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Golden Goblet Awards Lineup Announced: Spotlight on This Year’s Top Contenders

SHANGHAI, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is set to return from June 13 to June 22, bringing ten days of cinematic celebration to the city. Today, organizers unveiled the official selection for the prestigious Golden Goblet Awards, with winners scheduled to be announced later in June.


49 films have been selected as finalists:

Main Competition

AFTER THE FOG
Director: Miriam Heard
Country/Region: Chile, United Kingdom, France

BLACK RED YELLOW
Director: Aktan Arym Kubat
Country/Region: Kyrgyzstan

CYCLONE
Director: Flavia Castro
Country/Region: Brazil

MY FATHER’S SON
Director: QIU Sheng
Country/Region: China, France

LOSS OF BALANCE
Director: Korek Bojanowski
Country/Region: Poland

LUISA 
Director: Julia Roesler
Country/Region: Germany

ONE WACKY SUMMER
Director: CAO Baoping
Country/Region: China

ON SUMMER SAND
Director: Shinya Tamada
Country/Region: Japan

THE REBORN
Director: Santiago Esteves
Country/Region: Argentina, Spain, Chile

THE SCENT OF THINGS REMEMBERED
Director: António Ferreira
Country/Region: Portugal, Brazil

WILD NIGHTS, TAMED BEASTS
Director: WANG Tong
Country/Region: China

YOU BELIEVE IN ANGELS, MR. DROWAK?
Director: Nicolas Steiner
Country/Region: Germany, Switzerland

Asian New Talent

AS THE WATER FLOWS
Director: BIAN Zhuo
Country/Region: China

BRAND NEW LANDSCAPE
Director: Yuiga Danzuka
Country/Region: Japan

GRACE FOR SALE
Director: Gözde Yetişkin, Emre Sert
Country/Region: Turkey

KANTO 
Director: Ensar Altay
Country/Region: Turkey

ODDS BEATER
Director: CHENG Liang
Country/Region: China

RIVERSTONE
Director: Lalith Rathnayake
Country/Region: Sri Lanka

SEVEN DAYS
Director: QIU Yujie
Country/Region: China

THE DAUGHTER
Director: Pourya Kakavand
Country/Region: Iran

THE LAST SUMMER
Director: SHI Renfei
Country/Region: China

VICTORIA
Director: Sivaranjini J
Country/Region: India

WATER CAN GO ANYWHERE
Director: FANG Liang
Country/Region: China

WHERE THE NIGHT STANDS STILL
Director: Liryc Dela Cruz
Country/Region: Italy, Philippines

Documentary

A PART OF THE LAND
Director: Nima Mahdian Asl
Country/Region: Iran

BRIGADE 2045 
Director: Olivia Luengas Magana
Country/Region: Mexico

CATCHERS ON THE MOON
Director: XU Huijing
Country/Region: China

CONSTANZA
Director: Agustín Márquez Gómez
Country/Region: Spain

THE GUARDIAN OF STORIES 
Director: Claudia Bellasi, Markus Steiner Ender
Country/Region: Laos

Animation

EDGE OF TIME
Director: LI Wei, WENG Ming, Shinichiro Watanabe, Shuhei Morita
Country/Region: China

MAGIC BEACH 
Director: Robert Connolly
Country/Region: Australia

MAKE A GIRL
Director: Gensho Yasuda
Country/Region: Japan

THE SONGBIRDS’ SECRET
Director: Antoine Lanciaux
Country/Region: France, Switzerland, Belgium

TOM AND JERRY: FORBIDDEN COMPASS
Director: ZHANG Gang
Country/Region: China, United States of America

Short Film (Live Action)

A STORY ABOUT WINTER
Director: LUO Zhaoguang, ZHOU Nanjun
Country/Region: China

CHILDREN OF THE LAND
Director: XU Rui
Country/Region: China

CROW 
Director: XU Jianming
Country/Region: China

DEAD IN THE WATER
Director: Leila Hekmatnia
Country/Region: Iran

JOANA IS LEAVING
Director: Jonathan Millet
Country/Region: France

JUDITE, OR FIRST REBELLION
Director: Pedro Carneiro
Country/Region: Portugal

NO ONE KNOWS I DISAPPEARED
Director: BO Hanxiong
Country/Region: China

THE END OF THE WORLD
Director: Alessandro Mosca
Country/Region: Peru

THE FOUNTAIN OF MEMORY
Director: Jordi Sanz Angrill
Country/Region: Spain

VIDEO GAME AUTEUR
Director: Txema Novelo
Country/Region: Mexico

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)

