The event took place on May 9, attracting 680 babies and their families. It aims to set a record as the first birthday celebration with the largest number of participating children in Vietnam.

In Vietnamese culture, a child’s first birthday, known as thoi noi, marks the beginning of a new stage of development. It is a period when a child experiences significant changes, from movement and physical development to the ability to explore the world around them. Parents are changing their perspectives on this milestone. Rather than viewing first birthday solely as a traditional ceremony, many now place greater emphasis on laying a strong foundation for their child’s long-term well-rounded development across physical, intellectual, and immune systems.

From the reception area, the event was filled with excitement as families captured their first moments together. Tiny footprints were carefully preserved, marking the first steps in each child's journey. In the photo studio, parents comforted their children for commemorative pictures while little ones freely explored their surroundings.

The presence of social media personalities and popular internet mothers added to the vibrant atmosphere. What emerged from the event is that young families are taking a different approach to parenting. Rather than comparison, many parents now focus on their child's individual progress – from changes in movement and daily activities to their ability to interact with the world around them. Each child's developmental journey is seen as a unique process, requiring companionship and understanding rather than pressure.

The event also offered the latest nutritional information, attracting strong interest from parents and providing insights into children's needs during their first year. Nutren Junior sought to celebrate this meaningful milestone with parents, marking the first steps of childhood and the moment the world opens up to each child. This period is a golden opportunity to lay the foundation for long-term physical, intellectual, and immune development.

Nutren Junior features the B.I.G formula, developed and refined by Nestlé Health Science to provide balanced nutrition for children after their first birthday. The formula supports physical development through easily digestible whey protein; immunity through a combination of probiotics and prebiotics; and cognitive development through DHA and essential vitamins and minerals.

During the event, the Vietnam Records Organisation awarded Nestlé and Con Cung a certificate recognising the gathering as the largest baby celebration in Vietnam, with 680 babies in attendance.

Speaking at the event, Zubin Trikha, head of Special Nutrition at Nestlé Vietnam, said, "We hope to celebrate this meaningful first birthday milestone with parents while supporting them during the important period after age one, when every care choice contributes to a child's long-term development. Through Nutren Junior, Nestlé Vietnam aims to provide appropriate nutritional solutions and create meaningful community activities that equip parents with information, confidence, and inspiration throughout their parenting journey."

Tran Anh Phuong, senior director of Stores Operations at Con Cung, said, "As a maternity and baby chain with over 1,000 stores nationwide, Con Cung provides essential products and collaborates with reputable partners like Nutren Junior to connect more closely with parents, offering nutritional and care solutions suitable for each stage of a child's development. This partnership is part of Con Cung's orientation to contribute to building a solid foundation for the future generation of Vietnam."

As the event concluded, families left with more than photos and gifts, they took home the feeling of having shared a memorable milestone. For many families, it was their first time participating in a large event with many exciting experiences for such an important milestone with their children. For Nutren Junior, it was also how the brand began its journey of accompanying children and families – from their first steps on the path to growing up.

Nestlé accompanies Ho Chi Minh City's student sports event Nestlé's Milo brand has sponsored the opening ceremony of the Ho Chi Minh City Student Sports Competition for 2025-2026 to promote active lifestyles, health, and well-rounded physical development for Vietnamese students.

Nestlé Vietnam's Lunar New Year campaign reframes how Tet is counted As Lunar New Year draws closer, brands are rethinking how Tet is framed for a younger, more digitally connected audience. Nestlé Vietnam’s latest campaign suggests the festival is defined less by the calendar than by shared moments.

Nestlé Milo continues National U11 Football Championship 2026 On April 6, the Teenager and Children Newspaper, the Vietnam Football Federation, and Nestlé MILO, announced the sponsor for the National U11 Football Championship – Nestlé MILO Cup 2026.

Within this, the non-financial corporate group posted growth of 55.2 per cent, while the financial sector, including banks, securities firms and insurers, recorded growth of 12 per cent.

According to calculations by TVS Research analysts, even excluding companies within the Vingroup ecosystem – including Vingroup, Vinhomes, Vincom Retail, Vinpearl and VEFAC – overall market profit growth still reached 33.8 per cent. The recovery trend was broad-based rather than concentrated in only a handful of stocks.

By market capitalisation, the VN30 group posted profit growth of 48 per cent in Q1, driven by contributions from Vinhomes, Hoa Phat and VietinBank. The VN30 group features the 30 largest and most liquid listed companies on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, serving as a key benchmark for Vietnam’s stock market performance.

Meanwhile, the mid-cap segment recorded the highest growth rate at 85.9 per cent, with key drivers including Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical (BSR), Novaland and PNJ.

By sector, as many as 18 out of 19 industry groups recorded profit growth during the period. Real estate, oil and gas, banking, and utilities – including electricity, water, fuel and gas distribution – made the largest contributions to the market’s overall earnings growth.

In the real estate sector, profits rose 32.2 per cent on-year, mainly supported by large-scale wholesale transfer deals within the Vingroup group.

Vinhomes alone reported profit growth of as much as 850 per cent, driven by major bulk transactions at the Vinhomes Ocean Park 2 and 3, and Green Paradise projects.

The oil and gas sector emerged as the standout performer in terms of growth pace, with total industry profits surging more than 603 per cent from a year earlier.

The main driver was Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical JSC, whose profit reached $330.6 million, nearly 20 times higher on-year. The company benefited from sharply widening crack spreads between crude oil and refined products, as well as high operating efficiency amid rising Brent Crude prices due to tensions in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, in the utilities sector covering electricity, water, fuel and gas, profits increased 38.1 per cent on-year, with major contributions from PV Power and EVNGENCO3.

TVS Research noted that EVNGENCO3 recorded profit growth of 658 per cent thanks to improved profit margins.

In addition, the company’s Phu My gas-fired power complex benefited from stable domestic gas supplies, allowing it to avoid the use of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) during the quarter.

IT was the only sector to post weak profit growth in Q1. This mainly stemmed from Saigontel, which no longer recorded extraordinary gains from transfer deals and industrial park real estate business as it had in the same period last year, causing profits to plunge 99 per cent.

Meanwhile, FPT continued to maintain stable earnings growth, supported by double-digit expansion in overseas IT services and digital transformation businesses.

For the banking sector, Q1 profit exceeded $2.93 billion, up 11.5 per cent on-year but slower than the 15.3 per cent growth recorded in Q1 of last year. According to TVS Research, the main reason was rising funding cost pressure as credit growth significantly outpaced customer deposit growth.

Sector-wide net interest margin fell to 2.95 per cent, down 27 basis points from the same period last year. At the same time, the low-cost current account savings account ratio declined to 20.04 per cent, indicating that room for further funding cost improvement from non-term deposits is narrowing.

AGMs likely to address market boost With the AGM season approaching, corporate governance takes centre stage once again for Vietnamese listed companies, especially amid Vietnam’s push to transition from a frontier to an emerging market.

VLCA 2024 honours corporate governance excellence as listed companies raise the bar The Corporate Governance Excellence Awards 2024, a part of Vietnam Listed Company Awards 2024 (VLCA), recognised 25 listed companies during a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on November 16.

Listed companies honoured for information transparency Fifty listed companies with the highest standards of information transparency in 2025 were honoured at the 18th Vietnam Listed Company Awards (VLCA), held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 3.

Under the MoU, Primetals acts as technology integrator, supporting VinMetal to create and optimise technological solutions throughout the entire production chain, from ironmaking and steelmaking to finished steel rolling. The company will coordinate and synchronise technical interfaces between contract packages and EPC contractors, ensuring seamless integration.

The tie-up will facilitate VinMetal to mitigate technical integration risks in its multi-package development model, while also shortening development timelines by standardising technological and financial solutions.

The two companies will also expand partnership in key areas such as workforce training, operation and maintenance, and digital transformation with a view to optimising overall operational efficiency and achieving long-term sustainable development.

