Alliance Française de Hong Kong

Established in 1953, Alliance Française de Hong Kong (AFHK) is the Official and largest language and cultural institution for French in Hong Kong and in Asia with over 6,000 students annually. With our team of 60 qualified native French-speaking teachers, we offer a large range of courses, including workshops, specialized courses, private tuition, workshops, immersion in France etc. The AFHK is the only accredited and official examination centre to conduct all the diplomas issued by the French Ministry of Education such as DELF and DALF, TCF and TCF Canada. (operated by France Education International).

Since its establishment, Alliance Française has been dedicated to promotion of French culture by curating and organizing different cultural events with long-term supportive partners including Consulate of France in Hong Kong and Macao, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, UniFrance, Insitut Francais, local theatres, film distributors, sponsors and many others. It organizes major cultural events each year, such as the French Film Festival in November and takes part in numerous programs of Le French May (an initiative co-created by AFHK in 1993), Make Music Hong Kong (from 2018) and the French-Speaking Festival (Francophonie).

DHL Global Forwarding Adds to Its Asia Pacific’s Life Science and Healthcare Capabilities with Dual-Certified Cold Chain Facility in Malaysia

  • First forwarder with dual-certified facility within Kuala Lumpur International Airport Free Commercial Zone for 15–25°C and 2–8°C storage, with Good Distribution Practice qualifications
  • Sets new benchmark in pharmaceutical logistics with reefer truck transfers, secure cages, and eco-friendly infrastructure.
  • Strengthens DHL’s network of 37 Air GxP and 12 IATA CEIV Pharma-certified stations across Asia-Pacific, reinforcing its leadership in providing compliant and sustainable healthcare logistics.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2025 – To meet the growing demand for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical logistics, DHL Global Forwarding continues to enhance its cold chain capabilities in Malaysia, being the first forwarder to offer a cold chain facility certified for both 15–25°C and 2–8°C storage within the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Free Commercial Zone. Spanning over 38,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility is accorded both the DHL Air GxP certification and the IATA CEIV Pharma certification, delivering unmatched flexibility and regulatory compliance for Life Science and Healthcare customers.

DHL Global Forwarding Malaysia Facility
DHL Global Forwarding Malaysia Facility

Based on the World Health Organization’s Good Distribution and Storage Practices, the DHL Air GxP certification is a baseline requirement across all DHL pharma stations to ensure upholding of stringent quality and compliance standards. Complementing this is the IATA CEIV Pharma certification, a globally recognized standard that validates DHL’s capabilities in handling high-value, time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments.

“Malaysia is strategically located to serve as a regional hub for global medical technology companies, and the fast-growing market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 8.5 per cent from 2023 to 2028, reaching a market volume of US$4.5 billion by 2028,” said Praveen Gregory, Managing Director, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, DHL Global Forwarding. “Our cold chain infrastructure in KLIA has consistently delivered high standards in pharmaceutical logistics since its launch in 2023, and as demand across Asia Pacific accelerates, we are ready to lead with best-in-class facilities and expertise to support our customers.”

Comprehensive solutions to cater to diverse needs and maintain cold chain integrity

The facility comprises:

  • Dedicated cold rooms: 1,040 square feet for 15–25°C storage and 504 square feet for 2–8°C storage, supporting up to 105 EU pallets
  • Dual secure cages: Over 2,400 square feet of high-security storage with 24/7 CCTV surveillance and restricted access.
  • Advanced Environment Monitoring System (EMS): 100% automated real-time storage temperature monitoring via a dual system (Testo Saveris and UniBot), with data stored for one year.
  • Eco-friendly infrastructure: R448A refrigerant, food-grade epoxy flooring, airtight doors, and energy-efficient compressors.
  • Operational excellence: 24/7 operations with dedicated customs brokerage and value-added services such as buyer consolidation, cross-docking, and LD3 container charging.
  • Fully temperature-mapped carve-out site: Designated area that has undergone a thorough temperature mapping process, specifically designed to store or handle temperature-sensitive products
  • Dehumidification system: Tailored for pharmaceutical application between the range of 55% to 70%Rh

DHL is also the only forwarder in KLIA offering reefer truck transfers from pick-up to terminal arrival and delivery. This service ensures cold chain integrity is maintained throughout the journey and minimizes third-party handling, which in turn reduces turnaround time. It also enhances cargo security and ensures compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards.

