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MegazoneCloud Launches Generative AI Platform for JB Woori Capital to Streamline Core Reporting Processes

  • Reduce Report Preparation Time by 80%… Meets Financial Security and Regulatory Requirements, Including Electronic Financial Supervisory Regulations

SEOUL, South Korea, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MegazoneCloud, a leading AI-native digital transformation company (CEO: Doug Yeum), today announced that it has launched a generative AI platform for JB Woori Capital, a South Korea-based credit-specialized financial company under JB Financial Group, to streamline its core reporting processes and improve operational efficiency.

JB Woori Capital has long spent significant time analyzing corporate information and preparing internal reports due to the nature of its business operations. In particular, preparing key documents such as sales approval requests and credit review reports required employees to perform extensive repetitive work, which often slowed decision-making and limited opportunities to expand business activities.

To address these challenges, JB Woori Capital implemented a generative AI-based platform designed to enhance document creation and information analysis, enabling employees to reduce repetitive tasks and focus on higher-value responsibilities.

MegazoneCloud developed the platform using its generative AI consulting service, Megazone AIR Consulting, and its development service, Megazone AIR Build. The platform runs on Amazon Bedrock and integrates Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4.5 along with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology.

Through the platform, JB Woori Capital has automated key parts of its report-writing workflow and achieved measurable productivity gains. The time required to prepare sales approval request documents has dropped by approximately 80 percent, while the time needed to prepare credit review reports has decreased by about 30 percent.

The platform allows employees to select the type of report they need to generate and the relevant internal reference documents. The AI then analyzes the selected materials and generates an initial draft. The initial rollout focused on four types of frequently used sales approval requests and credit review documents that involve significant repetitive work.

Users can refine the generated drafts through conversational prompts—for example, requesting additional content, summaries, or explanations of specific terms. All functions integrate directly with JB Woori Capital’s existing internal business portal, enabling employees to monitor report generation status and access results within their familiar work environment.

The platform also meets key financial-sector security and regulatory requirements, including Korea’s Electronic Financial Supervisory Regulations and Network Segmentation Security Guidelines.

Because financial institutions operate under strict regulatory environments involving network separation and personal data protection, companies must carefully design security architecture that supports data governance, access control, and audit readiness when introducing generative AI.

MegazoneCloud built the platform on a hybrid architecture that keeps sensitive core data stored internally while running AI capabilities in the cloud. The platform also includes multiple security mechanisms, such as VPN-based encrypted communication, user access controls (token and IP), multi-factor authentication (OTP), and an emergency kill switch that enables immediate system shutdown when necessary.

“By significantly reducing the time required for repetitive report-writing tasks, our employees can now focus more on core activities such as corporate analysis and customer engagement,” said Jae-Kwan Lee, Managing Director of the Digital-IT Division at JB Woori Capital. “Not only sales and credit review staff, but also post-management teams have experienced improved efficiency in their daily work. This has strengthened cross-department collaboration and improved overall organizational productivity.”

He added, “Having successfully introduced this platform while complying with the strict security regulations of the financial industry, we plan to expand the use of AI across the organization based on the experience gained through this project.”

James Kong, Chief AI Officer (CAIO) of MegazoneCloud, said, “This project demonstrates that generative AI can deliver tangible business value even in highly regulated financial environments. MegazoneCloud will continue to support customers’ digital innovation by leveraging AI and cloud capabilities tailored for the financial sector.”

Meanwhile, MegazoneCloud carried out the project as part of the Generative AI Partner Innovation Alliance, a generative AI collaboration program led by Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Headquartered in Seoul, Korea, MegazoneCloud has built a strong global presence through overseas subsidiaries and local branches across ten countries—including the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Vietnam, and Singapore. Each entity works closely with regional customers and partners to accelerate cloud adoption and AI-driven innovation, while expanding MegazoneCloud’s end-to-end delivery capabilities worldwide.

Guided by its vision, “Transform Tomorrow, Together,” MegazoneCloud is dedicated to helping customers build future-ready competitiveness powered by technology, data, and people, continuing to grow alongside its global partners and clients.

