Australia, Thailand, Canada and Malaysia make up the rest of the top five markets. Japan is sixth most popular, followed by Singapore, the UK, New Zealand and France.

Of the ten most popular Asian-buyer markets, six are in the Asia Pacific. The US, Canada, the UK and France are the only top-ten nations not in the Asia Pacific.

Juwai IQI’s report identifies four drivers of Asian cross-border buying demand.

Interest rates have dropped to historic lows and monetary stimulus has helped drive prices upward in many markets. Buyers worry as a result that they will miss out on future price gains. They are eager to find opportunities to benefit from price growth.

Because of the pandemic, many Asian buyers have reevaluated their cross-border real estate priorities. This is similar to changes that have occurred within local markets.

Some Asian cross-border buyers are also driven by factors in their home markets that make investing there less appealing. In China, government real estate restrictions cause some buyers to look overseas. Other countries face insufficient inventory or weak confidence. There is a large number of buyers who postponed acquisitions during the pandemic and are eager to make up for lost time.

“In 2020, the pandemic scrambled existing patterns of investment, migration and overseas education,” said Juwai IQI Co-Founder and Group Executive Chairman Georg Chmiel.

“All of these factors have a direct bearing on Asian cross-border real estate investment.”

The press release Six of Top 10 Markets for Asian Cross-Border Real Estate Buyers are in the Asia Pacific: Juwai IQI comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

“When Americans turned to double masking in order to protect themselves against the virus, we designed our SureSafe-4 mask,” explains Shan S. Haider, chief executive officer at CurexLab Inc. “It provides solid protection by X2 filter, which is comfortable to wear, easy to breathe, and affordable to use.”

The SureSafe-4 mask available at CurexLab is made in Turkey and meets the CDC guidelines for disposable masks and the manufacturer is registered with the FDA. It’s a disposable mask that has been scientifically developed in the lab to provide protection against air droplets, bacteria, and virus. The new disposable mask offers two melt-blown filters and is comfortable, breathable, and affordable.

The CDC further advises that wearing a mask is a critical step to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. They recommend that the mask fit snugly on the face, so that there are no open edges around the sides of the mask. Those who have problems with masks fitting properly may want to add a mask fitter or brace to help it be more snug. The mask should be worn around the nose, mouth, and chin. They report that disposable masks are not designed to fit tightly and that wearing more than one will not improve the fit.

“We are happy to be able to offer people this 4-ply mask, which will help keep them safer when it comes to virus exposure,” added Haider. “It’s easier to put on and use, and people find it more comfortable than trying to layer up multiple masks.”

CurexLab Inc., pioneers in clinical diagnostic kits, offers a range of COVID-19 PPE supplies and lab supplies at affordable costs. Its product line includes antibody rapid testing kits, RNA COVID-19 extraction kits, inferred thermometers, ventilators, face shields, hand sanitizer, nitrile gloves, KN95 masks, three and four-ply masks, isolation and surgical gowns, and coveralls. To get more information or see the line of COVID-19 PPE and lab supplies, visit the site at: https://www.curexlab.com.

About CurexLab Inc.
Based in New York City and Toronto, Canada, CurexLab Inc. offers a range of COVID-19 lab and PPE supplies, including nitrile gloves and 4-ply masks. It is one of the largest suppliers of COVID-19 medical supplies. CurexLab masks were designed in compliance with FDA and CDC guidelines. They are a vendor a vendor at the state and federal government level. Its products are manufactured in labs in the U.S., Canada, Turkey, Estonia, Vietnam, and China. All vendors are carefully selected to meet CurexLab’s high standards. To get more information or see the line of COVID-19 PPE and lab supplies, visit the site at: https://www.curexlab.com.

The press release CurexLab Offers 4-Ply Mask to Help Reduce COVID-19 Exposure comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Visa Franchise notes that the E-2 Visa has suffered several policy changes in 2020. These changes were in large part due to the mandate in Section 10 of Executive Order 13780, requiring the Department of State to review all non-immigrant visa reciprocity agreements to make sure they are truly reciprocal. As a result of these changes, citizens of Macedonia are no longer eligible for E-2 Visa, the citizens of Chile, Denmark, Norway, and Latvia have their E-2 Visa validity period reduced, and the citizens of Mexico have their E-2 Visa validity period extended from 12 months to 48 months. In 2020, only 23,493 foreign nationals obtained an E-2 Visa, while 3,266 applicants were rejected. This translates to a denial rate of 12,21%, which is less than half of the 25% denial rate for all non-immigrant visas.

According to Visa Franchise, Japan is the country with the highest E-2 Visa issuances with 8,654 Japanese citizens obtaining this type of visa in 2020. Most of the Japanese E-2 Visas are for E-2 managers that are transferred to work in a E-2 company in the United States. The next places in the report are occupied by Canada with 2,500 approvals, South Korea with 1,973 approvals, Germany with 1,487 approvals, France with 1,279 approvals, Great Britain and Northern Ireland with 1,275 approvals, Mexico with 838 approvals, Italy with 827 approvals, Spain with 583 approvals, and on the 10th place Taiwan, China with 390 approvals. Most E-2 Visas from countries besides Japan and Germany represent investor visas applied by individual entrepreneurs who plan to operate a small U.S. business.

Getting approval for certain immigrant and non-immigrant visas has become more difficult due to the stricter immigration policies implemented under the Trump administration. The E-2 Visa is one of the most popular and sought-after visas in the entire US immigration system. This visa allows applicants to renew indefinitely, enter and exit the US multiple times in the validity period and stay in the US for as long as two years per entry.

Visa Franchise is providing a smooth and secure path for families moving to the US through the E-2 investor visa. They can help foreign nationals looking to legally reside in the US by investing in a US small business. Their team analyzes the best business opportunities for their clients based on their unique profiles. Their research team constantly analyzes franchise and business concepts in order to deliver the best small business investment solutions directly to the customer.

The press release Visa Franchise Has Launched A New US E-2 Visa Approval Statistics Report comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Global investment to learning technology companies surged to a breathtaking $36.38 billion in 2020, up dramatically from the $18.66 billion invested in 2019 and more than double the $16.34 billion invested in 2018. The number of deals spiked from 896 in 2019 to 1,251 deals in 2020.

This whitepaper breaks out investments made to ten types of learning technology products: three legacy products and seven advanced learning technologies. The legacy products include Self-pace eLearning (asynchronous courseware), Digital ReferenceWare (test prep, audiobooks, videos, manuals, etc.), and Collaboration-based Learning (synchronous live online classes and tutoring)

The advanced learning technology products include AI-based Learning, Mixed Reality Learning (Simulation, AR, and VR), Game-based Learning, Cognitive Learning (behavior modification), Mobile Learning, Location-based Learning, and Education and Training Bots (both physical and virtual).

“Despite the massive funding going to Chinese companies, the US accounted for the highest amounts of funding,” comments Sam Adkins, the Chief Researcher at Metaari. “Just over $16.15 billion went to 611 US learning technology developers in 2020. This is 44.4% of all global investments made in 2020.”

There were very large investments made to online learning companies in China, but only to a few companies. A full 31.6% ($11.52 billion) of all global investments in 2020 went to just 125 Chinese companies. Yet, this funding was highly concentrated in just two companies: Yuanfudao and Zuoyebang. Combined, they garnered 50.8% of all funding going to Chinese learning technology developers in 2020.

“Combined, the US and China accounted for 76.0% of all global funding in 2020,” comments Adkins. “Yet, there are major differences in the investment patterns in China and the US. In China, investors pumped very large amounts into a relatively small number of companies and most of them offer live online classes.”

Investments in the US were much smaller than China but went to a large number of companies. The one striking thing about the investment patterns in the US is the keen investor interest in AI-based Learning companies. A total of $8.45 billion was invested in 287 AI-based Learning companies in the US in 2020. To put this in context, a full 83% of all global investments in AI-based Learning went to US companies. In sharp contrast, “only” $534.6 million went to just 22 AI-based Learning companies in China; a mere 5.3% of the total global investments made to AI-based Learning companies.

Investment in corporate-facing companies in 2020 nearly doubled compared to 2019; investment reached a breathtaking $10.39 billion in 2019. A massive $17.22 billion went to 702 corporate-facing companies in 2020.

Funding declined for consumer-facing learning technology companies in 2019 but rebounded dramatically in 2020. Funding dropped to $6.67 billion in 2019, but spiked to $13.48 billion in 2020.