I AM NOT HERE ANYMORE
Director: Nawojka Wierzbowska
Country/Region: Poland, France

LITTLE STORY
Director: Mirjam Plettinx
Country/Region: Belgium

LOVE MUSIC FRIEND
Director: XU Zao
Country/Region: China

SON
Director: Zhanna Bekmambetova
Country/Region: Russia, Kazakstan

TRIASSIC CUDDLE
Director: Iulia Turicianu
Country/Region: Romania

As China’s only A-list film festival, SIFF has long served as a major platform for Chinese-language cinema and emerging talents across Asia. Guided by the principles of “Asian, Chinese Film, and New Talents,” this year’s festival is expected to feature around 60 Chinese-language films, spanning competition entries, premieres, and restored classics.

The Golden Goblet Awards continue to grow in global stature, setting a new record this year. The five competition sections received over 3,900 submissions from 119 countries and regions. Of those, more than 2,800 films entered competition, with notable increases in entries from the Americas and Africa. Short film submissions rose 18% year-over-year.

This year also boasts the highest premiere rate in SIFF history: over 1,820 films hold world premiere status, and more than 520 will have their international premiere, pushing the combined premiere rate above 80%.

The international jury panel includes 21 members from 13 countries and regions across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Italian director and screenwriter Giuseppe Tornatore, the president of the jury this year, stated:

“A film festival is not just a celebration of cinema; it’s an opportunity for people from different nations to come together, exchange ideas, and appreciate exceptional films. I’m honored to serve as a juror at SIFF and to enjoy these incredible works alongside my fellow jury members in Shanghai.”

This year’s edition also introduces several firsts: the merger of the SIFF Film Market with the Shanghai TV Festival’s market to form a unified International Film and TV Market; the launch of the “Asia Now” section highlighting regional perspectives.

Tickets for the 27th SIFF go on sale at noon on June 5. Following SIFF, the Shanghai TV Festival will run from June 23 to June 27.

CDC Sets the Bar for Ethical Innovation with APEA 2025 Win

Commerce Dot Com Sdn Bhd honoured with Corporate Excellence Award at APEA 2025 for driving ethical, inclusive, and impactful digital transformation in Malaysia’s public procurement sector.


PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 May 2025 – In an era where digital transformation often prioritises scale and speed, Commerce Dot Com Sdn. Bhd. (CDC) is proving that integrity, inclusion, and impact can and should guide innovation. This conviction has now been recognised regionally, as CDC was honoured with the Corporate Excellence Award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2025.

Group Chief Operating Officer of Commerce Dot Com Sdn. Bhd., En. Abdul Halim Mohammed Yusof (center), receiving the Corporate Excellence Award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
Group Chief Operating Officer of Commerce Dot Com Sdn. Bhd., En. Abdul Halim Mohammed Yusof (center), receiving the Corporate Excellence Award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.

The award recognises companies that exemplify business leadership and innovation grounded in ethical values. For CDC, it’s a milestone that crowns a 25-year journey of shaping Malaysia’s public procurement landscape through technology that serves not only government, but people.

“This award affirms a principle we’ve held since day one: innovation must be purposeful, and progress must be principled,” said Group Chief Operating Officer Abdul Halim Mohammed Yusof. “We accept this not just as recognition, but as a responsibility—to continue leading with ethics, empathy, and excellence.”

CDC pioneered the digitalisation of Malaysia’s public procurement in 2000 with the launch of ePerolehan—a system that now connects over 180,000 registered suppliers, including a growing base of SMEs and micro-enterprises. Beyond numbers, ePerolehan represents a vision: to democratise access, enhance transparency, and reduce friction in public-sector spending.