Pham Nhat Quan Anh, CEO of VinMetal, said, “The partnership with Primetals marks a significant milestone in VinMetal’s long-term development strategy. We aim to build a large-scale, modern, green, and digitised steel complex that meets the highest international standards, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and position of Vietnam’s steel industry on the global industrial map.”

In the same vein, Kosei Tsuji, executive vice president of Primetals Technologies said, “VinMetal is a partner with a long-term vision and a clear commitment to sustainable development in the metallurgical industry. We believe that the synergy between Primetals’ leading technological capabilities and VinMetal’s strategic direction will create an advanced, efficient, and sustainable steel complex in Vietnam.”

VinMetal is developing its steel manufacturing plant in Vung Ang Economic Zone, Ha Tinh province. The venture is scheduled for initial operation in 2027, envisioned as a leading high-tech steel complex in the region, delivering high-quality steel products for domestic and export markets.

Vingroup sets up $380 million steel company Vingroup announced the establishment of VinMetal JSC for Manufacturing and Trading on October 6, entering the metallurgy industry and expanding its existing industrial and technology pillar.

Hoa Phat launches steel pipe manufacturing facility in Tay Ninh On April 18, Hoa Phat Group held the inauguration ceremony for its Hoa Phat Long An Steel Pipe Plant in Tay Ninh, marking a new step in the group’s strategy to expand market share.

Pebsteel factory gains LEED Gold for sustainable operations Pebsteel’s factory in Ho Chi Minh City has been awarded LEED Gold certification from the US Green Building Council, marking a significant milestone in the company’s sustainable development journey.

The event took place on May 11 in collaboration with the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM), bringing together senior diplomatic representatives from Russia and India, along with global nuclear industry experts and executives from leading nuclear corporations.

Tran Chi Thanh, president of the VINATOM,the world is facing both a climate crisis and mounting pressure from disruptions to traditional energy supply chains. Against this backdrop, the global commitment to achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2050 has become a new rule shaping international trade and investment flows.

“Nuclear power is no longer viewed solely from the perspective of emissions reduction, but is increasingly tied to the broader challenge of energy security and the long-term stability of the economy,” he said. “This is why many countries are bringing nuclear power back into their Net Zero and energy transition strategies. According to international forecasts, global nuclear power capacity could double by 2050 compared to current levels, alongside the emergence of next-generation technologies designed to meet higher safety standards following the Fukushima accident.”

Among these, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a particularly notable trend. Compared with conventional nuclear power plants, SMRs have smaller generating capacity, shorter construction timelines, and are expected to offer greater deployment flexibility.

“Small Modular Reactor technology is one of the nuclear technologies attracting strong international interest and has already become a growing trend, with deployment beginning across the region,” Thanh noted. He also referred to Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs), ultra-small reactors with a capacity below 10 MWe, which are currently being studied by several countries for specialised applications.

He said that the gap in technological capability and operational experience between developed countries and nations newly entering the nuclear energy sector remains substantial. “European countries and other developed economies have decades of experience in nuclear power, giving them a very advanced level of expertise, while many developing countries still lack sufficient operational experience,” he said.

Dmitry Aleksandrovich Raspopin, country director of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation in Vietnam, said Rosatom currently accounts for 88 per cent of the global nuclear power plant export market. Of the 25 large-scale nuclear power projects currently under construction worldwide, 22 are being implemented by Rosatom across multiple countries.

Regarding SMR technology, the Rosatom representative highlighted the company’s RITM-200 reactor line. Russia has already commissioned four icebreakers powered by RITM-200 reactors and is continuing construction of three additional vessels, along with modernised floating nuclear power units.

"SMRs are increasingly viewed as a promising answer to modern energy challenges thanks to their flexibility and broad range of applications. Beyond electricity generation, SMRs can support district heating and cooling systems, supply power for data storage and processing centres, and replace conventional thermal power plants," Raspopin said.

"From an infrastructure planning perspective, the compact design of SMRs and the optimisation of emergency planning zones allow projects to be integrated without disrupting urban development. The technology is particularly suitable for smaller grids and remote regions facing logistical constraints," he added. "In addition to efficient land use and near-zero emissions, SMRs provide a stable, reliable, and continuous electricity supply regardless of weather or climate conditions."

Tran Thu Quynh, from the Vietnam Trade Office in Canada and coordinator of the Canada-Vietnam Energy Working Group, joined the seminar virtually from Canada to discuss bilateral energy cooperation. She highlighted seven strategic advantages of Canada's CANDU technology for Vietnam: government-to-government cooperation; fuel independence using natural uranium without enrichment; 60-70 per cent localisation of the supply chain; shorter project completion timelines; the DUPIC fuel recycling cycle that converts spent fuel into reusable resources; a public-private partnership financing model developed by AtkinsRéalis; and the production of Cobalt-60 for cancer treatment and agricultural irradiation.

Susie Ho, director at Laurentis Energy Partners (Canada), also shared lessons from Poland, Sweden, and Canada that could inform Vietnam’s nuclear and SMR development pathway.

The period from 2026 to 2030 is expected to mark a significant milestone in global SMR deployment. According to reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and RBC Energy, between 20 and 30 SMRs are projected to enter construction or advanced licensing stages during this period, with the global SMR project pipeline estimated at $150 billion.

In Poland, for example, Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) is actively planning the deployment of 24 BWRX-300 reactors across six sites. The company’s strategy demonstrates how industrial off-takers, digital economy demand, and a network of standardised reactors can form the foundation for scalable SMR development.

The reactors are planned for locations such as Włocławek, adjacent to chemical plants where they can provide high-temperature steam for chemical production, hydrogen manufacturing, and district heating, helping ensure both energy security and price stability. Many sites are also strategically located near retiring coal plants, enabling a smoother energy transition for industrial communities.

OSGE has additionally established a dedicated task force with the Polish Data Centre Association. Poland’s data centre sector alone could require up to 1,000 MW of power by 2034, driven by hyperscalers such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, all of which require access to clean 24/7 electricity.

Sweden, meanwhile, has reversed four decades of nuclear phase-out policies and is now targeting 2,500 MW of new nuclear capacity by 2045.

Canada is also emerging as a pioneer in nuclear deployment models by prioritising projects at existing nuclear sites to establish scalable templates for future expansion. By leveraging existing regulatory and environmental approvals at Darlington, the approach avoids many of the uncertainties associated with greenfield developments while accelerating site readiness and reducing project risks. Darlington remains the only site in Canada to have completed and received approval for an Environmental Assessment for new nuclear generation, giving it a major regulatory advantage.

Vietnam undergoes IAEA nuclear infrastructure assessment The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has begun an 11-day mission to Vietnam to carry out an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) as the country advances preparations for developing nuclear power.

Russia to build 2,400 MW nuclear plant in Vietnam under new deal An intergovernmental agreement on cooperation to build the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant in Vietnam has been signed during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Moscow.

Nuclear plans develop as crucial cornerstone Vietnam is accelerating plans to develop nuclear power as a cornerstone of future energy security.

South Korea and Vietnam agree deal on nuclear power development Korea Electric Power Corporation and the Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group have signed an MoU on potential cooperation in new nuclear power development.

British deputy consul general in Ho Chi Minh City William Lawrenson said the launch reflects the growing partnership between the United Kingdom and Vietnam in the education sector.

“Under the UK-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, education stands proudly as one of the six pillars of collaboration. The launch of King’s College Wimbledon in Ho Chi Minh City is a compelling demonstration of our commitment, and a flagship example of bilateral collaboration aligned with Vietnam’s ambitions to attract world-leading education providers,” Lawrenson noted.

Building on this theme of bilateral cooperation, director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training Nguyen Van Hieu said the new facility served as a vital bridge between global educational standards and local development goals.

“It reflects the trust and long-term commitment of international partners to the development of Vietnamese education. We see a strong alignment between King’s ‘mind, spirit, and heart’ philosophy and our own educational philosophy of nurturing students who are both morally sound and intellectually brilliant,” Hieu said.

