HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (“Ping An“, the “Company” or the “Group”, HKEX: 2318; SSE: 601318) has announced the appointment of Mr. Ray Wang as the Group’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and General Manager of Ping An Technology. The appointment of Ray Wang will significantly enhance the Company’s research and development (R&D) and application capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI). His leadership is expected to drive the deep integration of Ping An’s self-developed large language models and open-source big data platforms, accelerating the establishment of five key digital systems “digital business, digital operations, digital management, digital marketing, and digital services.” This move aims to inject strong momentum into the Company’s technology-enabled “integrated finance + health and senior care” dual-driver strategy, further advancing its comprehensive digital transformation.

Ray Wang holds a master’s degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore. Prior to joining Ping An, he held senior technical management roles at globally renowned companies such as Google and Bloomberg. In 2015, Wang became Chief Architect at Baidu, where he spearheaded the development of Baidu Wallet and financial services. In 2016, he joined Ant Group, serving as Vice President and CTO of Ant Fortune and Ant Insurance. At Ant Group, he led innovations in digital finance and AI, managing technical and research teams across wealth management, insurance, consumer finance, MYbank, and Zhima Credit. He launched pioneering generative AI products such as AI financial assistant and AI financial business assistant. With nearly 20 years of experience in the “finance + technology” sector, Wang brings extensive expertise in the digital transformation of financial services, the development and application of financial large models, top-tier technical skills, and exceptional innovation capabilities. 

In recent years, Ping An has been oriented by customer needs, focusing on empowering business scenarios as its core strategy. Ping An has continuously invests in R&D to build leading technological capabilities, which have been widely utilized to enable its core financial businesses and accelerate the development of its “integrated finance + health and senior care” ecosystem. This strengthened Ping An’s internal smart application of business scenarios, while promoting the digital transformation of the industry as a whole. The Company has built a “953” technology foundation backed by the data of nine major databases, technical support from the five laboratories, and development and application services of the three technology companies, which creating an AI moat. As of the end of 2024, Ping An has a first-class technology team of over 21,000 technology developers and more than 3,000 scientists. As of March 31, 2025, Ping An cumulatively won 45 championships in domestic and overseas AI competitions and cumulatively filed 55,435 patent applications, leading most international financial institutions.

About Ping An Group

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (HKEx:2318 / 82318; SSE:601318) is one of the largest financial services companies in the world. It strives to become a world-leading provider of integrated finance, health and senior care services. Under the technology-driven “integrated finance + health and senior care” strategy, the Group provides professional “financial advisory, family doctor, and senior care concierge” services to its nearly 240 million retail customers. Ping An advances intelligent digital transformation and employs technologies to improve financial businesses’ quality and efficiency and enhance risk management. The Group is listed on the stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai. As of the end of December 2024, Ping An had more than RMB12 trillion in total assets. The Group ranked 27^th in the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2025 and 47^th in the Fortune Global 500 list in 2025. 

For more information, please visit www.group.pingan.com and follow us on LinkedIn – PING AN.

Quarter-over-Quarter Shipment Growth in 2025 Indicates Early Signs of Recovery Beyond Memory

MILPITAS, Calif., July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) reported, in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry, that worldwide silicon wafer shipments increased 9.6% year-on-year to 3,327 million square inches (MSI) from the 3,035 MSI recorded during the same quarter of 2024. Sequentially, shipments grew 14.9% quarter-over-quarter from the 2,896 MSI recorded during the first quarter of this year, indicating emerging signs of recovery for select business sectors outside of memory.

Worldwide Silicon Wafer Shipments (MSI)

“The silicon wafer demand for AI data-center chips, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM), continues to be very strong,” said Lee Chungwei (李崇偉), Chairman of SEMI SMG and Vice President and Chief Auditor at GlobalWafers. “Fab utilization for other devices generally remains low, although inventory levels appear to be normalizing. While the direction of silicon shipments indicates positive momentum, the future impact of geopolitical and supply chain dynamics remains uncertain.”

Silicon wafers are the fundamental building material for the majority of semiconductors, which are vital components of all electronic devices. The highly engineered thin disks are produced in diameters of up to 300 mm and serve as the substrate material on which most semiconductors are fabricated.

The SMG is a sub-committee of the SEMI Electronic Materials Group (EMG) and is open to SEMI members involved in manufacturing polycrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon or silicon wafers (e.g., as cut, polished, epitaxial). The SMG facilitates collective efforts on issues related to the silicon industry, including the development of market information and statistics about the silicon industry and the semiconductor market.

For more information, visit SEMI Worldwide Silicon Wafer Shipment Statistics.

About SEMI

SEMI^® is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON^® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.

