The Lao government is teaming up with Thailand to introduce ViaBus, a real-time bus tracking system designed to improve the efficiency of public transportation in Vientiane.
ARAL CULTURE SUMMIT 2025: UZBEKISTAN’S LANDMARK EVENT ALIGNING CULTURE, ECOLOGY, AND REGIONAL COOPERATION ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
LINK to images
- An emergent initiative dedicated to the social and environmental transformation of the Aral Sea region through art, culture, design and science debuts 4-6 April 2025.
- To be inaugurated during the first Global Climate Forum in Samarkand on 4th April, attended by EU and Central Asian leaders and reinforcing Uzbekistan’s commitment to green development and global cooperation.
- A multidisciplinary programme in Nukus, Karakalpakstan (5-6 April) with global and regional experts on culture, architecture, ecology, food security and water resource management to foster dialogue and call to action.
- A masterplan to revitalise Istiqlol, the Summit’s future headquarters – a former amusement park and one of few remaining green spaces in Nukus – will be unveiled on 5th April 2025.
NUKUS, Uzbekistan, April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Aral Culture Summit (ACS), a cultural and environmental initiative to revitalise the Aral Sea region in Central Asia will take place from 4-6 April 2025. Organised by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), the Summit seeks to foster dialogue and action through art, culture, design, and science.

Amu Darya, Aral Sea Basin. Aral Culture Summit 2025.Photo courtesy of Iwan Baan and ACDF, all rights reserved
ACS will bring together leading cultural figures, policymakers, artists, and environmental experts across two cities to explore and implement sustainable solutions that address the Aral Sea crisis and global climate challenges. Aral Culture Summit 2025 will be inaugurated during the first Global Climate Forum in Samarkand (4th April), attended by regional and European heads-of-states and reinforcing Uzbekistan’s commitment to the regional cooperation for environmental and social development.
Programme Highlights and Themes
Aral Culture Summit continues in Nukus, Karakalpakstan near the Aral Sea on 5-6 April and will host a multidisciplinary programme with panel discussions, keynotes, artistic performances, and exhibitions, addressing critical issues such as environmental regeneration, creative economy, and cultural diplomacy. On 5th April, Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of ACDF will announce a preliminary masterplan for the regeneration of Istiqlol, a former amusement park in Nukus, reimagined by Ludi Architects as a permanent cultural and ecological hub.
Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of ACDF, comments:
“Aral Culture Summit is a platform for change. By integrating cultural dialogue with the climate agenda, we are ensuring that the arts contribute to our collective commitment to long term sustainable development. Our participation in the first Global Climate Forum underscores the critical role of culture to drive environmental transformation.”
aralculturesummit.uz | @aral.culture.summit
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Sudochye Lake, Aral Sea Basin. Culture Summit 2025.Photo courtesy of Iwan Baan and ACDF, all rights reserved
ZENCE OBJECT Announces Additional RMB10 Million Investment, Forms Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Green Technology Expansion

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 April 2025 – ZENCE OBJECT, a pioneering eco-materials company, has secured an additional strategic investment of over RMB10 million from AB Global Opportunities LPF, a fund under Hong Kong-listed AB Builders Group Limited (Stock Code: 1615.HK) and Gobi Partners. The deal was successfully closed at the end of last year. Notably, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focusing on the overseas expansion, R&D and marketing promotion of its flagship eco-materials project, CHAZENCE.

Accelerating global expansion with green materials solutions
As part of the MoU, AB Builders Group has placed a RMB30 million purchase order with ZENCE OBJECT to drive innovation in green technology development. These three parties will work closely to penetrate international markets; AB Builders will integrate ZENCE OBJECT’s eco-materials into large-scale infrastructure and construction projects, while Gobi Partners will provide strategic guidance and resources for global expansion.
This collaboration strengthens ZENCE OBJECT’s ability to scale operations in Asia, the United States, and other major international markets. The company is setting up overseas offices and teams to provide sustainable material solutions across industries. Over the past year, the company has actively participated in key initiatives such as the Hong Kong Science Park Accelerator Program, the US BOOSTER Program, and a series of international exhibitions in major markets, including Singapore. These efforts have strengthened the company’s global reach and positioned it for further growth.
