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Winners of British Council UK Alumni Awards Announced in China

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach – 13 December 2021 – The British Council announced on 11 December 2021 the recipients of the Study UK Alumni Awards 2021-22 in CHINA at a ceremony in Beijing. In total, 11 UK alumni in China were shortlisted for their outstanding achievements as business professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders, and for their contribution to strengthening ties between the UK and China.

 

Group photo of Leina Shi, Education Director, British Council China and finalists

Leina Shi – Education Director, British Council China, opening speech

Christina Scott, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Beijing, with 2 finalists of Science and Sustainability award

 

Following in-depth interviews with a judging panel, recipients were selected for the four award categories: Science and Sustainability Award, Culture and Creativity Award, Social Action Award, and Business and Innovation Award.

 

The prestigious international award celebrates UK higher education and the achievements of UK alumni all over the world. Now in its eighth year, the award received more than 1,500 applications from international UK alumni in more than 100 countries, representing more than 140 UK higher education institutions across the UK.

 

Science and Sustainability Award was presented to He Baihuiqian, a graduate of University of Edinburgh. Hebaihuiqian is an atmospheric scientist with research interests that lie primarily in urban-scale air pollution modelling and using modelling results to inform both the public and policy makers on human exposure to air pollutants and ultimately help them mitigate or avoid significant negative impacts. 

 

Upon receiving the award, He Baihuiqian noted, ‘This award carries a strong and long-term responsibility and I hope I don’t disappoint my alma mater The University of Edinburgh. I look forward to seeing more people devoted to science and sustainable development, and making contributions together.

 

Culture and Creativity Award was presented to Xie Yi, a graduate of King’s College London. Yi Xie is a pioneer in immersive entertainment industry between UK and China. As Representative in China for Society of London Theatre (SoLT), Yi has produced a few world-class licensed immersive theatres in China, had has been selected as senior associate by China Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, China National Innovation Alliance and Shanghai Cultural and Creative Association.

 

Xie Yi noted, ‘I thank the British Council for hosting this event so I can be connected with so many brilliant souls. A big thanks to my schools — University of Westminster and Kings College London, for filling me with knowledge and skills that I benefit from every day in my career. I am grateful for my family and friends for supporting me in exploring this immersive industry from the beginning of my journey. I also want to give a huge thanks to all of the collaborators and colleagues in the UK and China, without whom I cannot achieve anything on the record.

 

The Social Action award was presented to Chen Zemin, a graduate of University of Manchester. Dr. Chen Zemin has been working in the UK higher education for over 10 years since 2009 and she created UCLan Online in 2017 to link UK universities with students, alumni, industry, and online learners, now with 250,000 followers. UCLan Online also won third place in the Educational Links category at the Department for International Trade (DIT) Greater China Awards in 2018 for honouring organisations that have contributed to developing business or relationships with China.

Chen Zemin noted, ‘I was so privileged to receive the “UK Alumni Awards-Social Action Award”, many thanks to the British Council, the University of Central Lancashire and The University of Manchester.  I can’t believe it’s been 16 years since I first went to the UK, it’s definitely been a life-changing journey.

 

The Business and Innovation award was presented to Wang Wen, a graduate of University of Aberdeen. Wang Wen is the CEO&CMO of IASO BIO, a global clinical-stage biotechnology company with 400+ employees, operating at China and US, dedicated to developing breakthrough cell therapies treating cancer and autoimmune diseases. With $178 Mn USD capital fund raised since 2017, he is leading the company going public and launching the Chinese 1st BCMA-CART therapy to the market treating cancer patients soon.

 

Wang Wan noted, ‘My first gratitude goes to the British Council for providing this brilliant opportunity so that I can stand here. Studying in UK the best choice I have made throughout in my whole life. My second gratitude goes to the University of Aberdeen and those who helped me during my way of growth, especially to my supervisor, Dr. Julie Crockett, who helped me a lot.  Lastly, my third gratitude goes to my family and my wife.

 

Matt Burney, Country Director at the British Council in China, spoke through the video that “It is our mission to connect people to life changing opportunities the UK has to offer. The success stories of a handful of some of the 750,000 Chinese alumni that have studied in the UK and that have contributed to building the people to people bridge that help us move forward through thick and thin. You are the embodiment of the ties that exist between our two countries.”

