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Taoping Targets FY26 Sales of Approximately US$27 Million from Smart Agriculture

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Taoping Inc. (Nasdaq: TAOP, the “Company”), a provider of innovative smart cloud platform services and solutions, today announced that it is targeting annual sales of approximately RMB 200 million (approximately US$27 million) in 2026 from an expanded cooperation in smart agriculture between its subsidiary, Taoping Industrial (Yunnan) Co., Ltd. (“Taoping Yunnan”) and Mengla County Agricultural Reclamation Group Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary Mengla County Mengman Farm Co., Ltd (collectively, “Mengla”).

Under the expanded cooperation, Taoping Yunnan and Mengla plan to increase the total planting area to 500 acres from the current nearly 75 acres, with the creation of several thousand flexible jobs. To achieve their ambitious goals, Taoping Yunnan and Mengla are leveraging advanced technologies, including enhanced drones, artificial intelligence (AI), big data and the Internet of Things, to enhance production and operational efficiency.

As previously announced in February 2025, the Company and the Government of Mengla County, Yunnan Province planned to promote high-quality development of the local agricultural industry and were targeting an expansion of their planting base in Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province to 3,500 acres, with 2027 projected annual output valued at RMB 600 million (US$82.5 million). 

Mr. Jianghuai Lin, Chairman and CEO of Taoping, said, “Our strategic partnership with Mengla has already delivered strong results. With their support in land, policy, and technical resources, our trial vegetable crops in early 2025 achieved excellent production and sales. These results validate the growth potential of our agricultural business and have led us to sign three additional land lease agreements with Mengla, significantly expanding our demonstration planting base and positioning us for accelerated revenue growth in this sector.”

About Mengla County, Yunnan Province

Mengla County is located in the southeastern part of Yunnan Province, China, bordering Laos to the south. It is part of the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and is known for its tropical rainforest, rich biodiversity, and ethnic diversity, with significant Dai, Hani, and Yi populations. The county is home to parts of the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve, which protects endangered species like Asian elephants and gibbons. Mengla serves as an important trade hub between China and Laos, with the Mohan border crossing being a key point for cross-border commerce. The region’s economy is driven by tourism, agriculture (notably tea and rubber plantations), and trade.

About Taoping Inc.

Taoping Inc. (Nasdaq: TAOP) has a long history of successfully leveraging technology in the development of innovative solutions to help customers in both the private and public sectors to more effectively communicate and market to their desired targets. The Company has built a far-reaching city partner ecosystem and comprehensive portfolio of high-value, high-traffic areas for its products, which are aligned together with Taoping’s smart cloud platform, cloud services and solutions, new media and artificial intelligence. For more information about Taoping, please visit http://en.taop.com.  You can also follow us on X.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, such as statements regarding our estimated future results of operations and financial position, our strategy and plans, and our objectives or goals, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Our actual results may differ materially or perhaps significantly from those discussed herein, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. There are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release, including: our potential inability to achieve or sustain profitability or reasonably predict our future results, the effects of the global pandemic or other health crisis, the emergence of additional competing technologies, changes in domestic and foreign laws, regulations and taxes, uncertainties related to China’s legal system and economic, political and social events in China, the volatility of the securities markets; and other risks including, but not limited to, those that we discussed or referred to in the Company’s disclosure documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, including the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F as well as in our other reports filed or furnished from time to time with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.

 

Lyft Partners with Baidu to Deploy Autonomous Rides Across Europe

Lyft plans to deploy Baidu Apollo Go’s RT6 autonomous vehicles initially in Germany and the United Kingdom starting in 2026

BEIJING and SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU and HKEX: 9888), a leading AI company with a strong Internet foundation, and Lyft, Inc. (NASDAQ: LYFT), one of North America’s and Europe’s largest transportation networks, today announced a strategic partnership for Lyft to deploy Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous vehicles (AVs) across key European markets through the Lyft platform. This collaboration marks a transformative milestone in Baidu’s international expansion and further positions Lyft as a leading AV platform in Europe.

Initial deployments are planned for Germany and the United Kingdom in 2026 pending regulatory approval, with the fleet scaling to thousands of vehicles across Europe in the following years. As part of the agreement, Lyft will deploy Baidu Apollo Go’s sixth-generation vehicles as its pioneering autonomous solution in the region.

