Home Blog Page 3119

China’s wine market uncorks consumption vitality


YINCHUAN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 June 2025 – In an exhibition hall at an expo in Yinchuan, the capital of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the rich aroma emanating from a copper hot pot is gaining the attention of visitors. The dish of tender mutton cooked in red wine-added broth is a perfect blend of two of Ningxia’s most famed products.

A staff member prepares a serving of tender mutton cooked in red wine-added broth during the Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)
A staff member prepares a serving of tender mutton cooked in red wine-added broth during the Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo in Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

“Using spring water, red wine and nourishing ingredients removes unpleasant smells, making the mutton delicious and flavorful,” said Tian Feng, who manages the hot pot restaurant operating the booth. The popularity of its red wine hot pot ensures the restaurant is often fully booked on weekends, Tian added.

Across China’s evolving consumer landscape, wine is undergoing a subtle transformation. No longer restricted to formal banquets and professional tasting events, wine is becoming accessible as various consumption scenarios and wine products are created.

This shift in accessibility is evident at the ongoing Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo in Ningxia, which is a renowned wine production region that is promoting a “tipsy economy.”

People visit the Global Wineries Exhibition during the Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)
People visit the Global Wineries Exhibition during the Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo in Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Ningxia boasts a unique terroir for the production of top-class wine, with prolonged sunshine hours and a cool, dry climate aiding the cultivation of grapes. After four decades of development, it has become China’s largest wine-producing region. The eastern foot of Helan Mountain is widely regarded as a “golden zone” for grape cultivation and high-end wine production.

By the end of 2024, the region had more than 600,000 mu (about 40,000 hectares) of wine grape plantations and an annual wine output of 140 million bottles. Its wines were exported to over 40 countries and regions.

At the expo, brightly colored canned wines from the Ningxia State Farm Winery have won the favor of many. Compared to bottled wines, canned wines are more convenient to drink and can more easily meet the demands of diverse scenarios such as camping and picnics, said Li Shuang, the winery’s sales manager.

In addition to its canned wines, which have been popular since their launch last year, the company offers innovative products such as creamy jasmine wine, lemon oolong tea wine, black coffee wine and alcohol-free options. These products drove 20 percent of the company’s sales growth in 2024, Li said.

Cheeks rosy after tasting a dozen wines at the expo, local visitor Lu Ting is a tourism professional and sommelier who enjoys buying wines to share with family and friends.

“Chardonnay with meat skewers, reds with hot pot — it’s about sharing joy,” said Lu, 42.

The four-day event will run until Thursday and is slated to include a world wine tasting event, a wine and winery exhibition, an innovation competition and an art biennial.

Last month, Yinchuan also hosted a marathon that saw 43 local wineries offer 28,000 runners free vineyard tours, tastings and exclusive discounts for wine purchases. This event-driven approach has created a powerful synergy between tourism and viticulture, resulting in a surge in hotel bookings in the city.

“We’re transforming the entire city into a living wine museum,” said Li Bingjie, director of Yinchuan’s wine industry development service center. “Visitors can fully immerse themselves in the journey from grape to glass.”

Speaking at the expo’s opening ceremony on Monday, Yvette van der Merwe, president of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, said that the organization has for many years observed and supported the rise of China’s grape and wine industry, with the country being an important wine consumer and table grape producer.

“I see the energy that the growth of Ningxia Helan Mountain’s east foothill region has contributed to the Chinese wine industry, and I am confident that it will bring new inspiration and opportunities to the global wine community,” she said.
Hashtag: #AdministrativeCommitteeofWineIndustryZoneofNingxiaHelanMountainsEastFoothill

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

Juyeon Lee, Head of Xsolla APAC: “Xsolla Buy Button Designed to Reduce Friction and Drive More Revenue Online”

Surge in New Partnerships Across Japan and India Reflects Growing Interest in Alternative Payments


SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 June 2025 – Game developers increasingly seek ways to reduce app store fees. Xsolla’s Buy Button for Mobile Games is gaining traction for users in the United States as an effective tool in that pursuit. According to Jooyeon Lee, Head of Asia-Pacific (APAC) at Xsolla, the Buy Button allows mobile game developers to integrate their web shops and custom payment pages directly, bypassing traditional app market fees and improving profitability for US-based players.

Juyeon Lee, Head of Xsolla APAC
Juyeon Lee, Head of Xsolla APAC

“Mobile game companies are highly interested in reducing app store fees and engaging directly with their users. With Xsolla Buy Button, developers can link their web shops and payment pages, giving them more flexibility and helping them retain more revenue. In a recent interview, this feature is particularly beneficial for companies aiming to expand globally,” said Lee.