Dedicated to addressing global waste and carbon emission challenges, ZENCE OBJECT continues to innovate in bio-based material technology, transforming waste into commercially viable, eco-friendly materials while integrating Eastern cultural aesthetics with cutting-edge design concepts. The company is particularly focused on construction and engineering applications, expanding its international business reach in this sector. This not only aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National 14th Five-Year Plan but also leads the market toward a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future.

Empowering multiple industries with green innovation
ZENCE OBJECT is pioneering the development of the “ZENCE ECOSYSTEM”, a comprehensive waste upcycling platform that combines carbon data analytics, biotechnology, and industry-specific applications to advance circular economy solutions, providing carbon footprint assessment, carbon trading, and consulting services.
This system has already been adopted across multiple industries, providing sustainable solutions to prominent clients, including MGM Macau, Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) and Andaz Macau and Four Seasons Hotel Macao in hospitality, TCL, CASIO in electronics, HEYTEA, Nayuki, CHAGEE and Starbucks in F&B, Macau Science Center in construction, and spaceflight industry, etc. With ongoing advancements in eco-materials, the company is expanding into the beauty and automotive sectors, driving sustainability in the Greater Bay Area and global markets.
“CHAZENCE” offers “tea paper”, “tea board”, and “tea plastic”, made from biodegradable waste like tea leaves, bamboo, bellflower, and Chinese herbs, providing sustainable alternatives to plastics, paper, and wood. The company is advancing green regenerative technology, fibre processing, and bio-based composites, promoting agricultural waste reuse. Recent breakthroughs in material transparency, durability, and eco-friendly production have enhanced efficiency and expanded applications across consumer goods, tech, construction, and hospitality, solidifying the company’s leadership in sustainable materials innovation.
Hashtag: #ZENCEOBJECT #CHAZENCE
https://www.zenceobject.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/zenceobject
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
ZENCE OBJECT HOLDING (HONG KONG) LIMITED
ZENCE OBJECT is a pioneering enterprise in the Greater Bay Area dedicated to addressing global waste and carbon emission challenges. Through advanced green regeneration technology, including bio-based purification, degradation, synthesis, and modification techniques, the company transforms waste into sustainable materials and develops the ZENCE ECOSYSTEM to provide low-carbon solutions across industries.
The company has secured multiple rounds of funding and formed strategic partnerships with leading brands. Its smart factory has obtained ISCC PLUS certification for international sustainability and carbon verification and has collaborated with Sumitomo Group to establish China’s first and only bio-based material molding R&D center. With a mission to leverage regenerative technology from the East, ZENCE OBJECT is committed to reshaping the future with sustainable innovations. For more details, please visit: www.zenceobject.com
About Gobi Partners
Gobi Partners is a leading Asia-focused venture capital firm with US$1.6 billion in assets under management (AUM), headquartered in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Founded in 2002, Gobi now has a network of 15 locations, raised 21 funds and invested in over 400 startups, with 62 companies focused on the circular economy. The firm supports entrepreneurs from early to growth stages, with a particular focus on emerging markets.
As a UN Global Compact Participant, Gobi aligns its strategies with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. In June 2024, the firm released its third sustainability report. For more details, please visit: https://gobi.vc
About AB Global Opportunities LPF
AB Global Opportunities LPF is an innovative investment fund registered under Hong Kong’s Limited Partnership Fund Ordinance, focusing on high-growth global opportunities with a tax-efficient structure. Managed by Delphinium Capital Partners Ltd, a Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission-licensed asset management firm, and a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-listed AB Builders Group Limited (Stock Code: 1615.HK), the fund primarily targets the renewable energy sector. Leveraging the group’s expertise in infrastructure, real estate development and green technology, the fund provides comprehensive risk management, industry insights and access to global markets.
Exclusive Interview with CLOU Energy Storage’s Overseas GM Songyu He: Key Strategies for Global Expansion
SHENZHEN, China, April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, Sohu Finance interviewed Songyu He, General Manager of CLOU Energy Storage Overseas, to discuss the company’s global expansion and competitive strategies. Here are the key insights from the conversation.
How is CLOU expanding its overseas markets?