To ensure all shipments are handled with utmost care and in compliance with the highest industry standards, all cold-chain shipments are handled by a dedicated team of Life Sciences Specialists who have completed the training and are certified. These staff undergo annual training to stay ahead of evolving industry requirements, armed with vital tools and knowledge needed to understand and meet both customer and regulatory expectations. In addition to implementing a specialized training program aligned with IATA regulatory standards across its key GxP facilities, DHL’s CIF Certified Life Sciences Specialist (CLSS) program equally provides a comprehensive curriculum of mandatory training sessions, functional courses, and material to build deep expertise in this highly specialized industry.

DHL’s commitment to green logistics is also evident in the KLIA facility’s design. The facility is built using CFC- and HCFC-free materials and is fitted with energy-saving compressors and low-noise, low-emission generators. The company is also exploring mobile freezer units capable of operating at -20°C, as well as expanding its service portfolio to include frozen commodities such as vaccines, meat, and industrial chemicals.

Asia Pacific: Fast-Growing Strategic Hub for Healthcare Logistics

Asia Pacific is rapidly emerging as a global center for pharmaceutical innovation, manufacturing, and distribution. According to an industry trend report by Data Bridge Market Research, the region’s healthcare logistics market is forecasted to grow from USD 17.6 billion in 2022 to USD 29.5 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.1%. This growth is driven by aging populations, rising chronic disease prevalence, and increasing demand for biologics, vaccines, and clinical trials.

DHL is uniquely positioned to support this growth, with a robust and strategically distributed cold chain network across Asia Pacific. As part of its Strategy 2030: Accelerating Sustainable Growth, DHL Group has identified Life Sciences and Healthcare (LSH) as a key growth sector and introduced a new “DHL Health Logistics sector brand to drive cross-divisional growth. This reflects a broader global trend in which logistics is increasingly recognized as a critical enabler of healthcare access and patient outcomes. Earlier this year, DHL Group also announced a €500 million investment in Life Sciences infrastructure across Asia Pacific, including 300,000 square meters of fully compliant storage in 15 countries – a move that reinforces its regional logistics leadership.

Currently, DHL operates 37 Air GxP-certified stations and 12 IATA CEIV Pharma-certified stations in the region, including key hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney, and Shanghai. These facilities are meticulously set up to meet the highest standards of pharmaceutical logistics, ensuring temperature integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. Each certified station is staffed by trained Life Sciences Specialists and supported by integrated supply chain capabilities, including temperature-controlled transportation, customs brokerage, real-time shipment monitoring, and post-shipment investigations.

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, DHL remains steadfast in its mission to deliver resilient, compliant, and future-ready logistics solutions. With its expanding footprint, certified expertise, and commitment to innovation, it is well-positioned to be the logistics partner of choice for life sciences companies across Asia Pacific—ensuring that critical healthcare products reach patients safely, efficiently, and sustainably.
Hashtag: #DHL

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

DHL – The logistics company for the world​

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 84.2 billion euros in 2024. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.

HTX Tops Global Metrics, Marking a Triumphant Return After 12 Years

PANAMA CITY, Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HTX, one of the leading global cryptocurrency exchanges, has made a triumphant return. In Q2 2025, fueled by a steady operational strategy and continuous technological innovation, the platform achieved significant growth across multiple key metrics, reclaiming its position among the world’s top exchanges. This achievement coincided with a powerful market rebound, as Bitcoin hit a new all-time high in mid-August, Ethereum returned to its peak, and altcoins surged collectively, ushering in a blazing summer for the industry.

On this special occasion, HTX also celebrates its 12th anniversary. Since its launch in 2013, the platform has remained committed to its core principles of putting users first, ensuring the security of user assets, and driving technological innovation to deliver the best trading experience. Now, as HTX begins its 13th year, it has garnered widespread recognition from industry authorities with a string of remarkable achievements that have exceeded market expectations.

