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Lao Electricity Exports to Vietnam Hit Record High on Renewable Boom

This photo is used for representational purpose only.

Laos delivered a record volume of electricity to Vietnam in early 2026, as a wave of newly commissioned renewable projects and strong cross-border links drove an increase.

Laos exported 2.92 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity to Vietnam during the first three months of the year, accounting for 3.8 percent of total output. The figure marks an increase of nearly 120 percent compared to the same period in 2025, according to Vietnamese media.

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) credited the surge to rapid project deployment across Laos throughout 2025 and the completion of new transmission infrastructure along the shared border, including the 81-kilometer transmission lineTuong Duong-Do Luong that entered service in November 2025.

By end-2025, Vietnam had approved electricity imports from 47 Lao projects totalling 8,260 megawatts (MW) in combined capacity. Projects already delivering power reached 2,379 MW of operational capacity as several long-planned developments moved from construction into commercial operation.

The largest of these is the Monsoon Wind Power Project, a 600 MW onshore wind farm spanning Sekong and Attapeu provinces in southern Laos. It began commercial operations in late 2025, becoming both Southeast Asia’s largest wind farm and Asia’s first cross-border renewable energy project. The plant ships power to Vietnam through a 500 kV transmission line under a 25-year power purchase agreement with EVN.

The Truong Son Wind Farm, a 250 MW plant in Bolikhamxay province operated by the Vietnam-Laos Energy Investment Joint Stock Company, is now more than 80 percent complete and will supply electricity to Vietnam via the 220 kV Do Luong substation in Nghe An province once operational. 

Meanwhile, the first phase of the Savan 1 wind plant in Savannakhet province, developed by a subsidiary of a Vietnamese private company, with now completed over 585 percent, contributing an expected 0.9 billion kWh per year at a grid integration rate above 90 percent.

Grid operators moved in parallel to expand transmission capacity. 

EVN’s National Power Transmission Corporation brought the Tuong Duong-Do Luong line, stretching nearly 81 kilometers, into service in November 2025, strengthening the key corridor that carries hydropower from Laos into Nghe An province and onto Vietnam’s national grid.

Vietnam targets 5,000 MW of imports from Laos by 2030, rising to 11,000 MW by 2050.

Eternal Beauty Holdings & The Loops Hong Kong Unveil “Green is Eternal” HK’s First Rinse-Free Recycling Program for Fragrance & Skincare Cosmetics


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 April 2026 – As a leader in China’s fragrance industry driving sustainable development, Eternal Beauty Holdings Limited (“Eternal Beauty” or the “Group”; stock code: 6883.HK) today announced the launch of “Green is Eternal,” Hong Kong’s first rinse-free recycling program for fragrance and skincare cosmetics. The initiative works hand in hand with customers to build a greener, more eco-friendly ecosystem.

The program has brought in local recycling startup The Loops Hong Kong (“The Loops”) as its strategic partner. By leveraging advanced recycling equipment and a well-established processing system, the initiative introduces a breakthrough approach—rinse-free recycling. Customers no longer need to wash out bottles or disassemble components. Instead, they simply hand over used fragrance bottles or skincare cosmetics containers to store staff for collection. The materials are then sent to The Loops’ Hong Kong facilities for processing and ultimately transformed into recycled resources—lowering the barrier to recycling and making participation far more convenient.

Hong Kong’s first rinse-free recycling program

“Green is Eternal” is built on two key advantages: rinse-free and all brands. It greatly simplifies the recycling process—customers do not need to wash away any residue left in the bottles, nor do they need to remove decorative elements from packaging. Eligible glass or plastic bottles can be handed directly to store staff at designated Eternal Beauty locations to complete the recycling process.

The eligible recycling scope includes fragrance bottles, skincare product bottles, home fragrance bottles, and cosmetics packaging from various brands. Excluded from the program are personal care products (such as shampoo and hair-care products, body wash, body-care products, aerosol spray containers, and makeup tools), as well as fragrance bottles with a capacity of less than 10ml.