Songyu He: CLOU is focusing on three main regions: strengthening its presence in the Americas, expanding rapidly in Europe, and exploring opportunities in Belt and Road countries. In the Americas, CLOU has built strong local teams across sales, technical support, and after-sales service. In Europe, Germany, the UK, and Italy are key markets, with Spain emerging as a potential new focus.
What challenges does CLOU face in new overseas markets?
Songyu He: Securing the first large-scale project with a reputable local client is often the biggest hurdle. Beyond that, managing the full lifecycle of an energy storage project—from production and logistics to installation, commissioning, and ensuring 20 years of reliable operation—is crucial. CLOU prioritizes long-term brand building and sustainable market development.
How does CLOU navigate intense price competition?
Songyu He: CLOU adopts two key strategies:
1. Advancing Product Innovation with String Energy Storage Systems
The market is shifting from centralized to string energy storage systems. CLOU is developing AC storage cabinets that integrate string inverters and batteries into a single unit, improving efficiency and flexibility. Only a few companies globally can deliver mature string solutions, and CLOU is among them, with a focus on the Americas, Europe, and Japan.
2. Strengthening After-Sales Service
A robust after-sales network is crucial for long-term success. In the U.S., CLOU collaborates with over ten third-party engineering firms to provide maintenance and support across multiple states. In Chile, CLOU has established local service partnerships to support ongoing projects.
How does CLOU view the trend of overseas manufacturing?
Songyu He: While offshore manufacturing presents challenges such as labor costs and supply chain complexity, it can ultimately lower costs, especially when factoring in tariffs. CLOU is actively evaluating this approach.
What are CLOU’s advantages compared to other energy storage companies?
Songyu He: CLOU stands out in two key areas:
1. Deep Technical Expertise – With roots in smart metering and inverter (PCS) manufacturing, CLOU has a deep understanding of battery storage, power conversion, and grid integration.
2. Extensive Global Experience – CLOU has been active in the U.S. since 2018 and launched ERCOT projects in 2019, gaining strong expertise in international standards and regulatory compliance.
How has Midea supported CLOU’s global expansion?
Songyu He: Midea has strengthened CLOU’s global expansion by improving financial bankability, optimizing digital management, reducing costs, and leveraging its extensive global service network to accelerate market penetration.
State Grid Shizuishan Power Supply: Optimizing Services to Enhance Efficiency and Helping Enterprises Accelerate Development
SHIZUISHAN, China, April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — “Thank you so much for the strong support and thoughtful services of the power supply company. You have solved our problems and difficulties, explained these power safety regulations and policies, as well as the technology for hidden danger investigation. Combining with the characteristics of our electricity load, you have put forward suggestions such as equipment upgrading and optimization of the time-of-use electricity price, which are exactly what we need.” On March 21, when the staff of State Grid Shizuishan Power Supply Company paid a visit to major customers, Cai Xin, the person in charge of China Nonferrous (Ningxia) Dongfang Group Co., Ltd., said to the staff.
Focusing on the tasks of “grasping three aspects and promoting three aspects” and “improving quality and accelerating speed”, State Grid Shizuishan Power Supply Company takes the follow-up service for major customers as the main line, focuses on optimizing the business environment, actively explores measures to “reduce the burden” for customers, and carries out the activity of visiting major customers with the theme of “explaining policies, assisting operation, and optimizing services”. It formulates a plan for visiting customers by dividing regions and taking responsibility, understands the production electricity demands of key enterprises within the power supply area, and guides enterprises to use electricity safely.
As the temperature gradually warms up, the electricity load of enterprises increases accordingly. To effectively ensure the safe and reliable electricity use of enterprise customers, State Grid Shizuishan Power Supply Company keeps up with the production demands of enterprises, takes the initiative to serve enterprise customers, conducts on-site “diagnosis”, helps enterprises find “good prescriptions” for safe and economical electricity use, and enables enterprise customers to produce without worries. It mainly focuses on publicizing and explaining issues that customers care about, such as electricity use problems, electricity price implementation, payment methods, and safe electricity use. Starting from the perspective of saving customers’ electricity costs, it focuses on the changes in electricity prices in recent years, new matters such as market-oriented transaction business, and conducts detailed analysis and answers from aspects such as policies and laws, and market trends, helping customers reduce costs and increase efficiency. At the same time, the staff carefully verifies information such as the electricity use address and telephone number of electricity customers, listens attentively to the opinions and suggestions of electricity customers regarding electricity application and use, collects and sorts out the opinions and suggestions put forward by customers, and replies and settles them within a time limit. Starting from small details, they act as good “electricity stewards” for users. In addition, the staff, in combination with the visiting activities, conducts a comprehensive inspection of customers’ electricity use equipment, guides the investigation of customers’ hidden dangers, and ensures that customers use electricity safely and rationally.