Four Major Rankings Showcase HTX’s Strong Momentum

No. 1 Worldwide in Spot Trading Volume Growth

According to CoinGecko’s 2025 Q2 Crypto Industry Report, HTX ranked first globally in spot trading volume growth, outperforming major exchanges to become the quarter’s most impressive dark horse. This achievement  not only reflects the platform’s significant boost in liquidity and user activity but also its early lead in the new round of competition.

No. 2 Worldwide in Market Share Increase

CoinDesk’s July Exchange Review reported that HTX ranked second globally in market share increase, trailing only Binance. This ranking is a testament to HTX’s comprehensive strength, from its growing user base, asset quality, and market depth.

No. 2 Globally in New Crypto Trading Volume

CryptoQuant’s ranking of spot trading volume of new token listings placed HTX second worldwide, with a remarkable $38 billion. In a market brimming with new projects, HTX’s sharp asset screening mechanism and efficient listing process allowed it to rapidly capture first-mover advantages in multiple trending cryptos, making it the go-to platform for users seeking “high-potential assets”.

Named among Bitcoin.com’s Top 10 Global Exchanges

In Bitcoin.com’s Top 10 Global Crypto Exchanges in 2025 ranking, HTX earned a spot and was praised as “one of the fastest-growing and most promising exchanges”. The report credited HTX’s progress in user trust, technical architecture, and product diversity, which are key drivers behind its rise into the industry’s top tier.

A New Beginning at Twelve: Shaping a Promising Future

HTX stood out in this recovery cycle by staying focused on its users, following a long-term vision, and continuously innovating its products and services. The platform has built a reliable trading environment while expanding its brand presence globally. Twelve years of persistent effort have laid a solid foundation for its steady growth.

On its 12th anniversary, HTX is more than an exchange—it has become a pivotal force shaping the development of the industry. The platform has entered a new round of swift development, and these impressive achievements so far are only the beginning. Going forward, HTX will remain user-centric, expand into global markets, diversify its product offerings, and accelerate the development of the Web3 ecosystem, striving to create a more comprehensive financial free port for users worldwide.

About HTX 

Founded in 2013, HTX (formerly Huobi) has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

To learn more about HTX, please visit https://www.htx.com/ or HTX Square or https://www.htx.com/, and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord.

SY Holdings Launches Asia-Pacific’s First Supply Chain RWA Tokenization on HashKey Chain

SHENZHEN, CHINA – EQS Newswire – 27 August 2025 – SY Holdings Group Limited (“SY Holdings”, stock code: 6069.HK), a leading digital technology firm specializing in AI-driven industrial supply chains, has launched the Asia-Pacific’s first[1] supply chain asset-backed Real World Asset (RWA) tokenization on HashKey Chain, an Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain operated by HashKey Group, Asia’s leading digital asset financial services group. The inaugural tranche has established a shelf quota equivalent to USD100 million, to be issued in multiple instalments under an innovative structure featuring multi-currency offerings and stablecoins subscription. The products are backed by the genuine income streams of high-quality supply chain assets across multiple sectors, including e-commerce, within SY Holdings’ Supply Chain Technology Platform, and have received subscription from international investors. This pioneering RWA tokenization aligns with SY Holdings’ global expansion strategy and its vision to build an AI-powered international supply chain platform, transforming real-world asset certainty into on-chain configurable value.

Real World Assets (RWAs) tokenization involves tokenizing physical assets via blockchain, creating standardized, divisible, and traceable digital assets that represent rights or interests in underlying assets. This innovative financial tool leverages blockchain’s decentralization, transparency, immutability, and traceability, combined with global network interconnectivity, to enhance transaction security and transparency. Through structured design, RWA tokenization integrates seamlessly with stablecoin innovations, addressing traditional challenges like unclear ownership, limited liquidity, high transaction costs, and elevated investment barriers. Stablecoins, with their price stability and efficient settlement, serve as a critical bridge between real-world assets and on-chain value flows. They provide a reliable pricing unit, facilitate on-chain transactions, settlements, and profit distribution, and reduce transaction friction and currency risks. By combining supply chain asset-backed RWA tokenization with stablecoin applications, SY Holdings will enhances capital efficiency and lowers financing costs for SMEs while offering global investors compliant, efficient, and credible digital asset investment channels. According to Boston Consulting, driven by demand for stable returns and diversified assets alongside maturing blockchain technology, the RWA market could reach $16 trillion by 2030, becoming a vital link between traditional and digital economies.