International Buyers Account for 62.1%! The Battery Show Asia 2026 Concludes with Resounding Success

HONG KONG, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Battery Show Asia 2026, co-located with Energy Storage Asia and Mobility Tech Asia, successfully wrapped up its three-day event from March 10 to 12 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. The event brought together over 200 exhibitors and showcased more than 1,000 cutting-edge technologies and products, solidifying its position as a premier global platform for energy, technology, and innovation.

The event attracted 15,367 professional buyers from 103 countries and regions, with international buyers making up an impressive 62.1% of attendees. Key participants included representatives from government agencies, industry organizations, vehicle manufacturers, energy and storage system integrators, smart grid companies, battery manufacturers, core component suppliers, research institutions, and investment firms, underscoring the event’s global reach and industry significance.

The Battery Show Asia 2026 Concludes with a Groundbreaking Success
The Battery Show Asia 2026 Concludes with a Groundbreaking Success

Global Business Opportunities: 100+ International Buyer Groups and On-Site Deals

The Battery Show Asia 2026 welcomed over 100 professional buyer groups from Europe, North America, India, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, South America, and various regions of China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland. These groups engaged in meaningful discussions with exhibitors, fostering efficient connections and driving targeted business collaborations.

International buyers actively expressed procurement intentions and signed contracts during the event, enabling exhibitors to expand their footprint in overseas markets. Notably, European buyers increased by 43%, highlighting strong market potential. Buyer groups from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, demonstrated robust regional demand, while South American buyers, such as those from Brazil, reached procurement agreements with exhibitors, further enhancing international cooperation opportunities.

This dynamic exchange not only supported Chinese companies in accessing global markets but also provided overseas enterprises with a vital opportunity to strengthen their presence in the Asia-Pacific region, reaffirming the exhibition’s role as a critical bridge in the global industrial chain.

Energy + Technology + Innovation: Thousands of Groundbreaking Products on Display

Leading companies such as CATL, Tianneng, REPT BATTERO, Yunsa Power, WeLion, TotalEnergies, and Lead Intelligent showcased their latest innovations in battery materials, cell manufacturing, battery components, energy storage systems, commercial and industrial storage solutions, and charging equipment.

The exhibition also featured a dedicated application zone, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies in heavy-duty trucks, light-duty vehicles, passenger cars, two-wheelers, eVTOLs, and residential and industrial energy storage systems. These displays demonstrated the diverse applications of battery technology across multiple industries.

Setting New Milestones: Upgraded Highlights of The Battery Show Asia 2026

The event introduced a series of high-profile activities, marking a new chapter for The Battery Show in the Asia-Pacific region:

  • Grand Opening Ceremony: Industry leaders from government, academia, and research institutions gathered to inaugurate the event.
  • Advisory Board Certificate Awarding Ceremony: Recognizing global experts for their contributions to the event as well as to the industry.
  • CCPIT Zhejiang Matchmaking Event: Organized by CCPIT Zhejiang to support Zhejiang enterprises in expanding overseas.
  • New Energy Summit 2026: Future Energy Solutions – Building a Sustainable Future: Hosted by the Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems, Hong Kong Productivity Council, exploring sustainable energy directions.
  • Women Leaders in Energy Awards: Celebrating the achievements of women in the energy sector.
  • Closed-Door Roundtable Meeting: Industry leaders convened to explore future development trends.

These activities underscored the exhibition’s international influence and professional caliber, while setting new benchmarks for The Battery Show’s Asia-Pacific strategy.

Igniting Innovation: 150 Conference Sessions Explore the Industry’s Future

The event featured 150 high-quality speeches and discussions, with over 130 global industry leaders and technical experts sharing insights on policy trends, industry development, technological innovation, and market dynamics.

Key topics included advanced battery technologies, battery safety and recycling, solid-state batteries, energy storage applications, multi-sector battery innovations, electric vehicle technologies, hydrogen energy practices, Southeast Asian market opportunities, market reports, and investment trends. These forums provided attendees with a comprehensive, multidimensional perspective, fostering the exchange of global technologies and practices.

