URUMQI, China, May 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the command to start, 152 vehicles and nearly 300 competitors of 74 teams from around the world embarked on a 7,500-kilometer extreme journey as the 2026 China Taklimakan Rally, exclusively sponsored by the Aipao racing fuel brand by China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (HKG: 0386, “Sinopec”), officially kicked off on May 16 in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.

Spanning 17 days, this year’s rally sets a new distance record as it traverses northern and southern Xinjiang. The route begins in Urumqi, passes through Turpan, Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Hotan, and Kashi, and concludes in Aksu. Competitors will tackle extreme terrain, including the vast Taklimakan Desert and the rugged canyons of the Tianshan Mountains.

Aipao 103, China’s first domestically developed racing fuel by Sinopec, is the official fuel for the China Taklimakan Rally. With an RON exceeding 103, the fuel offers four core advantages of anti-knock performance, environmental friendliness, high combustion efficiency, and safety. Designed for extreme racing conditions, it fills a long-standing gap in China’s high-performance racing fuel market and marks a major milestone for Sinopec and China’s refining industry toward world-class standards.

Chen Yanbin, director and senior vice president of Sinopec, highlighted Xinjiang’s strategic role as the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the rally’s status as a world-class off-road event.

“Guided by our commitment to ‘Clean Energy, Better Life,’ Sinopec continues to sponsor the rally through the Aipao brand, delivering comprehensive fuel assurance for China’s motorsport,” said Chen. “Going forward, we will deepen the integration of energy, sports, and tourism to drive high-quality growth in Xinjiang and contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative.”

To ensure seamless operations, Sinopec has comprehensively upgraded its energy support system, deploying over 40 mobile refueling points along the route. An innovative “fixed + mobile” dual-mode strategy guarantees precise, timely, and safe fuel supply—even in the most remote desert sections.

Since its launch in 2015, Aipao has earned the trust of over 10 million users with its world-class cleanliness and performance. The brand, valued at more than 18 billion yuan (approx. USD 2.64 billion), continues to lead China’s fuel market in influence.

For more information, please visit http://www.sinopec.com/listco/en/.

TDConnex was one of two recipients in the Electronics category for the prestigious national MSME award in India for 2026.

CHENNAI, India, May 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TDConnex, a global leader in micro-precision manufacturing, has been named Leading Innovator of the Year — Electronics at the 2026 India MSME Awards. TDConnex was one of only two recipients of the prestigious national prize for India.

The Electronics Innovator of the Year award is among the most selective national recognitions for enterprise innovation in India’s electronics manufacturing sector. The award honours enterprises that have demonstrated distinctive innovation, technical capability, and impact in advancing India’s position in the global electronics value chain.

The recognition acknowledges TDConnex’s sustained contribution to building global-scale precision manufacturing capability in India. Since establishing its first Indian manufacturing campus in Tamil Nadu, TDConnex has grown into one of the country’s leading platforms for advanced micro-precision components. TDConnex is an established global leader in producing these high-precision components, used in many of the world’s most advanced electronic products. Today, TDConnex components can be found in over a billion electronic devices around the world.

“This recognition is deeply meaningful for TDConnex, and for our global team who have made our ambitious vision for India into a reality today,” said Thanga Venkatachalam, CEO of TDConnex. “When we set out to build TDConnex in India, our ambition was to bring world-class manufacturing capabilities to the country in a way that could help global technology innovators deliver the next generation of electronics to the world. This award is a testament to the extraordinary engineers, technicians, and leaders on our India team who have turned that ambition into reality. Our fast-growing India team has scaled our business in every dimension: people, capabilities, customers, verticals, capacity, and factory scale.”

“We are also grateful to the TDConnex team around the world who have worked unselfishly to help support our scale-up in India. This award is the result of truly global collaboration, and we are proud of what our people have built together.”

The award comes as TDConnex continues to invest significantly in India. The Company is preparing to commence construction on its new 1 million sq ft lot at SIPCOT in Tamil Nadu, where it is building advanced manufacturing capabilities across multiple high-precision verticals — including precision components for consumer electronics, electromechanical assemblies for power electronics and industrial applications, and medical device manufacturing. India is a central pillar of TDConnex’s strategy of building manufacturing capabilities for tomorrow’s supply chain, alongside its operations in China and Southeast Asia.