As a Singapore capital-backed international enterprise, SY Holdings began its global expansion in August 2025, aiming to develop an AI-driven “International Supply Chain Technology Platform.” This platform empowers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across global supply chains with integrated solutions, including flexible supply chain services, financing, foreign exchange management, and digital enablement. These tools help SMEs scale efficiently into global markets, advancing SY Holdings’ mission to “reshape global supply chains alongside SMEs” and drive a new era of synchronized global growth. The innovative application of RWA tokenization and stablecoins is a cornerstone of SY Holdings’ globalization strategy, significantly enhancing its platform’s light-asset operations and efficiency. By transforming high-quality supply chain assets into standardized, divisible, and traceable digital assets on-chain, SY Holdings will unlock efficient financing channels for SMEs and creates transparent, credible value carriers for assets previously inaccessible to international capital markets. This boosts their appeal to global institutional and Web3.0 investors, revitalizing low-liquidity assets for seamless capital turnover.

HashKey Group, Asia’s leading digital asset financial services group with licenses for Exchange, Custody, and Asset Management, provides comprehensive solutions for RWA projects, spanning asset issuance, liquidity provision, and cross-border settlement. User funds are managed throughout by a regulated custodian, ensuring asset independence and security. HashKey Chain, its core blockchain platform, drives compliant and scalable Onchain Finance for financial institutions and RWA tokenization. In this project, HashKey Chain offers SY Holdings a secure, stable, and interoperable blockchain infrastructure, leveraging advanced smart contract standards and modular deployment to enable seamless registration, integration, reconciliation, and circulation of supply chain assets on-chain, ensuring efficient and traceable flows between off-chain and on-chain environments. Additionally, HashKey Group’s HashKey NexaToken provides critical on-chain technical support for this project. Specializing in secure and efficient tokenization of traditional financial assets, HashKey NexaToken delivers an optimized user experience, high-performance and cost-effective design, rapid deployment, and robust security, flexibly addressing the diverse needs of SY Holdings’ supply chain assets to enable swift project execution and efficient on-chain asset circulation.

The core objective of this project extends beyond SY Holdings’ successful initial RWA tokenization effort, aiming to validate the compliance and scalability of the entire supply chain asset tokenization process. This lays the foundation for scaling more high-quality international supply chain assets onto SY Holdings’ technology platform and forging deeper connections with Web3.0 capital ecosystems. As strategic partners, SY Holdings and HashKey Group will actively explore pathways to link supply chain assets with global capital, promoting standardized and scalable on-chain asset flows to provide global investors with secure, transparent, and innovative digital asset investment opportunities.

“We are excited to partner with HashKey Chain to launch the Asia-Pacific’s first supply chain RWA tokenization project, driving the global tokenization of supply chain assets and accelerating their integration with Web3.0 technologies. Moving forward, SY Holdings will harness its deep expertise in digitalizing and intelligently managing supply chain assets to expand into the Web3.0 space, reducing reliance on traditional issuer credit enhancements and bridging gaps in transactional transparency within the Web3.0 ecosystem. By fully mapping authentic, sustainable, and verifiable supply chain assets onto the blockchain and leveraging stablecoins’ ‘payment-as-settlement’ efficiency, we can better empower SMEs in global industrial supply chains. This opens new avenues for global investors to access credible supply chain asset investments. SY Holdings is committed to collaborating with ecosystem partners to build an open, compliant, and mutually beneficial Web3.0 ecosystem, strengthening real-world industries through digital innovation and delivering sustainable value for SMEs and global investors,” SY Holdings stated.

Note[1]: Reference data from the RWA.xyz platform as of August 27, 2025

Hashtag: #SYHoldings

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About HashKey Chain

HashKey Chain is the preferred blockchain for financial institutions and RWA tokenization, dedicated to promoting compliant and scalable Onchain Finance. As a compliance-friendly blockchain infrastructure, HashKey Chain provides a secure and transparent on-chain environment for institutions.