Looking Ahead: The Battery Show Asia 2027

The Battery Show Asia 2027 is scheduled to take place from July 14 to 16, 2027, at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. Industry professionals are warmly invited to join and witness the future of battery and energy innovation.

For Partnership & Inquiries
Hubert Guan
Event Director
Hubert.Guan@informa.com

International Buyers Account for 62.1%! The Battery Show Asia 2026 Concludes with Resounding Success

HONG KONG, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Battery Show Asia 2026, co-located with Energy Storage Asia and Mobility Tech Asia, successfully wrapped up its three-day event from March 10 to 12 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. The event brought together over 200 exhibitors and showcased more than 1,000 cutting-edge technologies and products, solidifying its position as a premier global platform for energy, technology, and innovation.

The event attracted 15,367 professional buyers from 103 countries and regions, with international buyers making up an impressive 62.1% of attendees. Key participants included representatives from government agencies, industry organizations, vehicle manufacturers, energy and storage system integrators, smart grid companies, battery manufacturers, core component suppliers, research institutions, and investment firms, underscoring the event’s global reach and industry significance.

The Battery Show Asia 2026 Concluded with a Groundbreaking Success
The Battery Show Asia 2026 Concluded with a Groundbreaking Success

Global Business Opportunities: 100+ International Buyer Groups and On-Site Deals

The Battery Show Asia 2026 welcomed over 100 professional buyer groups from Europe, North America, India, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, South America, and various regions of China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland. These groups engaged in meaningful discussions with exhibitors, fostering efficient connections and driving targeted business collaborations.

International buyers actively expressed procurement intentions and signed contracts during the event, enabling exhibitors to expand their footprint in overseas markets. Notably, European buyers increased by 43%, highlighting strong market potential. Buyer groups from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, demonstrated robust regional demand, while South American buyers, such as those from Brazil, reached procurement agreements with exhibitors, further enhancing international cooperation opportunities.

This dynamic exchange not only supported Chinese companies in accessing global markets but also provided overseas enterprises with a vital opportunity to strengthen their presence in the Asia-Pacific region, reaffirming the exhibition’s role as a critical bridge in the global industrial chain.

Energy + Technology + Innovation: Thousands of Groundbreaking Products on Display

Leading companies such as CATL, Tianneng, REPT BATTERO, Yunsa Power, WeLion, TotalEnergies, and Lead Intelligent showcased their latest innovations in battery materials, cell manufacturing, battery components, energy storage systems, commercial and industrial storage solutions, and charging equipment.

The exhibition also featured a dedicated application zone, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies in heavy-duty trucks, light-duty vehicles, passenger cars, two-wheelers, eVTOLs, and residential and industrial energy storage systems. These displays demonstrated the diverse applications of battery technology across multiple industries.

Setting New Milestones: Upgraded Highlights of The Battery Show Asia 2026

The event introduced a series of high-profile activities, marking a new chapter for The Battery Show in the Asia-Pacific region:

  • Grand Opening Ceremony: Industry leaders from government, academia, and research institutions gathered to inaugurate the event.
  • Advisory Board Certificate Awarding Ceremony: Recognizing global experts for their contributions to the event as well as to the industry.
  • CCPIT Zhejiang Matchmaking Event: Organized by CCPIT Zhejiang to support Zhejiang enterprises in expanding overseas.
  • New Energy Summit 2026: Future Energy Solutions – Building a Sustainable Future: Hosted by the Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems, Hong Kong Productivity Council, exploring sustainable energy directions.
  • Women Leaders in Energy Awards: Celebrating the achievements of women in the energy sector.
  • Closed-Door Roundtable Meeting: Industry leaders convened to explore future development trends.

These activities underscored the exhibition’s international influence and professional caliber, while setting new benchmarks for The Battery Show’s Asia-Pacific strategy.