“Our partnership with Lyft to deploy Apollo Go in Europe, starting with Germany and the United Kingdom, is a significant milestone in our global journey,” said Robin Li, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Baidu. “This collaboration represents our commitment to making autonomous mobility accessible worldwide while working with local partners who understand their communities. By integrating Baidu’s cutting-edge autonomous driving technology with Lyft’s platform reach and operational expertise, we’re excited to deliver safer, greener, and more efficient mobility solutions to more users.”

“Our partnership with Baidu is all about creating a great customer experience. Their extensive track record operating the world’s largest autonomous ride-hailing service means we can bring all the benefits of AVs — safety, reliability, and privacy — to millions of Europeans,” said David Risher, Lyft CEO. “It’s part of our hybrid network approach, where AVs and human drivers work together to provide customer-obsessed options for riders. And importantly, we’re committed to working hand-in-hand with local regulators to ensure we deploy these vehicles in their communities in a smart, thoughtful way that benefits everyone.”

Baidu’s Apollo Go brings unparalleled operational expertise and advanced autonomous driving technology to the partnership. With its global footprint spanning 15 cities and cumulative rides surpassing 11 million, Apollo Go currently deploys over 1,000 operational AVs globally that provide autonomous ride-hailing services to the public. This collaboration represents a major leap forward in delivering world-class autonomous mobility to European riders.

Building Europe’s Leading Autonomous Network

The partnership focuses on four key areas to transform European mobility:

Advanced AV Technology Deployment: Apollo Go’s purpose-built, fully-electric RT6 vehicles are designed from the ground up for rideshare operations, leveraging the Apollo ADFM (Autonomous Driving Foundation Model) and six generations of real-world testing. When launched, RT6 rides will be available for riders directly through the Lyft ecosystem, offering enhanced safety features and consistent service quality.

Proven Scale and Operational Excellence: With operations covering over 3,000 square kilometers in Wuhan alone and over 11 million completed rides globally, Apollo Go has demonstrated the ability to scale from test operations to full commercial deployment across major metropolitan areas, creating a strong foundation for European deployment.

Strategic Partnership: Lyft will own the operational value chain and marketplace while Baidu provides vehicles, technology validation, and comprehensive technical support. This approach builds on Lyft’s strategy to be the platform and fleet manager of choice as fleet owners and technology providers scale autonomous operations.

European Market Integration: Lyft will serve as Baidu’s first European rideshare partner, leveraging the acquisition of FREENOW (operating in nine European countries and over 180 cities) to accelerate AV deployment. FREENOW’s established presence in Germany and the UK, combined with their deep relationships with local regulators and taxi operators, serves as a key enabler for deployment in these priority markets.

Implementation and Next Steps

Lyft will begin deployments pending regulatory approval in Germany and the UK in 2026, operating RT6 vehicles equipped with Baidu Apollo Go’s industry-leading sensor suite, 10-layer safety redundancy architecture, and intelligent interaction design. Both companies will work closely with European regulators and stakeholders to ensure vehicles meet all necessary safety standards and regulatory requirements.

With Europe’s strong transport infrastructure and surging demand for green mobility, this partnership aims to establish Europe as a global showcase for autonomous ride-hailing services and set a new standard for safety-focused, efficient, and sustainable urban mobility.

About Baidu

Founded in 2000, Baidu’s mission is to make the complicated world simpler through technology. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, trading on the NASDAQ under “BIDU” and HKEX under “9888.” One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

About Lyft

Whether it’s an everyday commute or a journey that changes everything, Lyft is driven by our purpose: to serve and connect. Founded in 2012, Lyft has grown into a global mobility platform offering rideshare, taxis, private hire vehicles, car sharing, bikes, and scooters across North America and Europe. Lyft operates across 11 countries and in nearly 1,000 cities, and supports bikesharing in 16 countries. Today, millions of drivers have chosen to earn on billions of rides – helping to create a more connected world, with transportation for everyone.

Media Contacts

Baidu
International Communications
Intlcomm@baidu.com 

Lyft
Lyft Press
press@lyft.com

 

Fescaro bucks industry norms to become Korea’s first full-stack auto cybersecurity provider

  • Startup eyes Kosdaq listing, digital platform rollout to fuel overseas growth

SUWON, South Korea, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This is an article published in The Korea Herald:

Fescaro(https://www.fescaro.com/en/), a Korean startup specializing in auto security, has defied the traditions of the original equipment manufacturer-heavy industry and is now looking to expand its all-around anti-hacking capabilities on the global stage.