Kieran McLaughlin, who graduated from Cambridge University and has over three decades of experience in the education globally, will serve as the founding head of school for the Vietnam campus.

He stated that the facility would combine the history and traditions of the British institution with world-class facilities, alongside a personal enrichment programme designed to equip pupils with flexible skills for the modern world.

“The Ho Chi Minh City facility will be governed and quality assured directly by the founding school to ensure an authentic academic experience. This involves direct oversight of curriculum design, teacher recruitment, professional development, and pastoral care,” McLaughlin said.

Anne Cotton, head of King’s College School, Wimbledon and honorary principal of the new campus, said that the school was deeply dedicated to providing students with the best possible preparation for life beyond the classroom.

“The school offers a structured scholarship programme, with independent projects and the King’s Essay in sixth form, alongside extensive academic clubs and societies,” Cotton said. “It also provides strong higher education and career support, including one-to-one guidance, university fairs, internships, work experience, corporate placements, and alumni mentoring beyond graduation up to age 25.”

Spanning nearly two hectares, the campus is designed by global architectural practice Broadway Malyan. It features state-of-the-art facilities supporting both academic and personal development, including a 7-a-side football field, indoor sports halls, a 25-metre swimming pool, science laboratories, and a 500-seat theatre.

King’s College School, Wimbledon’s design by Broadway Malyan

Founded in 1829, King’s College School, Wimbledon is consistently ranked among the top schools globally. The institution reports outstanding academic outcomes, with over 98 per cent of General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) grades at A* or A, and more than 96 per cent of A Level results achieving A*, A, or B grades. A significant portion of its students progress to highly selective universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Ivy League institutions.

Parents and interested individuals can now visit the newly opened school gallery at 01 Vo Nguyen Giap street in An Khanh ward to learn more about the curriculum and explore the campus design.

Ho Chi Minh City kicks off five key projects Ho Chi Minh City broke ground on four major projects and granted an investment certificate for Can Gio International Transshipment Port on April 29.

Ho Chi Minh City gives investor approval for transshipment mega-port On April 29, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee granted the investor approval decision for Can Gio International Transshipment Port to a consortium comprising Vietnam Maritime Corporation, Saigon Port JSC, and Terminal Investment Limited Holding S.A.

Intel relocates key assembly and testing lines to Ho Chi Minh City Global tech giant Intel will relocate part of its Costa Rica assembly and testing operations to Ho Chi Minh City, reinforcing Vietnam’s role in the global supply chain for advanced data centre chips.

According to the contract, the jack-up rig shall be mobilised to execute the drilling campaign at the Thien Nga - Hai Au field, located in Block 12/11.

The contract duration is expected to last approximately 160 days, with the commencement in October 2026. This represents a strategic milestone for Zarubezhneft (ZNEP)’s oilfield development in Vietnam.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Xuan Cuong, president and CEO of PV Drilling, reaffirmed the commitment to delivering services at a reasonable price, ensuring the mutual benefit for both parties.

A representative of Zarubezhneft EP Vietnam B.V. expressed strong confidence in PV Drilling’s capabilities and professionalism, citing the successful execution of previous drilling campaigns. In particular, ZNEP noted that PV Drilling deployed two drilling rigs for the company in 2025 with high operational efficiency and strong safety performance.

The signing reflects ZNEP’s continued trust in PV Drilling’s technical expertise and service quality, while further strengthening the long-term partnership between the two sides and opening up future cooperation opportunities.

Amid the recovery of the drilling market, PV Drilling is expanding its footprint in Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, while continuing to play a key role in securing leased rig supply for Vietnam’s market under high safety and operational standards.

Russia's Zarubezhneft eyes offshore wind power in Vietnam Russian oil and gas company Zarubezhneft has expressed an interest in venturing beyond oil and gas exploitation to develop offshore wind projects in Vietnam.

BSR secures three months of crude supply for Dung Quat refinery Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical has secured enough crude oil to operate its Dung Quat refinery for the next three months amid Middle East supply disruptions.

Jadestone Energy signs gas sales agreement in Vietnam Jadestone Energy, an independent upstream production and development company, on April 20 announced the signing of the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement for the supply of gas from the Nam Du/U Minh discoveries offshore fields in Vietnam.

The first session, “Untangling Bottlenecks, Unlocking Resources,” will feature two keynote presentations. The first, providing an overview of Vietnam’s real estate market, will be delivered by Cao Thi Thanh Huong, deputy director of Research at Savills Vietnam.

The second, “Real Estate Finance: Current Landscape, Outlook, and Solutions,” will be presented by Can Van Luc, chief economist at BIDV and member of the National Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council.

Panellists on “Untangling Bottlenecks, Unlocking Resources”

In the discussion session of Panel I, participants will address some of the market’s most pressing issues, including legal obstacles, capital access, and homebuyer confidence.

In addition, key macro-level issues will also be brought to the table, notably the significant new provisions under laws related to the real estate sector, including the Land Law, Housing Law, and Law on Real Estate Business, as well as their potential to ease longstanding legal hurdles facing the market.

Speakers joining the discussion include Hoang Thu Hang, deputy director general of the Housing and Real Estate Market Management Agency (under the Ministry of Construction); a representative from the State Bank of Vietnam; Can Van Luc, chief economist at BIDV and member of the National Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council; Nguyen Le Nam, director of Retail Banking Division at Asia Commercial Bank (ACB); and Huynh Anh Huy, director of Securities Industry Analysis at Kafi Securities Corporation.

The session will be moderated by Le Trong Minh, deputy editor-in-chief of Vietnam Investment Review.

The second session, themed “Adaptive Strategies for a New Cycle”, will feature a presentation by Tran Diem My, vice chairwoman of Five Star Group, on the topic “Strategies for Real Estate Developers in the New Cycle”.

Panellists on “Adaptive Strategies for a New Cycle”

The discussion session of Panel II will focus on a range of issues, including how developers are reshaping their strategies following the market’s consolidation phase, which property segments are likely to recover first, changing homebuyer behaviour, and the timing for businesses to accelerate expansion plans.

Speakers joining include Tran Diem My, vice chairwoman of Five Star Group; Thi Anh Dao, chief marketing officer of Masterise Group; Ngo Quang Phuc, CEO of Phu Dong Group; and Cao Thi Thanh Huong, deputy director of Research at Savills Vietnam.

The session will be moderated by Ngo Thanh Huan, CEO of Kafi Securities Corporation.

The conference is expected to provide multidimensional insights into Vietnam’s real estate market during this pivotal transitional period, covering legal frameworks, capital flows, corporate adaptation strategies, and opportunities emerging in the next market cycle.

Watch live online here

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Vietnam Real Estate Market 2026: Weathering Headwinds, Embracing a New Cycle

Swift Action Taken to Maximize Risk Segregation

The Group clearly stated that it had previously disclosed in its 2025/2026 interim report that, the Group confirmed neither the Company nor its subsidiaries were involved in the investigation initiated by the CSRC in connection with the "Notice of Case Filing" issued to Suzhou QingYue regarding alleged false information included in its periodic financial reports. In response to the incident, and based on prudence and corporate governance considerations, the Board of Directors has resolved to initiate a process to reduce the Group's level of involvement in Suzhou QingYue.

Emphasizes No Involvement by the Group's Management or Governance, with a Complete Exit from Suzhou QingYue

Mr. Leung Tze Kuen, Executive Director of the Company, has resigned as a non‑independent director of Suzhou QingYue, with effect from 31 March 2026. Following the resignation, the Group has fully exited the Suzhou QingYue Board and has ceased all involvement in Suzhou QingYue's financial, operational, and management decision‑making. The Group further emphasizes that none of its directors or employees has ever been involved in Suzhou QingYue's daily operations, nor involved in the Incident whatsoever.