To encourage widespread public participation, the program features an incentive mechanism: for every eligible fragrance or skincare cosmetics bottle recycled, customers receive an electronic stamp. After collecting 10 electronic stamps, they can redeem them for a shopping voucher.

The program is already up and running at the Group’s eight outlets and offices across Hong Kong. The Group has also provided dedicated environmental recycling training for frontline staff to ensure the recycling process is standardized, efficient, and seamlessly woven into everyday customer service. Throughout the year, the Group will collaborate with a local charity to host recycling facility tours, guiding the public and students through the inner workings of recycling operations—raising environmental awareness and helping cultivate lasting recycling habits.

Beyond recycling: Advancing sustainability at the community level

“Green is Eternal” is more than an environmental recycling initiative—it is a structured sustainability project that blends retail-based education with deep community engagement. According to industry data, packaging is one of the major sources of carbon emissions in the sector. Furthermore, recycling fragrance and makeup bottles poses significant challenges due to the complexity of residual ingredients, which limits the adoption of recycling practices and results in persistently low voluntary recycling rates for these containers.

Drawing on its industry expertise, the Group partners with The Loops to tackle the challenges of traditional recycling through professional technology. The company also works with community organizations to build an educational and awareness platform, bringing employees, community members, and students into recycling facilities for in-depth environmental learning, while encouraging the public to integrate recycling into daily life. The goal is to establish a sustainable corporate model that is both socially responsible and environmentally friendly.

Wendy Lau, Executive Director of Eternal Beauty and Chairperson of its ESG Committee of the Group, commented: “Understanding the core challenge in traditional recycling systems—that customers are required to put in effort to clean bottles—explains why many people give up on participation. We are delighted to work with The Loops, whose advanced recycling system and equipment can effectively address the impact of residual ingredients in fragrances and cosmetics, truly enabling rinse-free recycling. We hope this program motivates more customers to take the initiative in environmental protection and, together with our partners, promotes sustainable development across the fragrance and beauty industry.”

Jorch Wong, Founder of The Loops Hong Kong, added: “This program marks a major milestone for sustainability in the fragrance and beauty industry. In recent years, while the number of recycling programs has increased, recycling fragrance and beauty packaging has remained difficult and cumbersome, leading to persistently low recycling rates for this category. As an industry leader, Eternal Beauty has proactively taken the lead in launching Hong Kong’s first rinse-free recycling program. This not only strengthens consumers’ environmental awareness but also helps the public build long-term recycling habits—an important encouragement for the entire recycling industry and a replicable model for sustainable development.”

As a leader in China’s fragrance industry, the Group fosters sustainable development through four key pillars: Environment, People, Product, and Community, while actively fulfilling its corporate social responsibility. Following the successful launch of “Green is Eternal” in Hong Kong, the Group aims to expand the program to its distribution points across Mainland China within the year—strengthening environmental collaboration between Hong Kong and Mainland markets, extending the program’s environmental impact, and encouraging the broader industry to move toward sustainability.

Note: The recycling scope does not include personal care products (such as shampoo and hair-care products, body wash, body-care products, aerosol spray containers, and makeup tools), nor fragrance bottles with a capacity of less than 10ml.

Green is Eternal Collection Points:

District Location Brands Address
Causeway Bay wwwtc Jimmy Choo Parfums Shop No L1-05, Level 1 280, Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island
Parfums de Marly Shop No L1-05, Level 1 280, Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island
Tsim Sha Tsui K11 MUSEA BABOR Shop No. B223, Basement 2, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon, Hong Kong
Harbour City Dolce&Gabbana Shop 2522, Level 2 Gateway Arcade Harbour City, Kowloon
Kowloon Tong Festival Walk Acca Kappa Kiosk E1, UG Level, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
BABOR KIOSK Q, UG Level, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Mong Kok Langham Place Laura Mercier Shop L2-08, Langham Place, Mong Kok Kowloon, Hong Kong

For campaign details, please visit https://www.eternal.hk/green-is-eternal/campaign.