“A normal auto cybersecurity company is usually in a third-party position as it offers solutions defined and required by automakers and parts suppliers, which is regarded as a regular value chain,” said Hong Seok-min, CEO of Fescaro, in an interview at the startup’s office in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday.

“But we worked with (auto) manufacturers from early phases to define (cybersecurity) requirements for the vehicle’s overall security architecture and parts companies, effectively acting as a Tier 0.5 cybersecurity partner, which was a rare case in our industry.”

Fescaro made a bold, all-in commitment from 2021 to 2023, dedicating all its capabilities and resources to collaborate with KG Mobility, formerly known as SsangYong Motor, in addressing European automotive cybersecurity regulations.

“We had all of core technologies but that did not automatically lead to successful commercialization because they needed to be applied to mass produced vehicles so in simple terms, (automakers) do not use a technology unless their competitors use them,” said Hong, referring to the risk of implementing a new technology onto a vehicle that contains almost 100 electronics continuously interacting and and the crucial need for reliability.

“We needed to apply our technologies to actual cars, advance their quality and build up our references. Because I came from the automotive industry, I knew how important it is to secure trust,” Hong explained his reasoning behind the decision to work with the ailing automaker.

“Working with SsangYong, we were able to expand our network through their partners and prove our security solutions’ validity.”

“In doing so, more projects came our way and we ended up working with most of the auto parts makers that supply products to not only SsangYong but also Hyundai Motor and overseas automakers. I can say proudly that there might be companies that never worked with us, but there are no companies that did business with us only once. This is because we always define the ‘why’ and ‘what,’ and deliver the most practical ‘how’ –tailored to our clients’ needs.”

In 2023, Fescaro became the first Korean company to support OEMs and Tier 1 parts makers in receiving the European Union’s four cybersecurity regulation certificates: Cybersecurity Management System, Software Update Management Systems, Vehicle Type Approval and ISO/SAE 21434.

According to the CEO, Fescaro has completed mass production tests of its auto cybersecurity technologies for about 155 controllers and 60 types of semiconductors, achieving stability and an economy of scale as a software solution provider.

“In addition to automotive cybersecurity regulations (UN R155 and R156), Europe drafted a law called the Cyber Resilience Act that applies to every sold product installed with software, so we have been encountering opportunities throughout the broader mobility industry and can score orders in tractors and construction equipment,” said Hong.

Fescaro, which was established in 2016, has raised nearly 30 billion won ($22 million) in investment funding. The startup filed for a preliminary review for going public on the Korea Exchange’s tech-heavy Kosdaq in June. The startup is expected to be listed on Kosdaq either in late October or early November.

Fescaro was able to log operating profits for the fourth consecutive year in 2024, as its annual sales grew to 14.3 billion won in 2024 from 1.9 billion in 2021. The CEO pointed to the excellent competence of each employee as the reason behind the unusual feat for a startup.

“My colleagues used to always tell me that they couldn’t do something or that something was impossible to do,” said Hong.

“I would tell them that what we do is impossible. But because we do the impossible, our clients give us work and pay us. … After saying that for a few years, nobody tells me that they can’t do something. The core values of our organization have changed. On top of that, I ask them what I need to do to help them solve the problem. Accepting the impossible as a given, and approaching it with a creative and practical mindset, has become our true competitive edge.”

As for the plans to go global, the CEO said Fescaro wanted to become a total platform provider instead of a regular vendor. The company has been working on the digital transformation of human-centered consultations required to customize cybersecurity solutions for regional clients in different countries through an online platform.

To this end, the startup completed the development of CSMS Portal earlier this month. CSMS Portal offers end-to-end automated cybersecurity control, including process abstraction, application lifecycle management and a virtual security operation center through a single platform. This enables efficient and stable cybersecurity management throughout the entire lifecycle of a vehicle by taking care of automobile development, mass production, maintenance and repairs.

“We are pursuing practical breakthroughs. …One of the reasons we are going public is to raise funding, but that’s not that big of a problem,” said Hong.