 

Leina Shi, Director of Education at the British Council in China, said: “It allows us to celebrate the role international students play in making the UK one of the most diverse, dynamic and rewarding higher education destinations for international study. It also allows us to recognise the achievements and contributions our alumni from China have made to their communities. The UK cares deeply about celebrating their success, and while they no longer study and live in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, they somehow remain connected to it.

 

China is the second country to host the awards this year and will be followed by awarding ceremonies in a further 23 countries, including India, Armenia and Qatar.

About the Study UK Alumni Awards

The Alumni Awards were developed by the British Council and UK universities, and were launched by the British Council in September 2014. They are open to alumni currently residing in any country outside the UK, who have studied in the UK, at an officially recognised provider of UK university degree level study for a minimum of a term or semester, or who have been awarded a full UK degree level qualification (or higher), by a UK university, within the last 15 years.

Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries. The Alumni Awards celebrate and showcase the impact and value of a UK higher education and raises the profile and reputation of UK alumni, their former universities, and the whole of UK education.

For full details about the Study UK Alumni Awards please refer to:

https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/alumni-awards

For a list of previous Study UK Alumni Award recipients, please refer to:

https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/alumni-awards/winners

Images from the ceremony can be downloaded here, full-resolution photos are available on request.

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. In 2019-2020 we reached over 75 million people directly and 758 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive a 14.5 per cent core funding grant from the UK government.

www.britishcouncil.org

#BritishCouncil

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

Sateri and Conservation International Collaborate to Restore Health and Biodiversity of China’s Largest Freshwater Lake

SHANGHAI, CHINA  – Media OutReach – 13 December 2021 – Sateri and Conservation International today announced their partnership on the wetland conservation of Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake. This initiative aims to improve the ecosystem’s health, restore biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods to local people.

Tundra Swan in Poyang Lake©YangFan

Located in Jiangxi Province, in the southeastern part of the country, Poyang Lake plays a critical role in regulating floods in the Yangtze River, and is a vital ecosystem for the environment, culture, and economy.  The lake supports the livelihoods of more than 45 million people living in the province, and contributes more than 15% of the Yangtze River’s annual runoff. It is also a wetland of national and global importance — providing a habitat for flora and fauna of high conservation value, including the critically endangered Siberian crane and finless porpoise.

The five-year partnership, which began in 2019, evaluates the health of Poyang Lake and develops strategies for managing and protecting it, while also supporting communities to live in harmony with nature. To guide this work, a preliminary assessment of the Poyang Lake was conducted using Conservation International’s Freshwater Health Index. This scientific tool analyzes the health of the freshwater ecosystem, and measures human uses, needs and impacts providing decisionmakers with clear, scientific guidance on how best to sustainably manage these wetlands.

Richard Jeo, Conservation International’s Asia-Pacific Field Division Senior Vice President, said “Water security and biodiversity loss are two of the most pressing challenges facing humanity and the environment. Our strategic partnership with Jiangxi Provincial Forestry Bureau and Sateri at the Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater Lake, demonstrates how government, corporate and communities can work together on conservation, and will go a long way towards addressing these challenges, and finding solutions that benefit both people and nature.”

Allen Zhang, President of Sateri, said, “The protection of biodiversity and the sustainable use of resources in production must go hand-in-hand. The Poyang Lake initiative is a good example of how manufacturers can support nature-based solutions in parallel with community development. It also aligns with our Vision 2030 aspiration to be net-positive, giving more than we take.”

This project also supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and China’s commitment at the recent UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 15) by improving protection and management of the Duchang Nature Reserve and Poyang Protected Areas Network for these important wetlands.

About Conservation International

Conservation International works to protect the critical benefits that nature provides to people. Through science, partnerships and fieldwork, Conservation International is driving innovation and investments in nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, supporting protections for critical habitats, and fostering economic development that is grounded in the conservation of nature. Conservation International works in 30 countries around the world, empowering societies at all levels to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet. Follow Conservation International’s work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Sateri

Sateri is the world’s largest producer of viscose fibre, a natural biodegradable raw material found in everyday items like textiles, wet wipes and other personal hygiene products. Our five mills in China collectively produce about 1.5 million tonnes of viscose fibre yearly.