About TDConnex

TDConnex provides manufacturing for tomorrow’s supply chain.  The company is deeply committed to helping global technology leaders create and deliver the products that change the way the world lives and works. Today, our leading-edge, micro-precision components can be found in over a billion technology products worldwide, and we are focused on helping customers create the next generation of more sustainable, more advanced electronic products for the future.

TAIPEI, May 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cathay United Bank Singapore Branch has further strengthened its position in the international syndicated loan market by acting as a joint lead arranger in a landmark financing transaction for SMBC Aviation Capital, one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies. The transaction secured US$2 billion in commitments from mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners and was subsequently upsized to a total of US$3.7 billion . Supported by strong market demand, the transaction ultimately attracted participation from 40 Taiwanese and international financial institutions and achieved an oversubscription rate of 85%, demonstrating Cathay United Bank’s strong syndication capabilities and solid reputation in the international financial market.

The financing consists of a seven-year tranche of approximately US$1.4 billion and a five-year tranche of approximately US$2.3 billion. Proceeds will support the business development and strategic investments of SMBC Aviation Capital, including its recent investment in Sumisho Air Lease, further strengthening its global aircraft leasing services. Acting as a joint lead arranger, the Singapore Branch coordinated participation from relationship banks across Asia and Europe, reflecting strong confidence in the company’s operating strategy and long-term growth prospects.

Established more than 25 years ago, SMBC Aviation Capital is one of the world’s leading aircraft leasing and aviation asset management companies, with extensive expertise in aircraft leasing, financing, and fleet management. The transaction also marks the company’s first unsecured seven-year syndicated financing, representing an important strategic milestone in strengthening its long-term capital structure.

The Singapore Branch stated that the transaction is highly representative, not only highlighting Cathay United Bank’s long-term and stable funding capabilities in large-scale international transactions, but also underscoring its deep expertise in cross-border financing and aviation finance. Going forward, Cathay United Bank will continue leveraging its extensive experience in cross-border financing to support SMBC Aviation Capital’s global expansion strategy.

SMBC Aviation Capital noted that the transaction represents a significant milestone for the company, further deepening cooperation with its core banking partners. The company also expressed appreciation for the support provided by Cathay United Bank and the broader banking syndicate, which contributed to the successful completion of the syndicated financing. The financing will support the continued expansion of its global aircraft leasing business while establishing a strong and flexible capital foundation.

Cathay United Bank has long expanded its international presence, and participation in this syndicated loan through its Singapore Branch further reinforces its strategic position in cross-border syndicated lending, aviation finance, and transportation finance. As the aviation market continues its steady recovery and demand for fleet renewal rises, Cathay United Bank will continue enhancing its regional capabilities and professional financial services to serve as a trusted financial partner for corporate clients pursuing international expansion.

• Revenue reached KRW 47.9 billion and new orders totaled KRW 55.4 billion, marking a record-breaking performance and signaling the beginning of full-scale growth.
• Overseas ASIC development revenue, including North America and Japan, exceeded 60% of total ASIC development revenue, strengthening the global customer base.
• Q1 mass production orders alone reached nearly 74% of last year’s total annual volume, demonstrating strong momentum in mass production.

SEOUL, South Korea, May 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SEMIFIVE, a leading global provider of custom AI semiconductor (ASIC) solutions, today announced record-breaking revenue and new orders for the first quarter of this year, marking the beginning of an accelerated growth phase.

According to the regulatory filing released on May 15, SEMIFIVE recorded consolidated revenue of KRW 47.9 billion and new orders of KRW 55.4 billion for Q1 2026. Revenue increased by 137% compared to the same period last year (KRW 20.2 billion), marking the highest quarterly performance in the company’s history.

This achievement was driven by simultaneous growth across the company’s three core business segments: ASIC development services, mass production supply, and Intellectual Property (IP). Previously accumulated design projects are now generating mass production revenue, enabling a virtuous growth cycle that is driving both qualitative and quantitative expansion.

ASIC Development: Global Order Expansion Centered on North America and Japan, and Revenue Growth from Advanced Process Nodes

The ASIC development segment spearheaded overall growth with KRW 28.0 billion in revenue, surpassing a 2.6-fold increase year over year. The strategic expansion into North America and Japan in 2025 has begun to yield meaningful results, with overseas revenue now accounting for over 60% of total development sales. This is a dramatic shift from Q1 2025, which focused on the domestic market.