“When we go global, overseas clients do not know us very well. If we are listed on the Korea Exchange’s bourse, we can eliminate distrust. I keep saying this, but we have skills. So if we can remove the barrier of ‘Never heard of this company,’ we can get things done because we have the ability.”

DXC and 7AI Partner to Deliver Revolutionary AI-Powered Security Operations Service

New agentic security service reduces operational costs through autonomous AI agents while delivering faster response times and scaling coverage

In 2025, 7AI’s platform has saved security teams 224,000 analyst hours – equivalent to approximately 112 analyst years of work and $11.2 million

LAS VEGAS, August 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), a leading Fortune 500 global technology services company, and 7AI, a leader in agentic security, today announced a strategic partnership to launch DXC Agentic Security Operations Center (SOC). As a category-defining moment, DXC will now integrate fully autonomous AI agents into its end-to-end managed security operations – from alert ingestion, through investigation to remediation – delivering enhanced speed, accuracy, and coverage for its customers globally. Additionally, DXC has implemented 7AI’s platform to optimize its internal SOC capabilities.

DXC and 7AI Partner to Deliver Revolutionary AI-Powered Security Operations Service
DXC and 7AI Partner to Deliver Revolutionary AI-Powered Security Operations Service

In the next few years, AI is expected to reshape security operations and significantly automate and transform core SOC tasks. DXC and 7AI’s partnership represents a fundamental shift in how managed security services are delivered, moving beyond traditional manual approaches to leverage 7AI’s specialized AI agents that autonomously handle alert triage, threat investigation, and incident response. The new DXC Agentic SOC will be available to customers worldwide and delivers measurable improvements in security outcomes across speed, scale, and cost. By leveraging 7AI’s platform, DXC Agentic SOC eliminates the traditional bottlenecks of manual alert processing, expecting to save customers 30 minutes to 2.5 hours per investigation reduce false positive rates that can consume analyst resources.

“The use of AI enhances security efforts by boosting efficiency, augmenting human skills, and enabling SOCs to scale and deliver greater value in the face of growing cyber threats,” said Chris Drumgoole, President, Global Infrastructure Services at DXC. “The future of security operations isn’t about more tools or more automation, it’s about intelligent AI agents that deliver measurably better outcomes. By partnering with 7AI, we’re pioneering the next phase of managed security services, delivering better insights, faster response times and, ultimately, superior protections for our customers.”

Across 7AI’s customer base, the 7AI platform has already saved security teams over 224,000 analyst hours – equivalent to 112 full-time analyst years of work and more than $11.2 million in reclaimed productivity. With the platform projected to save customers over $100 million in 2025, according to 7AI, the company’s Dynamic Reasoning innovation autonomously determines the appropriate investigative approach for novel, never-before-seen threats in real time – without requiring pre-written playbooks or rules. Customers will benefit from DXC’s security experts for implementation and ongoing support, as well as incident response and breach management services to ensure rapid remediation. Additionally, as part of its managed service, DXC’s extensive network provides anonymized threat patterns and intelligence that enhance 7AI, improving detection capabilities while maintaining strict client data protection. This includes comprehensive governance, risk, and compliance services, tailored to the unique needs of each customer.

“DXC’s global cybersecurity scale – serving hundreds of customers, across 25 delivery centers that process 4.5 million daily security threats – provide the real-world data environment essential for advancing our AI. This combination of proven security leadership and operational breadth makes DXC the ideal partner for delivering truly agentic security solutions to the enterprise market,” said Lior Div, CEO and Co-Founder of 7AI. “This partnership validates our vision for a new era where security teams can focus exclusively on security outcomes. DXC customers will experience what it means to have AI agents that continuously improve their understanding of each organization’s unique security context.”

Experience the Future at Black Hat 2025

Customers and prospects can experience live demonstrations of DXC Agentic SOC at the 7AI booth (#1940) and visit DXC in the AI Pavilion (booth 4412) during Black Hat 2025, August 3-8 in Las Vegas. The announcement at Black Hat reinforces DXC’s position as a cybersecurity innovator, showcasing live autonomous AI investigations that traditionally require hours of manual analyst work. DXC representatives will be available to discuss implementation, customization options, and integration with existing DXC services.