For the difficult and hot issues of customers in aspects such as electricity application, electricity price, and payment, the principle of “discussing each matter separately” is implemented. For issues that can be answered on the spot, direct answers are given; for those that cannot be answered, special personnel are arranged to sort them out according to professional categories, transfer them to relevant business departments for analysis and handling, and provide point-to-point services to ensure that every issue is resolved. Secondly, a flexible team for improving power supply services is established. It collects problems that are prone to errors and easily overlooked in business work, forms typical cases, and plays the role of standardizing a category of problems through rectifying one case. Regular daily control meetings are organized to implement the closed-loop management mechanism for customer demands, and a customer satisfaction evaluation ledger is established. For all matters related to customer demands, the principle of “not leaving things overnight, clearing things up every day, and closing the loop on the same day” is adhered to, and customer demands are responded to throughout the day.
In the next step, State Grid Shizuishan Power Supply Company will further optimize the power business environment, continue to strengthen the investigation of hidden dangers for customers with heavy electricity loads, important and special customers, and heavily loaded equipment. By guiding electricity-consuming enterprises on how to use electricity scientifically and safely, it will further enhance customers’ safety awareness, convey safety information, and create a safe, harmonious, and stable electricity use environment for customers in the jurisdiction area with practical actions, ensuring that enterprises can use electricity without worries and enhancing customers’ sense of gain in electricity use.
State Grid Shizuishan Power Supply: Full-coverage Line Inspection by Drones to Ensure Safe Electricity Use in Tourism
SHIZUISHAN, China, April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — “Thanks so much to the power supply company. Using drones for inspection can help us clearly and accurately identify potential hazards in the internal line equipment of our tourist area. The power of technology is truly amazing!” On March 21, Zhang Xinmin, a staff member of Shahu Tourist Area in Pingluo County, Shizuishan City, said happily.
In recent years, with the mature application of drone technology, the operation and maintenance mode of the power supply system has undergone innovation. In areas rich in tourism resources, drone inspection, with its advantages of high efficiency, safety, and intelligence, is safeguarding the reliability of power supply in scenic areas and contributing to the high – quality development of the tourism industry.
Firstly, it enables high-efficiency inspection. The Shahu Power Supply Station conducts regular inspections on two 10 – kilovolt lines and more than ten switchgear in the scenic area. Li Baoning, an operation and maintenance worker, said, “Previously, manual inspection took two hours, but now drones can complete it in half an hour.”
Secondly, it offers precise detection. Equipped with high-definition cameras and infrared sensors, drones can accurately identify potential hazards on the lines, such as damaged insulators and broken conductor strands, ensuring that problems are detected and addressed early. Drone inspection has significantly reduced the number of fault – related power outages in the scenic area, providing reliable power support for special projects like “Night Tour of Shahu” and “Shahu’s All – Night City”.
Thirdly, it ensures safe operation and data – based management. When facing blind spots in the inspection of distribution lines in desert and lake areas, traditional manual inspection requires workers to climb poles or use large-scale equipment, which poses certain risks. Drones can be operated remotely, reducing safety hazards for personnel. Drones have made it easier to inspect areas that are difficult to access. Moreover, the data collected by drones can be transmitted to the background system in real – time. Combined with artificial intelligence and big – data analysis, inspection reports can be automatically generated, helping workers to promptly understand the status of the lines. This effectively guarantees the stability of power supply during the peak tourist season and ensures worry – free electricity use during the peak rural tourism season.