Association Contact
Sherrie Gutierrez/SEMI
Phone: 1.831.889.3800
Email: sgutierrez@semi.org

Donation advances global access to safe water and sanitation, supporting health, education, and opportunity for people in poverty

ATLANTA, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Aiper, the global pioneer of cordless robotic pool cleaning technology and a leader in smart yard product solutions, today announced its support for Water.org to help families around the world gain access to safe water or sanitation. Through its donation to Water.org, Aiper is helping 4,000 people in need gain access to safe water and transform their lives.

The global water crisis continues to be one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges, affecting billions of people and shaping daily life in profound ways:

• 2.2 billion people lack access to safe water
• 3.5 billion people live without a safe toilet
• Every two minutes, a child dies from a water or sanitation-related disease
• Women and girls spend 200 million hours daily collecting water – time that could be spent in school or earning an income

Amid these staggering challenges, organizations like Water.org are driving meaningful, lasting change. Water.org is an international nonprofit organization that has positively transformed more than 79 million lives around the world with access to safe water or sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis – breaking down barriers to give women hope, children health, and families a bright future.

“Today billions of people still live without access to safe water, a reality that demands urgent action,” said Richard Wang, Founder and CEO of Aiper. “At Aiper, we’re committed to making a difference both through our support of Water.org and other charitable organizations, as well as by designing products that help our customers use water more sustainably. We’re proud that our donation will help Water.org provide access to safe water for people in need around the world.”

Aiper’s donation to Water.org will help transform the lives of people living in poverty by improving access to safe water thus unlocking better health, education, economic opportunity, and empowerment. A commitment that flows beyond the pool and to a more sustainable future, Aiper’s donation underscores the brand’s pledge to help people across the globe, especially in the following areas: 

• Water Equity & Access – Partnering with organizations like Water.org, Aiper will continue to help expand access to safe water, empowering families and communities with the security and resources they deserve.
• Sustainable Innovation – From clean homes to a cleaner planet, Aiper will prioritize smart designs and cordless cleaning solutions that minimize energy use and reduce water waste – building a smarter, greener future.
• Community Wellbeing – From Aiper’s teams to the neighborhoods it serves, Aiper supports wellness, education, and inclusive opportunities that uplift people where they live and work.

“Thanks to Aiper’s support, we’re helping families gain access to safe water at home and the health, hope and opportunity that flow from it,” said Melanie Mendrys, Global Director of Brand and Marketing at Water.org. “This support will help change the lives of 4,000 people in need with access to safe water or sanitation solutions that last.”

The missions of Aiper and Water.org align around the shared goal of advancing water access and conservation. Just as Water.org helps people gain access to safe water to unlock opportunity, Aiper develops innovative products that help consumers use water more efficiently. From cordless robotic pool cleaners that reduce the need for frequent backwashing and water replacement by keeping pools cleaner for longer, to the new IrriSense smart irrigation system that uses real-time weather monitoring to water lawns only when it’s needed – Aiper’s innovations are designed to help people use water more sustainably.

As a leader in pool cleaning technology, Aiper is committed to not only developing innovative products but also to embracing ethical, community-focused practices. Dedicated to making a positive impact, Aiper continues to advance sustainable solutions and support initiatives that create a better world for all.

For additional information about Aiper’s CSR program, please visit https://aiper.com/us/from-clean-homes-to-a-cleaner-planet or follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.

For additional information about Water.org and ways to support, visit https://water.org.

About Aiper

Aiper is the global pioneer of cordless robotic pool cleaning technology and a leader in smart yard product solutions. Through its “Bring Vacation Home” campaign, Aiper empowers homeowners to transform their backyards into a personal vacation retreat with the help of innovative, smarter, and greener product solutions that effortlessly handle pool and lawn maintenance to save time, money, and energy. From state-of-the-art pool cleaners to intelligent irrigation systems, Aiper delivers a comprehensive backyard ecosystem of products that simplify outdoor maintenance so users can enjoy more leisure and fun. Renowned for excellence, Aiper products have garnered prestigious awards, including the Red Dot Design Award, the iF Design Award, and editorial awards from USA Today and TWICE. Additionally, Aiper has been recognized as a CES Innovation Awards honoree in 2023, 2024, and 2025, underscoring its commitment to pioneering smart yard solutions.

About Water.org

Water.org is an international nonprofit organization that has positively transformed more than 79 million lives around the world with access to safe water or sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For 30 years, they’ve been providing women hope, children health, and families a future. Learn more at https://water.org

HONG KONG, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Ant Digital Technologies today signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish the “PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies Joint Lab on AI and Web3”. This collaboration will drive breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, innovation ecosystem and incubation, as well as a source of innovation and technology. By exploring the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and Web3 technologies, the Joint Lab is poised to be a global innovation hub. Ant Digital Technologies plans to invest up to HKD100 million over the next three years to support the Joint Lab’s research work and project incubation.

Witnessed by Mr CHAN Ho Lim, Joseph, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; and Mr Eric Xiandong JING, Chairman of Ant Group, the agreement was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Mr Wenbiao ZHAO, Chief Executive Officer of Ant Digital Technologies.