Lee, a seasoned business leader with previous experience at game publishers such as Nexon, Netmarble, and Singapore-based Garena, rejoined Xsolla earlier this year as Head of APAC, overseeing operations, marketing, and organizational strategy across the region. Xsolla’s APAC division covers South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, Australia, and New Zealand.

“The APAC game market is currently in a phase of maintaining scale rather than aggressive growth, and we’ve seen increased demand from developers focused on improving profitability,” she noted. “As concerns about platform monopolies resurface, more developers are exploring third-party payment options—this is exactly why the Buy Button is attracting attention.”

The Buy Button is designed with easy integration without much coding, allowing developers to choose where and how to link payment pages. “Whether it’s a custom-built web shop or a third-party payment page, our partners have the freedom to decide,” said Lee. “Games with a large portion of their revenue coming from outside the U.S. can especially benefit from this feature, turning reduced fees into meaningful profit gains.”

Built on Xsolla Web Shop for mobile games and Xsolla Pay Station, the Buy Button connects to a browser-based checkout experience and offers key benefits such as:

  • Keep up to 30% from platform fees
  • Legally compliant external payment link integration
  • Seamless one-tap payments
  • Minimized tax and regulatory burdens
  • Loyalty and rewards programs
  • Parental controls and gift card options
  • Multi-channel commerce support

As the official merchant of record, Xsolla also manages global tax compliance and fraud prevention. The company supports over 1,000 localized payment methods worldwide, up from 700, and has recently expanded into Southeast Asia, Japan, India, the Middle East, and Africa.

“Buy Button emphasizes flexibility and convenience. If developers are hesitant to adopt third-party payments directly, they can also use the feature to promote their web shops,” Lee explained. “It’s a low-barrier way to localize payments for developers targeting global markets.”

She added that adoption is rising even in traditionally conservative markets like Japan. “Japanese developers have been cautious about changing payment methods, but those who partnered with us have expressed high satisfaction,” said Lee. “We expect strong growth from our Japanese partners this year. Word of mouth about Xsolla is spreading in Japan and India, increasing new deals. An official announcement will follow soon.”

Lee also emphasized that Xsolla’s value proposition extends beyond fee reduction. “Developers are also satisfied with our tax management and fraud prevention capabilities. Even those initially selected other payment providers are increasingly switching to Xsolla.”

As for developer support, Xsolla continues to invest in initiatives for indie developers. “Our solutions are designed with global indie studios in mind. We’re actively participating in events like PlayX4 and BIC, and we’re expanding promotional channels to support international exposure,” she said.

In closing, Lee remarked, “Xsolla is ready to partner with any game developer focused on global expansion and profitability. We hope the Buy Button becomes a strategic tool for growth in today’s challenging market landscape.”

Hashtag: #Xsolla

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

Xsolla

Xsolla is a leading global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the industry. Since its founding in 2005, Xsolla has helped thousands of game developers and publishers of all sizes fund, market, launch, and monetize their games globally and across multiple platforms. As an innovative leader in game commerce, Xsolla’s mission is to solve the inherent complexities of global distribution, marketing, and monetization to help our partners reach more geographies, generate more revenue, and create relationships with gamers worldwide. Headquartered and incorporated in Los Angeles, California, with offices in London, Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Raleigh, Tokyo, Montreal, and cities around the world.

Cambodia Cuts Thai Internet, Bans Entertainment, Affirms Power Independence

Cambodia Cuts Thai Internet, Bans Entertainment, Affirms Power Independence
Cambodia ordered its troops to stay on "full alert" June 13 in its ongoing border spat with Thailand, as it ordered television stations and cinemas to stop showing Thai dramas. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP)

Cambodia has begun rerouting its internet traffic through domestic infrastructure after Prime Minister Hun Manet announced plans to reduce reliance on Thai bandwidth, ban Thai entertainment, and assert the country’s energy independence. The move follows online threats to cut Cambodia’s access to electricity and internet.

Oil surges, stocks fall on Middle East fears as Israel strikes Iran

Oil Field Drilling. (Photo: Daily Observer)

AFP – Oil prices soared and stocks sank Friday after Israel launched “preemptive” strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites and warned of more to come, stoking fears of a full-blown war.

HKSTP Delegation Debut at VivaTech 2025 Paris

Bridging French and Hong Kong innovation ecosystems to supercharge global tech development


HONG KONG SAR / PARIS,FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 June 2025 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is leading 18 of Hong Kong’s brightest innovators in AI and robotics, healthtech, greentech and fintech in its first-ever delegation to VivaTech 2025, Europe’s largest startup and tech showcase held in Paris. The delegation joins a strong showcase of startups at the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

HKSTP is leading 18 of Hong Kong’s brightest innovators in AI and robotics, healthtech, greentech and fintech in its first-ever delegation to VivaTech 2025 Paris.
HKSTP is leading 18 of Hong Kong’s brightest innovators in AI and robotics, healthtech, greentech and fintech in its first-ever delegation to VivaTech 2025 Paris.