Alongside this growth, SEMIFIVE is accelerating its transition toward a high-margin business model. By increasing the proportion of advanced 2nm and 4nm process node projects for data center AI ASICs, the company has strengthened its profitability. Simultaneously, its 5nm and 8nm portfolio for edge AI and devices offers strong manufacturability, creating a balanced growth model that combines technical leadership with business resilience.

Mass Production: Commercialization of Large-Scale Projects and Reaching 74% of Last Year’s Total Orders in Q1

The mass production segment has entered a phase of significant expansion, driven by the continuous shipment of products across various applications, including data center AI, edge AI, and vision AI.

A noteworthy highlight is the rapid growth in new mass production purchase orders (POs). In Q1 alone, SEMIFIVE secured new orders amounting to 74% of the total volume recorded for the entire previous year.

This achievement demonstrates that the large-scale development projects initiated since the company’s founding have successfully entered the commercialization stage, securing tangible revenue visibility. Furthermore, as current overseas projects transition to mass production and the follow-up pipeline expands as planned, the company is projected to maintain a steady growth trend moving forward.

IP: Sustained Growth Driven by Shift to Advanced Process IPs

Revenue in the IP segment nearly doubled compared to the same period last year. This growth is attributed to strong global demand for low-power mixed-signal IP from subsidiary Analog Bits, which has become an essential component in high-performance AI ASIC design. The robust performance this quarter was primarily driven by a surge in IP revenue from advanced 2nm and 3nm process nodes.

Solutions for thermal management and power efficiency improvement have become key competitive advantages in the initial stages of AI chip design. As a result, the adoption of analog IP is expected to accelerate further, leading to the continuous generation of stable, high-margin performance.

“Our impressive performance this quarter was driven by the successful execution of leading-edge AI semiconductor projects, which demonstrated our differentiated technological leadership in the global high-value AI semiconductor market, along with the full-scale transition of accumulated development projects into mass production,” said Brandon Cho, CEO and co-founder of SEMIFIVE. “We will continue to lead the commercialization of high-performance innovative technologies and next-generation AI architecture solutions that will bring a new paradigm to the semiconductor market, while sustaining profitable growth.”

SHANGHAI, May 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — INS LAND, the urban entertainment complex recently ranked No.12 in DJ Mag’s 2026 Top 100 Clubs worldwide and No.3 in Asia, announced the opening of three new venues: Soul House, an immersive club; Radi, a fully reimagined and expanded reopening; and Jump, a new high-energy club featuring a spring-loaded dance floor designed to keep guests literally off the ground.

“Soul House, Radi, and Jump are our answer to 2026,” said Leo Liu, Cofounder & Head of Brand and Growth at INS LAND. “Each one is a new chapter in INS LAND’s vision of bringing the gaming world to life — with a single ticket, guests don’t just visit a venue; they enter a world where experiences are reborn every 45 days.”

The openings mark a strategic evolution ahead of INS LAND’s third anniversary on June 16, 2026, shifting from a “club cluster” identity into a multi-format urban playground. The brand now spans 20 fully owned and operated venues under one ticketed ecosystem.

Soul House is INS LAND’s most ambitious immersive concept to date. It features multiple themed rooms, each with its own narrative universe. Guests move through distinct worlds with beverage items, scenography, and storytelling elements, blending immersive theatre and spatial design into a layered experience.

Radi returns after a complete transformation, with an expanded footprint, upgraded sound and lighting systems, and a refreshed design direction positioning it as a signature, design-forward destination within the INS LAND portfolio.

Jump introduces a new experiential format centered on movement. Built around a spring-loaded dance floor, it features high-energy programming across electronic and bounce genres, designed to create a physically kinetic nightlife experience.

About INS LAND

INS LAND is a 20-venue urban entertainment complex in central Shanghai, combining nightlife, immersive experiences, dining, and music under one unified brand. With a single-ticket model granting access across venues, it welcomed over 4 million visitors in 2025 and ranks No.12 globally in DJ Mag’s Top 100 Clubs. The platform refreshes its core themes every 45 days and its mobile app supports over 1 million active users across online and offline experiences. INS LAND has collaborated with brands including Mercedes-Benz, Nike, Douyin, Doritos, and Publicis Groupe, and is preparing international expansion with INS LAND Bangkok planned for 2027.

More information: INS LAND Official Site