This approach, anchored in good governance, has earned CDC trust from both the public and private sectors. Its systems are not only robust and secure, but designed to serve national development priorities such as vendor empowerment, fiscal responsibility, and data accountability.

From employee wellness to leadership development, CDC’s internal programmes are structured to ensure its values are not just stated but lived.

Looking ahead, CDC is not resting on legacy. It is actively enhancing ePerolehan with AI-driven analytics, real-time decision dashboards, and user-centric design updates, all while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity and public accountability.

As digital governance becomes a strategic priority across Southeast Asia, CDC is also exploring regional collaborations to share Malaysia’s e-procurement model and insights.

Hashtag: #CommerceDotCom #ePerolehan #EthicalInnovation #PublicProcurement #DigitalTransformation #APEA2025 #CorporateExcellence #GovTech #MalaysiaTech




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Duke-NUS celebrates 20 years of medical innovation with largest ever graduating class

  • Duke-NUS Medical School’s Class of 2025 graduates 121 medical and doctoral students, including MDs, MD-PhDs, PhDs, and masters’ degrees
  • Landmark first batch of Masters in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality graduates, unique to Southeast Asia
  • Inaugural graduates from conditional admissions pathways with NUS and SUTD
  • 41% of MD and MD-PhD graduates made bold mid-career shifts from fields such as law, PR, accounting and mental health support

SINGAPORE, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Celebrating 20 years of transformative medical education, Duke-NUS Medical School graduated its largest cohort yet today, the Class of 2025, in a vibrant ceremony at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium in Academia attended by guest-of-honour Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health.

Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, poses for a picture with some graduates of the Duke-NUS Medical School Class of 2025, including MDs, MD-PhDs and PhDs // Photo Credit: Duke-NUS Medical School
Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, poses for a picture with some graduates of the Duke-NUS Medical School Class of 2025, including MDs, MD-PhDs and PhDs // Photo Credit: Duke-NUS Medical School

Marking a strategic milestone for Duke-NUS, the graduating class included 72 Doctor of Medicine (MD) graduates—five of whom are also earning PhDs—and 27 PhD candidates from the Integrated Biology and Medicine, Quantitative Biology and Medicine and Clinical and Translational Sciences programmes.

Among the MD graduates was the first group of individuals emerging from the Duke-NUS conditional admissions pathways with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). These pathways are designed to attract talent from engineering, information technology and other undergraduate programmes.

Dean Professor Thomas Coffman said: “Collaborating with seven partner universities, including Duke University and NUS, these pathways are designed to allow students to earn a first degree in diverse academic majors while providing an opportunity to seamlessly transition into medicine. It’s a powerful model for developing doctors who are outstanding clinicians but also bring valuable multi-disciplinary skills into our healthcare system.”

This cohort also includes the inaugural batch of graduates of the Master’s in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality (MPSHQ) programme, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The MPSHQ is focused on building highly reliable healthcare systems that are of consistent quality and safety.

The Class of 2025 represents Duke-NUS’ commitment to broadening the skillset and experience of our students, with 41 per cent of MD and MD-PhD graduates having transitioned mid-career from professions that include law, public relations, accounting and mental health peer support. Additionally, 58 per cent of the Class of 2025’s graduates are women, underscoring the School’s dedication to fostering diversity in the learning environment.

Said Dr Faith Wong Pih Yng, previously a modelmaking student and senior peer support specialist at Singapore’s Institute of Mental Health, now MD graduate, “Among the many hospital postings, what stood out most vividly was assisting in and witnessing childbirth—the intense anticipation and joy of welcoming a new life into the world was simply unmatched. Ultimately, however, the memories I cherish most are the countless hours spent with my classmates, supporting one another and peer-teaching.”  

Duke-NUS MD graduates received their degrees, awarded jointly by Duke University and the National University of Singapore, in front of friends and family, as well as notable guests, including Duke University School of Medicine Dean Professor Mary Klotman, SingHealth Group CEO Professor Ng Wai Hoe, and keynote speaker, Dr Amy Abernethy, member of Duke University’s board of trustees and co-founder of Highlander Health.