HashKey Chain inherits Ethereum’s decentralized security while enhancing transaction efficiency through high-performance optimization, ensuring on-chain asset stability and traceability. Its low-cost solution offers minimal Gas fees and high throughput, enabling efficient circulation of MMFs, bonds, funds, and stablecoins while reducing institutional operational costs.

HashKey Chain collaborates with leading financial institutions and compliant Web3 projects to provide solutions for institutional DeFi, RWA tokenization, and stablecoin settlement, accelerating the financial system’s digital transformation.

About SY Holdings

SY Holdings Group Limited (“SY Holdings” or the “Group”, stock code: 6069.HK) is the first “AI+Industrial Supply Chain” digital intelligence technology company listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The major institutional shareholders of SY Holdings include Temasek Holdings of Singapore, Wuxi Communications Group, XtalPi and Be Friends. The Group has been included in the MSCI series indices, Hang Seng Composite Index, FTSE Index, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect, and Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect programs. It was recognized in 2023 as one of “CNBC’s Top 200 Global Fintech Companies” and in 2024 as a “Forbes China Top 50 Fintech Influential Enterprise,” demonstrating international market recognition of its development.

While deepening its presence in national pillar industries such as infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and commodities, SY Holdings is actively expanding into strategic emerging sectors including e-commerce, robotics. SY Holdings adopts the differentiated “transaction-focused, entity-light” model, uses AI Agent to link industrial ecosystem and conduct data analysis, and helps the growth of small and medium enterprises (“SMEs”) through platform technology service. As of June 30, 2025, SY Holdings has helped over 19,000 SMEs secure over RMB 270 billion in order acquisition and working capital turnover.

In August 2025, while intensifying its global expansion, SY Holdings positioned its Singapore international headquarters as the strategic bridgehead and formally launched its global strategy. The Group will build a new “International Supply Chain Technology Platform” powered by AI, which focuses on serving SMEs in the upstream and downstream of the global supply chain and provides one-stop solutions encompassing flexible supply chain services, cross-border working capital, exchange rate management and digital empowerment. The Group is committed to supporting SMEs in efficiently expanding into global markets, while fulfilling its mission of “reshaping the global supply chain hand in hand with SMEs” and jointly opening a new era of growth in resonance with global development.

Mark Your Calendars: The Countdown to Furniture China and Maison Shanghai 2025 is On

SHANGHAI, Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Furniture China 2025 will celebrate its 30th anniversary from Sept 10-13 at Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre (SNIEC), Organized by China National Furniture Association & Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets, inviting global buyers to Shanghai Pudong for an engaging program of sourcing, networking, and inspiration.

As a premier global platform for the furniture trade, Furniture China presents an extensive array of home, office, and outdoor furniture, high-quality materials, cutting-edge designs, and decorative items from over 2,400 leading manufacturers. The exhibition is dedicated to fostering industrial innovation and building trusted business partnerships worldwide.

Maison Shanghai 2025 will open one day earlier this year, running from September 9 to 12 at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center (SWEECC). The event will showcase more than 800 home furnishing and lifestyle design brands, feature over 20 special curated exhibitions, and host more than 100 dynamic forum sessions and interactive activities.

In a milestone year, Furniture China and Maison Shanghai 2025 will not only showcase exceptional exhibitors and diverse products but also introduce a dedicated lineup of B2B programs. These initiatives are designed to strengthen ties with international buyers, demonstrate the strength of China’s furniture industry, and foster worldwide business partnerships.

2025 Global Buyers Night

The highly anticipated after-party of Furniture China will be held on September 10-11, from 18:30 to 20:00, at the Overseas Buyers Lounge (SNIEC). This exclusive event is designed to bring together international buyers, industry leaders, and exhibitors for an evening of refined networking in a relaxed yet productive atmosphere. Attendees can expect a stylish setting ideal for building meaningful professional relationships while enjoying premium refreshments and curated entertainment. The gathering aims to provide a valuable platform for fostering business collaboration and discussing emerging trends in a sophisticated social environment.