Hashtag: #EternalBeautyHoldings

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

About Eternal Beauty Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 6883.HK)

Eternal Beauty Holdings Limited is the largest perfume group (apart from brand-owner perfume groups) in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) in terms of retail sales in 2023. It primarily sells and distributes products procured from third-party brand licensors, and deploys market for these brand licensors, offering such services as brand management, and designing and implementing customized market entry and expansion plans for their brands. The Group boasts large and diversified brand portfolios that include not only perfumes, but also color cosmetics, skincare products, personal care products, eyewear and home fragrances. As at 30 September 2025, it conducted product distribution and market deployment for a total of 74 external brands, including Hermès, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chopard, Albion and Laura Mercier, with products in different pricing tiers and of versatile features that meet the differentiated demands of consumers in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and/or Macau.

About The Loops Hong Kong

The Loops, founded in 2019, is Hong Kong’s premier one-stop recycling center, offering door-to-door collection, sorting, and reporting. Handling over 40 recyclable types in a single basket, we simplify waste management for homes and businesses, provide real-time ESG data, innovative food waste recycling, and dirty recycling services, fostering sustainable practices. The Loops also empowers disadvantaged homemakers with flexible work, supports families, and transforms waste into resources for a sustainable future through a circular economy.

Flagship Tablet to Highlight Huawei Innovative Product Launch in Bangkok

BANGKOK, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei officially announced the “Now Is Your Spark” Innovative Launch Event, due to be held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 7, 2026. This launch event will unveil a comprehensive lineup of flagship tablets, wearables, and smartphones. Empowering daily life with technology and exploring future frontiers through innovation, Huawei aims to inspire every user through intelligent experiences across all scenarios.

Flagship Tablet to Highlight Huawei Innovative Product Launch in Bangkok
Flagship Tablet to Highlight Huawei Innovative Product Launch in Bangkok

As one of the highlights of this launch event, the flagship tablet HUAWEI MatePad Pro Max will make its global debut. The HUAWEI MatePad Pro series has consistently delivered comprehensive experience breakthroughs with best-in-class productivity and creativity. This new device is Huawei’s best tablet yet, with a lightweight design, PC-level productivity, and PaperMatte Display, opening new possibilities for work, creation, and creative expression.

In the wearables sector, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT Series continues to gain widespread recognition from global consumers. By April 2026, shipments have exceeded 24 million units, setting a new benchmark in the fashion sports smartwatch market. The series offers a lightweight, comfortable wearing experience while providing professional sports guidance and health management features. At the Huawei Innovative Launch Event in Bangkok, the all-new HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series will debut. It is set to become the ideal companion for users to express personal style, explore sports enjoyment, and monitor health around the clock. Additionally, this launch will introduce the HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2 Racing Legend Edition, specially designed for marathons with its upgraded data analysis capabilities to scientifically support every step of the run. Moreover, Huawei plans to unveil its first jewelry smartwatch designed in partnership with renowned international jewelry designer Francesca Amfitheatrof—the HUAWEI WATCH ULTIMATE DESIGN Spring Edition. Also making a grand return after five years is the next-generation premium kids watch, the HUAWEI WATCH KIDS X1 Series.

In the smartphone segment, HUAWEI nova 15 Max will deliver an upgraded experience for global consumers. Leveraging strengths in imaging technology, battery life, and reliable quality, it is an ideal companion for young people to capture life’s moments and unleash their creativity.

Now Is Your Spark— every individual can light up the world to drive change, and technology serves as the torch to ignite, connect, and amplify this force. By giving passion a voice, inspiration a purpose, and expression a stage, Huawei aims to empower consumers worldwide to write their own stories with innovative technologies.