In 2019, there were only 84 deals made with PreK-12 learning technology companies and investment fell to $855.32 million. This changed dramatically in 2020, with $4.39 billion going to 107 companies serving the PreK-12 segment. In 2020, funding to learning technology suppliers serving the global higher education segments surged to $1.09 billion.

The big winners in 2020 were AI-based Learning developers, Collaboration-based Learning (live online tutoring) providers, Mixed Reality Learning developers, and Mobile Learning edtech companies. But it was AI-based Learning that attracted the largest amount of funding by a wide margin.

An astonishing $3.67 billion was invested in 120 AI-based Learning companies in 2019. This pales in comparison to the $10.17 billion that went to 359 AI-based Learning companies in 2020. The vast majority (83%) of funding went to US startups.

Corporations (particularly healthcare firms) are the top buyers of AI-based Learning followed by federal government agencies across the planet. Companies and agencies are using AI-based Learning in cybersecurity training, pre-employment assessment, intelligent business simulations, augmented predictive analytics (also called insight engines), big data visualization, knowledge graphing, digital twins and digital employees, and a relatively new trend, AI-based IT operations and support (AIOps). AI has essentially reinvented the call center industry.

AI-based Learning is used in five major ways in healthcare: pathology, analytics, diagnosis, etiology (causation), and treatment (therapy). When enhanced with AI, platforms designed for all five become knowledge engines.

“Perhaps the greatest impact on AI-based Learning in the healthcare industry are the advances being made in precision medicine, clinical decision support, and in imaging diagnostics,” adds Adkins.

There was a sharp spike in investments made to PreK-12 learning technology providers in India. Just under $3.0 billion ($2.96 billion) in capital flowed to 114 learning technology companies in India in 2020, but 38% of this went to just one company; the online education juggernaut BYJU’S raised $1.11 billion in five rounds in 2020.

Learning technology investments spiked in the UK and Germany in 2020 but declined in France and Canada compared to 2019. Investments rebounded in the Nordic Cluster, Israel, and Australia after declines in 2019. Investment activity is inherently unpredictable and nowhere is that more apparent than the rebounds and declines in 2020.

Latin America is again a hotbed of investment in edtech startups after three years of decline. In 2019, only $98.7 million was invested in just 12 learning technology companies in the region. That changed dramatically in 2020 with 23 companies raising $346.0 million in funding.

Eighteen edtech companies in Southeast Asia raised a combined total of $327.8 million in funding in 2019, up more than four times from the $75.5 million invested in 2018. This spiked dramatically in 2020 with $595.9 million going to 41 edtech companies in the region.

About Metaari

Metaari (formerly Ambient Insight) is an ethics-based quantitative market research firm that identifies revenue opportunities for advanced learning technology suppliers. We track the learning technology markets in 126 countries. We have the most complete view of the international learning technology market in the industry. Metaari focusses solely on advanced learning technology research on products that utilize psychometrics, neuroscience, location intelligence, game mechanics, robotics, cognitive computing, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality.

The press release Metaari Reports Massive Surge in Global Edtech Investment in 2020 comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

The initial US$267 million close on this round also had participation from existing partners Fidelity China Special Situations PLC, 5Y Capital (formerly Morningside Venture Capital), Clearvue Partners, and Eight Roads, among others, bringing the company’s accumulated capital raised to over US$1.0 billion and post-money valuation to over US$5.3 billion.

“Pony.ai is approaching its mission of delivering autonomous mobility everywhere by building technology that allows vehicles to drive safely on public roads,” said Pony.ai CEO James Peng. “With new investments that support our growth and deepened partnerships with our existing investors, we are quickly advancing toward future mobility and bringing autonomous vehicle technology to the global market.”

“We see a significant global opportunity for autonomous vehicle technology,” said Olivia Steedman, Senior Managing Director, TIP, at Ontario Teachers’. “Pony.ai’s leading technology and deep, strategic understanding of the sector have helped to position the company as a leader in this space.”

“This is a milestone investment for our global TIP team,” said Ben Chan, Regional Managing Director, Asia Pacific, at Ontario Teachers’. “We are very excited to be part of Pony.ai’s growth story across the globe.”

Since its establishment in December 2016, Pony.ai has been committed to revolutionizing the future of transportation by building safe and reliable solutions for autonomous mobility. The company partners with top global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to standardize and commercialize autonomous technology.

Pony.ai has been offering its Robotaxi services to the general public in major cities across the U.S. and China, serving thousands of riders – and covering more than 3.5 million kilometers autonomously – since 2018. Pony.ai is also working closely with OEMs, tier-ones, and logistic companies to develop robotruck solutions targeting the long-haul logistics market.

“We are honored to welcome new partners to join our mission of delivering autonomous mobility on a global scale by building safe and reliable self-driving vehicle technology,” added Mr. Peng.

About Pony.ai

Pony.ai is a technology company building safe and reliable autonomous driving technology. Founded in late 2016, Pony.ai has been a pioneer in autonomous mobility technologies and services across the U.S. and China, spearheading public-facing Robotaxi pilots in both markets. Pony.ai is committed to creating a safe and sustainable mobility future by delivering autonomous mobility everywhere.

About Ontario Teachers’

The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’) is the administrator of Canada’s largest single-profession pension plan, with C$204.7 billion in net assets (all figures at June 30, 2020 unless noted). It holds a diverse global portfolio of assets, approximately 80% of which is managed in-house, and has earned an annual total-fund net return of 9.5% since the plan’s founding in 1990. Ontario Teachers’ is an independent organization headquartered in Toronto. Its Asia-Pacific regional offices are in Hong Kong and Singapore, and its Europe, Middle East & Africa region office is in London. The defined-benefit plan, which is fully funded as of January 1, 2020, invests and administers the pensions of the province of Ontario’s 329,000 active and retired teachers. For more information, visit otpp.com and follow us on Twitter @OtppInfo

The press release Pony.ai raises US$267 million in C round, bringing its valuation to over US$5.3 billion comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Las Vegas, USA, July 28, 2017 /Xinwengao.com/ - REcoin is a new proprietary cryptocurrency designed for a broad range of financial transactions. It is backed by the most stable sector of the US economy, real estate. The 101REcoin Trust real estate portfolio is leveraged in USA, Canada, Japan, Great Britain, and Switzerland – countries with a proven track record of favorability to investors, where the current system of state and private insurance guarantees the utmost safety and security of any monetary transaction.

The REcoin ICO – the initial fundraising and token pre-sale stage – is scheduled for the period of August 7th 2017 till October 9th 2017, during which everyone is welcome to get acquainted with REcoin and invest. The pre-sale of tokens is not limited. However, the volume of tokens designated for sale at a discount is limited.

There are several economic and technical measures involved in support of REcoin’s attractiveness as a means of payment for real estate transactions, which are going to be managed, tracked and authenticated through blockchain technology. An international team of attorneys and programmers had been working tirelessly on creating solutions for REcoin holders to allow them to enter smart contracts in real estate rent (with the addition of sales contracts later), developing the supporting eco-system, creating partnerships with various Internet platforms.

Those measures shall inevitably lead to the exponential increase of the REcoin’s investment potential. The proceeds from the initial sale of tokens are invested in the highly regulated in virtually all jurisdictions real estate market reinforcing holder/investor confidence in REcoin. Also, 83% of the mining within the next fifty years of the issue is invested in real estate as well.

A purposeful work is carried out to develop the REcoin ecosystem: the search for, creation and integration of the Internet platforms that provide services in the real estate, retail and financial markets. Point-of-sale and other businesses of any specialization can also apply for inclusion in the affiliate program. A lucrative partner program is designed specifically for the purpose of expanding the range of operations and services in real estate, for which it is financially beneficial to conduct operations in REcoin.

By the time of launch, the REcoin ecosystem will consist of/be represented by the following Internet partner platforms:

— 101rebid – an online platform for conducting auctions for the sale/lease of real estate;
— 101cowork – Internet service for finding/offering real estate services;
— 101news – a news site dedicated to real estate;
— 101influencer – a communication platform for finding common ground between advertisers and opinion leaders
— 101mls – a classified ads platform designed specifically for Realtors;
101fundit – an online platform for crowdfunding in real estate.

The press release REcoin Group is launching REcoin – the first ever cryptocurrency that is backed by real comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Hong Kong, China, July 7, 2017 /Xinwengao.com/ - ThingPark China, a leading IoT access management platform and solutions development provider, today made its debut at the 2017 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Shanghai. Aligned with the LoRa Alliance, ThingPark China is showcasing its platform advantages and its leadership role in the Low Power Wide Area networks (LPWA) industry. Some innovative applications and solutions enabled by the ThingPark#8482; platform, such as smart parking, tracking and environmental monitoring, will be on display at this event.