Caring and compassion underlines the Class of 2025’s accomplishments, especially beyond academia. Partaking in a wealth of community service projects, some of their cohort, such as Dr Dana Chow Wai Shin, MD, started the Healthy to Thrive initiative, the first Duke-NUS-led public health screening event dedicated to migrant workers. 

The cohort was also recognised for their outstanding achievements, which were given out the night before. Awards such as the Singapore Medical Association-Lee Foundation Prizes and Teamsmanship Awards presented to graduates who demonstrated excellence in academics, community service, and leadership.

In the aspect of research and scholarship, the Class of 2025 did not flag, publishing an exceptional 253 papers and publications in their time at Duke-NUS, several as first authors in prominent journals such as Nature Medicine, Immunity and EMBO Molecular Medicine. MD-PhD graduate Dr Katherine Nay Yaung, first author on a paper published in Lancet Rheumatology, wrote about artificial intelligence and high-dimensional technologies to diagnose and treat autoimmune diseases, and PhD graduate Dr Aishwarya Prakash, named first author and published in American Heart AssociationJournal, who found a type of peptide to have protective qualities for the heart after sustaining damage.

“The conversations I’ve had with patients emphasise a shift towards continuity of care and empowering individuals to make their own health choices. In moments where I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that being a small part of each patient’s journey has been a privilege,” said Dr Pang Wui Ming Jeremy, recipient of the SingHealth Prize in Family Medicine, Singapore Medical Association-Lee Foundation Teamsmanship Award for exemplary team values in medicine and Duke-NUS Achievement Prize.

As Duke-NUS enters its third decade, the School continues to redefine medical education and research, nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders who are not just exceptional doctors but visionary innovators ready to make an impact in Singapore and beyond.

About Duke-NUS Medical School

Duke-NUS is Singapore’s flagship graduate-entry medical school, established in 2005 with a strategic, government-led partnership between two world-class institutions: Duke University School of Medicine and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Through an innovative curriculum, students at Duke-NUS are nurtured to become multi-faceted ‘Clinicians Plus’ poised to steer the healthcare and biomedical ecosystem in Singapore and beyond. A leader in ground-breaking research and translational innovation, Duke-NUS has gained international renown through its five Signature Research Programmes and ten Centres. The enduring impact of its discoveries is amplified by its successful Academic Medicine partnership with Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), Singapore’s largest healthcare group. This strategic alliance has led to the creation of 15 Academic Clinical Programmes, which harness multi-disciplinary research and education to transform medicine and improve lives.   

For more information, please visit www.duke-nus.edu.sg 

Expanding External Opening-Up and Deepening Exchange and Cooperation

CHENGDU, China, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 20th Western China International Fair was held in Chengdu from May 25 to 29 under the theme “Deepen Reform for More Momentum, Expand Openness for Greater Growth.”

Expanding External Opening-Up and Deepening Exchange and Cooperation
Expanding External Opening-Up and Deepening Exchange and Cooperation

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Fair’s establishment, attracting over 3,000 enterprises from 62 countries and regions, with Bolivia, Cuba, and Nicaragua participating for the first time. Representatives from the guest countries of honor, Hungary and Laos, indicated that through the Fair, they have reached cooperation intentions with several Chinese enterprises and see broad collaboration potential with Western China in culture, tourism, technology, and culinary sectors. The next-generation artificial sun “China’s HL-3” and other new and pioneering technologies and products were showcased at this Fair, speaking volumes about Western China’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and scientific innovation potential. Currently, 13 of China’s 80 national-level advanced manufacturing clusters are located in Western provinces.

During this Fair, various parties from Western China signed 416 investment cooperation projects with domestic and international investors, totaling 354.3 billion yuan. Economic and trade matchmaking events such as the Multinational Enterprises “Invest in Sichuan” Symposium (Italy Session) and the 15th Western China International Sourcing Conference have provided broader platforms for exchange and cooperation between Chinese and foreign enterprises.

Hong Kong-headquartered International Mediation Body Established


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 May 2025 – International mediation marked a significant milestone yesterday (May 30) with the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). The IOMed, with its headquarters in Hong Kong, is the world’s first inter-governmental international legal organisation devoted to the use of mediation in resolving international disputes.