Igniting Innovation: 150 Conference Sessions Explore the Industry’s Future

The event featured 150 high-quality speeches and discussions, with over 130 global industry leaders and technical experts sharing insights on policy trends, industry development, technological innovation, and market dynamics.

Key topics included advanced battery technologies, battery safety and recycling, solid-state batteries, energy storage applications, multi-sector battery innovations, electric vehicle technologies, hydrogen energy practices, Southeast Asian market opportunities, market reports, and investment trends. These forums provided attendees with a comprehensive, multidimensional perspective, fostering the exchange of global technologies and practices.

Looking Ahead: The Battery Show Asia 2027

The Battery Show Asia 2027 is scheduled to take place from July 14 to 16, 2027, at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. Industry professionals are warmly invited to join and witness the future of battery and energy innovation.

For Partnership & Inquiries
Hubert Guan
Event Director
Hubert.Guan@informa.com

Can Gio: The Emerging Catalyst in Southern Vietnam’s Tourism Transformation


HCMC, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 March 2026 – Southern Vietnam consistently stands out as one of the country’s most dynamic gateways for international travelers. Anchored by Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s economic and financial nucleus, this region benefits from year-round tropical weather and a richly diverse marine ecosystem, positioning it as a natural tourism hub.

Can Gio: The Emerging Catalyst in Southern Vietnam’s Tourism Transformation

In 2025, Ho Chi Minh City recorded the highest visitor volume nationwide, welcoming over 53.5 million arrivals, including approximately 8.5 million international tourists. Yet, a persistent paradox remains. Despite its status as the country’s primary entry point, the city largely functions as a transit node rather than a destination where visitors choose to linger. Many travelers stay only briefly before continuing to established coastal destinations such as Vung Tau, Phu Quoc, or Phan Thiet.

Ho Chi Minh City has yet to fully evolve into a tourism ecosystem capable of sustaining extended stays. The limitation is not solely due to the absence of large-scale, destination-defining developments, but also stems from a more fundamental constraint, connectivity infrastructure. For years, the southern region’s interprovincial transport network has developed unevenly, resulting in prolonged travel times and overreliance on a limited number of arterial routes.

That landscape, however, is entering a period of inflection.

A new wave of infrastructure investment – arguably the most extensive in the region’s history – is being deployed, with Can Gio at its epicenter. The convergence of strategic transport corridors is not only reducing travel friction between economic and tourism centers, but also unlocking the long-overlooked potential of Can Gio, gradually reshaping the broader economic and tourism geography of southern Vietnam.

The city’s long-term vision positions Can Gio as a new growth pole, with projected capacity to attract approximately 40 million visitors annually. This ambition contributes to Vietnam’s national target of welcoming 30-35 million international tourists and 160-180 million domestic travelers by 2030.

A 40-Million-Visitor Hub and the Transformation of Southern Tourism

Historically, Can Gio has been recognized as the “green lung” of Ho Chi Minh City, home to a vast mangrove ecosystem and a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve spanning approximately 75,000 hectares. Under a new development vision, the district is gradually repositioning itself as “Saigon’s seaside”, a large-scale coastal tourism center located just beyond a metropolitan population of over 10 million.

A series of major infrastructure projects is now converging to redefine Can Gio’s accessibility. For the first time, the area will benefit from a multi-layered transport network, effectively dismantling the geographic isolation that has persisted for decades.

On the aviation axis, Can Gio will connect directly to Long Thanh International Airport, designed to handle up to 100 million passengers annually, via Rung Sac Road and the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway.

On the urban rail axis, the Ben Thanh – Can Gio metro line, expected to commence operations in Q3 2028, will reduce travel time from the city center to the coast to just 13 minutes, shorter than a typical coffee break, effectively integrating Can Gio into the daily living, working, and leisure radius of both residents and visitors.

On the road network, the Can Gio Bridge, scheduled for completion in 2029, will replace the existing Binh Khanh ferry and establish seamless connectivity with regional expressways, embedding Can Gio into both domestic and international logistics networks.