ThingPark China was founded in March 2017, co-invested by Actility (the industry leader in LPWA) and Ginko Ventures (Foxconn). In the latest funding round, Actility raised US$75 million from world-class enterprises (such as Foxconn, Swisscom and Cisco) to expand its IoT strategies to a global level.

ThingPark China enjoys the exclusive authorization from Actility for the ThingPark#8482; platform in China and Taiwan, and the global resources and support from Foxconn in product development, manufacturing and the supply chain. In addition, ThingPark China is supported by a seasoned product development and business operations team. As a result, it is in a unique position to provide a solid foundation for the development of an LPWA-based smart IoT ecosystem in China.

Bing Liu, CEO of ThingPark China said, “The global IoT market in general, and the Chinese IoT market in particular, both have tremendous growth potential. Actility has always focused on the development and advancement of IoT since its foundation, and ThingPark#8482; solutions have become the first choice of a majority of top-tier communications operators and enterprises worldwide. In addition, the ThingPark#8482; platform is network agnostic, able to service all LPWA technologies, such as LoRa, NB-IOT or eMTC. ThingPark China is dedicated to the development of an LPWA IoT ecosystem in China, and to enable IoT applications in a wide range of vertical industries. We will leverage this opportunity at MWC Shanghai to actively cooperate with communications operators, solutions providers and enterprise customers.”

As an investor of ThingPark China, Actility has recently announced a number of new projects on a global scale, such as:

#61548; Actility and IoTCAN, the Canadian communication service provider, announced that they have launched a LoRaWAN network covering the Greater Toronto area. This is the first step in the rollout of a national IoT network in Canada.
#61548; Actility and Blink Services, the Swedish company offering connectivity through the open network, LoRaWAN#8482; and smart city solutions, announced that they are working together to launch a national IoT network in Sweden.
#61548; Actility announced a partnership with Octonion, an end-to-end IoT software platform. Octonion will join the ThingPark#8482; ecosystem, providing its platform to IoT developers and clients, accelerating time to market by up to four times.

The press release ThingPark China showcases its enabling IoT technologies at 2017 Mobile World Congress in Shanghai comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Hong Kong, China, June 30, 2017 /Xinwengao.com/ - CEVA, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA), the leading licensor of signal processing IP for smarter, connected devices, today announced that Sanechips Technology Co., Ltd. (previously named ZTE Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.) has licensed the CEVA-X1 IoT Processor for its Narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) product, the RoseFinch7100. Sanechips leveraged the CEVA-X1 to develop an area- and power-optimized NB-IoT solution that is capable of delivering on the promise of long-life, low-cost cellular connectivity for IoT devices.

Demonstrating their commitment to NB-IoT, Sanechips recently took part in the first large scale field test of NB-IoT using its pre-commercial RoseFinch chipset. The trial, organized by China Mobile, tested the network of the entire mobile chain including core network, terminals and apps and was reported to have been successful in every aspect.

“NB-IoT is set to dominate long range IoT connectivity on a global scale, and Sanechips is proud to be at the forefront of this revolution,” said Zhou Jin, Marketing director of Sanechips. “Closely collaborating with CEVA ensures we develop best-in-class products like the RoseFinch7100 that will enable mass market adoption of this technology. The CEVA-X1 IoT processor delivers exceptional performance within the stringent power and cost constraints of NB-IoT devices.”

“We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Sanechips for their NB-IoT chipset designs,” said Michael Boukaya, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Business Unit at CEVA. “As the only end-to-end DSP provider for cellular, we leveraged our unique expertise to ensure our CEVA-X1 processor meets and exceeds the performance requirements of NB-IoT. This license deal with Sanechips represents a strong endorsement of our IoT processor for this new and exciting market.”

About RoseFinch7100

RoseFinch7100, the first commercial NB-IoT single-chip from Sanechips which integrates the low power/high performance CEVA-X1 DSP IP for baseband, will be released in September 2017. This single chip has been designed for Cellular LPWA with the following characteristics: Lower sleep current 2uA and voltage 2V can provide longer battery life; Cloud-Chip Global Security based on Trusted Zone; up to 30 GPIOs and all R14 Frequency Bands; no need for an external MCU as the RoseFinch7100 can provide strong connectivity for most of LPWA applications independently.

About CEVA-X1

CEVA-X1 is a hybrid DSP and microcontroller processor targeted for a broad range of endpoints and IoT hub devices, capable of handling both the protocol stack and physical layer for M2M. The CEVA-X1 is ideal for a variety of use cases and workloads, including LTE Cat-NB1 (NB-IoT) and Cat-M1, Sigfox, LoRa, Wi-Fi 802.11n, 802.11ah, Bluetooth, BLE, Zigbee/Thread, along with positioning and motion-sensing functions including GNSS (GPS, Beidou, GLONASS, Galileo), fusion of multiple indoor positioning and activity sensors, voice activation, and sound processing. CEVA-X1 contains specialized instructions to optimize overall system power, performance and chip area for baseband channel coding/decoding functions, as well as fusion of multiple always-on sensors. Thanks to these optimizations, 5 to 10 year single battery operation at a very low cost is easily achievable. The CEVA-X1 is supported by market-leading hardware and software development tools, software libraries and the extensive CEVAnet partner ecosystem. For more information, visit http://www.ceva-dsp.com/product/ceva-x1/

About Sanechips Technology Co., Ltd.

Sanechips Technology Co., Ltd. Is the new name of Shenzhen ZTE Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. is established in 1996, has 20 years RD experience with 3000 patents(top1 of China in 2016), and more than 2000 employees located at 9 RD centers globally in China, Canada USA. As a Communication Chipset focused IC company, Sanechips has a full roadmap for Cloud/Channel/Device, its total sale revenue is over 0.82B$ (5.6 billion RMB, top3 of China in 2016). Based on WiseFone 4G chipset, multiple MBB, M2M creative devices have been shipped to China 30 overseas countries in 2016. Strategically, Sanechips pays close attention to NB-IoT 5G chipsets that it believes can generate tens of millions of shipments and help Sanechips become the world’s leading Communication IC Company in the future.

About CEVA, Inc.

CEVA is the leading licensor of signal processing IP for a smarter, connected world. We partner with semiconductor companies and OEMs worldwide to create power-efficient, intelligent and connected devices for a range of end markets, including mobile, consumer, automotive, industrial and IoT. Our ultra-low-power IPs for vision, audio, communications and connectivity include comprehensive DSP-based platforms for LTE/LTE-A/5G baseband processing in handsets, infrastructure and machine-to-machine devices, advanced imaging, computer vision and deep learning for any camera-enabled device, audio/voice/speech and ultra-low power always-on/sensing applications for multiple IoT markets. For connectivity, we offer the industry’s most widely adopted IPs for Bluetooth (low energy and dual mode), Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac up to 4×4) and serial storage (SATA and SAS). Visit us at www.ceva-dsp.com and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

The press release Sanechips (ZTE Microelectronics) Licenses CEVA-X1 IoT Processor for NB-IoT Connected Devices comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Hong Kong, China, June 1, 2017 /Xinwengao.com/ - The coming of IoT (Internet of Things) has seen the smart city become a key field for IoT development. Many developed cities around the world, including Taipei, have responded to the requirements of a fast-changing society by making “smart city” a key objective in their development plans. Several wireless communications technologies have emerged as a result of rapid developments in IoT. The favored technology is LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network), due to its long range, low power consumption, and low cost. LoRaWAN, operated on the unlicensed radio spectrum, is among the LPWAN communications technologies considered to be one of the most potential.

The LoRa? Alliance has acquired more than 460 members since it was founded in March 2015, and is one of the fastest-developing alliances in the technology industry. Members are working closely to promote the LoRaWAN? protocol. The LoRaWAN protocol offers unique advantages in terms of bi-directionality, security, mobility, and positioning accuracy. The technology mainly operates in free global radio spectrum, including 433, 868, and 915 MHz. The four main components are the terminal, base station, server, and cloud. Bi-directional transfer of application data is supported to provide a simple communications system with long-range, long-battery life, high capacity, and low cost. The main applications for LoRaWAN are smart power/water meters, smart agriculture, smart factories, and air-quality monitoring where small amounts of data are collected. Transmission range is between 3~5km in urban areas and up to 20km in open areas. China, for example, has in one instance integrated IoT technology into manhole covers for subsidence or hazard detection.