Minimal Investment Stake and Limited Financial Impact

From a financial perspective, as at 30 September 2025, the carrying value of the Group's investment in Suzhou QingYue amounted to approximately HK$294 million, representing approximately 5.2% and 6.0%, respectively of the total assets and net assets of the Group. Should the Group be required to recognize any impairment provision on its investment in Suzhou Qingyue in the future, it is not expected to have any material impact on the Group's cash flow.

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

Wiseland Eyecare to Support More Informed Eye Health Decisions

Many individuals rely on routine vision checks to assess their eye health, focusing primarily on prescription changes. While these remain important, they are often limited to surface-level observations. This can be especially relevant for seniors, as macular changes and some other age-related eye conditions may develop gradually without obvious symptoms.

At Wiseland Eyecare, OCT is used as an advanced eye imaging tool to support closer review of the retina or optic nerve when needed. The adoption reflects the optical practice’s effort to strengthen primary eye care by looking beyond changes in spectacle power.

Instead of treating OCT as a routine scan for every patient, the practice uses it selectively when symptoms or examination findings suggest the need for closer retinal or optic nerve assessment. These may include blurred vision, unexplained vision loss, visual distortion, or signs of structural or microvascular changes. OCT also helps determine when a timely referral for further medical evaluation is appropriate, especially for older adults with relevant risk factors.

In the context of routine eye screening in Singapore, this approach ensures thorough eye health assessments, rather than relying solely on visible symptoms. We believe that understanding the eye in greater detail allows for better long-term care. OCT helps us move beyond assumptions and towards clarity.

Supporting Gold-Standard Retinal Imaging in Practice

OCT is a non-invasive diagnostic test that typically takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Using light waves, it creates cross-sectional and 3D images of the retina and optic nerve. A dedicated machine can conduct retinal and optic nerve assessment in a single scan by providing OCT reference data for the optic nerve, retinal nerve fibre layer, ganglion cell layer, and macular thickness. It also captures a true-colour fundus photograph with pinpoint registration to the OCT scan, allowing practitioners to compare surface-level appearance with deeper retinal structures in a single integrated view.

Real-World Use Within a Broader Shift in Retinal Imaging

In practice, retinal imaging can help make certain eye health concerns easier to document and act on. In one case, 2D fundus photography showed a yellowish translucent area in a customer’s eye after cataract surgery. Through OCT imaging, the optometrist was able to identify the area of swelling more clearly, allowing the customer to be referred promptly for further medical care. This reflects the wider value of retinal imaging as eye care technology continues to advance.

Research by Google AI and Verily has shown that retinal fundus photographs can be used with deep learning models to estimate cardiovascular risks, including the likelihood of major adverse cardiac events. This provides useful context for how retinal imaging is being studied and discussed within broader eye health assessment.

Supporting Better Technology Adoption in Practice

As retinal imaging becomes more relevant in everyday eye care conversations, Wiseland Eyecare’s use of OCT underscores its focus on in-depth eye health assessment, timely referral, and eye care that considers more than prescription changes.

“With OCT, we are able to observe changes that would otherwise remain undetected. This allows us to conduct comprehensive eye tests and make more considered clinical decisions based on detailed eye health assessments,” shared Alfred Chee, Optometrist of Wiseland Eyecare.

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

The exhibitions follow a year of record residential sales for Banyan Group Residences, as growing numbers of global investors look to Phuket as a safe haven for capital - drawn by the island's political stability, strong rental yields, year-round lifestyle appeal, and the relative value it continues to offer against comparable markets. Demand has been particularly robust from buyers across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, with Hong Kong remaining one of the Group's most consistent source markets.

The three projects on show represent some of the most exciting new additions to Laguna Phuket – Asia's premier integrated resort destination – and span a range of living concepts, price points, and design inspirations, united by the hallmark quality and hospitality expertise of Banyan Group Residences, Asia's leading branded residential developer by volume.

"Hong Kong has consistently been one of our strongest buyer markets, and we look forward to welcoming buyers in person to discover what we believe is an exceptional line-up of new homes," said Stuart Reading, Managing Director of Banyan Group Residences. "Whether you're looking for a holiday retreat, a permanent base in a world-class resort community, or a smart long-term investment, this exhibition offers something genuinely compelling. High-quality property in a prime location at Laguna Phuket still represents outstanding value compared to equivalent homes in Hong Kong or other major cities."

Bellaguna Lake Residences

Brand new blocks of Bellaguna Lake Residences will be revealed for the first time at the exhibition. Set beside a shimmering lake within Laguna Phuket – steps from Bang Tao Beach – the development takes its design cues from the sleek lines of a contemporary luxury yacht. Five elegantly elongated buildings feature dark wave-like façades and warm, light-filled interiors, with generous private terraces overlooking the lagoon. Residences include one- to three-bedroom condominiums and two- to three-bedroom penthouses with private rooftop pools, as well as a brand new category of two-bedroom residences with private pool.

Bellaguna is Banyan Group Residences' newest residential brand, conceived specifically for premium year-round living outside of hotel inventory – yet fully supported by the Group's renowned hospitality management standards.

Bellaguna Golf Residences

Set on land that once formed part of Phuket's historic tin-mining landscape, Bellaguna Golf Residences draws its design identity from that heritage – soft horizontal lines and sculpted contours reinterpreted through a contemporary tropical lens. Low-rise buildings unfold amid lush gardens and a signature free-form pool, overlooking the fairways of the championship Laguna Golf Phuket course. A brand new block has also just been released for this project, which features a compact one-bedroom configuration, alongside one- to three-bedroom condominiums and two- to three-bedroom penthouses with private pools and sunset golf views.

Angsana Golf Residences Topaz

Inspired by the clarity and elegance of the topaz gemstone, Angsana Golf Residences Topaz comprises three gracefully curved low-rise buildings set within Laguna Phuket, with Sino-Portuguese design accents that subtly reference Phuket's cultural heritage. The development offers two- and three-bedroom residences and exclusive penthouses with private rooftop pools, all enjoying panoramic views of the golf course, mountains, and the Andaman Sea. A signature rooftop ring-shaped pool completes the picture.

All three projects now have show units available to view at Laguna Property Sales Gallery

Banyan Living

Banyan Group has recently launched Banyan Living, a residential rental and marketing platform created to support owners of branded residences across the Group's portfolio, while offering guests a professionally managed alternative to traditional home‑sharing platforms.

Developed as a structured, hospitality-led rental ecosystem, Banyan Living enables private owners to generate income from their residences, while providing guests who rent the properties assurance of the design integrity and professional service standards associated with Banyan Group.

Why Phuket, Why Now

Phuket continues to attract growing international interest as both a lifestyle destination and an investment market. Within Laguna Phuket, nationals of some 70 countries have chosen to make the resort community their home, drawn by year-round tropical living, world-class amenities, international schools, medical facilities, and a level of quality and security that is difficult to match elsewhere in the region.

Banyan Group Residences anticipates launching up to USD 1 billion in new luxury residential projects in Phuket over the next two to three years, reflecting the Group's confidence in the market and the enduring strength of demand from international buyers.

Prospective buyers are welcome to visit the exhibition at Park Lane Hong Kong, Canvas (26F), on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2026, between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm. Private appointments can be arranged in advance by contacting the team directly.

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

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

• Ho Yuenkei, BBS (Paris 2024 Paralympic Boccia Double Gold Medalist) – Shared a moving account of how her mother's unconditional love, support, and acceptance shaped her childhood, enabling her to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.
• Olivia Wong (General Manager – Environmental & Social Responsibility, MTR Corporation) – Pointed out that flexible working hours offered by companies can effectively help mothers balance work with their children's school schedules.
• Lucia Ngan (Project Manager, Learning Bridge) – Shared how diverse daily activities can support SEN youth and their mothers in both learning and daily life.