Maison Design Forum (MDF)

As the flagship forum of Maison Shanghai, MDF is an international platform dedicated to transformative design discourse. It convenes global thought leaders to share cutting-edge insights spanning architecture, interiors, trends, materials, and cultural aesthetics. By integrating Eastern philosophy with global dialogue, the Forum fosters cross-disciplinary innovation and serves as a dynamic think tank exploring design’s future. MDF will redefine “modern” beyond aesthetics—embracing humanistic values, technological integration, and social responsibility to shape future lifestyles.

Pre-register to get ticket for Furniture China and Maison Shanghai 2025.
Preview latest news on event website or via official app (DTS FurnitureChina).

WIC to hold forum on cultural heritage digitalization

BEJING, Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from CRI Online: 

The World Internet Conference (WIC) held a press conference in Beijing on Aug 26 to brief the media on the upcoming 2025 WIC Cultural Heritage Digitalization Forum, outlining its overall arrangements, preparation progress, and key events.

Ren Xianliang, secretary-general of the WIC, Sun Daguang, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Shaanxi Provincial Committee, and Zhang Fenghu, head of the Cyberspace Administration of Xi’an, attended the briefing and answered media questions. The event was chaired by Liang Hao, executive deputy secretary-general of the WIC.

The WIC holds a press conference in Beijing on Aug 26 to brief the media on the upcoming 2025 WIC Cultural Heritage Digitalization Forum
The WIC holds a press conference in Beijing on Aug 26 to brief the media on the upcoming 2025 WIC Cultural Heritage Digitalization Forum

The forum, hosted by the WIC and organized by the People’s Government of Shaanxi Province, will be held in Xi’an from Sept 16 to 17 under the theme “Bridging History through Digitalization, Building Civilization with Intelligence.” Discussions will center on key topics including “Preservation and Inheritance,” “Technology and Innovation,” “Industry and Empowerment” and “Openness and Collaborative Governance.” The forum seeks to explore new digital approaches to cultural heritage preservation and foster exchanges among civilizations.

Ren noted that cultural heritage carries the legacy of civilizations. Digital technology, he said, has become a powerful tool for safeguarding and revitalizing cultural heritage. Hosting the forum in Xi’an, a historic cultural city, both reflects global trends in digital civilization and highlights the WIC’s commitment to promoting digital protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, he noted.

Sun highlighted that Shaanxi has always attached great importance to the preservation and inheritance of cultural heritage and has made sustained efforts to advance its digitalization. He noted that the forum provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen dialogue with all sectors, draw on collective wisdom, and build broader consensus. By more effectively integrating culture with technology and harnessing digital tools, Shaanxi aims to enhance cultural heritage protection and inheritance. The province will further deepen international cooperation in this field, actively implement the Global Civilization Initiative, and contribute to greater exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, he added.

Zhang said that in recent years, Xi’an has advanced its strategy of revitalizing the city through culture, seizing opportunities brought by digital transformation and using digital technologies to drive the creative transformation and innovative development of its rich historical and cultural heritage. He said the city would take the forum as an opportunity to learn from international best practices, advance cultural exchanges, and play an active part in building a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

The forum will bring together senior representatives from international organizations, ministerial-level officials from relevant government departments, foreign envoys in China, representatives from leading cultural enterprises, and renowned scholars. 

Several events are scheduled to take place during the forum, including an exhibition of outstanding digitalized heritage projects, a meeting of the WIC working group on cultural heritage digitalization, a training program hosted by the WIC Digital Academy, and the release of the WIC Cultural Heritage Digitalization Case Collection. These events are designed to provide a global platform for exchanges and cooperation in the field of cultural heritage digitalization.

Oil and Gas Output Hits New Record Profitability Remains Resilient—-CNOOC Limited Announced Its 2025 Interim Results

HONG KONG, Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CNOOC Limited (the “Company”, SEHK: 00883 (HKD Counter) and 80883 (RMB Counter), SSE: 600938) announced today its 2025 interim results.