 

HZICC: The 2025 Hangzhou Highlights Awards Celebrating Visionaries Elevating the City’s Global Profile

HANGZHOU, China, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does the world see when it looks at Hangzhou? The Hangzhou & Friends: 2025 Hangzhou Highlights Awards, unveiled on February 4, offered an answer—not through statistics alone, but through the stories of connection that unfolded across the year.

The awards were born from a simple recognition: that a city’s global presence is built not only on grand events, but on the countless moments when people reach across borders. To honor this, the organizers structured the awards into four chapters: Dialogue of Civilizations, Industrial Narratives, Social Innovation, and Moments of the Year, each capturing a different way that Hangzhou touched the world.

Across these categories, moments of quiet resonance stood out. In the realm of cultural dialogue, ten friends from ten nations explored Hangzhou for the first time, their journeys later echoed by the city’s own return visits to Istanbul and Cairo. After the visits, a German photographer’s image of Qiandao Lake’s giant net fishing found its way to the pages of The Times, Hangzhou’s bond with Verona deepened into a year-long romance of music, art, and shared celebration, proving that sister-city ties can bloom into something far richer than ceremony.

On the Liangzhu Day of 2025, the “Liangzhu and the World: Dialogue between Liangzhu Ancient City and Rome Ancient City” was held—one of several moments when the region’s archaeological treasures found new resonance on the global stage. Beyond culture, the awards recognized how Hangzhou’s industries are telling Chinese stories overseas, from Geely’s global development to the rise of cross-border e-commerce that brings Hangzhou products,and the culture behind them directly to international consumers.

Yet there were also countless other people and moments that helped the world know Hangzhou. An international student from Pakistan filmed the city he had come to call home, capturing not just its landmarks but the feeling of belonging. A volunteer from Zimbabwe found himself holding hands with local police and strangers in a human chain at West Lake to maintain traffic order, discovering that being welcomed means being trusted to help. The Hangzhou International Conference Center became a stage for cross-cultural encounter, while Hangzhou’s tech-themed travel routes offered visitors a chance to explore the city’s cutting-edge innovations.

Together, these moments traced a portrait of Hangzhou not as a place that simply welcomes visitors, but as one that listens, shares, and grows, through the people who carry its stories onward.

 

Bonree Powers Global Digital Finance with Intelligent Observability

DONGGUAN, China, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From March 31 to April 2, 2026, the second Huawei Global Financial EcoWeek, themed “Inspire • Collaborate • Achieve: Reshaping the Future of Finance”, was held in Sanyapo, Dongguan. The event brought together over 400 attendees from Huawei partners across more than 30 countries and regions, including over 60 independent software vendors (ISVs) and over 120 system integrators (SIs) in the financial industry. As global financial data volumes surge, customer demands diversify, and regulatory requirements evolve, financial institutions are accelerating their digital and intelligent transformation. Observability and intelligent operations technologies enable institutions to detect system anomalies in real time, optimise performance, and ensure business continuity, while cross-regional and cross-institution collaboration is becoming a key driver of industry innovation.

At the event, NTT Data signed a partnership agreement with BONREE DATA TECHNOLOGY Co., Ltd. (Bonree), marking the launch of a renewed global financial ecosystem under the “SI Value Growth Plan.” As the first publicly listed company in China’s Application Performance Management (APM) and observability market, Bonree is advancing its globalisation strategy with established operations in Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, and Malaysia. The company has already secured orders worth millions in the Hong Kong and Macau region. Bonree complies with internationally recognised standards, including SOC 2 Type II and CMMI Level 5. Its self-developed LLM-powered observability platform has been selected for Huawei Cloud’s international baseline solution library, reflecting recognition from global cloud ecosystems and supporting its expansion with a “global deployment, local compliance” approach.