• Danny Lap Lee – Managing Partner, VCA Capital Limited
• Prudence Wat – Human Resources Director, Cyberport Asia
• Lisa Lam – Deputy Executive Director, HandsOn Hong Kong

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

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

Euromonitor International's ranking is based on its Limited-Service Restaurant classification, which includes fast food and takeaway formats. The assessment draws on comprehensive research methods, including in-country research, store checks, trade interviews, and company analysis, to determine market size and competitive positioning across the region.

As of December 31, 2025, Jollibee operates 1,658 stores across Southeast Asia, anchored by its strong base in the Philippines and a growing footprint in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. Outside the Philippines, the brand operates 317 stores in Southeast Asia, underscoring its potential for expansion in priority growth markets.

"Jollibee is well-positioned to scale significantly over time, supported by disciplined expansion and strong market fundamentals," said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Global President & CEO, Jollibee Group. "With 317 stores across Southeast Asia outside the Philippines, we have a solid platform for continued expansion in this high-growth region."

A Scalable Brand Built on Market Relevance

Across Southeast Asia, Jollibee has built broad market appeal by balancing menu localization with a consistent core brand experience. Markets such as Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia demonstrate this strategy in action, combining signature items with locally resonant products and campaigns.

Customer feedback supports this approach. Jollibee stores in Vietnam, Singapore, and Brunei maintain Google ratings of at least four stars, with the brand's overall average rating across key Southeast Asian markets consistently above four.

Signature products Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti remain among the brand's top-selling items across markets and continue to drive repeat visits and strong customer affinity.

Ongoing product innovation reinforces brand relevance. Recent launches such as Spicy Nuggets, Spicy Spaghetti, and the Pistachio Kunafa Sundae sit alongside market-specific offerings like Nasi Lemak Chickenjoy in Malaysia, demonstrating how Jollibee localizes while maintaining brand consistency.

The customer mix across these markets reflects strong mainstream appeal.

"There's a common perception that Jollibee primarily serves Filipino customers outside the Philippines, but what we're seeing on the ground is very different," said Dennis Flores, President for the EMEAA Region. "In markets like Vietnam and Brunei, nearly all of our customers are locals, and in Singapore and Malaysia, locals make up most of our customer base. This tells us that great taste and a strong brand experience resonate beyond borders—it's something consumers choose, regardless of culture."

Strong Brand Equity Across Key Markets

In Vietnam, Jollibee was recently ranked the No. 1 Quick Service Restaurant by Euromonitor International despite not having the largest store network, underscoring the brand's strong same-store performance, consumer preference, and ability to lead the market on value sales rather than by footprint alone. It has expanded to 250 stores across more than 50 provinces and cities.

In Singapore, Jollibee has strengthened consumer engagement through locally relevant brand moments, including campaigns aligned with major cultural events. The brand was previously recognized as the No. 1 Fast Food Brand in Customer Service by The Straits Times, based on a nationwide consumer survey.

In Brunei, Jollibee stands as the No. 1 Quick Service Restaurant by store network, reflecting strong accessibility and brand presence across the country.

Driving the Jollibee Group's International Growth

Jollibee's brand strength is further reinforced by global recognitions that underscore both equity and execution. The brand was named among the Top 5 Strongest Restaurant Brands Globally in Brand Finance's Restaurants 25 ranking for 2026, earning an AAA brand strength rating that reflects strong consumer loyalty, consistency, and market relevance. This is complemented by recognition of product quality and taste in international publications, including a USA Today ranking of No. 1 Best Fast-Food Fried Chicken for two consecutive years.

For the Jollibee Group, the recognition reinforces Jollibee's role as a key driver of international growth and highlights the Group's capability to scale restaurant brands across diverse markets through strong fundamentals and execution discipline.

"This milestone underscores the strength of Jollibee as our flagship brand and our ability to build brands that connect across markets," Tanmantiong said. "It reflects years of disciplined execution—deep consumer understanding, strong operating systems, and a growth strategy that balances relevance with consistency. As we expand further, we remain focused on building brands that can scale while staying meaningful to the customers we serve."

As Jollibee continues to expand across Southeast Asia and other regions, the brand remains guided by the Group's purpose of spreading joy through superior taste, delivering food and experiences that resonate across cultures while maintaining consistency at scale.

"This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams and franchisees across Southeast Asia who bring the Jollibee brand to life every day. Our growth is rooted in staying close to our customers, adapting to local tastes while consistently delivering the core favorites and experience people associate with Jollibee. We're grateful for the trust of our customers and remain focused on strengthening the brand across the region," Tanmantiong added.

*Euromonitor International Limited; Consumer Foodservice 2026 edition, Foodservice Value sales in RSP, data for 2025. Fast food restaurants as per Limited-Service Restaurants category definition.

https://www.jollibeegroup.com

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

• Compute Cluster Development: Successfully built and commissioned Shanghai's first domestically developed thousand — GPU cluster, "Harvest No. 1", with utilization rates consistently exceeding 95%. The cluster has since been successfully scaled to 2,560 GPUs and stands as one of the industry's earliest benchmark domestic compute clusters to achieve deep integration across multiple scheduling platforms. The latest "Harvest No. 5" cluster represents Suanova's first asset‑light managed compute deployment, enabling single-cluster domestic model training at a scale of up to 1,280 GPUs and serving as a reference model for the Shanghai Intelligent Computing Network.
• Domestic GPU Ecosystem Application: Supported multiple institutions and enterprises in completing their first large‑scale thousand‑GPU training workloads using domestically developed GPUs. Suanova also deployed the "Harvest No. 2" cluster for The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, pioneering the international rollout of Shanghai‑developed GPUs and establishing a benchmark for the global expansion of China's domestic computing ecosystem.
• Technology Innovation: Independently developed the "Harvest No. 3" cluster — Shanghai Cube, a domestically engineered high‑density compute cabinet featuring a 128‑GPU liquid‑cooled architecture per rack. It not only represents the earliest and highest‑density domestic GPU supernode in China, but also stands as the only Shanghai‑developed GPU supernode to achieve large-scale production and commercial deployment. Shanghai Cube is also the first liquid‑cooled compute cluster built on Shanghai‑developed GPUs.

Strengthening the AI Compute Industry Value Chain to Support Sustainable Ecosystem Development

Alongside its core compute operations, Suanova has adopted a forward‑looking investment strategy across key technologies in the AI computing value chain. These investments span compute chips, switching and networking technologies, foundation models, and lithography — allowing Suanova to capture both industrial and capital-market opportunities from the rapid growth of the domestic AI ecosystem. Several portfolio companies have since successfully listed on mainland China and Hong Kong capital markets, including MetaX (688802.SH), Biren Technology (06082.HK), and Xizhi Technology (01879.HK). This has resulted in a deeply integrated upstream‑downstream ecosystem encompassing hardware supply chains, software platforms, and model applications — delivering both investment returns and sustained growth in Suanova's computing services business.

"Drawing on its strong foundation in compute operations and forward looking industry investments, Suanova has established itself as a leading pioneer in China's domestic AI computing sector. As demand for domestic computing power continues to accelerate, Suanova is well positioned to play a pivotal role in the development of AI computing infrastructure and services, supporting the large-scale deployment of AI technologies and the industry's long term growth. Through Suanova, Yeebo has consistently expanded its investment in AI computing, strengthening its position across China's AI value chain and building a platform that serves the evolving needs of multiple industries. As market demand enters a period of rapid expansion, our early strategic positioning is translating into sustained momentum. We remain confident that a continued focus on technological fundamentals and ecosystem collaboration will enable the Group to deliver long-term, sustainable value," said Mr. Fang Yan Tak, Douglas, Chairman of Yeebo.

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

A global conference on assisted reproduction in Beijing heard today that the gap between lifestyle recommendations and action among women suffering the emotional stress of infertility was not a matter of willpower, rather a matter of psychology.

Infertility affects one in every six couples worldwide with the causes equally shared between men and women. Professor Anuja Dokras, an internationally renowned researcher and patient advocate in fertility health, said up to 60 per cent of affected women experience mental health challenges including anger, sadness, isolation, shame and guilt.