Our range of high quality viscose products, branded EcoCosy®, is independently verified as safe, sustainable, and responsibly produced. We also produce textile yarn, spunlace non-woven fabric, Lyocell, and FINEX™, a recycled textile fibre.

Headquartered in Shanghai, we have a sales, marketing and customer service network covering Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Sateri is committed to the fundamental principles of sustainable development; our business practices are underpinned by strict adherence to our Sustainability Policy, Pulp Sourcing Policy and universally accepted environmental and social standards.

More information at www.sateri.com

#Sateri

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

Laos Confirms 1,138 New Cases of Covid-19

Bolikhamxay Covid Update

Laos has recorded 1,138 cases of Covid-19 across the country today.

Cityneon Expands its Presence in Middle East at Qatar Free Zones, Enhancing the Region’s Entertainment Technology Industry

  • New facility in Ras Bufontas Free Zone will cater to growing entertainment technology markets in the EMEA region
  • Facility to include an international experience and entertainment technology centre, innovation lab and a large-scale production workshop

DOHA, QATAR – Media OutReach – 13 December 2021 – Cityneon Holdings, a global entertainment company based in Singapore that specializes in unique, immersive, and large-scale experiences, signed in Doha a strategic partnership agreement with Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) to establish a facility in Qatar Free Zones. The facility will cater to growing entertainment technology and experience markets in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

QFZA and Cityneon Holdings officials during the signing ceremony held on 8th December 2021

Artist impression of Cityneon’s new facility spanning 15,000 square meters in Ras Bufontas Free Zone

The agreement was signed during a ceremony at Ras Bufontas Free Zone in the presence of H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Minister of State and Chairman of QFZA, H.E. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Secretary-General of Qatar’s National Tourism Council and H.E. Jai S Sohan, Singapore’s Ambassador to Qatar, as well as QFZA senior management. It was signed by QFZA CEO Lim Meng Hui and Cityneon General Manager of Middle East Feroz Siddiqui. Cityneon’s senior management team, including Executive Chairman and Group CEO Ron Tan, joined virtually from Singapore.

Cityneon’s new facility will be built across 15,000 square meters in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, and will include an international experience and entertainment technology centre, an innovation lab focused on R&D in animatronics and robotics, and a large-scale production workshop. Cityneon will produce large-scale experiences in Qatar as they have done around the world, such as their Jurassic World: The Movie Exhibition in Chengdu, China, and their Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. exhibition in Las Vegas and many more.

Lim Meng Hui, CEO of QFZA, said, “We are delighted to welcome Cityneon, a leading entertainment technology company that designs and manufactures equipment and robotics for the sector. Cityneon’s decision to open its first such facility in the Middle East at Qatar Free Zones is testament to the strength of our offering and the exciting trajectory of the entertainment technology industry and the tourism sector in Qatar and across the region, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Qatar Free Zones provide an ideal environment for international and local companies with the skills and innovation to help build a better future.”

Cityneon’s Executive Chairman and Group CEO Ron Tan said, “We are pleased to be working closely with QFZA to fast-track our expansion plans in the EMEA region, which is a strategic and important market for the company. We see immense potential for our IP business in the EMEA region and the strategic location of our new facility in Qatar will be pivotal in addressing the markets that we plan to serve, as well as for us to reach out to potential partners and collaborators for the Group.”

Feroz Siddiqui, who will lead the new facility as General Manager – Middle East, added, “With this new office we embark on our middle eastern journey in bringing cheer, joy, laughter and smiles to awe our audiences with our large, immersive and technologically advanced entertainment assets to the region.”

Singapore’s ambassador to Qatar H.E. Jai S Sohan, who witnessed the ceremony, added, “It is my delight to see Cityneon set up base in Qatar Free Zones, a leading hub for innovation in the region, as the latest of many Singaporean companies with operations in Qatar. The new facility will not only boost tourism across the region but also attract a new talent pool to the developing entertainment technology industry.”