Meanwhile, the Can Gio – Vung Tau sea-crossing route, targeted for completion in early 2029, will open a new coastal tourism corridor, enabling Can Gio to capture a share of the more than 18 million annual visitors currently traveling to Vung Tau.

Complementing this infrastructure backbone, the emergence of Vinhomes Green Paradise is widely viewed as a catalytic force, one capable of activating a new “southern economic and tourism super-map.”

Conceived as an ESG mega-urban development, the project is designed not only to deliver integrated hospitality, entertainment, and lifestyle offerings, but also to function as a central gateway and distribution hub for regional tourist flows.

A True ‘Must-play’ Destination

Commenting on the Vinhomes Green Paradise project in Can Gio, Mike Gorman, Senior Project Architect at RTJ II Golf Course Architects, remarked: “This is going to be completely unique to Vietnam. It will become something people from around the world travel to experience, a true ‘must-play’ destination.”

Its large-scale, experience-driven ecosystem includes: VinWonders Can Gio, envisioned as one of the region’s leading entertainment complexes; two international-standard 18-hole golf courses; a network of 5–6 star hotels and boutique properties totaling nearly 7,000 rooms; the 7-hectare Song Xanh Theater; a five-star Vinmec hospital in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic (USA); and Vin New Horizon, a senior living urban model. This diversified offering enables year-round operations, catering to a wide spectrum of visitor demographics and preferences.

Vinhomes Green Paradise has been conceptualized to align with evolving tourism trends, urban utility integration, and experiential demand, while leveraging Can Gio’s ecological assets to create distinctive, place-based experiences for both visitors and residents. Among hundreds of global participant, Vinhomes Green Paradise has been selected as the first official participant in the “7 Wonders of Future Cities” campaign organized by New7Wonders. Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Director of New7Wonders and President of the campaign, described the project as a compelling model for the concept of a future city, where progress is measured by quality of living across generations.

From an investment perspective, the formation of this “southern economic and tourism super-map” signals not only expanded headroom for the tourism sector, but also the influx of capital and the prospect of sustained real estate value appreciation.

For context, Singapore welcomed approximately 16.5 million international visitors in 2025, generating around SGD 29 billion (equivalent to USD 22.6 billion) in tourism revenue. Against this benchmark, Can Gio’s target of 40 million annual visitors serves as a foundation for long-term asset value growth, as the area evolves into a leading coastal economic and tourism urban center in Vietnam and the wider region.

Hashtag: #Vinhomes

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

Media OutReach Newswire Further Strengthens Singapore and Asia Pacific Reach with Strategic AsiaOne Partnership

Agreement with the Singapore digital media platform reinforces Media OutReach Newswire’s role as the leading global newswire for Asia Pacific


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 March 2026 – Media OutReach Newswire, Asia Pacific’s first and only global newswire, has entered into a strategic content partnership with AsiaOne, one of Singapore’s most prominent digital media platforms.

Media OutReach Newswire Further Strengthens Singapore and Asia Pacific Reach with Strategic AsiaOne Partnership

This partnership means that Media OutReach Newswire will be the first newswire to provide guaranteed online news posting on the AsiaOne website. The collaboration further solidifies Media OutReach Newswire’s status as the only global newswire offering guaranteed online news posting on two leading digital media platforms, AsiaOne and CNA, for all Singapore press release distributions.

MOR AsiaOne Partnership 2

The partnership follows recent high-profile collaborations with the Asia News Network (ANN), the consortium of leading Asia Pacific news media, and CNA – marking a period of rapid strategic growth. Once again, a leading media outlet has chosen to launch their partnership with Media OutReach before any other newswire, which demonstrates the deep trust it has earned within the global media ecosystem.

Media OutReach Newswire Further Strengthens Singapore and Asia Pacific Reach with Strategic AsiaOne Partnership_3

With this addition, Media OutReach Newswire’s Singapore distribution now guarantees online news posting on trusted news platforms AsiaOne, CNA, MoneyFM89.3 and Vulcan Post, as well as influential lifestyle media like Alvinology, Asia Journeys and SuperAdrianMe. This is alongside Asia News Network (ANN), a grouping of 20 leading news sites across Asia Pacific.