"Yet only about 20 per cent of them seek professional psychological support," she told the 2026 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE).

"Most of these women internalise blame for their inability to conceive and shame predicts emotional eating and health care avoidance.

"Women seeking fertility treatment show significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression and psychiatric disorders than men, and the severity of these conditions is influenced by the cause and duration of infertility, the treatment type and number of failed IVF cycles."

Professor Dokras is the Executive Director of the Women's Health Centre for Clinical Innovation and the Founder's Professor of Women's Health in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. She is also the Director of the PENN Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Centre and specialises in understanding cardiometabolic risk and mental health co-morbidities associated with PCOS.

Professor Dokras said women who were obese or living with metabolic disorders associated with PCOS had significantly lower chances of conceiving than their healthy counterparts.

"In women with PCOS visible symptoms, including hirsutism and weight gain, intensify the dynamics of weight stigma with increased prevalence of disordered eating, anxiety and depression.

"Critically, the clinical encounter itself can reinforce barriers when lifestyle advice is delivered through a weight-centric lens without psychological scaffolding.

"A weight-centric consultation approach is perceived as stigmatising and counterproductive. Clinicians should speak the language of self-care, not weight targets."

Professor Dokras said evidence-based, integrated lifestyle and psychological support was vital in helping women to overcome barriers to better outcomes in fertility treatment.

"Evidence from randomised controlled trials supports the integration of cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based interventions alongside lifestyle programs," she explained.

"They demonstrate significant reductions in depression, anxiety and infertility-specific distress as well as improved quality of life.

"Effective support requires reframing lifestyle change as self-care, screening routinely for psychological distress throughout the treatment cycle, avoiding stigmatising language, and embedding mental health provision within fertility services as standard practice."

Around 3,000 specialists in fertility health – including scientists, clinicians, nurses and counsellors – are attending the ASPIRE Congress at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing.

For further information, go to https://www.aspire2026.com

"In the global energy transition, APsystems remains at the forefront of the era, with the mission to "Drive a zero-carbon future and make smart energy accessible to everyone," said Dr. Ling Zhimin, Chairman and CEO of APsystems. "We will continue to embrace technological change, expand our global footprint, and embed ESG principles deeply into operations – striving to become the safest and most efficient clean energy converter."

Deepening its commitment to ESG, APsystems upgraded its ESG governance to a four-tier integrated framework, creating a closed-loop decision-making and oversight mechanism. The company identified 19 core ESG topics for 2025 – including digital transformation as a new priority. It also reinforced business ethics, internal controls, and compliance through regular training and end-to-end risk management. As a result, APsystems received multiple ESG awards, including "Model Sustainable Development Enterprise" and "ESG Model Listed Company".

Aligned with IFRS S2, APsystems conducted climate scenario assessments and standardized GHG management. All contract manufacturers are ISO 14001 certified. With cumulative MLPE shipments exceeding 7.5 GW across 168 countries and regions, the company has enabled nearly 9.5 TWh of clean energy generation, avoiding approximately 12 million tons of CO₂ emissions.

R&D remains a top priority: over 50% of APsystems' workforce is in R&D, holding more than 230 IP rights including over 100 invention patents. The company advances three business segments –plug in solar& storage, residential, and C&I solar-storage. Landmark projects include the 25 MW Nanjing International Expo Center (China's largest single-capacity microinverter power station) and a 100 MW / 400 MWh energy storage power station located in Shenzhou, China. Certified under ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and with a closed-loop customer service system achieving 80%+ satisfaction across all regions, APsystems ensures stable quality, data security, and a resilient, localized supply chain.

Focusing on AI-driven digital transformation, APsystems leverages AI across its solar &storage product lines to build a smart energy ecosystem. Key digital launches include "BESS AI" for home energy management, "AP Designer" for power station design, and the "Blue Ocean Navigation" energy internet platform, and the "APbot" smart customer service robot, along with enterprise-wide data platforms, have improved operational efficiency, data compliance, and equipment traceability.

Upholding a people-centric approach, APsystems prioritizes employee care and development, achieving 94.14% employee satisfaction, 100% training coverage. In 2025, APsystems donated over RMB 2.39 million in public welfare supplies – including more than 8,000 solar lamps and 1,800 portable power stations.

In 2026, APsystems will continue to integrate solar &storage as its core growth driver, guided by ESG principles, to advance global green energy solutions and co-build a zero-carbon future with all stakeholders.

*For the complete 2025 ESG Sustainability Report, please click here.

Addressing the "Last Mile" of AI deployment, Dr. Yang noted that global adoption is hindered by fragmented end-user demands and the high cost of general-purpose chips. "MICROIP advocates a 'Software-Driven Hardware' approach," Yang stated, emphasizing translating domain expertise into silicon reality. By utilizing mainstream chip platforms alongside MICROIP's low-power Customized ASIC Design Services (CATS) and AIVO No-Code platform, engineers can transform specific industry knowledge into specialized applications with minimal barriers. This model has already demonstrated commercial success in autonomous UAV navigation—tracking objects without internet access—and in smart cities, where on-device processing protects privacy while saving critical bandwidth.

The forum highlighted the synergy between Poland's "Soft Intelligence" and Taiwan's "Hard Foundations". Michael Chiu of HCG identified Poland as a core innovation partner for Taiwan's security industry. Dr. Yang noted that combining Europe's software talent with Taiwan's hardware creates a "resilient supply chain," establishing Poland as an "AI Hardware-Software Innovation Hub". Furthermore, MICROIP collaborates with its sister company, Arculus System, to provide professional EDA services. This strategic partnership significantly reduces the ASIC R&D-to-mass-production cycle, allowing MICROIP to co-define global AIoT standards while providing European clients with the most cost-effective solutions to meet localized market needs.

"Talent is the ultimate currency of the AI industry; we invest where the talent is," Yang concluded. Success will be measured by a deep symbiosis of technology and talent, moving beyond simple trade to a thriving industrial ecosystem. This strategic alignment positions MICROIP to bridge technical value with international capital markets, opening a new chapter for the global ASIC and AI software design service industry.

The results, disclosed in the company's 2025 ESG and Sustainability Report published last week, show a 4.54% reduction in energy consumption intensity, a 28.54% drop in water consumption intensity, and total green electricity consumption of 159,279 MWh. All environmental improvements came alongside YOFC's steady global business expansion, with no compromise to production capacity or global supply capacity.

The sustainability progress comes as YOFC continues to expand its global footprint, having held top-ranking market share in optical preforms, optical fiber, and optical cable for 10 consecutive years across more than 100 countries and regions with nine overseas production facilities.

"In the era of artificial intelligence, optical communication infrastructure is becoming a key foundation of the digital economy. Building that infrastructure sustainably is a strategic core of our long-term development, not a separate obligation," said Dan Zhuang, executive director and president of YOFC.

As a frontrunner in smart, low-carbon manufacturing, YOFC runs a network of digitally smart manufacturing facilities. It deploys automation and digital solutions to boost efficiency, product consistency and low-carbon operations. In 2025, YOFC led or contributed to the formulation of 42 industry standards.

On the product side, YOFC's hollow-core optical fiber achieved a minimum attenuation of 0.04 dB/km, a world-leading figure that will allow network operators to build higher-capacity infrastructure at significantly lower energy cost as AI workloads scale.

Sustainability is embedded throughout YOFC's entire business ecosystem. The Company fully adheres to the ISO 28000 supply chain security management system and has formalized security commitments with all raw material and service suppliers. All suppliers have signed the External Party Code of Conduct and integrity agreements, achieving full compliance at a 100% signing rate. Total annual employee training hours amounted to 238,261, underscoring YOFC's ongoing dedication to talent development and social responsibility as integral pillars of its ESG strategy.

With targets of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 2028 compared with 2021 levels and carbon neutrality by 2055, technological innovation and global expansion will remain central to YOFC's green transformation.