To learn more about DXC Agentic SOC, visit www.dxc.com/agentic-soc

About DXC Technology

DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) is a leading global provider of information technology services. We’re a trusted operating partner to many of the world’s most innovative organizations, building solutions that move industries and companies forward. Our engineering, consulting and technology experts help clients simplify, optimize and modernize their systems and processes, manage their most critical workloads, integrate AI-powered intelligence into their operations, and put security and trust at the forefront. Learn more on dxc.com.

About 7AI

7AI is the leader in agentic security, delivering the industry’s first agentic security platform that harnesses specialized AI agents to autonomously handle essential security operations tasks. Founded in 2024 by cybersecurity veterans Lior Div and Yonatan Striem-Amit, creators of Cybereason, 7AI enables security teams to shift from reactive, manual processes to proactive, autonomous defense. The company’s Dynamic Reasoning technology allows AI agents to adapt their decision-making based on contextual understanding of each unique security scenario, eliminating false positives and delivering actionable conclusions at machine speed. Backed by Greylock Partners, Spark Capital, and CRV, 7AI empowers security leaders to position their organizations at the forefront of the AI transformation. For more information, visit www.7ai.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Angelena Abate, Media Relations, angelena.abate@dxc.com; Ted Weismann, Marketbridge for 7AI, 7AI@marketbridge.com

 

Hunan TV Show Singer 2025 Draws Performers from Multiple Countries

CHANGSHA, China, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hunan TV’s Mango TV program Singer 2025 is redefining global cultural exchange, using music as a bridge across borders. The show has received back-to-back endorsements from UNESCO and has been highlighted in 15 social media posts by official organizations—including agencies under China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassies of Brazil and Malaysia in China, and Tourism Malaysia.

As of now, Singer 2025 has achieved more than 85 billion digital impressions. This year, UNESCO also featured Shan Yichun’s adaptation of the song ‘Li Bai’ in its World Oceans Day campaign, calling for global attention to marine conservation. The show’s growing international attention highlights its extraordinary cultural influence, with diverse music, vibrant stagecraft, and heartfelt performances resonating with audiences worldwide.

One of the program’s defining strengths lies in its ability to inspire international artists to engage with Chinese culture on a deep level. American singer Mickey Guyton seamlessly wove Chinese lyrics into her performance, expressing her affection for the country. Fellow American Grace Kinstler delivered two moving performances entirely in Chinese, reflecting both the emotional appeal of Mandarin pop and her sincere appreciation for the culture. And Japanese singer BENI was particularly touched by the heartfelt enthusiasm of Chinese audiences.

Offstage, other international performers—including American singers Charlie Puth and Jordan Smith, and Canadian singer Michael Bublé—immersed themselves in traditional Chinese culture. From practicing calligraphy and appreciating the ink paintings of master artist Qi Baishi to experiencing Dragon Boat Festival traditions, traditional Chinese medicine, historic academies’ vibes and regional cuisine, they gained firsthand insight into the richness of China’s cultural heritage.

Singer 2025 continues to connect the world through music, offering a stage for diverse voices to be heard and heartfelt stories to be shared. The show looks forward to welcoming more artists from around the globe to become part of a shared cultural dialogue.

 

Bybit’s Ben Zhou Invites Community to Rewrite Their Own Success in Mid-Year Keynote Livestream

DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has announced an exclusive livestream keynote featuring co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou, set to define the next chapter of the crypto evolution with game-changing reveals about Bybit’s new moves.

Titled “Keynote with Ben: Reshaping what’s next, Bit by Bit,” the livestream will reflect on Bybit’s eventful first half of 2025, reinforce the exchange’s commitment to becoming a standard-bearer in safety and innovation, and offer a chance for Ben to answer some of the burning questions on everyone’s mind: how Bybit managed to not just survive but thrive through challenges, and how the power of the community could come together to reshape the digital asset class.

Livestream Details

With crypto at potentially its most crucial juncture, strategic vision will set industry leaders apart from followers. The keynote will cover history made and in-the-making by Bybit: highlighting several firsts in crypto achieved in 2025, and exciting upcoming revamps and launches. The reveals include high-stakes initiatives that encapsulate Bybit’s vision for a blockchain-enabled future that benefits all, where everyone will get to rewrite the rules of success and reshape the standards of the industry.