Bonree serves over 1,000 leading clients worldwide with system monitoring, performance optimisation, and intelligent operations solutions. Leveraging proprietary unsupervised knowledge graph root cause analysis technology and AI-driven intelligent analytics, Bonree delivers plug-and-play monitoring and fully managed adaptive alerting systems that detect anomalies quickly and accurately with minimal noise. With 56 authorised invention patents and 135 software copyrights, as well as 24/7 global technical support, Bonree maintains an NPS of 79 and a client satisfaction rate of 95%, reflecting its deep overseas market presence and trust among international financial institutions. With these core strengths, Bonree continues to lead in global fintech and digital operations, helping clients ensure business continuity and digital transformation while striving to become a leading global player in APM and observability.

CONTACT: 
Yao Xiaohan
yaoxiaohan@bonree.com 
+8618210189324

The fragrance of liquor blends with the mountains and waters: China’s Guizhou expands new horizons for sauce-flavored liquor cultural tourism

ZUNYI, China, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from CNS: Along the Chishui River in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, a liquor-producing region is being combined with mountainous landscapes to develop new cultural tourism offerings.

2026 "International Cultural Tourism Experience Officers Explore Guizhou" event visits a liquor enterprise in Renhuai, Guizhou, China.
2026 “International Cultural Tourism Experience Officers Explore Guizhou” event visits a liquor enterprise in Renhuai, Guizhou, China.

Renhuai, in Zunyi City, lies at the core production area of sauce-aroma baijiu, a major category of Chinese liquor. A unique combination of climate, water quality and microbial environment has supported traditional brewing techniques featuring high-temperature starter making and multiple fermentation cycles.

Over time, brewing has evolved from a manufacturing activity into a system with both industrial and cultural attributes. Distilleries, workshops and related historical sites along the Chishui River form a distinctive regional landscape.

In recent years, Guizhou has promoted the integration of baijiu culture with tourism while maintaining traditional practices. During the 2026 “International Cultural Tourism Experience Officers Explore Guizhou” program, international visitors toured Maotai Town, visiting exhibition areas and production workshops to observe the brewing process and learn about its cultural background.

Some stages of production, including starter making, fermentation and distillation, have been adapted for public viewing through museums, guided routes and viewing platforms. Additional services such as tasting sessions, cultural interpretation and creative products have also been introduced.

Supported by both the natural environment of the river basin and an established industry base, the area is developing a model that combines sightseeing, cultural experience and leisure. Night tours, local cuisine and themed activities have further expanded tourism offerings.

China’s baijiu industry is valued at over 600 billion yuan, with sauce-aroma baijiu showing relatively strong growth. As a core production hub, Renhuai provides a foundation for tourism-related development, while also supporting improvements in accommodation, catering and other services.

As integration progresses, brewing is increasingly presented as part of a broader cultural offering in the region.

 

“Pretty Messy” Completes Jūji’s Debut Album Journey — A Luminous Title Track About Embracing Pain and Moving Forward

BANGKOK, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Thai indie pop–jazz outfit Jūji gracefully wraps up its debut full-length album with “Pretty Messy,” a beautifully crafted title track that invites listeners to embrace past wounds before stepping into the future.

Jūji
Jūji

Based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and currently signed to Melodic Corner, Jūji has steadily captured audiences with its signature blend of indie pop and jazz, weaving deeply personal narratives in both English and Japanese. Its growing international presence includes performances at Bangkok Music City 2026 in Thailand, Music Lane Festival Okinawa 2026 in Japan, and Minrock Festa 2025 in Busan, South Korea.

Following these international appearances, Jūji reaches a defining milestone with the release of its debut full-length project, The 1st Album, culminating in “Pretty Messy” — a reflective and healing composition that encourages listeners to find beauty and meaning within life’s imperfections.

Finding Beauty in Imperfection

“Pretty Messy” explores the process of accepting and embracing sadness. Inspired by real-life experiences, the track reflects on memories, emotional baggage, and the inevitable act of letting go. At its core, it offers a message of quiet optimism: that pain, in hindsight, can reveal its own kind of beauty — especially once we find the strength to move forward.