The new venture is expected to bring varied benefits to Qatar. Cityneon is a global leader in immersive experiences and will help develop the regional entertainment technology and Intellectual Property (IP) industry to generate new jobs in robotics and animatronics, costume design and fabrication, and sculpting and moulding, among others. Qatar Free Zones’ technology and research ecosystem will enable Cityneon to enhance its IP business operations for the region and benefit from a growing community of like-minded organizations, dedicated research and innovation facilities, and partnership opportunities.

The partnership between QFZA and Cityneon will also support Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which aims to create a knowledge-based economy and promote economic diversification. It will expand the significant skilled labour pool in Qatar and support the ongoing digital transformation of the country.

About Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA)

Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) started its operations in 2019 and it oversees and regulates world-class free zones in Qatar and secures fixed investments within the zones. QFZA offers outstanding opportunities and benefits for businesses seeking to establish operations and expand regionally and globally, providing quality infrastructure, a skilled workforce, 100% foreign ownership, access to investment funds, tax exemptions and partnership opportunities with Qatari entities.

For more information on QFZA, visit https://qfz.gov.qa/.

About Cityneon Holdings

With its global reach and international partnerships, Cityneon has the capability to serve its clients anywhere in the world. Cityneon was listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Stock Exchange since 2005, and was privatized on February 2019 by West Knighton Limited, a company wholly owned by Cityneon’s Executive Chairman and Group CEO, Ron Tan, together with Hong Kong veteran entrepreneur and investor, Johnson Ko Chun Shun. Johnson is a capital markets veteran and has held controlling interests and directorships in many listed companies. In May 2019, Cityneon welcomed CITIC Capital as a new shareholder, who holds approximately 9% shares in Cityneon. CITIC Capital is part of CITIC Group, one of China’s largest conglomerates, and has over US$29B of assets under its management across 100 funds and investment products globally. Other institutional shareholders of the Group include EDBI – a Singapore government-linked global investor, and Pavilion Capital – a Singapore-based investment institution which focuses on private equity investments, that made strategic investments to the Group in August and October 2019 respectively. In April 2021, Cityneon welcomed new investors Seatown Holdings International, Qatar’s Doha Venture Capital, which will now own approximately 4% of the Group, and other financial institutions and family offices in Singapore and China, joining the already strong stable of shareholders to support the Group’s further expansion globally.

For more information, please visit www.cityneongroup.com.

#Cityneon

Miss India Crowned Miss Universe 2021

Miss India wins Miss Universe global pageant.
Miss India wins Miss Universe global pageant.

Harnaaz Sandheu, AKA Miss India, has officially been crowned the new Miss Universe 2021.

The Taitung Cozy Hot Spring Festival: The coziest place in Taiwan starting at the end of 2021

TAITUNG, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 13 December 2021 – Taitung County, Taiwan, topped Booking.com’s most welcoming regions list in 2021 because of its slow pace of life. As winter approaches, the Taitung County Government will launch The Taitung Cozy Hot Spring Festival in mid-December. The festival will showcase the warmth of Taitung in three ways, through the intellect, emotions and nature.

 

The Taitung County Government will launch The Taitung Cozy Hot Spring Festival in mid-December.

The Taitung Cozy Hot Spring Festival has classified Taitung’s diverse hot springs into three types. The first type centers around refined hot spring hotels and showcases the intellectual warmth of these exquisitely elegant spaces. The second type centers around boutique B&Bs that feature the emotional warmth of Taitung’s many interesting and varied facets. The third type centers around free wild hot springs that exhibit the natural warmth of unrestrained freedom. These three different types allow all kinds of visitors to experience the variety of Taitung’s warmth during their visits.

Taitung County Magistrate April Yao stated that Taitung has 128 hot spring areas making it rich in hot spring assets. Most of the hot springs here are bicarbonate, which are known as Beauty Springs. They are not only colorless and odorless, but their water stimulates metabolism. These springs can be found from Luye of the East Rift Valley to the South Link. Located on Green Island, Taitung County, the Zhaori Hot Springs, also known as the “Sunrise” hot spring, is one of the only three saltwater hot springs in the world. What astonishes you most when travelling in Taitung is that you can have different hot spring experiences wherever you are; in the mountains, under a starry night sky or even besides the ocean.