"We will continue to advance our green and low-carbon transition, deepen our global presence, and work with industry partners to build a connectivity ecosystem that is more efficient, more intelligent, and more durable," Zhuang said.

Off the east coast of Nanhuizui in Shanghai stands a 32-meter-tall steel cylinder in steady operation. For local residents and workers, every short video they scroll through, every online ride-hailing service they book, and every cross-border payment they make is computed right here, with nearly zero network latency.

This is no movie set for a sci-fi film, but the Shanghai Lin-gang Underwater Data Center (UDC) — the world's first wind-powered underwater data center, which was just recently put into official operation.

Data centers, simply put, are "super warehouses" in the digital world. Any data generated by our daily digital activities is stored in and processed by them, while their operations run entirely on electricity.

Adopting an offshore wind-power direct-supply model, the Shanghai Lin-gang UDC shares the same sea area with an offshore wind farm, allowing wind power to be directly supplied to the data center via a dedicated cable, much like building a house next to a power station. This avoids long-distance transmission, drastically cutting energy losses and operational costs. Thanks to this model, the direct supply rate of green power for the data center exceeds 95%.

Furthermore, traditional onshore data centers rely on massive freshwater resources and complex refrigeration equipment to cool servers. That means out of every 10 yuan spent on electricity, three to four yuan go solely to cooling rather than computing. By contrast, this UDC leverages seawater with an annual average temperature of 15℃ as a natural cooling system, saving enormous amounts of electricity and freshwater.

Power Usage Effectiveness, or PUE, is a core international metric to evaluate the energy efficiency of data centers, with a theoretical limit of 1.0, meaning every unit of electricity is dedicated to IT equipment such as servers. By combining offshore wind power and natural seawater cooling technologies, the PUE of the Shanghai Lin-gang UDC has already dropped below 1.15, cutting around 12,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.

A new green development path that integrates computing capacity building and electricity infrastructure is taking shape across China.

With the rapid evolution of AI, the number and scale of global data centers keep expanding, driving a surge in energy consumption. The International Energy Agency predicts that by 2030, electricity consumed by AI-related computing will account for over half of the electricity demand of newly established data centers. Thus, developing greener, low-carbon computing power has become an inevitable choice.

Well before 2019, China piloted the construction of green data centers; in 2021, China's "East Data, West Computing" initiative was officially launched. Vast amounts of data generated in China's densely populated eastern regions were redirected to western China, where abundant wind, solar, and hydropower resources support low-carbon computing, driving both computing power growth and environmental sustainability. In 2023, China for the first time proposed the concept of coordinating computing power development with electricity generation, and emphasized the construction of computing hubs close to end users, with the aim of further enhancing computing efficiency while cutting energy loss. The Shanghai Lin-gang UDC is a vivid representation of the commitment, turning out to be a fruitful exploration in China's years-long drive to advance green computing power.

It is worth noting that placing a data center in the sea is a project with few mature global references to follow. China's solution pioneers an approach of coordinated construction of offshore green power and undersea computing facilities. It innovatively designed a cylindrical "data warehouse" to withstand wave impacts and formulated special anti-corrosion coatings to resist seawater erosion. The endeavor demonstrates China's firm resolve to cut carbon emissions, while offering the world innovative solutions in the green transformation of data centers.

Along the shores of the East China Sea, this "Deep Blue Core" braves the torrents, and unfolding within is the future landscape of green computing power, painted by Lin-gang, Shanghai, and presented to the world.

"Embed" data centers deep in the sea for greener computing power
http://www.china.org.cn/video/2026-05/09/content_118485052.shtml
China Mosaic
http://chinamosaic.china.com.cn/

According to Yeahmobi, these numbers reflect a broader shift in how mobile games acquire and monetize users globally. Growth is increasingly being driven not only by scale, but by higher-quality user acquisition, localized content strategies, and more immersive advertising formats.

Industry data from SocialPeta shows that video creatives continue to dominate mobile game advertising, particularly horizontal and vertical short-form formats optimized for different gameplay experiences and viewing behaviors. Localization also remains a critical factor, with region-specific creatives and language adaptation helping campaigns improve engagement and conversion performance across diverse markets.

Yeahmobi noted that successful game advertising is becoming more genre-specific and content-driven. For example, open-world anime-style games often perform better with cinematic trailers, gameplay showcases, character reveals, map transitions, and influencer-led creative formats that align closely with player expectations.

The company identified three major factors behind the U.S. market's leading revenue position:

• High average revenue per user (ARPU) driven by strong consumer willingness to pay for in-app purchases, subscriptions, skins, and battle passes;
• Mature payment infrastructure and app marketplace ecosystems that reduce transaction friction;
• Strong alignment between player preferences and core game genres such as strategy, shooter, and RPG titles.

As the global mobile gaming industry shifts toward a "quality growth" phase, Yeahmobi believes competition is increasingly centered on content capability, media strategy, and localized operations rather than traffic acquisition alone.

Through partnerships with localized media environments such as Twitch and Uber, Yeahmobi helps gaming brands connect advertising content with high-frequency consumer scenarios, supporting more contextualized user engagement and conversion strategies across global markets.

Vascular Trend tracking

RingConn Gen 3 Smart Ring introduces advanced vascular insights, designed to help users observe long‑term vascular trends through continuous data collection.*

Built on over a decade of research in vascular algorithms and modeling, RingConn's vascular capability moves beyond single-point measurements to long-term trend-based assessment. The system requires periodic user calibration to ensure improved accuracy, with recommendations for calibration three times within the first 24 hours and monthly thereafter. By combining user-input blood pressure data with ring-derived vascular load indicators, the system provides a more comprehensive view of overall vascular health.

Once calibrated, Gen 3 enables automatic vascular load assessments during periods of sleep or low motion, allowing users to continuously track meaningful changes over time without frequent manual input. The system also incorporates key influencing factors—including circadian rhythm adaptation, sleep respiratory health, post-exercise vascular recovery, and overall daily vascular stability—to help users better understand the relationship between lifestyle and cardiovascular patterns.

Effortless 24/7 Wearability with Extended Battery Life

RingConn Gen 3 Smart Ring is designed for continuous and comfortable wear, with a fully upgraded experience centered on durability and long-term usability. Featuring a refined ultra-lightweight form factor and enhanced engineering design, the device is built to seamlessly integrate into daily life, enabling consistent and uninterrupted health data tracking.

Powered by RingConn EcoPower Tech 2.0, the Gen 3 features an upgraded battery system and improved energy density, delivering up to 11–14 days of battery life in standard usage without vibration mode. This reduces charging frequency and supports continuous, long-term health monitoring with minimal interruption.

The ring adopts RingConn's proprietary ergonomic design, resulting in a lighter and thinner profile that conforms more naturally to the finger. With IP68 water resistance up to 100 meters, the Gen 3 is designed for durability in everyday use, enabling reliable performance across a wide range of real-life scenarios. Together, these features allow users to wear the device seamlessly through typing, handwashing, showering, swimming, and sleep - ensuring uninterrupted physiological data collection day and night.

A refined brushed finish, achieved through an advanced laser-engraving process, enhances the device's surface texture with greater precision and depth. The upgraded finishing process requires over 30% more production time compared to conventional methods, reflecting a higher level of craftsmanship. Expanded color options further enhance versatility, allowing the ring to blend naturally into both casual and professional environments while encouraging consistent daily wear.

Holistic Health Tracking

RingConn Gen 3 Smart Ring delivers comprehensive health tracking across multiple key dimensions, including sleep, sleep apnea, heart rate, blood oxygen, activity, stress, and women's health management such as menstrual cycle tracking and pregnancy preparation-related insights. Through continuous monitoring and long-term analysis, the device provides users with a more complete understanding of their health status over time, supporting more informed daily lifestyle decisions.