Agenda

  • From regulatory to product breakthroughs, Bybit’s 2025 milestones transcended borders and redefined the CeDeFi experience
  • Ecosystem growth across verticals and geographies, achieving major milestones with industry-first Spot innovations, crypto’s first and only wealth management solution of its kind, realigning synergy between Bybit Card and Bybit Pay, and the establishment of the EU headquarters
  • Connecting with Bybit offline: throughout the summer, Bybit will be on the road from Europe to Asia, celebrating the Bybit community around the world and honouring changemakers in crypto and blockchain at CCCC Lisbon and BGAwards @ UNDP
  • Tech meets purpose: Ben’s personal insights on the industry, what drives Bybit forward, and how blockchain technology could create real-world impact

Bybit’s Ben Zhou Invites Community to Rewrite Their Own Success in Mid-Year Keynote Livestream
Bybit’s Ben Zhou Invites Community to Rewrite Their Own Success in Mid-Year Keynote Livestream

Before and throughout the livestream, viewers can also engage with Bybit and share their questions to Ben to win from the 9,000 USDT prize pool. From now until the end of the event on August 6, 2025, a comprehensive rewards program offers five interactive ways for users and fans in anticipation of the livestream. 

Terms and conditions apply. Interested participants may visit Bybit for more information.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

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Taiwan to host inaugural “Taiwan Weeks” in October to advance its role as Asia’s asset management center

TAIPEI, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) of Taiwan announced the launch of the inaugural “Taiwan Weeks,” a flagship initiative to be held from October 15 to 23, aimed at elevating Taiwan’s position as a premier asset management center in Asia.

The FSC and its partner organizations jointly launched “Taiwan Weeks” at an inaugural press conference.
The FSC and its partner organizations jointly launched “Taiwan Weeks” at an inaugural press conference.

Speaking at the launch press conference in Taipei, FSC Chairperson Dr. Jin-Lung Peng described the initiative as a significant milestone in Taiwan’s long-term strategy to attract international capital and deepen its integration into the global financial system.

“We warmly welcome global investors to explore the potential of Taiwan’s capital markets and join us in shaping the future of asset management. Taiwan Weeks is more than a promotional event—it serves as a platform for global dialogue, innovation exchange, and cross-border investment collaboration,” Peng said.

The event, meticulously prepared over six months, is led by the FSC with active participation from its Securities and Futures Bureau, Banking Bureau, and Insurance Bureau. The event is co-organized in partnership with four key stock exchange and financial infrastructure institutions—the Taiwan Stock Exchange, Taipei Exchange, Taiwan Futures Exchange, and Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation.

A Two-Week Showcase of Policy and Innovation

Over the course of two weeks, Taiwan Weeks will feature a series of activities highlighting key policy developments in asset management. Through interactive formats, the initiative seeks to deepen understanding of regulatory frameworks, promote innovation in financial products, advance financial inclusion, and support ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sustainability. The event will also align with broader action plans to build a resilient and well-connected financial ecosystem.

The official website for Taiwan Weeks (taiwanweeks.com) is now live, offering global audiences access to event schedules, speaker line-ups, and insights related to Taiwan’s capital market development.

International Engagement and Knowledge Sharing

The opening ceremony on October 15 will feature keynote addresses from global asset management leaders and panel discussions with scholars and experts. Topics will explore the evolving dynamics of capital markets and strategies to foster inclusive and sustainable growth across Asia.

Subsequent sessions will delve into critical areas such as ESG frameworks, corporate governance best practices, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), startup ecosystem support, and capital mobilization for public infrastructure. Distinguished speakers — including senior policymakers, international financial institutions, and thought leaders — will share insights on market resilience, cross-border collaboration, and long-term capital formation.

The FSC envisions “Taiwan Weeks” as a strategic platform for international engagement, fostering connections across talent development, financial innovation, and policy collaboration. By uniting local and global stakeholders, the event aims to catalyze cross-border investment partnerships, strengthen industry-academia cooperation, and generate actionable policy proposals through meaningful dialogue and knowledge sharing.

Key events include:

Date

Event

Description

Oct. 15

Opening Ceremony

The event kicks off with an open forum
exploring Taiwan’s vision to become a
leading asset management center in Asia.

Oct. 15

Asia Asset
Management Center
Forum

Senior financial regulators and global
executives will engage in a high-level
discussion on Taiwan’s current positioning
and future roadmap as a hub for asset
management in Asia.