A Journey Through Love, Longing, and Self-Discovery

As part of The 1st Album, “Pretty Messy” completes a narrative arc centered on love in its many forms — spanning self-discovery, heartbreak, infatuation, and even the longing for something that may never exist.

Over the past year, listeners have followed this journey through standout tracks including “Moon Or Stars,” “You,” “More & More,” “Never This Far Away Gone (All In),” “No Turning Back,” “Forbidden Love,” and “Dreamland,” all leading to the album’s poignant conclusion.

The Sound of Jūji

The 1st Album showcases Jūji’s distinctive indie pop–jazz sensibility, enriched by each member’s unique musical influences. The result is a cohesive body of work that feels both dreamy and sincere — capturing the emotional complexity and quiet vulnerability of the human experience.

Watch & Listen

Experience the beauty of imperfection in Jūji’s “Pretty Messy,” now available as an official music video on YouTube via Melodic Corner. The 1st Album is also available on all major streaming platforms.

Stay connected with Jūji for upcoming projects and uniquely curated content across all official channels.

Follow Jūji
YouTube : https://youtube.com/@jujiband.official?si=Oqz9qvv59XMdlTCY
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jujiband.official/?hl=en
Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@jujiband.official?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Citi Singapore receives dual award recognition from FinanceAsia and Forbes

  • Citi named Best International Bank and Best International Investment Bank in Singapore by FinanceAsia for the second year in a row
  • Citi ranked as #1 in Singapore among Forbes World’s Best Banks 2026

SINGAPORE, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Citi Singapore today announced that it was conferred awards by both FinanceAsia and Forbes, underscoring its leading position in the financial industry.

The bank won multiple accolades from FinanceAsia, including ‘Best International Bank’ and ‘Best International Investment Bank’ in Singapore for the second year running. It was also ranked first in Singapore amongst Forbes World’s Best Banks 2026.

FinanceAsia Awards 2026

FinanceAsia, a leading Hong Kong-based financial publication reporting on Asia Pacific’s financial and capital markets, recognized Citi’s strong financial performance, as well as its commitment to client service and innovation across various segments of its institutional and wealth management businesses in Singapore.

Besides the ‘Best International Bank’ and ‘Best International Investment Bank’ awards, Citi also won ‘Best International ECM House’ and ‘Best International M&A House’ in Singapore.

“We are incredibly honored to receive these significant recognitions from FinanceAsia and Forbes,” said Lee Lung Nien, Citi Country Officer for Singapore. “These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our teams, who consistently strive to deliver exceptional value and service to our clients. Singapore remains a critical hub for Citi, and these accolades reinforce our strategy and commitment to driving growth and innovation in this market.”

Forbes World’s Best Banks 2026

Citi’s #1 ranking in Singapore in the prestigious Forbes World’s Best Banks 2026 list is based on a comprehensive survey conducted by Forbes and Statista. Over 50,000 consumers from 34 countries were engaged for this survey in 17 different languages.

Survey participants evaluated banks where they currently have a checking or savings account (within the last three years), or that they knew through family or friends. They shared how satisfied they were with each bank and whether they would recommend it to others, then rated each on trustworthiness, terms and conditions, digital services, customer service and financial advice.

Yeo Wenxian, Head of Wealth for Asia South, said “We are honored to be recognized by FinanceAsia and Forbes. The accolades are a powerful affirmation of the trust our clients place in us and the unwavering commitment of our teams. The awards fuel our determination to keep raising the bar, serving with excellence, and delivering wealth management experiences centered on our clients’ needs.”

These awards reflect Citi Singapore’s robust performance, strategic initiatives, and client-centric approach, solidifying its reputation as a pre-eminent financial partner in the region.

About Citi 
Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.

Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | X: @Citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi