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Chairman Xu Guanju Speaks at the 2025 Energy Asia Conference in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 June 2025 – On 16 June 2025, Chairman Xu Guanju of Transfar Group was invited to speak at the 2025 Energy Asia Conference.

Hosted by PETRONAS, the Energy Asia Conference was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 16 to 18 June. Focusing on the theme ‘Delivering Asia’s Energy Transition’, the conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and energy professionals from over 60 countries, calling for bold solutions and collaboration to accelerate Asia’s progress towards a net-zero future.

The conference was officiated by the Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Chairman Xu Guanju delivered his speech at the forum session titled ‘China’s Pathway in Delivering Asia and the World’s Energy Transition’. He emphasized that the basis of social progress and economic prosperity is founded upon the effective use of energy. The tides of energy and technological revolution present not only challenges, but valuable opportunities. Asia’s diverse resources offer unique advantages for development. Transforming precious resources into high-value products that serve the advancement of society and human welfare not only presents a more sustainable path for development, but is also a pivotal direction for transforming one of humanity’s scarcest resources: energy.

Transfar is a leading private enterprise in China, specialising in the production of downstream chemicals in the petroleum industry. Founded in 1986 following China’s Reform and Opening-up, the company will celebrate 40 years of commitment to the production and development of functional chemicals and new materials. Using fossil fuels such as petroleum, silicon, and phosphorus, it produces hundreds of product lines, with nearly 20,000 products. Many are used in relatively smaller volumes, ranging from just tens to hundreds of tons every year, but they are an indispensable part of many supply chains. Transfar strives relentlessly for excellence, designing each product to have functional value and unique flair.

Transfar plays a crucial role across a wide range of industrial and supply chains. From serving light industries such as textiles, paper, plastics, and building materials, the company has expanded to support emerging sectors including photovoltaics, solar energy, new energy vehicles, high-speed rail and semiconductors. By leveraging technological innovation, Transfar has achieved exponential growth while becoming a key driver for the transition to new energy.

Chairman Xu affirmed that Chinese companies are unwaveringly dedicated to achieving their dual-carbon goals, honing their core competitive advantage in products, technology, and management through their development journey, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the development of Asia and the world. He shared three key perspectives from Transfar’s practices:

First, technological innovation is the key to energy transformation, especially the innovation of end-use applications, which holds tremendous value. In the past, China grew rapidly through energy, market size, and cost advantages. Today, in addition to a large-scale market, China boasts a sizeable number of innovative enterprises, Transfar being one of them. Transfar prioritizes technological innovation, continuously tackling new technologies in functional chemicals and new materials to enhance energy and product value, and moving up the supply chain. Recent breakthroughs such as rare earth rubber, electronic chemicals, and organic silicon materials, some of which are fully independent and original innovations, have greatly enhanced the added value of the energy and chemical industry.

Second, establishing a zero carbon goal and building a green, low-carbon development model, is key in supporting sustainable development in the industry. Green and low-carbon emissions are a global consensus, a national strategy, and a corporate responsibility. This is especially so in the energy and chemical industries, where a focus on energy structure, low-carbon technology, and industrial innovation, is crucial. Transfar has established integrated solar and storage systems, waste heat power generation, and closed-loop energy systems in creating zero-carbon factories and industrial parks, equipped with full-chain product carbon footprint tracking. Transfar has also pioneered green technologies such as low-temperature bleaching and chlorosilicon recycling, empowering industry-wide carbon emission reduction. At the same time, exploring biomanufacturing transformations has led to significant breakthroughs in new applications such as bio-based additives, biopesticides, and enzyme systems.

Third, a global perspective and open collaboration are tantamount to the endeavour of entering and serving the global market alongside strategic partners. The future is not a zero sum game. Sustainable development requires an open mind and cooperation, including regional strategic coordination and strong alliances between upstream and downstream enterprises. Transfar’s products and services reach more than 100 countries and regions, and we have comprehensively reshaped our global innovation model, working closely with strategic partners, combining China’s refined product technology capabilities with our partners to build global competitiveness. Transfar is actively promoting strategic cooperation with PETRONAS in areas such as rubber materials, organic silicon materials, developing the chemicals and materials industries with the common pursuit of zero-carbon goals and sustainability.

Chairman Xu Guanju also participated in the Energy Asia Global Leadership Executive Forum, gathering global CEOs and executives from the oil and gas, energy and related sectors for closed-door discussions on building a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

Hashtag: #TransfarGroup

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Hong Kong rises to World’s No.3 most competitive economy


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 June 2025 – Hong Kong has moved up two places to rank as the world’s third most competitive economy, marking the second successive year that the city has jumped two places in the global rankings to reach its highest position since 2019.

The World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025 (WCY 2025), published (June 17) by the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD), assessed 69 economies around the world. Hong Kong made gains in all the factors of competitiveness: “Government efficiency” (second), “Business efficiency” (second) “Economic performance” (sixth), and “Infrastructure” (seventh). The IMD remarked that the gains across all four factors of competitiveness reflect a broad-based approach of Hong Kong to attracting private sector investment.

“The World Competitiveness Yearbook shows that Hong Kong’s scores in overall terms and in many areas have improved, indicating that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s policy directions are on the right course and that various policies have yielded results,” said the HKSAR’s Chief Executive John Lee.

Hong Kong has ranked among the top 10 in the world for over 20 consecutive years, since the WCY 2003.

Hong Kong rises to World’s No.3 most competitive economy
Hong Kong rises to World’s No.3 most competitive economy

Mr Lee said the ranking also “affirms Hong Kong’s world-class business environment, reflecting business leaders’ positive views on its competitiveness and strengths, including the rule of law, independent exercise of judicial power, a simple tax regime with low tax rates, an efficient and transparent market, a robust financial system, and a facilitating environment aligned with international best practices, as well as free flow of capital, information, goods and talent, which are affirmed by the business community.”

Despite the current uncertain global economic landscape and geopolitical turmoil, Hong Kong recorded solid year-on-year GDP growth of 3.1% in the first quarter of 2025, with full year GDP growth expected to be 2% to 3%.

Totally, 145,053 local companies were newly registered under the Companies Ordinance last year, bringing the overall number of local companies registered to a record high of 1,460,494, at end-2024. Meanwhile, 1,079 newly established non-Hong Kong companies were registered, bringing that overall total to an all-time high of 15,126.

“Under the unique advantages of ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. We will continue to leverage Hong Kong’s role as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder’, strengthen international exchanges and co-operation, expand and deepen regional trade, explore new markets, with a view to building a vibrant economy, striving for development and improving people’s livelihoods on all fronts,” Mr Lee said.

To attract more non-Hong Kong incorporated companies to re-domicile to Hong Kong, the Government launched a new company re-domiciliation regime legislation last month, providing a simple and accessible mechanism for re-domiciliation to Hong Kong.

Already, two insurance companies, AXA Hong Kong and Macau (AXA China Region Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited) and Manulife (International) Limited have announced plans to re-domicile to Hong Kong under the new regime, subject to regulatory approvals.

Hong Kong is actively driving reforms to strengthen and enhance its position as an international financial, trade, and shipping centre, trawling for businesses and talents. The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises has attracted over 80 strategic enterprises to establish offices in Hong Kong, bringing about HK$50 billion total investments in the years to come, and creating over 20,000 jobs.

Among the sub-factors in the WCY 2025, Hong Kong came top for “Tax policy” and “Business legislation” and second for “Education”, “International investment” and “Finance”.

Ranked as a top three global financial centre, Hong Kong’s stock exchange is a key barometer of financial market performance. By May 30, 2025, stock market capitalisation had increased by 24% year-on-year to over US$5.2 trillion.

Notably, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange has seen a surge in initial public offerings (IPOs), with total IPO funds raised reaching nearly HK$79 billion (US$10.12 billion) so far this year, making it the leader among major global exchanges.

Hong Kong is one of the world’s top three ranked global financial centres
Hong Kong is one of the world’s top three ranked global financial centres

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #excellenthk #IMD #WorldCompetitiveness2025





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

Indonesia Province Pushes Vasectomies to Curb Poverty Amid Regional Population Shift

Indonesia’s West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi. This image is used only for representational purpose. (photo credit: Wikipedia)

Late April, Indonesia’s West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi announced a birth control initiative encouraging men from low-income households to undergo vasectomies in a move to reduce provincial poverty, a policy that runs counter to recent demographic trends across Southeast Asia where neighbors like Vietnam have been relaxing population controls.

Vasectomy involves cutting or blocking sperm-carrying tubes to prevent pregnancy, creating permanent sterilization that can sometimes be surgically reversed, though success isn’t guaranteed.

Speaking at Depok City Hall, West java Province, Dedi outlined the program’s key features: weekly vasectomy services every Wednesday, a IDR 500,000 (about USD 30) cash incentive, and reports suggest sterilization may be required to access certain government assistance programs, such as electricity connections, food aid, scholarships, or public housing.

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi speaks with reporters at Depok City Hall, West Java, on 29 April 2025. (Beritasatu.com/Fahri Ali)

Eligible men must be 35 or older, healthy, have at least two children, and obtain spousal consent. West Java defines poverty as living on IDR 535,000 (about USD 33) monthly or less.

World Bank data from April shows 60.3 percent of Indonesians, approximately 171.8 million people, live below the poverty threshold of USD 6.85 per person per day.

The World Bank’s Updated Global Poverty Lines: Indonesia. (source: World Bank)

Dedi explained that the province had observed many poor families continuing to have a fourth or fifth child, even though childbirth expenses range between IDR 15 to 25 million (around USD 1,000 to 1,700), which such families are unable to afford. 

He emphasized, as reported by the Jakarta Globe, that parenthood demands financial readiness.

West Java’s restrictive approach stands in contrast to broader regional demographic trends. 

Just this June, Vietnam ended its two-child policy as its fertility rate fell to 1.91, aiming to address rapid aging. 

Thailand faces an even sharper decline, with a fertility rate of 1.0 and births at a 70-year low, prompting new pronatalist efforts. China has similarly relaxed population restrictions in recent years to combat demographic challenges.

However, Indonesia’s population continues to increase each year, adding roughly 2.0 to 2.6 million people annually between 2020 and 2025. 

Population of Indonesia 2025 and historical. Source: Worldometer

Although the growth rate is gradually slowing, from 0.98 percent in 2020 to about 0.79 percent  in 2025, the overall population keeps rising due to natural growth and ongoing urbanization, despite negative net migration. 

Meanwhile, Laos maintains a higher fertility rate of 2.3 and continues to grow, though challenges like youth unemployment and urban migration are beginning to emerge.

Laos Undertakes Major Government Reshuffle Amid Structural Reforms

The 9th Ordinary Session of the 9th Legislature of the National Assembly

The Lao government has carried out a sweeping reshuffle, replacing or reassigning nine ministers along with the Governor of the Bank of the Lao PDR. 

Thai Political Crisis: What We Know

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (C) gestures at a press conference next to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (L), Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa (2nd R), Armed Forces Commander Pana Klaewplodthuk (3rd R), Chief of the Defence Forces Songwit Noonpackdee (R), and Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police Kitrat Phanphet (centre L) at Government House in Bangkok on June 19, 2025. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on June 19 apologised for her leaked phone call with Cambodia's ex-leader, which prompted a political crisis that threatens to collapse her government. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

By Damon WAKE/AFP – Thailand’s government is on the brink of collapse after a key coalition partner quit, leaving the kingdom facing yet another of its regular bouts of political instability.

Here’s what we know about the latest crisis rocking Thai politics:

What’s happening?

Thailand’s coalition government, headed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is in danger of collapsing after the second-biggest party in the alliance quit.

The conservative Bhumjaithai party said late Wednesday it was pulling out because of a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.

The loss of Bhumjaithai’s 69 MPs leaves Paetongtarn with barely enough votes for a majority in parliament, and if any other coalition partner leaves, her government will almost certainly crumble.

Paetongtarn apologized for the call, saying she was trying to stabilize a volatile border dispute with Cambodia and did not expect the recording to become public.

What happened in this phone call? 

Paetongtarn spoke to Hun Sen on Sunday about a festering border dispute that last month broke into military clashes that left a Cambodian soldier dead.

A nine-minute portion of the call appeared online, followed hours later by the full 17-minute recording, posted by Hun Sen himself, who stepped down as Cambodian leader in 2023 but still wields great influence and is regarded as a wily political operator.

In the recording Paetongtarn addresses the veteran leader as “uncle”.

This is not unusual in Thai culture when a younger person is talking to someone much older, but it has led to accusations that Paetongtarn was being too familiar or too deferential, and that as prime minister she should have been more assertive.

Far more damaging was the fact she refers to the Thai army commander northeast as her “opponent”, sparking fury in Thailand’s highly vocal nationalist, pro-military quarters.

Thailand’s armed forces have a long history of intervening in politics and leaders are usually careful not to cross them.

The relationship between the military and the Shinawatra family is particularly sensitive, as the army has already ousted Paetongtarn’s father Thaksin Shinawatra and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra as prime minister.

Paetongtarn made her apology on 19 June at a press conference alongside army commanders in a public show of unity.

The army issued a statement saying it backed “democratic principles” and urged Thais to unite to defend the “paramount imperative” of national sovereignty.

What else is behind the crisis?

Pressure has been building on Paetongtarn’s government for months, the economy is struggling, little has been done to head off US President Donald Trump’s threatened trade tariffs, and relations with key political partners have fractured.

Growing tensions within the coalition erupted into open warfare in the past week as Pheu Thai tried to take the interior minister job away from Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul.

Critics say Paetongtarn, a political novice when she took office in August 2024, has been exposed as lacking experience and leadership ability, not least by the border crisis with Cambodia.

But the coalition Pheu Thai stitched together to take power was always an uneasy alliance, relying on conservative pro-military parties that have bitterly opposed Thaksin, his family and political parties for years.

While Thaksin, 75, remains popular with the rural voters whose lives he transformed in the early 2000s, he is loathed by the powerful Thai elites who see him as corrupt, nepotistic and a threat to social order.

His return from exile in 2023 and subsequent regular public appearances have done little to allay conservative fears that he is the one really pulling the strings of government.

What comes next?

Two key coalition parties will meet later on 19 June to discuss the crisis. If, as expected, one or both pull out, Paetongtarn’s government will almost certainly fall.

If this happens, she could dissolve parliament and call an election, which would have to take place within 60 days.

Alternatively, she could resign as prime minister and let other parties get together to try to form a new coalition.

The difficulty with this option is that there is no obvious alignment of parties available that would command a majority.

And as ever in a country that has seen a dozen coups in the past century, the threat of another military intervention hovers in the shadows.


© Agence France-Presse

Cushman & Wakefield Greater China Wins Three Best Five-Star Awards at 2025 Asia Pacific Property Awards


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 June 2025 – Cushman & Wakefield, a leading global real estate services firm, has again been recognized at the Asia Pacific Property Awards, scoring three best Five Star Awards plus one “Award Winner” for outstanding achievements in the Greater China commercial real estate market, highlighting the firm’s leading industry position and exceptional service offerings.

  • Best Property Agency/Consultancy China — Five Star Award
  • Best Property Agency/Consultancy Marketing, Hong Kong (Habour East, Hong Kong, Capital Markets) — Five Star Award
  • Best Real Estate Agency Marketing, China (The Center, Shanghai, Project & Occupier Services) — Five Star Award
  • Lettings/Rentals Agency China — Award Winner

KK Chiu, Chief Executive, Greater China, Cushman & Wakefield, said, “I am delighted that we have won such high acclaim for our performance excellence. This recognition from the 2025 Asia Pacific Property Awards again demonstrates our teams’ market-leading capabilities and strong commitment to our clients in the Greater China real estate market.”

In the Best Property Agency/Consultancy Marketing award category, Cushman & Wakefield’s Capital Markets team facilitated leading Chinese sports brand Li Ning Company Ltd’s acquisition of the Harbour East office tower, in Hong Kong’s North Point district, from Henderson Land. The property has been renamed the Hong Kong Li-Ning Building. With this transaction the Capital Markets team transitioned Li Ning from leasing to ownership status, enabling the brand to establish a new Hong Kong headquarters location.

Francis Li, Vice President, Greater China, Head of Capital Markets, Greater China at Cushman & Wakefield, added: “We are extremely proud that our Capital Markets team’s performance and commitment to problem-solving through the Habour East acquisition project has been recognized at the 2025 Asia Pacific Property Awards. Our team’s knowledge of the rapidly changing market, coupled with deep connections with local investors, developers, and institutional investors, has enabled us to complete total transaction volume of nearly HK$40 billion in the past five years, serving our clients with unrivalled excellence.”

In the Best Real Estate Agency Marketing, China, award category, Cushman & Wakefield’s Project & Occupier Services team took on a significant role in marketing The Center, a prestigious Grade A office property in downtown Shanghai and one of the most iconic projects from Hutchinson Whampoa Limited. As the main asset management service provider, the team fully leveraged the property’s comprehensive renovation combined with its 20th anniversary milestone. The team implemented an array of marketing approaches, generating a fresh new image for The Center and bringing the project into the top-tier of preferred locations for leading consulting firms, financial institutions and multinational corporations.

Jonathan Wei, President of Project & Occupier Services, China, Cushman & Wakefield, commented, “Congratulations to the team for this top honor at the 2025 Asia Pacific Property Awards. Our team focuses on providing comprehensive and diversified real estate brokerage services to corporate clients, developers, governments, real estate investment funds and institutions. With our extensive resources and in-depth market insights, we will continue to play an integral role in driving high-quality brokerage and letting services”

Besides Greater China, Cushman & Wakefield India has also won recognition from the 2025 Asia Pacific Property Awards, securing two wins:

  • Best Property Agency / Consultancy, India — Five Star Award
  • Best Real Estate Agency Single Office, India — Five Star Award

Established in 1993, the Asia Pacific Property Awards (APPA) is part of the global International Property Awards, which celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. The Awards are judged by an independent panel of over 80 industry experts who evaluate design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.

Hashtag: #Cushman&Wakefield

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

About Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region. In 2024, the firm reported revenue of $9.4 billion across its core services of Valuation, Consulting, Project & Development Services, Capital Markets, Project & Occupier Services, Industrial & Logistics, Retail, and others. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit or follow us on LinkedIn ().

First Equestrian Federation in Laos Sets Stage for Horse Sport Growth

Phout Simmalavong, the former of Ministry of Education and Sports (blue shirt with glasses) attending the opening event of Laos Equestrian Federation. (Photo: The Next Media)

Laos officially entered the world of horse sport with the establishment of its first Equestrian Federation on 26 May.

Key Concept Strengthens Capabilities with Team Expansion In 2025


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 June 2025 – Key Concept, a leading interior design firm in Singapore, is proud to announce a strategic team expansion in 2025, marking a significant step in the company’s ongoing growth and commitment to cultivating new talent in the interior design industry.

This expansion reflects Key Concept’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of designers. By creating a supportive and inspiring environment, the firm aims to empower aspiring interior designers—especially recent graduates and career switchers—by offering hands-on experience, creative mentorship, and meaningful career development. With the increasing demand for quality condo interior design, BTO home renovation, and resale flat renovation projects, Key Concept is scaling its team to meet client needs while enriching the industry with fresh perspectives and ideas.

Founded with a mission to make quality interior design accessible and personal, Key Concept specialises in transforming everyday spaces into functional and stylish homes. The firm is known for its client-first approach, attention to detail, and innovative solutions tailored to Singapore’s unique housing landscape.

As part of its forward-looking plans, Key Concept is also excited to announce Key Concept Grand Opening Event, a special event happening this June. More than a showcase, the event celebrates the firm’s evolution, creativity, and the vibrant community it serves. Homeowners attending the event can expect exclusive offers, including additional discounts on project sign-ups during the event period.

Whether it’s modern condo makeovers or thoughtful HDB transformations, Key Concept continues to set the standard in Singapore’s interior design landscape—balancing function, style, and individuality through every project.

For more information, please visit https://www.keyconcept.com.sg/.
Hashtag: #KeyConcept



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