The Joint Lab will focus on three core domains: trustworthy AI agents, AI-enhanced blockchain security architecture and data privacy verification technologies. Related initiatives will accelerate the development of intelligent services and help ensure the secure circulation of digital assets. To foster the development of innovation ecosystem and incubation, an “AI + Web3 Education Fund Platform,” will be established to fully leverage PolyU’s strong research capabilities and Ant Digital Technologies’ extensive industry resources, supporting Hong Kong’s development into a digital technology talent hub. The Joint Lab will host international technology seminars and innovation competitions, solidifying its position as a world-class academic brand.

Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “The Joint Lab is a strategic initiative designed to foster interdisciplinary convergence of cutting-edge technologies, propelling Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub and a global hub for digital asset innovation. We anticipate this strong partnership will drive deep integration and breakthrough innovation in AI and Web3 applications, yielding globally impactful solutions that accelerate the growth of a digital economy in Hong Kong and beyond.”

Mr Wenbiao Zhao said, “Harnessing its robust technological expertise and comprehensive service scenarios, Ant Digital Technologies will partner closely with PolyU to bridge industry, academia and research capabilities. This collaboration will accelerate breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies and facilitate their widespread commercial implementation.”

Mr Eric Jing said, “Ant Group is optimistic about Hong Kong’s future and remains committed to investing in the City. We look forward to this collaboration, which unlocks Hong Kong’s transformative potential at the intersection of AI and Web3 – accelerating its growth as a global hub for innovation and technology, finance, and trade.”

Reflecting its academic leadership in AI and Web3 technologies, PolyU was ranked first in CoinDesk’s Best Universities for Blockchain 2022, outperforming 240 other universities globally. Building on this excellence, PolyU established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences in January 2025, combining the expertise of its Department of Applied Mathematics, Department of Computing, and Department of Data Science and AI. The University offers comprehensive programmes in AI, big data computing, blockchain technology and metaverse studies – all designed to develop future-ready technologists with both visionary thinking and practical skills. This strong academic foundation creates an ideal platform for this collaboration.

As Ant Group’s digital technology subsidiary, Ant Digital Technologies possesses industry-leading expertise in AI and Web3 innovation. The company’s pioneering solutions – including its Agentar AI development platform and financial large language model – have achieved widespread adoption across the financial services sector. In 2024, Ant Digital Technologies participated in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Ensemble project, applying its advanced blockchain technology to facilitate multi-enterprise tokenisation of renewable energy real-word assets. The company further strengthened its Hong Kong presence this April when it was named a “Key Enterprise Partner” by the HKSAR Government and established its international headquarters in the City. This extensive industry experience positions the Joint Lab to forge industry connections and create valuable partnership opportunities.

SHANGHAI, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — At the end of June, SANY officially commenced construction of a 10MW photovoltaic power plant in Zimbabwe. The project, undertaken by a Chinese Mining Company, marks SANY’s first solar project in Zimbabwe and the first in Africa to adopt the innovative “EP+F” business model, which integrates engineering, procurement, and financing into a customized solution to meet customers’ financial needs.

The project adopts SANY’s self-developed 710 high-efficiency photovoltaic modules, paired with advanced inverters and high-strength support brackets. With a total installed capacity of 10MW, the project is scheduled for grid connection by the end of 2025. Once operational, it is expected to generate 18 million kWh annually, greatly easing Zimbabwe’s power shortage, ensuring electricity supply for local industries and people’s livelihood, and contributing to low-carbon energy transformation across the region.

As the first “EP+F” business model of SANY Silicon Energy, the project offers a replicable framework for future international renewable energy collaborations. By significantly reducing the financial burdens for customers, the model enhances the accessibility and feasibility of clean energy adoption in emerging markets. The customer expressed confidence in future cooperation with SANY in broader areas, including microgrids, e-trucks, and EV charging infrastructure.

This is not SANY’s first PV project in Africa. At the end of 2024, SANY’s Mining Microgrid Power Project connected to the grid in Zambia after four months of construction, marking Africa’s first and largest single-unit “solar + storage + diesel” project. The first phase of the project, which has been placed in service, can generate about 16 million kWh of electricity annually, saving electricity costs of over RMB 20 million for customer, accounting for nearly 30% of their total production expenses. Following that milestone, SANY has successively signed three microgrid projects in Zambia, contributing to Africa’s energy transition.

After a 23-year friendship with Africa, SANY’s cooperation with the continent has evolved beyond only equipment trade but a more sustainable collaboration. Today, SANY has 15 subsidiaries with branches in over 30 countries. Supported by 13 trusted dealers, SANY’s equipment operates in over 50 countries and regions. Meanwhile, SANY has been committed to promoting local development and people’s livelihood. In Africa, more than 50% of its workforce is locally hired, contributing over 5,000 local job opportunities. Looking ahead, SANY will continue to leverage its technology and management strengths to build a robust local supply chain, supporting Africa’s green energy and economy growth.