More than 80 countries and about 20 international organisations, including the United Nations, sent senior representatives to Hong Kong to witness the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, attended the Signing Ceremony and was the first to sign the Convention on behalf of China. Altogether, 33 countries signed the Convention on-site, making them the founding members of the IOMed.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Wang said that as an innovative step in international rule of law, the IOMed has great significance in the history of international relations. The IOMed will be headquartered in Hong Kong, whose handover is itself a success story of peaceful settlement of international disputes. He added that the success of the “one country, two systems” principle has created brighter prospects for prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.

Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, speaks at the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation and is the first to sign the Convention on behalf of China.
Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, speaks at the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation and is the first to sign the Convention on behalf of China.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee, thanked the Central Government for its staunch support of Hong Kong, and the international community for placing their trust and confidence in the city.

“The IOMed will provide a pathway for countries – regardless of culture, language and legal system – to resolve international disputes based on mutual respect and understanding,” Mr Lee said. “This is increasingly important amid mounting geopolitical tensions.”

Mr Lee underscored that the IOMed reflected a shared confidence in mediation as a peaceful means to maintain international peace and security, as stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations.

HKSAR’s Chief Executive John Lee speaks at the signing ceremony.
HKSAR’s Chief Executive John Lee speaks at the signing ceremony.

The Chief Executive also set out Hong Kong’s advantages as an effective “super connector” and “super value-adder” and said the city would actively promote the IOMed’s valuable work in settling international disputes through mediation.

“Despite geopolitical turbulence, Hong Kong builds bridges, not walls,” Mr Lee said. “Under our unique “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong is the only world city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage.

“We are the only common law jurisdiction in China, and the only jurisdiction in the world with a bilingual common law system in both Chinese and English. We have a long tradition of the rule of law, and our courts exercise their judicial power independently.”

With a robust, efficient and well-respected legal system as well as world-class legal and dispute resolution services professionals, Hong Kong is also the most preferred seat for arbitration in the Asia-Pacific region.

The IOMed headquarters will be located at the site of the former Wan Chai Police Station, once renovation of the Grade 2 historic building is completed.

“I’m happy to say that it could open its doors as early as the end of this year,” said Mr Lee.

“We look forward not only to welcoming its new occupants, but also to supporting them in building new bridges for a more connected, peaceful and prosperous future through mediation.”

Representatives from over 30 countries, including China and countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, jointly signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong on May 30.
Representatives from over 30 countries, including China and countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, jointly signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong on May 30.

In the afternoon, the Global Forum on International Mediation discussed topics such as mediation of disputes among countries and mediation of international investment and commercial disputes and the contributions that the IOMed can make.
Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #mediation





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5.8 Kg Heroin Seized at Wattay International Airport Adds to 134 Kg Narcotics Seized in May

Dutch suspect caught with 5.8kg of heroin in travel bags at Wattay International Airport. Vientiane capital, Laos. 29 May 2025. (Photo: Ministry of Finance)

Lao authorities seized 5.8 kilograms of heroin on 29 May, concealed within aluminum-lined blankets inside two travel bags during a routine inspection that led to the arrest of a 70-year-old Dutch national. 

The operation involved officers from the Investigation and Anti-Smuggling Division working with customs officers, immigration police, and international terminal protocol staff.

This latest seizure adds to a series of major drug activities at Wattay International Airport throughout late May, with authorities confiscating over 134 kilograms of narcotics and arresting multiple international suspects in operations that highlight the country’s intensified efforts against drug trafficking.

Two days earlier on 27 May, three Malaysian nationals were arrested attempting to smuggle 103 packages of marijuana totaling 86 kilograms to Germany. The drugs were discovered during routine screening procedures, concealed within six suitcases belonging to the suspects.

On 22 May, authorities arrested a Bulgarian citizen after discovering 14 kilograms of heroin hidden in 14 packets within animal feed and coffee bags that had been prepared for international transport. 

The previous day, officers seized 31 packets of heroin totaling 28.5 kilograms from three suspicious bags belonging to a passenger from an undisclosed African nation, with the drugs similarly concealed in animal feed and coffee bags.