TUV Rheinland is the first independent third-party laboratory accredited by the LoRa Alliance, and one its founding members as well. Its laboratories in Pleasanton (US), Leek (Netherlands), Yokohama (Japan), Seoul (Korea), and Taipei (Taiwan) can all provide EU/US Class A testing services for LoRaWAN. International buyers can therefore apply for certification at the laboratory closest to their location. LoRaWAN testing is relatively simple, covering a mere 10+ items. In addition to compliance with regional spectrum, most of the testing is focused on product interoperability and LoRa Alliance product compliance.

The maturing of IoT wireless connectivity and a mobile-technology application environment has led to IDC and Gartner forecasting that the total number of IoT smart-connected devices will grow to 25 billion by 2020. Many ICT vendors are now squeezed into unlicensed radio spectra, and they have placed their bets on different technology alliances and are waiting to see which technology will prevail in the mainstream. TUV Rheinland currently has a presence in mainstream wired and wireless sensing network standards such as Bluetooth, zigbee, Qi, LoRaWAN, Sigfox, MirrorLink, DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface), and KNX (building automation technology), and thus can provide vendors with the full range of testing and certification services.

TUV Rheinland’s Greater China telecom laboratories have garnered many “first and only” achievements in Taiwan and Hong Kong on Bluetooth, zigbee, DALI, and KNX communications technology certifications: first to be approved by the Bluetooth Alliance; only Bluetooth laboratory capable of conducting Bluetooth IC testing; first and only zigbee and KNX approved laboratory; only DALI laboratory in Taiwan (only 4 in the world), and authorized to perform testing for the new DALI 2 standard. Wireless laboratories in the Greater China region are located in Taipei, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. These laboratories are approved by the relevant accreditation bodies in the EU, US, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Egypt, and Sudan. Please contact local laboratories for the latest communications technology certifications.

The press release LoRa Gathers Steam: TUV Rheinland Forges Ahead on IoT Communications Technology comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Hong Kong, February 7, 2017 /Xinwengao.com/ - The 15th Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) today unveiled its lineup of 25 outstanding film projects to be presented from 13 to 15 March 2017. The projects were selected out of over 350 submissions from 14 different countries and regions, including Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan.

This year’s selections include projects by young directors developing their first feature films, with an unprecedented increase in the number of women filmmakers. Most of the films are family-driven projects that touch on contemporary social issues, while others explore topics such as non-traditional families, marriages in upheaval, and the complexities of parent-child relationships. Shortlisted projects this year also include two genres not usually seen at HAF: science fiction and gothic thriller.

As one of the most recognized film-financing platforms in Asia, HAF continues its role in connecting filmmakers and their upcoming film projects with internationally prominent film financiers, producers, bankers, distributors, buyers, and funders for potential co-production ventures.

Five Hong Kong Projects to Be Presented

This year, the shortlisted projects include five from Hong Kong: veteran filmmaker Derek CHIU Sung-kee’s No.1 Chung Ying Street, a drama that examines the 1967 riots in Hong Kong; Sunny CHAN’s Man on the Dragon, a comedy-drama about five middle-age men who compete in a dragon boat championship to regain the braveness and passion of lives; Impossible Split, from TOM Chung-sing, which tells the inspiring story of bowling athlete WU Siu-hong, who achieved world championship status despite being haunted by a fatal disease. The film is produced by award-winning director Adam WONG, whose films The Way We Dance and She Remembers, He Forgets both received critical acclaim, and whose project Trains in the Night was presented at last year’s HAF.

The Goddess, from Sobel CHAN Ka-lok, pays homage to classic 1930s Chinese films and focuses on the issues of Hong Kong’s public-education system, the lives of Mainland immigrants and conflicts between mother and daughter. CHAN’s League of HK Movie Heroes was selected as one of the five finalists of the HAF/FOX Chinese Film Development Award at the 11th HAF in 2013. Completing the lineup of Hong Kong projects is Forget You, Still Love You?, about a couple whose troubled marriage finds focus again after a husband is diagnosed with a devastating illness, from co-directors Kenneth LAI Siu-Kwan and Paul SZE Pak-Lam, both of whom participated in last year’s HAF with the thriller Hypnotize the Jury.

Speaking on behalf of HAF, Mr. Jacob WONG, Curator of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and Director of the HAF commented, “We are thrilled to receive HAF submissions worldwide with extremely high quality, offering distinct perspectives on a diversity of vibrant topics. The review process is, as expected, arduous yet exhilirating, and we are very proud of the dedication and persistence of our creative film talents.”

Women Directors Shining at the 15th HAF

Nearly half of the 25 selections consist of projects from female directors, including Femme Fatale, a dark comedy about two women whose parallel lives touch and collide, the first feature from Japanese documentary filmmaker MIYAKE Kyoko; and Made in Bangladesh, the first-ever HAF project from Bangladesh, about garment workers’ rights, from Rubaiyat HOSSAIN.

Other projects include Pawns With No Return, a touching story about fate bringing together an old man and a young boy, from CHEN Yi-Jung of Taiwan; I AM A BANANA!, an East-meets-West cross-cultural romantic comedy, from Honey B SINGH; and Rainbow Mountain, the second feature from Degena Yun of China, a drama about two Mongolian women from different generations whose lives cross paths throughout time and history. Degena’s critically acclaimed first feature, A Simple Goodbye, was presented at the 13th HAF and awarded The Spirit of Asia Award in Tokyo International Film Festival 2015.

Two more documentaries from women directors include The Grassland of Narangerel, which examines environmental challenges in Inner Mongolia, from YING Weiwei of China; and the Israeli-German co-production Leftover Women, from co-directors Shosh SHLAM and Hilla MEDALIA.

Exploring Family Dynamics and Science Fiction Genres

Family dynamics come into focus for several projects this year, including Ten Thousand Happiness from Chinese director Johnny MA, in which the sudden divorce of grandfather from an elite family in China sets off a chain of reaction, forcing each member to evaluate their own relationships with love and happiness; Indian filmmaker Shashwati TALUKDAR’s The New Wife, a Himalayan gothic thriller tale about a young bride’s discovery of the secrets harboured by her respectable new family.

The Asadas, the third feature from NAKANO Ryota of Japan, a drama with humor based on an original story inspired by the photographer Masashi Asada; and Chantou, Australian director Grant SCICLUNA’s gay-family drama about a couple who discover that their adopted Cambodian daughter is a victim of human trafficking.

Other projects include Restore Point from Robert HLOZ, a science-fiction murder mystery set in the future. It is the first sole Czech-Republic project feature to be presented at HAF. Also, an as-yet-untitled project commissioned by the Nara International Film Festival in Japan from director Ida PANAHANDEH and Japanese producer KAWASE Naomi, will be a free modern adaptation of a work by Shakespeare.

The HAF/FOX Project Award Presented to Drifting Lives

Sharing the same vision to encourage quality Chinese-language projects, HAF is pleased to continue its collaboration with FOX International Productions (FIP) and FOX Networks Group (FNG) Asia to present the “HAF/FOX Project Award” to suspense murder-mystery. Drifting Lives, from first-time director Danlly LI of China. The project will receive a cash award of US$10,000 (approx. HK$78,000) and a Development Contract with FOX. The award has established since 2012 to develop Chinese feature films with regional appeal, through providing support and nurture for promising scripts.

Ms. Cora YIM, SVP, Head of Chinese Entertainment and Territory Head of Hong Kong, FOX Networks Group Asia said, “With the support of HAF, we have the privilege to work with up-and-coming creative talent and being introduced to a new generation of emerging talent. We are absolutely thrilled to identify the potential cinematic storytellers who offer unique perspectives of Chinese-language cinema.” As one of the judges, Ms. Xian LI, Director of Production, Creative Development and Global Production of FOX International Productions also said that Asian cinema, especially Chinese-language cinema is one of the most significant markets for FOX. “We look forward to working with more talented filmmakers in this region to create exciting high-quality films.”

Extending Awards and New Partnerships

The 15th HAF will present a total of ten awards, amounting to HK$1,372,000 (approx. US$176,700) in cash and value in-kind. HAF is also proud to announce our new sponsor, mm2 Asia Limited to present an award to encourage and support Chinese-language film projects with a cash prize of HK$100,000 (approx. US$12,900).

“mm2 excavates stories in various Chinese speaking territories, turns them into movies with both artistic and commercial sense,” Mr. Melvin ANG, Chairman of mm2 Asia Limited said. “Through collaborating with HAF, the leading film platform in Asia, we are able to meet and support new pioneers in the Asian film industry.”