Oct. 15

Emerging Trends in
Investor Relations and
Engagement: ESG and
Sustainable Investing

This session will focus on the evolving role of
investor relations and shareholder
engagement in capital markets.
International institutions will discuss ESG
integration, and Taiwan Depository &
Clearing Corporation (TDCC) will present its
latest IR platform.

Oct. 16

Taipei Corporate
Governance Forum

Under the theme “Corporate Sustainability
Transformation and ESG Practices”, this
forum will feature prominent local and
international speakers sharing perspectives
on governance innovation and industry best
practices.

Oct. 16

Asia Capital Markets
Summit Forum

Representatives from leading exchanges
and global asset management firms will
address how Asian capital markets are
adapting to global trade frictions and
regulatory shifts, outlining strategic
responses and growth pathways.

Oct. 16

Internationalization of
Asset Management

This session will explore how banks and
financial institutions are innovating in
product design and asset allocation to
support evolving client demands and
international expansion.

Oct. 17–19

2025 ETF Investment
Expo

A three-day public expo designed to deepen
investor understanding of ETFs, featuring
seminars, interactive events, and guidance
on new products and responsible
investment approaches.

Oct. 21

Asia Innovation Cup:
TIB x GISA+
Fast-Tracking Startups
into the Capital
Market!

Combining competition, panel discussions,
and cross-sector dialogue, this event aims
to help startups and emerging businesses
access capital markets and better
understand policy and market expectations.

Oct. 21

Mobilizing Private
sector funds to invest
in Public infrastructure
– Public-Private
collaboration to build a
better Taiwan.

Government agencies and stakeholders will
discuss how to attract private capital into
national infrastructure and public
development projects, highlighting best
practices in policy design and PPP models.

 

MGI Tech Hands with Lincoln University to Revolutionize New Zealand Viticulture with Genomics

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (“MGI”), a company dedicated to developing core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life sciences, has joined efforts with Lincoln University in Canterbury to address sustainable challenges in viticulture through advanced sequencing technology. The initiative aims to utilize genomics to breed better varieties of grapevines and hops that are tolerant and resistant to pests and diseases, thus reducing fungicide use across New Zealand’s $2.1 billion wine export industry.   


How Genomics is Shaping New Zealand’s Finest Grapes and Hops

Viticulture Challenges in New Zealand: Disease, Chemicals and Sustainability Pressure

Viticulture is a significant economic source of revenue for New Zealand, ranking as the nation’s sixth-largest export earner.[1]

However, like many primary sectors, it faces intensifying pressure to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact. The country’s vineyards are particularly vulnerable to fungal diseases, often requiring frequent and broad-spectrum spraying to maintain vine health and grape quality.

Each year, New Zealand farmers apply approximately 3,400 tonnes of pesticides. Alarmingly, under the US Environmental Protection Agency classification, 60% of fungicides and 72% of plant growth regulators used locally are considered potential carcinogens. This has placed the sector in the crosshairs of consumer and environmental scrutiny, particularly as climate change drives more volatile weather conditions that heighten disease risks.[2]

New Pathways from Genomics

To address these challenges, a team of New Zealand scientists has started a genomic study to reduce the wine sector’s reliance on chemical sprays. By using advanced sequencing technology, researchers can now rapidly scan thousands of grapevine samples to identify those with natural resistance to disease and environmental stress.

Associate Professor Christopher Winefield, from Lincoln University’s Department of Wine, Food & Molecular Biosciences, who first introduced genomics into his research to explore traits like fungal tolerance and soil health response, is now scaling the project significantly through MGI’s high-throughput sequencing platform.

This approach not only opens a pathway to breed more resilient grape varieties, it also enables real-time monitoring of vineyard conditions, laying the foundation for more targeted, sustainable and cost-effective vineyard management.

The genomics practices allow scientists to map the natural genetic diversity within thousands of grapevines, identifying those with inherent disease resistance. Early findings suggest that, with targeted intervention informed by this data, chemical spray use could be reduced by up to 80% in some vineyards.

“You’re never going to get to zero,” says Winefield , “but even removing a single late-season spray has multiple benefits – lower costs, less residue in the wine and reduced pressure on soil health and the environment.”

The MGI Sequencing: Achieving Genomics at Scale

Lincoln University researchers have installed the MGI DNBSEQ-G400 genome sequencer, a next-generation sequencing platform enabling unprecedented scale and speed in genomics with economic cost. Traditionally, testing a few hundred grapevine samples per year was considered standard. Now, the lab can process over 50,000 annually – a one-hundredfold increase in volume.