State Grid Shizuishan Power Supply: Creating “All-Seeing Eyes” and “All-Hearing Ears” for Proactive Repair to Promote Service Improvement
SHIZUISHAN, China, April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — “Hello, the proactive repair work order for the power outage of 4 households in the single-meter box of the Meteorological Bureau Staff Residential Compound of the Sheyu Substation’s 5110 Sheyin Line has been dispatched. Please implement the ‘Three Telephone Calls’ system within the time limit and arrange personnel to arrive at the site for verification and handling as soon as possible.” On March 21, State Grid Shizuishan Power Supply Company accurately dispatched the proactive repair work order to the repair personnel of the localized service classes and stations within the scope of the fault point through the intelligent power supply service system, and notified the matters related to the work order handling.
In order to effectively carry out high-quality service work, State Grid Shizuishan Power Supply Company has strengthened the approach of “driving business with work orders”, strictly implemented the application of proactive repair work orders, and enhanced the closed-loop management and control of the whole process of work orders. It has created a service mode of proactive repair with “streamlined processes, intelligent interaction, efficient coordination, and full-process control”, which is like “all-seeing eyes” and “all-hearing ears”. Through the application of models such as “power outage collection and early warning” and “proactive repair work orders”, once problems such as power failures of distribution transformers and household meters, or failure to restore power after full payment are found, proactive repair work orders will be dispatched to the front-line repair personnel of the departments and power supply stations under its jurisdiction at the first time. This realizes the transformation from the traditional passive repair mode of “fault occurrence – customer reporting – repair notification – fault elimination” to the proactive repair mode of “fault occurrence – platform early warning – repair notification – fault elimination”, which means “knowing in advance and handling in advance, and handling before a complaint is made”. It also enables rapid response and linkage among multiple departments and specialties, including marketing, distribution network, operation and maintenance inspection, companies in various (county) districts, and township power supply stations, thus improving the quality and efficiency of distribution network repair command.
During the spring inspection period, State Grid Shizuishan Power Supply Company adheres to the approaches of “problem orientation” and “customer orientation”, gives full play to the terminal hub role of the “strong front end and large backstage” service system, focuses on improving the accuracy of work order research, judgment and early warning. By screening out the repeatedly dispatched work orders, it can understand in detail the handling situation of customer demands, quickly identify the hotspots and difficulties of power supply service problems, urge grass-roots units to strengthen the source rectification of professional work specifications, achieve timely and controllable handling of customer demands, improve the risk management and control ability, and enhance the service efficiency.
Up to now, the company has dispatched a total of 1,718 proactive repair work orders in March. Through the homogeneous management and control of work orders from three dimensions of proactive repair, grid service, and 95598, it has further improved customers’ satisfaction with electricity consumption, created a good business environment, and further promoted improvement of power supply service level with practical actions.
FinVolution Engages in Fintech Globalization Talks with UN and Pakistani Officials
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BEIJING, April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On March 28, CEO of FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV), Tiezheng Li, met with former United Nations Under-Secretary General Zukang Sha and Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, to discuss approaches for the globalization of fintech companies, inclusive finance practices, and technology exchanges. The meeting was also attended by Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, and other dignitaries.
FinVolution CEO Tiezheng Li(right) discusses the company’s development journey with the former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affair (center) and Munir Akram (left), Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
During the discussions, Zukang Sha recognized FinVolution’s efforts in advancing inclusive finance and expanding its global footprint. He emphasized the importance of regulatory compliance and cross-cultural management in fintech expansion, highlighting the need for international partnerships to drive sustainable financial ecosystems.
Tiezheng Li shared insights into FinVolution’s globalization strategy, outlining the company’s growth across key markets. Since its initial international expansion in 2018, FinVolution has established fully localized operations in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Pakistan, while also extending its intelligent financial technology services to Latin America. The company remains committed to leveraging scalable technology to enhance financial inclusion and support economic development in emerging markets.
Daira, a fintech platform launched by FinVolution in Pakistan, already obtained a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) license from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakista in 2024, enabling it to provide localized and secure fintech services customized for the Pakistani market. This initiative reflects FinVolution’s approach of integrating global expertise with localized solutions to meet the diverse needs of different markets.
As FinVolution continues to strengthen its international presence, 2024 has been marked by key milestones, including securing new financial licenses, expanding partnerships with financial institutions in Indonesia and the Philippines, and reinforcing its on-the-ground operations. The company remains focused on driving sustainable fintech growth and fostering global financial inclusion through responsible innovation.