HAF is also delighted to extend collaboration with iQIYI for the third year with an award to encourage and support young film talents from Chinese-speaking territories. One cash award of HK$100,000 (approx. US$12,900) will be presented to an outstanding Chinese-language feature film project with commercial qualities. Other award sponsors include Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, China Film Foundation — Wutianming Fund For Young Talents, G2D Co. Ltd., Paris Coproduction Village, White Light Studio and Wouter Barendrecht Film Foundation.

Work in Progress Laboratory

In addition, HAF creates the “Work in Progress Laboratory” as a significant new initiative to help directors and producers securing post-production funds through meetings with distribution agents and film festival programmers. Representatives from shortlisted projects will be invited to present their work at HAF. The WIP Lab will assist interested industry professionals to set up individual meetings with them to obtain further collaboration details. The shortlisted projects will be announced later in February.

Media and Guest Accreditation for HAF

Journalists worldwide are cordially invited to join this premier film financing platform in Asia. Media accreditation will be opened for online application at http://society.hkiff.org.hk/en/press_accreditation_media.php from 23 January 2017 to 5 March 2017. Successful applicants will be given access to HAF, in addition to joining our official networking events, screenings, seminars or other special activities.

Film financiers, investors and participants can register and schedule appointments with filmmakers of the shortlisted projects at http://www.haf.org.hk/guest.php before 5 March 2017.

A complete list of the selected projects for the 15th HAF and HAF/FOX Project Award can be found in Appendix 1. For more information about HAF, please visit the official website at http://www.haf.org.hk/ and HAF Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/hafhkiffs/.

About The Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF)

The Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) is widely recognized as an established film financing platform in Asia. The HAF brings Asian filmmakers with upcoming film projects to Hong Kong for co-production ventures with top film financiers, producers, bankers, distributors and buyers. Attracting more than 1,000 filmmakers and financiers from at least 35 countries and regions, around 25 to 30 projects are selected annually to participate in the three-day event.

HAF has partnered with international organisations to provide a range of opportunities to participants. Previous partners include iQIYI (China), Fox International Productions (Greater China) (US), Cinemart (the Netherlands), Asian Project Market (South Korea), Golden Horse Film Project Promotion (Taiwan), New Cinema Network (Italy) and others. Cash and in-kind awards to the value of around US$150,000 are made with support from Create Hong Kong and Film Development Fund among others.

Past participants include China’s JIA Jiangke, JIANG Wen, LU Chuan and NING Hao; Hong Kong’s Peter CHAN, Stanley KWAN, Ann HUI, Fruit CHAN and PANG Ho-cheung; Taiwan’s TSAI Ming-Liang, WEI Te-Sheng, CHUNG Mong-Hong and Leon DAI; Japan’s KORE-EDA Hirokazu, KUROSAWA Kiyoshi, KAWASE Naomi and IWAI Shunji; South Korea’s PARK Chan-wook, KIM Jee-woon, BONG Joon-ho and IM Sang-soo; as well as Thailand’s Apichatpong WEERASETHAKUL, Ekachai UEKRONGTHAM, Nonzee NIMIBUTR and Pen-ek RATANARUANG.

About The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited (HKIFFS)

Uniting the World through Film

The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organisation dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film.

Committed to the development of a vibrant film culture in Hong Kong and Asia, the Society organises two annual flagship events in March and April: “Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF)” and “Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).”  “HKIFF Cine Fan”, a monthly screening programme features a variety of curated contemporary, retrospective and thematic showcases was also launched in April 2013.

Through its year-round programmes, the mission of the Society is to strengthen global appreciation of Asian and Chinese film culture and to promote inspiring films from around the world, enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong. Passionately believing in the power of films to unite cultures and generations, the HKIFFS is devoted to giving thousands of film lovers around the region direct access to the world’s most inspired films all year round.

About FOX International Productions

Fox International Productions (FIP) builds upon 20th Century Fox’s industry-leading international motion picture activities and upon parent company 21st Century Fox’s unparalleled global media reach by aligning all the company’s international film productions under one banner. FIP also complements Fox’s worldwide film releases with films sourced through partnerships with international producers, filmmakers, financiers, and strategic production & distribution agreements.

About FOX Networks Group

FOX Networks Group (FNG) is 21st Century FOX’s international multi-media business. We develop, produce and distribute 300+ wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, sports, factual and movie channels in 45 languages across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. FNG’s core channel brands include FOX, FOX Sports, FOX Life, FOX+ and National Geographic Channel. FNG’s movie channels include FOX Movies, FOX Movies Premium and SCM (formerly Star Chinese Movies). Our non-linear brands include FOX Play, FOX Play+ and Nat Geo Play. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high- definition extensions, reach over 1.825 billion cumulative households worldwide. In addition, FNG owns and operates two production studios and produces thousands of local programming hours for its wholly owned channels and third parties.

The press release The 15th Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum Project Announcement comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

London, United Kingdom, September 27, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - Scientists from London based UltraCap Ltd., are in the final stages of developing a ‘green’ solid state battery for electric vehicles that they claim will be 40 times lighter than current Lithium-Ion batteries. UltraCap founders, Professor Vladimir Krstic and Nico Van Dongen, say their new battery, the UltraCapacitor, will be able to charge within minutes and that, eventually, a pocket sized version of the battery will bring us one step closer to emission-free transportation.

The key to Professor Krstic’s invention is a ceramic-based, high capacitance capacitator that, unlike current chemical-based solid-state batteries (such as the Lithium-Ion battery), is eco-friendly.

Krstic says: “Right now, electric car batteries are acid-based, toxic, environmentally-unfriendly and heavy with a limited life span. Moreover, charging stations remain scarce. Our UltraCapacitor will significantly reduce the long hours currently required to recharge electric cars. It can endure millions of charging cycles, is fully recyclable and contains no environmentally harmful elements. It paves the way for zero-emission transportation worldwide.”

A battery breakthrough
Krstic has already proved that his ceramic battery can contain much more electricity in a smaller size than current chemical based batteries. This is due to a multi-layered capacitator design, containing a ceramic di-electric non-conductor. What happens is a number of these capacitators are daisy-chained together to form a small, lightweight green battery. Using this technology, the release of electricity is not limited by chemical reaction rates, so electric cars can recharge in minutes as opposed to hours. Furthermore, production of this next-generation battery will be cheaper and cleaner, making electric vehicles more affordable in future.

The company is currently developing a prototype that is anticipated to weigh less than 20kg (the Tesla Model S 70kWh battery package weighs 535kg) and deliver five consecutive hours of driving. Once complete, the prototype will be fully tested in an electric car.

Krstic believes the technology can be improved further and that heavy chemical-based batteries will soon become redundant: “We can make the ceramic di-electric much thinner and lighter without losing electrical capacity and create pocket size car batteries in the near future.’ The technology has the potential to revolutionize the way electrical energy is stored and transported. Due to high energy density and small size, it will be possible to charge the device in all regions of the world where electricity is abundant and inexpensive and then transport it to urban areas where it is needed the most.”

UltraCap is currently looking for funding to develop the project further.

About Prof Krstic 
Krstic is co-founder of UltraCap Investment Ltd and a professor at Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada with a track record in managing government and private sector funded projects for more than 30 years, Dr. Krstic has successfully completed more than 30 different projects funded by various federal and provincial programs, as well as private sector companies. He is also inventor of several new technologies and has authored and co-authored eight patents in the area of advanced functional ceramics.

Visit http://www.ultracapacitor.info/ for more technical information.

For an exclusive interview with Prof. Dr. Krstic, please call Nico van Dongen at Tel: +(44) 020 3239 4071 (email: nvd@ultracapacitor.info) or Professor Vladimir Krstic at +(1) 613 533 2760 for any technical questions.

The press release UltraCap Creates Revolutionary Lightweight Car Battery comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Macao, China, August 31, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - A Facebook fan of Conrad Macao, Cotai Central, Chris Choi from Macao, won a two-night stay in the hotel’s Presidential Suite including breakfast valued at MOP65,000 after uploading a photo of a Conrad Macao Bear to his Facebook page using the hashtag #Travelbear2016. The winning photo was taken against the backdrop of Taipei’s famous 101 Building.

Conrad Macao, Cotai Central gave fans the chance to win a #TravelBear2016 getaway package during July and August if they uploaded a photo of one of the hotel’s signature bears, taken at a global landmark, to their Facebook timeline. Photos needed to include the hashtag #TravelBear2016 and also tag Conrad Macao Facebook to be eligible to enter. The competition, now in its third year, enjoyed more than 1.4million reaches.