“The introduction of MGI sequencing tools has really helped democratise sequencing for small teams like myself,” says Winefield. “The cost of that sequencing is highly competitive. We’re now looking to process up to 50,000 samples a year – we simply couldn’t do that without MGI’s support”

The MGI DNBSEQ-G400 platform can also support real-time sequencing to detect pathogens like powdery mildew and mealybug. This enables precision agriculture approaches, where interventions are localised rather than applied uniformly.

“Instead of scheduled spraying, farmers can move to evidence-based treatment. It’s a shift from blanket coverage to pinpoint accuracy. That means fewer chemicals in the environment and better resistance management,” says Winefield.

The genomic data is also helping scientists identify vines that are more resilient under water stress or nutrient limitations – a key consideration as climate volatility increases.

Dr. Bicheng Yang, Director of MGI Australia, says the project showcases how modern genomics can drive sustainability.

“This is a powerful example of how cutting-edge technology supports the future of agriculture. By helping researchers uncover the genetic drivers of disease resistance, we’re enabling the industry to move away from chemical dependency and toward natural plant resilience.”

The ability to conduct these tests domestically also removes the logistical and financial barriers of sending samples overseas, saving critical time during the growing season.

A Commercial Vision: Democratising Genomic Testing

Beyond academia, the project has commercial ambitions. Winefield and his colleagues are forming a standalone venture to bring affordable genomic testing to the country’s broader agriculture sector. The startup will serve viticulture, horticulture, and dairy farms, giving producers access to real-time insights previously confined to high-cost labs.

“This is about getting world-class science into farmers’ hands,” Winefield says. “Our goal is to process a million samples annually at launch and grow to 10 million within five years.”

This data-driven model would enable even small-scale producers to detect early signs of disease, make proactive crop management decisions, and cut down on unnecessary chemical inputs.

Environmental and Economic Impact

The implications of the study extend well beyond New Zealand. With international viticulture facing similar challenges, the Canterbury research could become a blueprint for sustainable production globally. According to Winefield, New Zealand’s unique microclimates and robust science infrastructure make it an ideal testbed.

New Zealand may never feed the world by volume,” he says, “but we can lead through better science. Exporting our genomic insights, tools and resilient plant stock could transform productivity and environmental outcomes for global agriculture.”

Toward a National Infrastructure

Winefield envisions a future where genomic diagnostics become as routine in farming as soil testing or weather tracking.

“This isn’t just about grapevines. Whether it’s hops, kiwifruit, apples or livestock, we can use this data to reduce disease pressure, improve yields and make smarter input decisions.”

Climate change adds urgency. With warmer, wetter conditions driving earlier and more aggressive outbreaks of disease, traditional spraying schedules are proving less effective. The genomic model offers farmers the precision and agility to adapt to real-time environmental changes.

About MGI:

MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (or its subsidiaries, together referred to as MGI) is committed to building core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life science. Our focus lies in research & development, manufacturing, and sales of instruments, reagents, and related products in the field of life science and biotechnology. We provide real-time, multi-omics, and a full spectrum of digital equipment and systems for precision medicine, agriculture, healthcare, and various other industries.

Founded in 2016, MGI has grown into a leader in life science, serving customers across six continents and establishing research, manufacturing, training, and after-sales service facilities globally. MGI stands out as one of the few companies capable of independently developing and mass-producing clinical-grade gene sequencers with varying throughput capacities, ranging from Gb to Tb levels. With unparalleled expertise, cutting-edge products, and a commitment to global impact, MGI continues to shape the trajectory of life sciences into the future.

For more information, please visit https://en.mgi-tech.com/, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

 

[1] New Zealand wine continues to defy market trends, growing for 16th consecutive year in the US. (n.d.). New Zealand Wine. https://www.nzwine.com/en/media/media-releases/us-market-trends/ 

[2] Primary Industry Trade at Risk Unless Assurance is Tightened – Our Land & Water – Toitū te Whenua, Toiora te Wai. (n.d.). Our Land & Water – Toitū Te Whenua, Toiora Te Wai. https://ourlandandwater.nz/news/primary-industry-trade-at-risk-unless-assurance-is-tightened/