Ms Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire, said: “We are pleased to announce this partnership with AsiaOne, a digital news pioneer that has been a trusted voice in Singapore for 30 years. As the first global newswire they have chosen to partner with, this collaboration reflects the high level of credibility we have built. Together with our existing partnerships with CNA and ANN, this reaffirms Media OutReach Newswire’s role as the definitive global newswire for Singapore, Southeast Asia, and the wider Asia Pacific region.”

Media OutReach Newswire remains the only global newswire that guarantees online news posting exclusively on trusted, authentic media sites. This guaranteed presence on authoritative news sites like AsiaOne, with its high domain trust and over 5.5 million* monthly visits, provides brands with a significant boost in AI discoverability in SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). This ensures that client news is not only seen by human readers but is also accurately surfaced and cited by AI-generated answers from leading Large Language Models (LLMs).

As the leading global newswire for Asia Pacific, Media OutReach Newswire is trusted by Asian corporations, SMEs, and government agencies to distribute their news globally. In addition to offering the most extensive distribution network and guaranteed news visibility, the newswire owns a proprietary international journalist database. This provides a robust global news reach spanning the Asia Pacific, USA, Canada, UK, and Europe, as well as Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.

Its total communications solutions empower strategic communicators and PR professionals to demonstrate tangible success through targeted news distribution and direct journalist access, as well as ready-to-use reporting and campaign intelligence with ROI designed for C-suite presentations.

*Source: Similarweb

Hashtag: #MediaOutReachNewswire

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

About Media OutReach Newswire

Media OutReach Newswire is Asia Pacific’s first global newswire, serving as a trusted partner to media, corporations, agencies and governments across the region and the globe.

Founded in 2009 as a champion of the PR industry, Media OutReach Newswire leverages AI and SaaS technology to redefine press release distribution, providing Total Communications Solutions with data insights and PR campaign intelligence for strategic communicators and PR professionals.

With a global network of over 200,000 journalists and editors, 70,000+ media titles, 1,500 media partners, and more than 40 languages, Media OutReach Newswire is the only global newswire with guaranteed verbatim postings on real news sites. Press releases on authentic media with high domain authority are trusted by search engines and AI models, power SEO and GEO for AI search, surfacing brands for LLM citations.

Headquartered in Hong Kong SAR, with offices across mainland China, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the global press release distribution network spans Asia Pacific, ASEAN, and Southeast Asia, the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

For more information about our services, solutions and network, please visit

AWE2026 Signals the Future: A Defining Moment for the Age of AI

SHANGHAI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On March 15, the Appliance & Electronics World Expo 2026 (AWE2026) concluded after four dynamic days, bringing together 1,200+ global companies and innovators to showcase AI-powered smart living. Preliminary figures from AWE show attendance surged by more than 30% year-on-year, making it the world’s largest consumer tech exhibition.

AWE2026
AWE2026

The main venue at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre spanned over 140,000 square meters, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors for immersive experiences. The Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone venue featured a streamlined entry for international attendees with pre-registration and visa-free access, letting them attend the show upon arrival.

Centered on the theme “Smart AI, Smarter Future,” AWE2026 saw leading companies showcase how AI is transforming every aspect of smart living.

Haier and Dreame stood out with entire-hall exhibitions exceeding 10,000 square meters each. Haier unveiled its upgraded AI Eye 2.0 and launched the Seeker lineup of L4 intelligent appliances, featuring three types of household service robots for cleaning, companionship, and domestic assistance. Dreame presented a full-range ecosystem covering smart appliances, smartphones, vehicles, aerospace exploration, energy management, and computing power, with flagship debuts including a clothes-folding robot, its self-developed “Chixiao 01” mobile processor, and the Nebula NEXT 01X.