  • Net production increased by 6.1% year-on-year (“YoY”) while natural gas up 12.0%
  • Remained cost competitive and net profit attributable to equity shareholders reaching RMB 69.5billion
  • Actively sharing development results, HK$0.73 per share (tax inclusive) of interim dividend declared

In the first half of 2025, with the concerted efforts of all employees, CNOOC Limited contained the impact of oil price volatility by sticking to its strategy of reserves and production growth while strictly controlling costs. The Company demonstrated profitability resilience and steady progress toward high-quality development.

CNOOC Limited continued to increase reserves and production, obtaining fruitful results in oil and gas exploration. In the first half of the year, 5 new oil and gas discoveries were made and 18 oil and gas bearing structures were successfully appraised. Offshore China, the Company discovered Jinzhou 27-6, Caofeidian 22-3, Weizhou 10-5 South, and successfully appraised Qinhuangdao 29-6 and Lingshui 25-1. Overseas, the Company actively advanced deployment in strategic areas. The reserves in Guyana continued to grow through three-dimensional deepwater exploration. The Company signed its first oil exploration contract for a new block in Kazakhstan, further expanding its overseas exploration potential.

The Company efficiently promoted the construction of major projects, achieving record-high oil and gas production. In the first half of the year, the net production was 384.6 million BOE, representing an increase of 6.1% YoY, with both domestic and international production exceeding previous record highs for the same period. During the period, 10 oil and gas field development projects successfully commenced production, including the Bozhong 26-6 Oilfield Development Project (Phase I), Wenchang 9-7 Oilfield Development Project, and the Buzios7 and Mero4 projects in Brazil, demonstrating the Company’s outstanding project execution capabilities. Natural gas production surged by 12.0% YoY, showing strong momentum of growth. The Dongfang 29-1 Gas Field Development Project and the Dongfang 1-1 Gas Field 13-3 Block Development Project commenced production, while production from major producing gas fields such as Shenhai-1 and Bozhong 19-6 continued to ramp up. With Shenhai-1 Phase II Natural Gas Development Project on-stream, “Shenhai-1” is expected to produce over 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per annum, becoming China’s largest offshore gas field.

CNOOC Limited remained committed to innovation-driven growth, advancing its digital and intelligent transformation in an orderly manner. Key technologies for reserves and production growth were developed and applied. Reserve utilization and oil recovery rates continued to improve, while the natural decline rate of oilfields offshore China remained at a low level. Advanced geophysical technologies were applied to improve the quality of seismic data from deep plays. Intelligent injection-production technologies were deployed on a large scale to help control the natural decline rate. The Company promoted excellent intelligent drilling and completion, with the construction speed of the demonstration projects accelerated by 26%. The Company deployed “AI+” application scenarios, while the “Shenhai-1” Intelligent Gas Field was recognized as one of China’s first batch of top-tier smart facilities. The Company integrated satellite remote sensing, unmanned equipment, and AI algorithms, to enhance its emergency response capability against typhoon-related risks, laying solid foundation for safe production.

The Company adhered to integrated development of oil and gas and new energy sectors, making solid progress in green transition. By adopting multiple measures, including energy conservation in oil and gas production, green electricity substitution, and renewable power generation, the Company made new progress in producing oil and gas in a cleaner way. In the first half of the year, the Company applied permanent magnet electric submersible pumps on a large scale, and the Qinhuangdao 32-6 Oilfields saved approximately 18 million kWh of electricity through lean power management. During the period, the Company generated over 900 million kWh of green power, while “HaiyouGuanlan” provided stable green electricity to the Wenchang Oilfields. In addition, the Company purchased and consumed 500 million kWh of green electricity. To foster new industries, China’s first offshore CCUS project was commissioned on the Enping 15-1 platform, pioneering a new mode of carbon-driven oil recovery and oil-based carbon sequestration. The Bohai Oilfields are planned to host the largest offshore CCUS center in northern China, realizing full-cycle capture, injection, and storage of CO2.