Conrad Macao’s signature bear collection has been an inspired part of guest stays since the hotel opened in April 2012. In addition to the signature gold bear guests receive when they stay, an exclusive collection of four new bears is produced every year. The 2016 collection is a series of animal print bears and includes a Chinese New Year Giraffe Bear, a Snow Leopard Bear, a Pink Leopard Bear in October to support Breast Cancer awareness, and a Zebra Bear for Christmas.

“We were overwhelmed by the response to our #Travelbear campaign,” said Bede Barry, Vice President, Hotel Operations, “Our bear travelled the world, and appeared in front of iconic world landmarks in London, Paris, Australia, USA, Canada, Greece, Italy, Egypt, Korea, India and Thailand.  We knew our hotel guests were world travellers and now we know our Conrad bears are as well! We will certainly continue the campaign in 2017 to see where he visits next.”

Photos were judged by a team of hotel executives based upon their creativity, along with the number of shares and likes they received on Facebook.

Conrad Macao, Cotai Central offers the popular Conrad Concierge mobile app, which allows global luxury travellers to customise details of their hotel stay before, during and after each visit via a smartphone or tablet. Whether it’s pre-selecting bath amenities or checking-in while in transit from the airport, guests can access a variety of features using the app.

Conrad Macao Cotai Central participates in Hilton HHonors®, the only guest rewards program that allows members to earn Points & Miles® for the same stay and redeem points for free nights with No Blackout Dates at more than 4,600 hotels worldwide. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through http://www.conradhotels.com will have access to benefits including digital check-in and complimentary Wi-Fi.

To learn more about or connect with Conrad Macao, Cotai Central, please visit www.conradhotels.com/macao.

For more information about Conrad Hotels & Resorts, please visit http://news.conradhotels.com  or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

The press release Ready, teddy, go! – Conrad Macao Announces Winner of #Travelbear2016 Contest comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Shanghai, China, August 26, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - Hertz, a world leading car rental provider, and AccorHotels, the world’s leading hotel operator, have partnered to provide Le Club AccorHotels’ members with special car rental offers, including exclusive benefits, globally. With this partnership, Hertz expands its presence across key global markets. The partner agreement runs until March 2019.

Le Club Accorhotels is the AccorHotels Group’s multi-brand loyalty program for Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery by Sofitel, Novotel, Novotel Suites, Mercure, ibis, ibis Styles, Adagio and Thalassa Sea & Spa. Le Club Accorhotels offers its more than 25 million members worldwide advantages and tailor-made services available at every stage of the customer journey. Members from Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Canada will now also be able to enjoy a unique rental experience from Hertz, including:

• A discount of 10% on prepaid and non-prepaid Hertz Classic retail rates worldwide, including Hertz Green, Prestige, Family and Fun Collection vehicles.
• One additional driver at no extra cost.
• One Reward Rental Day for members who enrol in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® program, via receipt of 900 points upon joining.
• Complimentary one-car-class upgrades, depending on the Le Club AccorHotels member tier.
• Five Le Club AccorHotels points per euro spent on car rental with Hertz as a promotion bonus offer to celebrate the launch of the partnership during August. After this period, members will receive three Le Club AccorHotels points per euro spent with Hertz.
• Access to a delivery and collection service (according to Hertz terms and conditions).
  Hertz Gold Plus Rewards tier matching for Le Club AccorHotels Silver, Gold and Platinum members. 

“Our new partnership with AccorHotels Group’s loyalty program represents a significant step for expanding our global reach,” said Michel Taride, Group President, Hertz International.  “We know that Le Club AccorHotels members are highly discerning travellers, and we look forward to consistently offering them a seamless and enjoyable car rental experience wherever they visit around the world.”

“We are very happy about this partnership with Hertz that will offer our members an additional and exclusive benefit. We are permanently working on enriching the experience through Le Club AccorHotels in order to put guest recognition at the heart of the loyalty programme,” said Emanuel Baudart, Chief Customer Officer AccorHotels Group.

About Hertz Global Holdings
Hertz Global Holdings operates the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly car rental brands in approximately 9,980 corporate and licensee locations throughout approximately 150 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz Global Holdings is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental company with approximately 1,635 airport locations in the U.S. and more than 1,320 airport locations internationally. Product and service initiatives such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®, Carfirmations, Mobile Wi-Fi and unique vehicles offered through the Adrenaline, Dream, Green and Prestige Collections set Hertz Global Holdings apart from the competition. 

Additionally, Hertz Global Holdings owns the vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation, operates the Hertz 24/7 hourly car rental business in international markets and sells vehicles through its Rent2Buy program. For more information about Hertz Global Holdings, visit: www.hertz.com.

About AccorHotels
AccorHotels is a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator offering unique experiences in more than 4,000 hotels, resorts and residences, as well as in over 2,500 of the finest private homes around the globe. Benefiting from dual expertise as an investor and operator through its HotelServices and HotelInvest divisions, AccorHotels operates in 95 countries. Its portfolio comprises internationally acclaimed luxury brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel Legend,  SO Sofitel, Sofitel, onefinestay, MGallery by Sofitel, Pullman, and Swissôtel; as well as the popular midscale and boutique brands of Novotel, Mercure, Mama Shelter and Adagio; the in-demand economy brands including ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and the regional brands Grand Mercure, The Sebel and hotelF1. 

With an unmatched collection of brands and rich history spanning close to five decades, AccorHotels, along with its global team of more than 240,000 dedicated women and men, has a purposeful and heartfelt mission: to make every guest Feel Welcome. Guests enjoy access to one of the world’s most rewarding hotel loyalty programs – Le Club AccorHotels. 

AccorHotels is active in its local communities and committed to sustainable development and solidarity through PLANET 21, a comprehensive program that brings together employees, guests and partners to drive sustainable growth.

Accor SA is publicly listed with shares trading on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and the OTC marketplace (Code: ACRFY) in the United States.  

The press release Hertz and AccorHotels announce their partnership to enrich the benefits offered by the loyalty program Le Club AccorHotels comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Fujian, China, July 22, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts announces the appointment of Mr. Jonas Amstad as general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Fuzhou in the capital city of Fujian province in the southeast of China.  In this role, he will oversee hotel operations and lead the team in delivering quality and exceptional guest experiences at this property.

Mr. Amstad, a Swiss national is fluent in German, French, English and Russian.  Prior to this appointment, his 25-year experience spans several five-star international city hotels and resorts, including Sheraton Warsaw and Sheraton Oman, Park Hyatt & Hyatt Regency, Baku, Shangri-La Hotel and Resort, Fiji, Donbass Palace Hotel, Donetsk, Radisson Resort & SPA, Alushta, as well the Radisson Belorusskaya in Moscow.

Mr. Amstad is well versed in hotel management.  His hospitality journey starts at Beckenried from 1988.  For the past 25 years, he had worked for numbers of fields and various positions in Eastern Europe, Middle East, Mainland China, South Pacific and?Indian Ocean, before he arrived in Fuzhou.  Prior to Shangri-La Hotel, Fuzhou, he was the Resident Manager of Shangri-La’s Resort & SPA in Maldives.

“I am passionate about joining the Shangri-La Hotel, Fuzhou, which is such a historical and leisure place. Driven by a philosophy rooted in Asian hospitality, the Shangri-La Fuzhou team has been doing an excellent job by maintaining its market-leader position since it opened in 2005.  I hope to lead this team to meet new challenges and to consistently provide the highest service quality to our valued guests,” said Mr. Amstad.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages more than 85 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 36,000.  Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.  Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.  The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.

The press release Shangri-La Hotel Fuzhou Welcomes Jonas Amstad As General Manager comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Beijing, China, July 7, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - China World Hotel, Beijing collaborates with Italian luxury handmade jewellery brand Damiani to create an elegant Butterfly Collection Afternoon Tea that will be served at the hotel’s Lobby Lounge  until 31 July 2016.

Inspired by the beautiful jewellery design, China World Hotel, Beijing’s Executive Pastry Chef Jonathan Wu will present a combination of culinary craftsmanship and precious jewels in the Butterfly Collection Afternoon Tea.  The vivid luxury handbag, high-heel shoes, exquisite diamond ring and carven butterfly are all made of fine chocolate and sugar for the ladies’ epicurean delights.  The delicate desserts will spoil guests with the most fabulous high-tea experience.

Damiani Afternoon Tea was the ultimate indulgence for Ms Nicoletta Romanoff, the Italian movie star when she stayed with us at China World Hotel.  Guests can now also enjoy the same beautiful Afternoon Tea in our Lobby Lounge and get a chance to win a surprise lucky draw gift on the last Sunday of the month!  Live orchestra performance is available from 3pm to 5pm every Sunday while you sip on your tea.