The system is powered by an advanced VCSEL infrared sensing solution, designed to enhance data stability and accuracy across a wide range of wearing conditions and real-world scenarios, strengthening the foundation for long-term health trend analysis. In internal testing, the system achieved a resting heart rate accuracy of ≥98.58%, a blood oxygen mean absolute error (MAE) of ≤0.95%, a step count accuracy of ≥97.20%, and a temperature accuracy of ±0.08°C, demonstrating strong performance in multi-dimensional health data capture.

Subtle Smart Alert

RingConn Gen 3 Smart Ring introduces subtle smart alerts to provide timely feedback when key health changes are detected. Through gentle vibration-based notifications, the device can also prompt users in scenarios such as prolonged inactivity or low battery, helping support more balanced daily usage and awareness. In quiet environments — such as during meetings or conversations — these silent notifications allow users to stay informed without disruptive sounds or attention-grabbing screen notifications.

The alert system is fully customizable, allowing users to enable or disable notifications based on personal preference. By prioritizing minimal disruption and silent vibration cues over intrusive alerts, RingConn ensures that health reminders remain discreet, context-aware, and seamlessly integrated into everyday life.

*Pre-order offer: The 10% limited-time discount is available exclusively at the RingConn official website from May 5 through June 10, 2026.

*This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. As a pre-diagnostic tool, the Gen 3 does not replace the diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.

For more information or to place a pre-order, visit:
https://bit.ly/ringconngen3

Follow RingConn on social media:
Instagram: https://bit.ly/ringconninstagram
TikTok: https://bit.ly/ringconntiktok

The findings, derived from a survey of Asian travelers as part of Agoda's 2026 Travel Outlook Report, reveal that South Korea ranks third among eight markets, with 34% of respondents identifying food as a key reason for travel, surpassing the regional average of 31%.

Topping the list are travelers from Taiwan region, where 47% cite gastronomy as a major travel driver. They are followed by Vietnam (35%), South Korea (34%), Malaysia (33%), Japan (32%), Indonesia (31%), Thailand (20%), and India (8%), rounding out the top eight most flavor-forward markets.

South Korea, in particular, is renowned for its rich variety of seasonal ingredients, each tied to specific regions and harvest periods. This has fueled a growing trend among travelers of all ages to explore springtime delicacies across the country.

Based on accommodation searches made by South Korean travelers on Agoda between January and March 2026, Changwon recorded a 34% year-on-year increase in searches. The city is widely known for its styela clava, which is at its peak between March and May, and accounts for approximately 70% of domestic production. A staple of spring ingredients, it is commonly enjoyed raw, steamed, or served in stews.

Agoda reports that Seocheon, renowned for its webfood octopus, also saw a 30% rise in search volume. Prized for its chewy yet tender texture, it is frequently featured in hot pots and spicy stir-fried dishes. At its best taste in March and April, the city recently hosted "Seocheon Camellia & Webfoot Octopus Festival," from March 21 to April 5. The event featured various programs, including an octopus culinary market, children's octopus fishing, etc.

Gwangyang, known for corbicula, a local specialty often prepared as sashimi or in hearty soups, also experienced a 28% increase in searches. Additionally, Jindo saw a 23% rise in travel interest, likely fueled by its spring crab, which is enjoyed in diverse preparations such as steaming, soy sauce marination, and salads. Anticipation for the upcoming "Jindo Crab Festival," taking place from May 1 to May 3, could play a role in further boosting travel demand, with domestic searches increasing by 357%.

Nonsan, the country's largest strawberry-producing region, recorded an 18% increase in search volume. The "Nonsan Strawberry Festival," held from March 26 to 29, drew approximately 670,000 visitors and generated sales of 150 tons of strawberries, according to the city government during its April monthly meeting.

Jay Lee, Regional Director, North Asia at Agoda, said "Today's travelers are increasingly eager to engage with the local food culture of the destinations they visit. From Changwon's styela clava dishes to Nonsan's strawberry-based desserts, South Korea offers a wide range of seasonal culinary experiences. We remain committed to helping travelers discover authentic regional flavors around the world, supported by competitive value across flights, accommodations, and activities."

For those seeking out their next culinary adventure, Agoda offers over 300,000 activities, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 130,000 flight routes, all of which can be combined in the same booking. Discover the best deals on Agoda's mobile app and start planning your next foodie getaway today.

The announcement marks a significant milestone for the brand, which will open its first international flagship store in Seoul this July in Dosan Park. Spanning five floors, including 2 dedicated retail spaces and one private VIP suite (Designed by Blurker Design Studio) the Seoul flagship is designed as an immersive expression of the Brochu Walker world, blending California ease with a more considered, architectural approach to space.

The expansion reflects Brochu Walker's continued global growth and its alignment with the evolving definition of modern luxury, one grounded in intention, quality, and understated design.

Founded in 2008, Brochu Walker has built a loyal following in the United States and internationally through its "Luxury to Live In" philosophy, a perspective rooted in creating pieces that move effortlessly through a woman's life. Known for its elevated knitwear, soft tailoring, and timeless silhouettes, the brand balances relaxed California ease with a refined, editorial sensibility.

The brand has established a strong presence within the global fashion and celebrity landscape, regularly worn by figures including Meghan Markle, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, and Reese Witherspoon, and featured in leading publications such as Vogue, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, and Forbes.

"Seoul is one of the most influential fashion markets in Asia today," said Karine Dubner, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Brochu Walker. "The customer is incredibly discerning. She values quiet luxury, premium materials, and pieces that feel personal rather than loud. In Korea, how you dress is a form of respect. That emotional relationship with clothing mirrors how we design. For us, Seoul isn't simply an expansion, but a conversation we've been wanting to have for a long time."

The choice of Cha Joo Young as brand ambassador reflects a natural alignment between the brand's values and her personal presence. Recognized for her understated elegance and quiet confidence, she embodies a modern femininity defined by restraint, ease, and authenticity, a perspective that mirrors the Brochu Walker approach to dressing.

"I was drawn to Brochu Walker because the clothes don't try to speak loudly, they feel considered. There's confidence in that restraint, and that feels very natural to me," said Cha Joo Young.

Brochu Walker's collections span ready to wear, including signature knitwear, dresses, and shirting, alongside footwear, jewelry, and fragrance, offering a complete wardrobe defined by ease, refinement, and a quietly considered approach to everyday dressing.

Seoul represents a natural extension of the Brochu Walker world, a city where a deep appreciation for detail, material, and silhouette aligns closely with the brand's design philosophy. With its upcoming flagship, Brochu Walker aims to create a space that reflects its California origins while engaging with Seoul's distinct perspective on modern elegance.

The Seoul flagship is scheduled to open on July 18, 2026.

From grassroots pitches to living rooms filled with anticipation, the TVC captures moments of joy, resilience, and unity—showing how football creates emotional bonds that transcend age, culture, and geography.

By expanding the narrative from individual growth to collective experience, Hisense positions itself as more than a sponsor—an enabler of meaningful moments. Its RGB MiniLED technology brings this to life through "Natural and Real Color," delivering ultra-high color gamut and precise reproduction so every moment feels vivid and true to the pitch.

Building on this commitment to authenticity and precision, Hisense will serve as the Official and Exclusive VAR Review TV Provider for the FIFA World Cup 2026^TM. In this role, Hisense has equipped the FIFA World Cup Video Operation Room (VOR) with advanced RGB MiniLED displays, enabling video assistant referees to review match footage with clarity, accuracy, and true-to-life color detail.

Hisense has a long history of celebrating the "beautiful game," having been a global sponsor of multiple FIFA World Cups^TM, a partner of three UEFA European Championships, and an Official Partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025^TM, with a continued presence at the FIFA World Cup 2026^TM. This ongoing collaboration underscores how Hisense's innovations bring fans closer to the action, elevating both the spectacle and the emotion of the sport worldwide.

With this FIFA World Cup 2026^TM TVC, Hisense continues to transform global attention into emotional connection—uniting audiences through football and inspiring brighter lives.

Click here for Innovating a Brighter Life together: https://youtu.be/NDKXdcu01bM?si=cUlpwsu7wbYlPYn8