CNOOC Limited remained cost competitive, benefiting from its lean management. In the first half of the year, the Company tackled the uncertainties of external environment with stable high-quality development, demonstrating profitability resilience against oil price changes. Oil and gas sales revenue reached RMB171.7billion. Effective control over all-in cost was sustained, which remained flat YoY at US$26.94 per BOE. Net profit attributable to equity shareholders amounted to RMB69.5 billion. The Company has always actively returned to its shareholders. The Board of Directors has resolved to declare an interim dividend of HK$0.73 per share (tax inclusive).

Mr. Zhang Chuanjiang, Chairman of CNOOC Limited, said: “In the first half of the year, the Company advanced oil and gas development and production in a steady and efficient manner, effectively responding to market fluctuations and laying a solid foundation for achieving the full-year targets. Looking ahead to the second half of the year, the Company will stick to its strategy, remain committed to ensuring safe operations, to complete annual tasks, and strive to promote the high-quality development of China’s offshore energy industry to a new level.”

— End —

Notes to Editors:

More information about the Company is available at https://www.cnoocltd.com.

*** *** *** ***

This press release includes forward looking information, including statements regarding the likely future developments in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, such as expected future events, business prospects or financial results. The words “expect”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “objective”, “ongoing”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should”, “believe”, “plans”, “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company as of this date in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company currently believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the current expectations and predictions of the Company is uncertain. Actual results, performance and financial condition may differ materially from the Company’s expectations, including but not limited to those associated with macro-political and economic factors, fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, climate change and environmental policies, the Company’s price forecast, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, HSSE and insurance policies and changes in anti-corruption, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and corporate governance laws and regulations.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.

*** *** *** ***

For further enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Cui Liu
Media & Public Relations
CNOOC Limited
Tel: +86-10-8452-6641
Fax: +86-10-8452-1441
E-mail: mr@cnooc.com.cn

Mr. Cheng Yao
Ever Bloom (HK) Communications Consultants Group Limited
Tel: +852 5540 0725
Fax: +852 2111 1103
Email: cnooc.hk.list@everbloom.com.cn

NEWCASTLE UNITED ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH BYDFi

– Club joins forces with global cryptocurrency exchange –
– Collaboration will accelerate international growth and deliver new digital opportunities for fans –

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Newcastle United has signed a multi-year partnership with global cryptocurrency exchange BYDFi, marking an important step in the club’s continued international expansion.

Newcaste United announce multi-year partnership with BYDFi
Newcaste United announce multi-year partnership with BYDFi

As the club’s Official Cryptocurrency Exchange Partner, BYDFi will work closely with Newcastle United to connect with the Magpies’ rapidly growing global fanbase, while showcasing its innovative financial solutions to new audiences worldwide.

The partnership will strengthen the club’s presence in key international markets, while giving supporters access to digital finance tools, expertise, and new experiences through BYDFi’s cutting-edge platform.

Commenting on the new partnership, Newcastle United’s Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Silverstone, said: “We’re excited to welcome BYDFi to the Newcastle United family. They’re an ambitious, forward-thinking brand whose mission to help people build their financial futures really resonates with us.

“Our club has seen incredible growth in recent years – since the 21/22 season our broadcast audience has ranked second among Europe’s top clubs, and in the Asia-Pacific region we now attract the fifth-highest Premier League TV audience. Add to that being the fastest-growing club on Premier League social media last season, and it’s clear our fanbase is expanding at a remarkable pace.

“This partnership gives BYDFi a fantastic platform to connect with our supporters around the world, and together we’ll be creating new digital experiences to bring fans even closer to the club.”

Michael Hung, Co-founder and CEO of BYDFi, added: “Lasting success, on the pitch or in finance, comes from doing the right things, repeatedly, over time. We’re honoured to partner with Newcastle United and to support a mindset where belief meets steady practice. That’s what ‘BUIDL Your Dream Finance’ means to us; BUIDL is our term for taking actions which turn ideas into reality.

“Partnering with one of Europe’s biggest clubs shows our ambition to continue our growth and reach new audiences. We are delighted to be working with Newcastle United and to reach their growing global fanbase.”

BYDFi, founded in 2020, now serves over 1,000,000 users across 190+ countries and regions. It offers a suite of crypto trading services for both beginners and seasoned investors, with a strong emphasis on compliance, education, and community-building. For more information, please visit www.bydfi.com