Damiani is the only Italian jewellery company to design and produce jewels since its inception.  Maintaining tradition is important at Damiani; handwork is still the same as it was decades ago, and each piece is handmade with centuries-old skills and an accurate attention to detail.  Every Damiani jewel is the most important expression of “Made in Italy” in high-end jewellery.  Damiani is the only known jewellery company to have received as much as 18 “Diamonds International Awards”.  Calderoni also won four of these awards, in 1960, 1977, 1978 and 1996.  It also received many other prizes, including two Tahitian Pearl Trophies, one Haute Couture Design Award, one Vogue Joyas award and quite a number of entrepreneurial and communication prizes.

The lightness and delicate flutter of a butterfly’s wings are the inspiration for the Butterfly collection.  The butterflies are in white or yellow gold and enriched by white or black diamonds with coloured stones like emeralds, rubies and amethysts.  Each butterfly can be used as a pendant, brooch or set onto a ring.

Damiani’s iconic design par excellence for beautiful rings and large crosses.  Belle Époque is inspired by the graphic design of cine film and, like the cinema, brings dreams and great feelings to life.

As the only Italian jewellery company to design and produce jewels since its inception, the Damiani company was founded in 1924 in the heart of the goldsmith district of Valenza Po (North West Italy) by Enrico Grassi Damiani.  Thanks to his skills as a goldsmith, Enrico quickly became the preferred supplier to important families and notables who asked him to create special and exquisite unique pieces.  He soon began to supply the Italian royal family, the earls of Cavour, Gabriele d’Annunzio and Luigi Pirandello.  Damiano Grassi Damiani, Enrico’s son, born in 1934, launched a serious industrial processes and thought of commercial expansions in the sixties.  He promoted design research and technical innovation, the two roots of the company’s future.  Damian jewels attracted more and more fame, thanks to a very revolutionary idea at the time: to guarantee the price to clients and to create catalogues of all the collections.  

Guests may contact the Damiani boutique at China World Trade Center at (010) 6505 9890 or find it at WB 123A, B1, China World Trade Center, No.1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing.

China World Hotel, Beijing anchors the China World Trade Center complex, and is attached to China World mall, in the heart of the city’s diplomatic and business district.  Hailed one of the first three hotels in mainland China to be awarded a Platinum Five Star rating by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), China World Hotel, Beijing has been named one of the world’s best hotels by both Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure magazines.  China World Hotel, Beijing has also been voted “Best Hotel in Beijing” by Euromoney, Frommer’s Guide and Finance Asia; “Best Business Hotel in Beijing” by Business Traveller China and Asia Pacific, TTG Asia, The Asset and Asian Legal Business; received the “Top Ten Business Hotels in China – Golden Pillow Award” by 21st Century Business Herald; and named one of “The Top 50 Hotels in China” by Forbes and Travel + Leisure China.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently own 95 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 39,000.  Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.  Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.  The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar and Sri Lanka.  For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

The press release China World Hotel Beijing Partners With Italian Luxury Handmade Jewellery Brand To Offer Damiani Butterfly-Themed Afternoon Tea comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Beijing, China, May 10, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - Mr. Christopher Chia has been appointed vice president at Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited and general manager of China World Hotel, Beijing. He will be responsible for the whole operations and services of three hotels, including China World Hotel, Beijing; China World Summit Wing, Beijing; and Traders Hotel, Beijing.

Mr. Chia has more than 30 years of management experience. Prior to joining China World Hotel, Beijing, he was the vice president and general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing. He started his hospitality career with the group as front office executive at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. He has since held management positions within the group in Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing.

China World Hotel, Beijing soars over the China World Trade Center complex, including the China World Exhibition Center and shopping mall, in the heart of the city’s diplomatic and business district. Hailed one of the first three hotels in mainland China to be awarded a Platinum Five Star rating by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), China World Hotel, Beijing has been named one of the world’s best hotels by both Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure magazines. China World Hotel, Beijing has also been voted “Best Hotel in Beijing” by Euromoney, Frommer’s Guide and Finance Asia; “Best Business Hotel in Beijing” by Business Traveller China and Asia Pacific, TTG Asia, The Asset and Asian Legal Business; received the “Top Ten Business Hotels in China – Golden Pillow Award” by 21st Century Business Herald; and named one of “The Top 50 Hotels in China” by Forbes and Travel + Leisure China.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns 95 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 39,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar and Sri Lanka. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

The press release Shangri-la Hotel and Resorts Appoints Christopher Chia as VP at Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited and GM of China World Hotel, Beijing comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

New Delhi, India, April 22, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - The 100 smart cities mission launched by the government to inject our cities with the latest infrastructure and amenities is ambitious and unprecedented.

The project requires smart planning and organisation to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision a reality. Important factors include, preparing the roadmap with schedules for completion of each task; allotment of funds and resources; technical provisions to build smart cities; involvement of countries, ministries, associations, etc., and how their efforts can be leveraged to create “smart cities” in India.
To address these questions, the Exhibitions India Group is organising the 2nd edition of Smart Cities India 2016 expo at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-13 May 2016.

The expo will attract 350 exhibitors from 50 countries showcasing their capabilities over three days.
Respected names like Logipix Ltd (Hungary) will display high resolution cameras for city surveillance; Cleverciti Systems GmBH Germany), will display sensors for managing parking; Ecube Labs (Korea), will display IoT based intelligent solutions for managing waste; REC Solar ( Noway), will showcase solar solutions, including integrated manufacturing of polysilicon to wafers, cells, panels and turnkey solar solutions; Sundrax LLC (Russia), will present Intelligent street lights; while Trestor Inc. (Canada), will demonstrate solutions for building smart communities, and many other innovators will demonstrate a wide variety of products and solutions.

In addition to the exhibition, 300 leaders from around the world will converge at the conference including: Anders H. Lier (President & CEO, Enoro, Norway); Dr. Chirine Etezadzadeh (Head of Institute, SmartCity.institute Germany); Doug Haines (CEO, Haines Security Solutions, United States); Julian Marwitz (CEO, Arineos, Germany); Maria Adahl (Director, Open Arena-Urban Development, Sweden); and Ruben Dubelaar (Project Director, Dutch Sports Infrastructure (FME), Netherlands), etc.

The forum will host concurrent conference sessions on topics including: “Evolution of connected transport ecosystems”; “Make in India”; “Solar rooftops technologies & engineering”; and “Waste management solutions”; “Debt & equity financing”; and “National and international policies and financing models”, etc.

The expo will be a platform for other nations to share case studies, insights, and technical know-how while building smart cities in their own countries. Individual country pavilions at the expo will be from the Czech Republic, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and Taiwan. One of the largest pavilions at the expo will be hosted by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Taipei World Trade Center Liaison Office (Mumbai), with more than 100 companies displaying their technologies, products and services.

Commenting on their participation, Michael Lin, Director of Taipei World Trade Center Liaison Office, Mumbai, said: “India’s economic outlook looks promising, especially with the Indian government actively launching initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India and Smart Cities. The country has demonstrated a strong potential for development. Taiwan is well known for producing advanced technology products. We are keen to take part in this initiative, and look forward to form partnerships with India in this period of growth.”

The country pavilion hosted by the Netherlands, will demonstrate the best smart cities solutions in the areas of electric mobility, smart infrastructure, traffic management, and urban planning, etc.
Fons Stoelinga, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, said: “The Netherlands has a long-standing tradition in comprehensive integrated planning. It combines drawing up long-term agendas, working in alliances, planning based on design and research, and producing integrated visions on water, housing, infrastructure, and nature. Our experience has proven helpful in facing the challenges of our urbanizing world. Through our participation in the Smart Cities India 2016 expo, we truly hope to share this experience with India.”

Speaking about the upcoming expo, Prem Behl, Chairman, Exhibitions India Group, said: “Smart Cities are important to transform the lives and living conditions of every citizen in the country. This mission cannot be accomplished without substantial investments from the state and central institutions; international and domestic agencies; NGO’s and corporates; etc. We have received an incredible response from countries and companies to participate in the expo, clearly demonstrating international interest towards the Smart Cities mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

The exhibition and conference will cover many segments, including: Waste and water management; Smart environment; Urban planning; Green buildings; Smart transport; IT & communications; e-Governance; Safety & security; Smart grid; Clean energy; Education & skills to build smart cities; Smart manufacturing; Make in India; Smart health; Disaster management, etc.

The 2nd Smart Cities India 2016 expo has the support of 10 central ministries and a host of international associations.