In the smart home space, brands including Haier, Huawei, Hisense, Siemens, and Panasonic highlighted deeply integrated AI products, showing the shift from passive to actively serving appliances.

Home service robotics emerged as a major highlight, with companies such as Haier, Hisense, TCL, Fotile, Roborock, MOVA, Ecovacs, and Dreame unveiling everything from companion robots and robotic kitchens to wheeled and even flying cleaning devices, unlocking new levels of hands-free living.

Embodied AI also took center stage. Companies including Unitree, Agibot, MagicLab, Tesla, DEEP Robotics, ULS Robotics, Tars, Zeroth, Genisom AI, and others showcased robots capable of complex tasks—from boxing and embroidery to unscrewing bottle caps—showing rapid advances in perception and motion control.

In the smart terminal sector, brands such as Huawei, Dreame, BOE, Aridge, BYD, Tesla, Vertaxi, NAVEE, Segway-Ninebot, and Sky Motor showcased next-generation solutions including electric vehicles, water-based aircraft, flying cars, and smart two-wheelers. Meanwhile, companies including Qwen, XREAL, Lenovo, ZTE, Insta360, TCL RayNeo, Robam, Shokz, Rokid and Orka Tech unveiled the latest wave of AI-powered devices, from smart glasses and smartphones to PCs, earbuds, and action cameras.

Beyond devices, AWE2026 also spotlighted breakthroughs in chips and computing from Intel, Lisuan Tech, MiniMax, Dreame, Ugreen and Moore Threads alongside next-generation display technologies from Sony, Hisense, TCL, LG, Changhong, and Skyworth, and brain-computer interface innovations from BrainCo, Stonehill, and others highlighted advances in human-machine integration.

2026, hailed as the “year of robotics,” kicked off with AWE2026’s spectacular AI showcase, making one thing clear: the future is here. As nearly 10,000 intelligent products move from exhibition floors into daily life and human-machine interaction grows smoother, AWE signals more than innovation—it marks the starting line for an industry-wide transformation, accelerating a new era of human-machine coexistence.

“Like Coming Home”: Thai King Concludes Historic Visit to Laos

Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida have arrived in Laos for a three-day state visit. This is the first visit by a Thai monarch in 32 years.

Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) and Queen Suthida concluded a three-day official state visit to Laos, the first by a Thai monarch in 32 years. Made at the invitation of Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, the visit also marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries.

The royal couple touched down at Wattay International Airport on 16 March. 

The last Thai monarch to visit Laos was King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), who came with Queen Sirikit, the parents of the current king, in April 1994. 

For King Vajiralongkorn, who ascended the throne in 2016, this was his first visit to Laos as king. The two countries’ leaders had previously met in December 2025 at the inauguration of the 5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, but this visit carried a different weight entirely.

Flags, Guards, and a Nation’s Welcome

The formal program began on the morning of 17 March. The royal couple traveled by motorcade to the Presidential Palace (Hor Kham), where President Thongloun and his wife, Naly Sisoulith, received them with a full ceremony. 

Lao children presented floral bouquets, the King reviewed the military honour guard, and senior officials from both countries were formally introduced.

Barely an hour later, the royal couple made their way to the Textile Treasures of Laos exhibition, one of the visit’s most culturally significant stops. Under the personal patronage of Naly Sisoulith, the exhibition showcases Lao textile heritage spanning ceremonial garments, ethnic weaving traditions, and silk works rooted in Buddhism and regional legend. Among the displays were royal awards previously presented by Queen Sirikit, the King’s mother, giving the tour a quietly personal dimension. 

Before leaving, the royal couple signed a commemorative book and accepted gifts of wall hangings and scarves.

Meeting the Pillars of Lao Leadership

The afternoon shifted from culture to statecraft. 

The King and Queen held private audiences with Laos’ two other most senior leaders: Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his wife Vandala, followed by National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane and his wife Viphavan.

The Baci Ceremony: When a President Blesses a King

The evening brought the visit’s most memorable moment. 