All four cases remain under further investigation by the Lao Ministry of Public Security.

Open Cooperation and Development Conference of “Nanjing Tour of German Enterprises” Convenes

NANJING, China, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from JSBC:

On May 23, the Open Cooperation and Development Conference of “Nanjing Tour of German Enterprises” brought together C-suite executives from Germany’s Fortune Global 500 corporations, niche market leaders (“hidden champions”), and industry leaders to explore collaborative opportunities.

Zhang Wenwu, Vice Chairman and executive director of CITIC Group, and Dr. Clas Neumann, Chairperson of the Board of German Chamber of Commerce in China – East China addressed the conference. 

At the conference, Nanjing’s high-quality business environment was presented under the theme “Transcending Boundaries through Shared Vision: Collaborative Pathways to Mutual Prosperity.”

Zhang Wenwu emphasized that the event exemplifies concrete support for German enterprises investing in China and Nanjing, reflecting CITIC’s commitment to sustainable multi-stakeholder partnerships. He vowed to strengthen CITIC’s role as a bridge, deepening Sino-German economic ties, enhancing Nanjing’s development capacity, integrating industries with technology, and upgrading financial services.

Dr. Clas Neumann noted that the event provides a vital platform for German-Nanjing collaboration. He praised Nanjing’s robust industrial base, efficient transportation, abundant educational resources, and favorable business climate as ideal for investment. According to him, Nanjing has allocated substantial resources to new technologies and sustainable development technologies. Many German companies in the city are actively engaged in sustainability-focused sectors such as wind power, hydropower, and related industries, while numerous enterprises are also investing in digital transformation to drive sustainable practices. Meanwhile, traditional industries including automotive, chemical, and pharmaceutical sectors remain crucial in propelling economic growth. Expressing strong confidence in Nanjing’s future, Neumann pledged the Chamber’s commitment to guiding more German enterprises to explore opportunities and foster win-win partnerships.

A panel discussion on “Sino-German Future Industrial Collaboration” was held. Dr. Xiao Song, Global Executive Vice President and President & CEO Siemens Greater China, delivered a keynote speech. Panelists included Armin Necker, CTO and COO of ThyssenKrupp Rothe Erde Group; Hua Ning, General Manager of DB Schenker; Huang Yixin, Chairman of Nanjing Iron & Steel Group; and Li Chao, Vice President of Estun Automation.

The event featured the launch of the Nanjing-CITIC Global Investment and Trade Service Network and the CITIC-Nanjing Multinational Innovation Hub which are meant to assist European enterprises in investing in Nanjing while supporting local enterprises in expanding overseas through comprehensive services. A business license was awarded to Yangtze River Sci-Tech Development Co., Ltd. of Jiangbei New Area, followed by multiple project signings.

Timor-Leste to Become ASEAN’s 11th Member, Says Malaysian PM

Timor-Leste will be accepted as the 11th full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced. (Photo: tirto)

Timor-Leste will be accepted as the 11th full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced.

According to Malaysia’s national news agency, Anwar said ASEAN leaders had reached a consensus to support Timor-Leste in completing the necessary steps for full membership in the regional bloc.

The decision, he stated, is for Timor-Leste to be officially admitted by the ASEAN Summit in October, pending the completion of one or two key reforms, particularly in the economic sphere. Anwar made the announcement during a press conference at the conclusion of the 46th ASEAN Summit on 27 May.

Timor-Leste first applied for ASEAN membership in 2011 and was granted observer status in 2022, allowing participation in high-level meetings. Full membership, however, has been under deliberation at the leadership level in recent summits.

Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, attended the May Summit in Malaysia.

During the summit, Malaysian PM Anwar noted that ASEAN leaders have tasked ministers and senior officials with finalizing procedural steps for Timor-Leste’s admission by the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit in October. They have also been directed to expedite negotiations on key economic agreements.

The statement indicated that they had tasked the ASEAN Coordinating Council, with the support of all relevant ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies and the ASEAN Secretariat, to extend the necessary support to facilitate Timor-Leste’s integration into the ASEAN community.