To view the complete list, please visit: http://www.smartcitiesindia.com/supports.aspx#endorsements

About the Smart Cities India expo
Smart Cities India is an annual international exhibition and conference. The inaugural edition of Smart Cities India expo at New Delhi during May 2015, was a success with 207 exhibitors from 40 countries presenting their technologies, services and solutions. With 39 conference sessions and 241 speakers from 15 countries. 12,721 business visitors from India and abroad attended the three day expo.

The expo connects exhibitors and speakers with government administrators, municipal bodies, industry leaders, investors, etc.

For more information about the 2nd Smart Cities 2016 expo, please visit: http://www.smartcitiesindia.com/

About Exhibitions India Group:
The Exhibitions India Group is a trade promotion organization, organising international exhibitions and conferences since 1987, promoting trade and commerce, financial investments, joint ventures, technology transfers, etc.

For more information, please visit: http://www.exhibitionsindiagroup.com/

The press release Smart Cities India 2016 expo to unveil what it takes to build smart cities in India comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Mississippi, United States, January 5, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - The next editions of International Surrealism Now will be held in the United States in Mississipi at Cullis Wade Depot Art Gallery, MSU Welcome Center. It will be in January and February and in Partícula Coimbra, next February, and Multimedia Poros Museum in Condeixa-a-Nova, Portugal 2016.

The following artists will exhibit in United States, Mississipi at Cullis Depot Gallery located above the Mississippi State University welcome center:
American: Jay Garfinkle, France Garrido, Joe A. MacGown, K.D. Matheson, Patrick McGrath Muniz, Shahla Rosa, Olga Spiegel; Portugal: Santiago Ribeiro, Paula Rosa, Victor Lages, Francisco Urbano.

International Surrealism Now is a project by the surrealist painter Santiago Ribeiro that began in 2010 in Coimbra, when Santiago Ribeiro conceived a major exhibition organized by Bissaya Barreto Foundation. This event has been in Conímbriga celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Monographic Museum (second most visited museum in Portugal).

The show has also been in Paris with the support of GAPP – Art Gallery Portugal Presente and Liba WS, organized once again by the Bissaya Barreto Foundation and Santiago Ribeiro, and in Madrid with the support of Yamal Din. After that it went to Dallas with the support of the American surrealist artist Shahla Rosa.

Recently it was presented at the medieval Castle of Paço da Ega, organized by Rede de Bibliotecas and House Mayor of Condeixa-a-Nova.

Artists come from 30 countries: Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, USA, Philippines, France, Holland, Indonesia, England, Iran, Iceland , Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Vietnam.

List of artists can be found here: http://oneiricrealism.com/2014/09/artists-international-surrealism-now-2/

Agim Meta / Ana Neamu / Ana Morales / Anna Plavinskaya / Andrew Baines / Asier Rico / Brigid Marlin / Bien Banez / Daila Lupo / Dan Neamu / Daniel Hanequand / Daniele Gori / Domen Lo / Edgar Invoker / Egill Ibsen / Erik Heyninck / Ettore Vigo / Farhad Jafari / France Garrido / Francisco Urbano / Gromyko Semper / Héctor Pineda / Hector Toro / Hugues Gillet / Isabel Meyrelles / Joe MacGown / Keith Wigdor / Leo Wijnhoven / Leo Plaw / Liba WS / Lubomír Štícha / Ludgero Rôlo / Lv Shang / Maciej Hoffman / Magi Calhoun / Maria Aristova / Martina Hoffmann / Mehriban Efendi / Naiker Roman / Nazareno Affonso / Nikolina Petolas / Octavian Florescu / Oleg Korolev / Olga Spiegel / Otto Rapp / Paula Rosa / Paulo Cunha, / Pedro Diaz / Philippe Pelletier / Rudolf Boelee / Santiago Ribeiro / Sergey Tyukanov / Shahla Rosa / Shoji Tanaka / Shan Zhulan / Sio Sandra / Slavko Krunic / Sônia M Barreto / Steve Smith / Stuart Grigz / Svetlana Kislyachenko / Tatomir Pitariu / Ton Haring / Victor Lages / Vu Thuong / Yamal Din / Yuri Tsvetaev / Zoran Velimanovic.

In the United States:
“LUSO – American and Portuguese Surrealism of the 21st Century”
Date and time: January 21 to February 19, 2016
Gallery Reception: January 21, TBD, 5-6 p.m.

Venue: Cullis Wade Depot Art Gallery, MSU Welcome Center
Gallery Director: Lori Neuenfeldt, LNeuenfeldt@caad.msstate.edu
662-325-2973

SOURCE: International Surrealism Now

The press release Artists From China And Around The World Converge At International Surrealism Now Project comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

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Beijing, China (October 28, 2011) /Xinwengao.com/ — Shangri-La restructured its signature Golden Circle (GC) loyalty programme a year ago to allow both staying and non-staying guests to earn and redeem Golden Circle Award Points (GC Award Points). Since the relaunch, the awards programme has attracted more than 288,000 new members, bringing the total membership to over 2 million guests who have earned more than 635 million GC Award Points in the year. Golden Circle now includes over 500,000 members from mainland China.

“I believe it is safe to say that the success of the new Golden Circle programme has exceeded our own expectations and we are particularly pleased to see so many of our Chinese guests joining,” said Wee Kee Ng, director of corporate loyalty and partner marketing. “The feedback we have been given is that our guests appreciate that we recognise and reward them every time in every Shangri-La hotel, resort, Kerry or Traders hotel no matter whether they are staying in the hotel or not.” To mark the anniversary of the enhanced Golden Circle, Shangri-La announced the launch of the new exclusive members’ magazine, Inner Circle, on 25 October 2011.

Inner Circle is an interactive multi-language magazine website www.innercircle.shangri-la.com, which provides travel inspiration and insider knowledge on the ultimate Shangri-La destinations through travel features, interviews and news. Linked to a monthly e-newsletter, the site aims to provide a new means of regular communication with members of Shangri-La’s Golden Circle. With user commenting areas across the site and live feeds into social media platforms, Inner Circle allows members to share their travel experiences and recommendations.

Divided into six sections, the site provides the latest travel tips to inspire even the most seasoned globetrotters.

News: The news section provides regular communication with Golden Circle members, on topics such as new hotel openings, awards, information on the latest refurbishments, benefits and special announcements from Shangri-La hotels and resorts across the globe.

Destinations: Every month, the destination section provides readers with insights into new travel destinations – from exploring the jungle with orang-utans in Borneo to shopping for modern art in Shanghai.

Inspiration: The inspiration section seeks to provide readers with a new take on a well known destination – focusing every issue on travel-related passions (such as gourmet experiences, adventure pursuits or health and wellness retreats) and seeking insider information from people in the know. Therefore, whether editors are quizzing the chef at Shangri La Hotel, Paris about the ultimate gourmet experience or trekking with mountaineers in Guilin for a genuine adrenalin rush, this section seeks to inspire readers to broaden horizons and explore their interests.

Top 10: The Top 10 section is an area where readers can browse for their next adventure. Leveraging the imagery from all Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders hotels across the globe, every issue this section features a rundown of 10 amazing sites, sounds or experiences, providing a place for readers to “window shop” for their next Shangri-La destination.

Your Circle: Your Circle provides the interactive heart to the Inner Circle website, where Golden Circle members can share their own travel stories.

Members are encouraged to submit their travel articles and photography to this area, and every month, two contributors (one English-language submission and one Chinese-language submission) are published on Inner Circle and win a complimentary two-night stay in an Executive Suite at one of the Shangri-La group’s hotels.

Heart Talk: The renowned travel writer Siew Hoon Yeoh is an integral part of Inner Circle with her travel column Heart Talk, where she shares her monthly musings in a one-woman mission to spread her love of travel as she treks across the globe.

Inner Circle is accessible to non-members on a “read only” basis. For commenting and feedback, readers are invited to join Golden Circle, which is free and open to anyone over the age of 18. To join, visit Golden Circle’s dedicated website, www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com, where members can also manage their profile, set their preferences, check and redeem points.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s premier hotel companies, currently owns and/or manages 72 hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands, with a room inventory of over 30,000. Over almost four decades, the group has established its brand hallmark of “hospitality from the heart.” The group has a substantial development pipeline with projects in Canada, mainland China, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Mongolia, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkey and United Kingdom.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Judy Wang
  Director of Media Relation, China
  Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
  Tel: (86 10) 6505 3293
  Fax: (86 10) 6505 3274
  E-mail: judy.wang@shangri-la.com

The press release First Anniversary Celebration For Shangri-la’s Golden Circle Loyalty Programme comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.