Have a stress-relieving railway tour to the hot springs of Taitung on the Future Express Train, the Formosa Express, which is decked out with Hello Kitty, or the Breezy Blue. Leisurely railway travel meshes perfectly with tours of Taitung’s tribes that showcase the charm of a land filled with hot springs. The Taitung Cozy Hot Spring Festival welcomes you to enjoy the slow economy of Taitung and create treasured memories while enjoying the springs. This is something visitors find themselves doing again and again all year long.

Kunming Sees Renewed Interest in Train Travel Following Laos-China Railway Opening

A Chinese train along the Laos-China Railway
A Chinese train along the Laos-China Railway.

Residents of Kunming are taking a keener interest in train travel following the historic launch of the Laos-China Railway.

The Knot and De Beers Group Engagement Expectations Study Reveals What Women Really Want in a Marriage Proposal

Findings, from not-yet engaged women highlight a post-COVID shift in attitudes on engagement

NEW YORK, US – Media OutReach – 13 December 2021 – Just ahead of “engagement season,” the period between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, De Beers Group and The Knots “Engagement Expectations” study reveals new insights around marriage proposals in a post-COVID environment. Nearly 300 women in a serious relationship were surveyed about expectations related to the proposal process, from where and how it takes place to the selection of the engagement ring. The findings highlight an increased interest in intimacy and connection when it comes to the proposal itself, and an almost universal desire among women to have some involvement in the selection of their engagement ring.

According to a study conducted by De Beers Group and The Knots on “Engagement Expectations” in a post-COVID environment, 96% of respondents would like to have some involvement in the selection of their engagement ring.

 

De Beers Forevermark Engagement Rings

From Left to Right

Forevermark Setting™ Three-stone Ring

Forevermark Icon® Collection Classic Solitaire Ring

Forevermark Icon® Collection Solitaire Pavé Ring

While most pre-engaged women still want their partner to propose to them, they want the experience to be more personal and unique. Grand gestures and elaborate public displays were less appealing to respondents, with a solid majority saying the ideal way to pop the question would be one person proposing to the other (98%), planned ahead of time (66%), and in a private place (66%)

 

The pressure may be off when it comes to staging a grandiose ask, but nearly every woman surveyed (96%) said she wanted to have some involvement in the selection of her engagement ring, and would not want it to be a total surprise. Three-fourths of pre-engaged females have thought a lot or some about their engagement rings and most are increasingly preferring more personalized and unique engagement rings. The primary choice for an engagement ring remains a diamond, with the majority citing this as their first choice.  But contrary to popular opinion, pre-engaged women are less focused on how big the diamond is than on the shape, style and setting of the stone.  When it comes to purchasing the ring, about 2 in 10 respondents expect both partners to contribute to the cost; most women (76%) expect their partner will pay.    

    

While females desire more intimate proposals, the majority (85%) feel there is more pressure on their partners to plan a unique proposal than in their parents’ generation. Additionally, the majority (68%) also believe that ring designs today are more unique than in their parents’ generation, and one in five feel the exchange of rings has more meaning and significance today.

 

Methodology


The Knot and De Beers Engagement Expectations Study was fielded on Instagram in October 2021 among 296 females in a serious relationship. A majority of female respondents (77%) participating in the survey believe they will be engaged in the next two years. Most were between the ages of 18 and 34.

About The Knot

The Knot is the nation’s leading digital wedding resource offering a seamless, all-in-one planning experience—from finding inspiration and local vendors to creating and managing all guest experiences, wedding registries and more. The trusted brand reaches a majority of engaged couples in the US through the #1 wedding planning website TheKnot.com and #1 iOS and Android mobile app The Knot Wedding Planner, The Knot national wedding magazine, and The Knot book series. Since its inception, The Knot has inspired approximately 25 million couples to plan a wedding that’s uniquely them. Visit The Knot online at TheKnot.com and follow on social media: Facebook.com/TheKnot and @TheKnot on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

About De Beers Group

Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers Group strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

#DeBeersGroup