HKSTP is Hong Kong’s largest innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem and an engine for taking home-grown innovators to global markets, while also propelling international innovators to success across Asia. This debut at VivaTech provides a unique and ideal platform for innovators to collaborate and evolve their technologies to meet new needs and new market opportunities in Europe and on the global stage.

Standout Hong Kong tech pioneers recognised at VivaTech this year include:

  • Ailytics was awarded as one of the five winners of the EDF Startup Challenge and named among the Top 30 VivaTech Innovations of the year, with its AI powered video analytics solutions enhance safety, productivity and operational efficiency for heavy industries in particular.
  • AQUMON and Midas Analytics were nominated as the Top 12 FinTech Trail with their AI-driven data analysis solutions.
  • Imsight, OKOsix, and Vismed have been nominated as finalists in the Tech for Change Award, recognising their wellbeing management solutions respectively in cancer diagnostics, biomaterial composition, and medical training and care.

At VivaTech, HKSTP and its park companies made significant strides in bridging Hong Kong and French I&T ecosystems and explore new market opportunities.

  • Westwell Technology, a smart new energy solutions provider for container logistics industry, confirmed a strategic partnership with the leading European logistics provider Logicor to co-host an innovation exhibition of an integrated logistics solution of new energy commercial vehicle and autonomous driving at Garonor park in Paris.
  • PointFit, a wearable tech company with pioneering non-invasive and continuous lactate monitoring device, announced partnership with France-based Kinomap, an interactive indoor-training app and platform.

In addition, a partnership agreement was signed between HKSTP and Startup Genome, the leading innovation ecosystem development organisation, to promote global ecosystem collaboration and partnership via events and networking opportunities for members.

Hilda Chan, Chief Marketing Officer at HKSTP, said: “Innovation development in Asia plays a key part in tomorrow’s world. Hong Kong offers deep connectivity, globally fluent talent, as well as trusted legal and financial systems. The ground-breaking technology on show at VivaTech this year highlight the immense potential from connecting global innovation, with Hong Kong serving as an ideal base for innovators with aspirations and ambitions.”

France has made clear on its desire to drive a new era of innovation-powered growth with AI unicorns leading a global charge; while Hong Kong consistently ranked second globally in the Global Innovation Index by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This landmark delegation to VivaTech is enabling the convergence of two fast-rising world-class I&T ecosystems in Hong Kong and France.

Furthering the notion, HKSTP is organising EPIC for the ninth year, inviting the world’s boldest and burgeoning startups to compete for a targeted investment funding of US$100m, an opportunity to scale, and an immersive experience with like-minded visionaries in Hong Kong this November. The flagship pitching competition saw extraordinary success in past years, with the previous iteration attracted over 600 applicants from 47 economies — EPIC 2025 is setting bar even higher, and open calling for global applications until 17 June 2025, 23:59 (GMT+8): https://epic.hkstp.org/
Hashtag: #HKSTP

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

HKSTP

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 13 unicorns, more than 15,000 research professionals and over 2,300 technology companies from 25 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.

Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined.

Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more.

Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues to contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.

More information about HKSTP is available at .

EssilorLuxottica Expands in Laos with New High-Capacity Lens Facility

EssilorLuxottica Factory in Laos

EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, production, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, optical equipment, and eyewear, including both prescription and sunwear, has strengthened its presence in the Asia-Pacific region with the opening of a new facility in Laos.

Momcozy M9 Wearable Breast Pump Wins Innovation Award at Kind + Jugend ASEAN 2025


BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 June 2025 – Momcozy, a global leader in mother and baby care, proudly announced that its Mobile Flow™ Hands-Free Breast Pump (M9) has been honored with the Kind + Jugend ASEAN 2025 Innovation Award, recognized for its industry-leading design, smart features, and expert-backed support system.

Momcozy
Momcozy

At Kind + Jugend ASEAN 2025, held June 12–14 in Bangkok, Momcozy is showcasing its latest innovations at Booth #C-1, including the award-winning M9 pump and a range of products tailored to the real-life needs of Southeast Asian families.

Momcozy M9: Smart, Comfortable, Award-Winning

As a leading innovator in wearable breast pump technology, Momcozy is redefining modern pumping. The M9 is the brand’s first pump with smart app integration, offering moms enhanced control, comfort, and efficiency.