The royal couple returned to Hor Kham for a traditional Lao Baci blessing ceremony, one of the most sacred rituals the Lao people can offer a guest. 

Ritual master Mor Phon conducted the ceremony, during which the King lit candles atop the Phum Baci floral arrangement and held the sacred Sai Sin strings in prayer. President Thongloun then tied the blessed strings around the King’s wrist himself, while Naly tied them around the Queen’s. 

A formal state dinner followed, with speeches, reciprocal toasts, and a cultural performance rounding out the evening.

A Father’s Legacy, a Son’s Return

On the final day, 18 March, the royal couple visited the Houayxone-Houayxua Agricultural Development Service Center in Naxaythong district, a project born from a request made by former Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane to King Bhumibol in 1992, and officially opened during the late king’s own visit to Laos in 1994.

In over 32 years, the center has built irrigation infrastructure serving eight villages across 580 hectares and trained more than 1,500 people annually in sustainable farming practices.

Before leaving, both sides took part in a tree planting ceremony. 

The Thai side planted a Ruang Phueng (Schoutenia glomerata), the King’s personal tree, its yellow flowers matching the colour of his birthday. The Lao side planted a Munpa (Fagraea fragrans), an auspicious tree of the Mekong Basin known for its fragrant blossoms. 

Planted side by side at a center founded in friendship, the two trees now stand as a living memorial to the visit.

Farewell to Laos – “Like Coming Home”

From the agricultural center, the royal couple made one final stop before leaving the country, Thatluang Stupa, the golden national stupa of Laos and the most sacred Buddhist monument in the land, where the King and Queen paid their respects before departing for Thailand.

Yet the visit’s most enduring moment may have been the King’s words at the state dinner. 

“This visit is not merely a state visit; it is like coming home, meeting old friends bound together by heart,” the King said. “Though borders separate our lands, they cannot divide the closeness and enduring friendship between us.”

Xinhua Silk Road: E China coastal city bets big on dozens of projects to enhance marine economy this year

BEIJING, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — While upgrading traditional marine industries, Weihai, an east China coastal city, is moving to leverage 89 key projects to catalyze marine economy of higher quality this year, reported local portal whnews.cn citing Weihai marine development authorities recently.

In total, the city foresaw 28.6 billion yuan investment in these projects and earmarked 6.42 billion yuan for 2026 to spur new growth drivers in marine fishing, marine products processing and seaside tourism sectors.

When local salmon farming firms hailed for the first time natural reproduction of salmons lately, Weihai took a critical step in expanding local marine breeding industry and nurturing a complete salmon-centered industrial chain.

Currently, a batch of salmon breeding, farming and deep processing projects are underway. For instance, a local eco-agricultural park operator started building a land-based factory-style recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) project for salmon fry breeding recently.

Another local salmon breeding company planned similar factory-style RAS-based workshops covering 4,300 square meters and in Renhe Town, a food technology firm intended to construct workshops and refrigerated warehouses to process tunas and salmons.

Meanwhile, local kelp and monkfish processing businesses are seeking footings on the higher end of marine products-processing value chains. In Rongcheng, the kelp extraction project of a local marine biotechnology company is expected to produce one million boxes of kelp extract cosmetics and functional food products annually.

A Weihai-situated marine food firm is working on an automatic processing program to upgrade production lines and upon completion, automated processing of frozen monkfish fillets is likely to raise annual output to 100 tonnes.

Apart from these, a comprehensive marine testing public service platform is under construction in Weihai now, leveraging its monitoring, on-site operation testing and test guarantee systems and seven waterborne testing platforms to verify key marine disaster prevention technologies and facilitate high-quality marine industry development.

In Weihai, marine economy is also factoring in boosters from seaside and nautical tourism. For example, the city’s blue trunk line high-end tourism program blueprinted three cruise-based exquisite tourism routes and in last July, a route touring multiple scenic sites of Weihai became operational.

This year, a 2-hour-long new route linking Weihai Port and Longyan Port will open and another night route touring Weihai Bay is being planned to further foster local marine economy.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/349830.html