The M9 features 15 suction levels and two expert-designed modes, allowing users to fully personalize their pumping experience via mobile app. Its patented DoubleFit™ Flange delivers a secure, ultra-snug fit that helps boost milk flow by up to 28.2%, based on internal lab tests.

Also presenting is the Momcozy Air 1 Ultra-Slim Breast Pump, the thinnest wearable breast pump on the market. Its slim profile, quiet motor, and clear top-view design make it ideal for moms seeking discreet pumping.

Innovations Tailored for Southeast Asia

Beyond wearables, Momcozy is showing a range of products designed for Southeast Asia’s climate and daily routines, including:

Our return to Kind + Jugend ASEAN is not just about showcasing innovation,” said Ellen Zhou, APAC Marketing Director at Momcozy.”It’s about consistently showing up for the families of ASEAN. This region is home to dynamic, young families with unique needs, and were here to support them with understanding and tailored care.

Expanding in ASEAN: Open Call for Local Partnerships

As Momcozy expands across Southeast Asia, it invites strategic partnerships with local distributors, healthcare professionals, and business collaborators to bring its innovations to more families in the region.

“We’re not just looking to grow — we’re looking to grow together with trusted partners who share our mission of supporting moms and their families with care, comfort, and evidence-backed products,” Zhou added.

For more information, visit www.momcozy.com or meet the Momcozy team at Booth #C-1 during Kind + Jugend ASEAN 2025.
Hashtag: #Momcozy

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

About Momcozy

Momcozy is a global mother and baby brand, serving over 3.6 million mothers in more than 60 countries and regions. Since 2018, we’ve evolved to meet the unique needs of moms and their families, offering a range of products from pregnancy through early motherhood, including wearable breast pumps, feeding gear, nursing bras, baby carriers, and more. As the Cozy Reformer, we always put moms first, delivering innovative solutions, comfort, and support to bring joy and ease to their journeys. Visit to learn more.

DHL Supply Chain certified a Great Place to Work® across Asia Pacific

  • All countries under DHL Supply Chain APAC are now certified
  • DHL Supply Chain Japan becomes the newest office to achieve certification

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 June 2025 – DHL Supply Chain, the global leader in contract logistics, has been certified as a Great Place to Work® across Asia Pacific. DHL Supply Chain Japan is the latest country office to achieve this certification, bringing the total number of Certified DHL Supply Chain workplaces in the region to 12, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

DHL Supply Chain certified a Great Place to Work® across Asia Pacific
DHL Supply Chain certified a Great Place to Work® across Asia Pacific

“We are incredibly proud of this achievement because it reflects the kind of workplace culture we’re continuously striving for, one where employees feel genuinely valued, heard, and inspired to do their best. With our team in Japan recently joining the list of certified workplaces, this milestone shows the collective effort across all our markets to build an exceptional working environment,” said Javier Bilbao, CEO, DHL Supply Chain Asia Pacific. “The recognition belongs to each of our employees, whose daily efforts make DHL Supply Chain a great place to work in Asia Pacific. We succeed together because of the culture we’ve created together.”

DHL Supply Chain has consistently focused on creating a supportive and inclusive workplace across Asia Pacific, where employees feel valued, respected, and safe, both physically and mentally. Initiatives such as the “Belonging at Work” program, which teaches employees to embrace diversity, support one another, and foster inclusion and belonging, alongside the Career Marketplace and the Empower Hour series that help employees grow personally and professionally. These programs are designed to foster a work environment where employees can be authentic and reach their full potential.

“Our goal isn’t just to maintain this status, but to constantly raise the bar by creating meaningful experiences and growth opportunities for our employees. This certification highlights the real impact of listening to our people, taking their feedback seriously, and building an environment where everyone thrives,” added Declan Byrne, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, DHL Supply Chain Asia Pacific.

Great Place To Work® (GPTW) is the global authority on workplace culture. Its Great Place To Work For All™ Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List. This year, employees of DHL Group in 128 countries, including 21,000 from DHL Supply Chain in Asia Pacific, participated in the survey. The external survey captures employees’ workplace-related experiences and evaluates them based on the Trust Index across five dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. Only those companies with the best results make it onto the World’s Best Workplaces™ list.

Starting in 2026, the logistics company will no longer be evaluated by individual business units globally but will be certified as DHL. As part of the company’s commitment to becoming an Employer of Choice, DHL Group emphasizes creating a safe and positive work environment, competitive benefits, and fostering employee development and inclusion. Dr. Thomas Ogilvie, Chief Human Resources Officer of DHL Group, stated, “We want to be a great company to work for all. Participating in the GPTW survey provides us with detailed insights about our strengths and our areas of improvements also by comparing our results with those of other leading companies. This recognition is important for employer branding and significantly contributes to our perception as an attractive employer.”

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.